His Reluctant Lady (29 page)

After a moment, Christopher turned to
her. “Lord Pennella has a wife?”

“
Apparently so, but for some
reason, he doesn’t want anyone to know.”

“
It never ceases to amaze me
how much you learn about people.”

Shrugging, she said, “It
comes from reporting gossip in the
Tittletattle
.”

“
Are you going to report the
news about his wife?”

“
No. I reported the
information about the wager because I didn’t want the gentlemen to
make a fool of Miss Giles. She had a right to know what was going
on.”

He wrapped his arm around her waist and
gave her a kiss. “Who knew that under that stony exterior is a lady
who uses gossip for good?”

She gasped, feigning indignation as she
turned to face him. “I don’t think that’s very kind of you to
say.”

His eyes widened in mock innocence.
“You take offense to being told that you use gossip for
good?”

“
No, I take offense to being
told I have a stony exterior. I much prefer the word
‘tough’.”

He studied her, his eyebrow raised as
if trying to determine if she was joking or being
serious.

Unable to stop the smile that tugged at
her lips, she playfully jabbed him in the side. “Come now,
Christopher. Certainly you can tell when I’m teasing.”

“
Ah, but you are tough. You
make it hard for people to get to know you.”

“
What would be the reward in
knowing me if I made it easy? I have to say I’m rather disappointed
in you. I thought you enjoyed a good challenge.”

He pulled her into his arms and
grinned. “I do. I also enjoy watching a lady who knows how to
handle a tyrant like Lord Pennella.”

“
Everyone has something they
won’t risk losing, no matter how much they have to sacrifice to
keep it.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. “I
thought it was very noble of you to step in and let him know you
wouldn’t let him take advantage of me.”

“
I’m a selfish gentleman,
Agatha. I don’t want to share you with anyone.”

“
And you’ll never have to.
The invitation to my bed is only for you.”

With a smile, he asked, “Care to extend
the invitation now?”

“
Not right now.” Noting the
disappointment on his face, she added, “I have something I need you
to do in this room first.”

“
Oh?”

She gave him another kiss, this time
letting her lips linger on his, knowing full well it would arouse
him. When she pulled away from him, she winked and went over to her
desk where she sat on it and offered him a generous view of her
legs. “Why don’t you lock the door and find out what I have in
mind?”

“
My love, it will be my
pleasure to do your bidding,” he replied then turned to lock the
door.

Coming Late 2013 or Early 2014

The Earl’s Scandalous Wife

Perry Ambrose, Earl of
Clement,
is notorious for not being able
to secure a wife. Attempts to win over the graces of young ladies
in the past have failed miserably, and the ladies who have had a
spark of interest in him ended up marrying other gentlemen instead.
Having failed at every turn, he is ready to give up when fate steps
in and gives him the chance he’s been hoping for. But it’s in a way
he least expects.

List of
Romances by Ruth Ann Nordin

Regency
Collection

The Earl’s Inconvenient
Wife

Her Counterfeit
Husband

A Most Unsuitable
Earl

His Reluctant
Lady

Nebraska Historical
Romance Collection

Her Heart’s
Desire

A Bride for Tom

A Husband for
Margaret

Eye of the
Beholder

The Wrong
Husband

Shotgun Groom

To Have and To
Hold

His Redeeming
Bride

Isaac’s Decision

South Dakota Historical
Romances

Loving Eliza

Bid for a Bride

Bride of Second
Chances

Montana Historical
Romances

Mitch’s Win

Native American Romance
Series (historical western)

Restoring Hope

Brave Beginnings

Bound by Honor, Bound by
Love

A Chance In Time (novella)
– main characters show up in Restoring Hope and Bound by Honor,
Bound by Love)

Virginia Brides Series
(historical)

An Unlikely Place for
Love

The Cold Wife

An Inconvenient
Marriage

Romancing
Adrienne

Other Historical Western
Romances

Falling In Love With Her
Husband

Meant To Be

Contemporary
Romances

With This Ring, I Thee
Dread

What Nathan
Wants

Substitute Bride

Across the Stars Series
(Contemporary)

Suddenly a Bride

Runaway Bride

His Abducted
Bride