The Promise of a Gentleman
Book 1, The Cousins of the Aristocracy
Linda Rae Sande
Erotic Historical Romance
Will the third time be the charm? In 1802 London, Emma Fitzsimmons is determined to fend for herself in life as well as love. Her banker has other plans for her future, though—marriage—as does her best friend. Given the options, should Emma consider the tall broker? Or the rake who isn't what he seems? What of her employer? Six can become three in this sensual tale of mismatchmaking at its finest.
When it comes to matchmaking, will the third time be the charm?
Excerpt
About Linda Rae SandeEmma was shocked into silence. It was bad enough to be in a man’s bedchamber. It was worse to be in his bedchamber while he sat naked covered only by a quilt. And here she was pressed up against his naked flesh while under the same quilt! Wearing his dressing gown!
Emma finally turned and looked at him, her face mere inches from his. “Other than my father’s, I have never been in a man’s bedchamber ..,” she started to say and then turned to face the fire, a bit of panic rising inside. “This is a bit … inappropriate,” she whispered as she shook her head, sure he could see how flushed her face had become from her sudden embarrassment.
“No one else need know this happened. No one else will know,” Thomas replied quietly as he watched her profile. “And it shouldn’t have,” he added as he leaned forward and used the heel of one hand to scrub his eyes. A sudden weariness settled into his bones, and he found it difficult to hold up his head.
Emma angled her head and turned to look at him. “Whatever do you mean?”
Thomas shook his head as he dropped his hand and then pulled his hand inside the quilt. “I was such a fool tonight,” he whispered finally. “The weather was horrible all afternoon. I sent my warehouse manager home because he was sick, and then I ended up staying so late, there wasn’t a room at the men’s club. All the inns were full. I believed I could make it home on horseback in a blinding rainstorm, and the wind …” He paused for a moment and turned to face her. “If you hadn’t had that lamp in your window, I would have walked right past the road to this house,” he said, suddenly realizing he could have spent an entire night in the cold and wet. “Surely, I would have died,” he whispered as he turned to stare at the fire again. A moment later, he pulled her into a hug and clung to her as if his very life depended on it.
At first, Emma gasped and almost resisted. At the same instant, she became aware of something she had been denying to herself.
I want this man, she realized, the scent of him enveloping her senses.
The feel of his flesh pressed against her had every nerve ending jumping. A fluttering filled her belly as her pulse pounded in her ears.
A self-described nerd and lover of science, Linda Rae spent many years as a published technical writer specializing in 3D graphics workstations, software and 3D animation (her movie credits include SHREK and SHREK 2). An interest in genealogy led to years of research on the Regency era and a desire to write fiction based in that time. She can frequently be found at the local cinema enjoying the latest movie. During the winter, she houses junior hockey players and is a fan of the San Jose Sharks. She makes her home in Cody, Wyoming. Read more about her books on her website.
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