Betrothal (Time Enough To Love) (17 page)

The documentation of the life of Princess Joanna of England is uncertain at best, with scholars unable to agree even on the date of her birth. It’s not surprising, therefore, that I’ve had to make choices about the historical information I used in the writing of
Time Enough to Love
. In all cases, I’ve chosen the dates and places that facilitate the plot and pacing of the story. Where facts are certain, I have included them in my story to the best of my ability.

Jenna Jaxon is a multi-published author of historical and contemporary romance. Her historical romance,
Only Scandal Will Do
, the first in a series of five interconnecting novels, was released in July 2012. Her contemporary works include
Hog Wild
,
Almost Perfect
, and
7 Days of

Seduction
. She is a PAN member of Romance Writers of America as well as a member of

Chesapeake Romance Writers. Her medieval romance,
Time Enough to Love
, is being published

this summer as a series of three novellas.

Jenna has been reading and writing historical romance since
she was a teenager. A romantic herself, she’s always loved a dark side to the genre—a twist, suspense, a surprise—and tries to incorporate all these elements into her own stories. She lives in Virginia with her family and a small menagerie of pets. When not reading or writing, she indulges her passion for the theatre, working with local theatres as a director. She often feels she is directing her characters on their own private stage.

She equates her writing to an addiction to chocolate because once she starts she just can’t stop.

Connect with me online:

Blog: Jenna’s Journal http://jennajaxon.wordpress.com

Twitter:
@Jenna_Jaxon

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Jenna-Jaxon/146857578723570

Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4960704.Jenna_Jaxon

Amazon Author Page:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005CHPBD2

Only Scandal Will Do

He has the woman of his dreams, but what price will he have to pay to win her heart?

Kidnapped and sold at auction in a London brothel, Lady Katarina Fitzwilliam squelches an undeniable attraction to the masked stranger who purchased her, pits her wits against him, and escapes him and the scandal that would ruin her life.

Unable to resist temptation in a London brothel, Duncan Ferrers, Marquess of Dalbury, purchases a fiery beauty. She claims she’s a lady, but how can she be?

No lady of his acquaintance in polite society is anything like her. Then he discovers she is who she says, and that this latest romp has compromised her reputation. He knows how that is. One more scandal and he’ll be cast out of London society, but he needs a wife who’ll provide an heir to carry on his illustrious family’s name. He seeks out Katarina, intending only to scotch the scandal, but instead finds his heart ensnared. He’s betting their future he’ll capture her heart, but does he have what it takes to win the wager?

W
ARNING: A blade-wielding heroine who crosses swords with a master of sensuality.

Well aware from his husky tone what needs the man likely had, Kat winced. If only she could see all of his face. It was so difficult to judge the man under that golden mask. She forced herself to relax, though the thought of his hands on her raised gooseflesh everywhere. It was only her hair, after all. No great sin. Perhaps if she softened her demeanor, she could convince him of her plight. She could offer honeyed tones for a little while.

“Will you hear my story of how a lady ended up in this House of Pleasure, sir?” Even to her own ears, her innocent tone sounded false. How would it sound to--

Releasing her hair, the stranger grabbed her hand. “We both know how you will end up, my slave. Come.” He pulled her toward the four-poster and she dug her toes into the rough, worn carpeting. Honey be damned, she had no intention of going anywhere near that bed.

“Let me tell you my story, sir. ’Tis truly enlightening.” She snapped her wrist down, freeing herself from his grasp, then turned and raced across the room, searching in vain for weapons once more. Frustration mounting, she seized the wingback chair. At least it presented a barrier of sorts. She thrust it in front of her.

“Sir, you must hear me. I truly am not what you think.”

His skeptical stare was bearable. But when he pursed his lips and made a “tsk tsking” sound, he might as well have shouted the word “whore.”

“I am not!” Katarina clutched the chair’s golden upholstery to keep from launching herself at him and wrapping her fingers around his arrogant throat. “I am Lady Katarina Fitzwilliam, sister to the Earl of Manning. I was kidnapped and brought here tonight against my will.”

He cocked his head. Then his mouth twitched. “Truly? What an exciting life you must lead...Lady Katarina, was it?” He chuckled deep in his chest, and took a step toward the chair.

She glared at him. “I
am
Lady Katarina Fitzwilliam, you dullard.”

“And true ladies always run around London at night scandalously underdressed as Greek slaves?”

“My brother and I were on our way to a masquerade ball when I was abducted.”

“As was I, fair lady,” he bowed with an exaggerated flourish, “when I decided to come to this charming establishment instead. Perhaps if we had continued on our ways uninterrupted, we would even now be dancing together at the ball.” That nasty laugh grated against her nerves worse than the screech of rusty nails, making her contemplate murder. If the scoundrel didn’t believe her story, killing him might be her only means of escape.