Lady Clarissa has decided to live life on her terms. After the end of a ten-year betrothal, she wants nothing to do with marriage or the men of the ton. Least of all her friend’s brother, the very charming Lord Markham, or Hearts, as many ladies call the oh-so-handsome earl.
Markham pursues relationships with no ties that bind. Acting the rake leaves everyone satisfied...until he overhears a wager that could lead to Clarissa’s ruin. He can’t help but step in and claim she’s his intended bride.
Clarissa is appalled. She did not need to be saved. Reluctantly, she agrees to the fake courtship, if only to experience what the rakish Markham can offer. But when lust becomes love, Clarissa must make up her own terms and bet it all on Hearts.
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Excerpt
Markham recognized Clarissa at once, and not just because her ivory cloak gleamed ethereal against the evergreen boughs.
He’d just known she’d be there.
In fact, he’d known even before he’d turned the last corner.
Never before had he been so aware of a woman’s presence. And ever since they’d kissed, he hadn’t been able to force his awareness to lessen.
When she’d fallen forward in the carriage, he’d reacted without thought and caught her. Anytime he’d felt a sort of tingle, he’d glance over, and she’d be staring back.
He hadn’t known what do to. So, he’d winked—a wordless acknowledgment of their connection—a connection he did not yet understand.
He was drawn to her. He always had been. He had no choice but to admit that, now.
But was she drawn to him?
She hadn’t realized he was standing right behind her. She continued to stare at what appeared, from her vantage, to be a canvas of green, but from his, was actually a false end.
Several black ringlets had escaped her hat and rested against her back. Her arms hung limp at her sides. Still, she appeared as regal as a queen.
The Queen of Hearts?
He shook his head. How had that come into his mind?
She turned.
For as long as Markham had known Clarissa, she’d been composed, imperturbable. Occasionally warm and laughing—at least to others—and frequently pert with him.
Suddenly, however, she’d lost her cultured, sovereign sort of presence. Now, her eyes held whispers of confusion. Uncertainty.
He didn’t like the look.
He definitely didn’t like suspecting he was its cause.
“Are you well?” he asked softly.
She closed her eyes and exhaled. “No—yes. I… For a moment, I was lost.”
He smiled, but only one side of his mouth lifted. “I’ve found you. And, you aren’t lost.” He held out his hand. “Come look.”
Both of them wore gloves. Still, when she took his hand, he burned.
He drew her to his side. “See the hidden opening?”
Her lips formed an O. “How did I miss it?”
“Clever pruning?” he suggested.
She half chuckled, still looking a bit confused.
His heart panged. “I’m sorry you’ve been caught up in all of this. You must rue the day you heard of the Stanley family.”
She turned toward him and shook her head no.
Her eyes were so very deep and blue. He brushed her hair from her cheek.
She placed her other hand over his, making a cradle against her jaw. He brushed his thumb against her chin. A small caress. Barely a caress at all. But enough for tender warmth to melt into desire.
“A kiss”—she glanced up through her lashes—“for courage?”
He wished he hadn’t told her about his Mother’s turn of phrase.
They hadn’t been happy words. Nor were they happy memories. But this—this could be a happy memory.A very happy memory.
He bent his head and brushed his lips against hers. She let go of the hand she held and hooked her arm behind his neck, drawing him closer and holding him tight.
His insides went molten as he kissed her again, running his tongue along her lower lip. Sheopened her eyes in shock.
And then, she kissed him back.
He grasped her by her waist as her fingers bit into his shoulders. She sighed softly against his lips.He dizzied as his blood drained downward.
Clarissa.
The end he’d sought without knowing. The maze he wanted to win.
Wendy LaCapra has been reading romance since she sneaked into the adult section at the library and discovered Victoria Holt & Jane Aiken Hodge. From that point on, she dreamed of creating fictional worlds with richness, intrigue and passion. Her stories have placed in several contests, including the 2012 Golden Heart® and her debut series, a trilogy about three Ladies who refuse to play by society’s rules, was released by Entangled Scandalous. She lives in NYC with her husband and loves to hear from readers. For new release and sale alerts, sign up at http://bit.ly/GetWendyNewsGiveaway:
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- Scandal in Spades by Wendy LaCapra
- Slightly Dangerous by Mary Balogh
- Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean
- As Rich as a Rogue by Jade Lee
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