What the Duke Wants (27 page)

Authors: Kristin Vayden

Tags: #Fiction, #Romance, #Historical, #Regency

BOOK: What the Duke Wants

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“And you, Duchess Clairmont. A pleasure.” He bowed and lifted her hand to his lips, his eyes dancing with a teasing light.

Charles growled.

“Possessive, are we?”

“Yes. Very. Now back off, Graham. I’m in no mood.”

“I can see that… and here I thought marriage would have turned you into a pussy cat… or at least a lap dog.”

“Ha!” Carlotta laughed, covering her mouth with her glove too late.

Lord Graham cast an amused grin her way.

Carlotta took that moment to find Bethanny. Sure enough, she hadn’t left, but was watching Lord Graham with rapt attention, her eyes soft.

“Have you met Bethanny, my lord?” Carlotta asked.

“Yes, I believe I have, but not formally. Miss Bethanny, I’m pleased to make your acquaintance.”

Bethanny’s face blushed vermillion, her smile was beatific, her eyes took on a flirtatious glint Carlotta didn’t know she could do, and of course, at that moment Lady Southridge walked in.

But the two being introduced didn’t notice her.

Carlotta did… and saw the smile… the raised eyebrow and the overjoyed nod that accompanied her quick assessment of the situation.

Good Lord,
here we go again.

More By Kristin Vayden

To Refuse A Rake

Emma has sworn off love.

After all, it is pointless to subject oneself to such torture when in the end, heartbreak is inevitable. Just like her sister had suffered. So, when Lord Daventry, the muddy brown-eyed boy from her childhood, returns to society she refuses to even look at him... well, maybe she'll look once.

Or twice.

But only because his eyes have changed into the most decadent color of dark chocolate. And his tanned skin from his travels is distracting, especially paired with his wide and devilish grin.

The stirring of her blood from his hot whisper in her ear is nothing... at least that's what she tells herself.

Lord Daventry has one response to marriage. Drink Brandy. Especially when his mother decides it is time for him to produce an heir. Reluctantly, he attends his first ball since returning from India, swearing to head to White's shortly after the first dance. However, he is pleasantly surprised to discover that Miss Emma Kingsly, the same girl he tried to kiss when she was nine, is still unmarried.

Her frigid demeanor should have warned him off... but unable to ignore a challenge, he plunges in head first... never expecting to fall in love with the one woman in the ton completely set against marriage.

Redeeming the Deception of Grace

Lady Grace Hashiver has perfected the art of hiding behind a sarcastic wit when it comes to dealing with the rakish Ewan Emmett Duke of Greys, her childhood tormentor. It's her only weapon, for if she let her guard down even for a moment; surely he'd know just how much she loved him. A love she knew could never happen.

Ewan Emmett, Duke of Greys is perfectly thrilled to torment Grace at every opportunity, until an old acquaintance begins an honest suit for Grace's hand. When Ewan begins to feel the pangs of jealousy causing him to question his reasons for his constant teasing of Grace, he discovers a depth of emotion he didn't know he harbored towards the golden haired beauty. Suddenly he is not longer the tease, but on the receiving end of the torment as he wonders if he's to late to fight for her love.

Sometimes, all love needs is a little healthy competition. Wouldn't you agree?

Knight of the Highlander

Colin is not who he claims to be…

His position as the blacksmith of Clan Chattan is simply a cover, a means to an end. He was sent with one mission; find Jacobite loyalists and eliminate their threat. But that's not what keeps him up at night, or what burns hotter than his forge. The most dangerous threat is one of his own making; falling in love.

Arywnn knows someone is watching her…

In her dreams he's handsome, braw, and willing to take her away from her reclusive mother and tyrant laird father. But her daydreams are a frivolity she cannot afford, not while a spy lurks within their clan. Worse yet, her father has promised her hand to whomever discovers the blackguard.

A midnight meeting…

A whispered kiss…

And a rogue English knight all change the course of destiny in a way neither could have ever imagined.

Colin must play a dangerous game, but the prize is worth the risk; Arywnn's heart.

Living London

Book one of the Westin Legacy

Love is stronger than we can imagine.

Love is never impossible. But for Joselyn Westin, it's not probable. After the death of her grandmother, Joselyn feels lost in world that seems empty, till a cryptic message in one of her grandmother's favorite books changes everything.

Sometimes love happens in the most unexpected, incredible places. Jocelyn wakes up in London, during the Regency Era. But her knowledge of the time is poorly lacking, even with all the historical romances she's read. She quickly learns that life is the greatest teacher.

What Joselyn discovers is more than just history, it's a way of living, a way of loving and discovering that for love, nothing is impossible.

Especially when you find yourself "Living London."

Surviving Scotland

Book Two of the Westin Legacy

Only love is strong enough to grasp what it was never meant to have.

Elle can't deny that Ioan is handsome. That is, until he opens his mouth. How can someone so masculine and striking be so irritating? Yet part of her knows that if his sarcastic and teasing temper changed, she'd lose her heart.

Ioan knows that Elle is untouchable. To protect his heart, he keeps her at arm's length with incessant teasing and a quick wit. She can never know the truth. But like a moth drawn to the flame he can't resist her. Indeed he already burned.

When the Jacobites attack Carnasserie castle, the Black Watch come to assist. Though Elle has her own personal battle to win, they both with learn that Surviving Scotland isn't for the faint of heart…

Beyond Broken

He was searching for hope in a world that offered him everything. With his life spiraling out of control, he sought salvation at a rehab center, never expecting to find light after admitting all the darkness he carried. The last thing he needed,
was to fall in love.

But sometimes we can't choose who we love--it chooses us. And that what she did; she chose him, mind, body, and soul. And he was helpless in love's grasp.

She knew his name spelled trouble, but was unable to distance her heart until it was too late, until it already deep within his grasp. Sometimes, even when you want to help those you love, even when you have the best intentions--they have to love themselves enough to want to change.

Nobody ever said love was easy, and for them? The battle has just begun.

**Beyond Broken is a NA romance with a very strong inspirational thread. However, it is still not considered a religious or inspirational romance because of the elemental theme of drug abuse, sex, and strong language**

Pursued

When everything falls apart, you're faced with two choices. Do you lose your faith or do you really begin to live it?

For Abby, she chooses to walk by faith, and in turn God takes the smoldering ashes of her world and begins to bring her to life.

Levi Jensen was waiting for the right woman. He'd made his share of mistakes and refused to settle for just anyone. But he never thought God would bring him a petite blonde with two children. But Levi soon learns that God's plans are always better than our own.

God created romance. Abby and Levi learn first hand, that through difficulties, hardship and mistakes, God brings about beauty for ashes. He always writes the best love stories. The kind that last forever.

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