Esmeralda
Goodwin finds the company of dogs, horses and cats preferable to people.
Especially the rugged man with a scar on his face and eyes as hard as flint.
Esmeralda, known as Messy to her four older sisters, is staying with Nell in
Dorset, hoping to overcome her infatuation with Peter Archer who has chosen a
demure, compliant woman as his wife. When she finds a horse whose rider has
left it alone on the edge of a windy cliff, she tumbles headlong into a world
of smugglers, secret passages, and excise men.
Fletcher
Howell, recently returned from the Caribbean to lead his family business, faces
unforeseen obstacles that leave him no time to fall in love, even with a woman
as alluring as Esmeralda Goodwin. But when a six-year-old runaway slave boy is
found on one of his ships, Messy needs to decide if she can trust Fletcher
Howell with her heart.
Publisher's Note: This historical romance contains graphic scenes and elements of power exchange. It is book five in the Wards of Lamercier series and can be read as a standalone but will be enjoyed if read in order.
Fletcher tore his eyes away from the young woman whose rounded breasts were inadvertently right in his line of vision as she knelt beside her dog. Without any effort, he could see the swell below her dress and the very edge of her aureola. He was annoyed that the sight of her was so alluring, as if he were a schoolboy catching his first glimpse of a woman's naked beauty. He gritted his teeth. He had no time to think about beguiling ladies with voluptuous curves, wild blue eyes, and thick dark curls which he could hold as he guided her to suck his cock.
He shifted his attention to the dog she doted on, which was also a curiosity. It had all the rough appearance of an indeterminate breed of a street mutt, not the kind of pampered thorough breeds usually preferred by aristocratic ladies. The young woman ran her fingers gently through the dog's fur, and he had a sudden urge to know what they would feel like stroking his cock. He gritted his teeth and placed his hands on the side of the cart, hoping that his cock would stop throbbing if he focused on his business.
Casting an expert eye over the dozen or so barrels that rested on the bed of the cart, he patted the horse that had been placidly eating grass now that no more carrots were forthcoming from the young lass who had so kindly given him treats. "That's about enough for one load. It won't do to wear her out."
Ben nodded, gave a click of his tongue, and flicked the reins. The horse took a slow step forward and then stopped. Messy was still fussing over Ruffles and was directly in the path of the horse.
Fletcher swore. "Get out of the way." He was not going to stand on ceremony for anyone, even the sister-in-law of an earl. Messy looked up, startled. She had not noticed the cart begin to move. But Howell's arrogant tone annoyed her. She glared, holding Ruffles tightly against her chest even though he was struggling to be set down. "I am taking care of my dog who was viciously and needlessly attacked by a monster. We will move when I am satisfied Ruffles has not been seriously injured."
Fletcher shook his head. This young woman's imperious haughtiness embodied everything he detested about the aristocracy. He gritted his teeth and his snarl was just as fierce as Buster's. "You're in the way of my horse and cart. Move." Without giving Messy a chance to respond, he tugged the reins and clicked. "Walk on."
The horse lumbered
forward and Messy let go of Ruffles, jumping to her feet with a yelp that rivaled
her dog's. She brushed out her skirts and tossed her head before casting what
she hoped was a withering glance at Howell, but it was completely lost as he
had stalked off in the opposite direction, heading back to the beach and the
slow process of recovering as much of his cargo as he could.
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Alicia Goodwin experiments with new ideas in science but can she understand the volatile chemistry of love?
Alicia Goodwin prefers books and microscopes to balls and soirees. Only once, has she enjoyed dancing, but that was two years ago and the fleeting attraction between her and Jasper Keeton faded when he left London.
But when he returns to London to seek the help of her guardian, the Earl of Medwell, the chemistry between them is reignited. Alicia finds her loyalties torn between her rekindled love for Jasper and her new friend, Belinda Bennet.
Jasper accuses Belinda’s brother of being involved in the unexpected death of his father and at the center of a plot to assassinate the Duke of Wellington and free Napoleon from his exile on Elba.
As Ali tries to help Belinda clear her brother’s name and discover the truth about Jasper’s father, they become embroiled in events that could end in tragedy.
Can Ali convince Jasper that Belinda is not the enemy? At the same time, her love for Jasper becomes more complicated and intense.
Will love triumph, no matter the difficulties it faces?
Kathy Leigh has loved books and writing since she could first follow the stories in her bedtime tales.
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