Blurb:
A marriage of convience, nothing more...until darkly handsome Evan Channing and demure Lydia Blatchford meet. The rules are simple for an arrangement such as theirs. There should be no misunderstanding, no illusions of anything more. But the rules are about to change...
Lydia wants the kind of love and romance she reads about in books. Fortunately, she hasn't specified which book, and Evan has a copy of Richard Burton's new translation of the Kama Sutra, with its ancient wisdom on love and courtship. He sets out to win his high-born bride, blending seductive heat with exotic lessons in love-making. Lydia is prepared to tolerate this man she’s been sold to, but his scorching kisses send her pulses racing. Can an arranged marriage lead to love?
Excerpt: She broke off at the injured look on his face. "Forgive me, but surely you understand this marriage was never my preference."
He turned away from her and ran a hand through his hair. "Yes, I know, but I hoped you had become resigned to it."
"I have. At least I have tried to be," she said, the words tumbling out of her mouth. "That’s why I think it best just to plunge ahead. Once the banns have been read thrice, we can wed almost immediately."
He turned back, a frown still marring his forehead. "Will that give your mother enough time to plan?"
She shrugged. "All I need is a new gown."
"But won’t society think it odd we married in such haste?"
She looked him in the eye. "Let me make one thing clear. I do not give a fig for what society thinks. If you supposed you were marrying a social butterfly, let me banish that notion right now."
He smiled at her. "Harry said you were sensible, but this surprises me. I’m happy to agree to a short engagement." He stepped closer, towering over her. "The sooner I can make you mine, the better."
Her heart pounded and her breath caught as he lowered his head and touched his lips to hers for but a second before backing away. She drew in a deep breath. Her first kiss and it had been over almost before it was begun. She didn’t know whether to be relieved or disappointed.
"Shall we go inside and discuss the wedding plans with your parents?"
"Not yet. There is something else I’d like to say." It was now or never.
"Yes, my dear, what is it?"
She licked her lips then plunged ahead. "I know how these things work. Arranged marriages, that is. I won’t expect fidelity from you."
His shocked expression surprised her. "Is that what you think, Lydia? That I’m marrying you with the intention of cheating on you?"
"Perhaps not now," she said. "But in a few years… It’s not as if ours is a love match. I won’t cut up a fuss if you decide to take a mistress. As long as you are discreet."
"How very... sophisticated of you," he said, his tone dry enough to parch a desert.
She took a deep breath before continuing. "And once I’ve produced the requisite heir and spare, I assume I’ll be free to seek my pleasure elsewhere."
The thunderous look on his face startled her and she stepped back.
"You will do no such thing," he said fiercely, reaching for her. "Our union may not be a love match now, but I fully intend to see it turns into one."
With that, he pulled her into his embrace, trapping her arms between them as his encircled her shoulders and waist.
Before she could say a word, he pulled her into his embrace, trapping her arms between them as his encircled her shoulders and waist. Covering her mouth with his, he kissed her with a heady combination of passion and anger. Her resistance crumbled in the face of his onslaught. She clutched at his lapels and returned his kiss, even parting her lips when his tongue probed them. Overwhelmed by the sensations his lips provoked, she let her eyes drift shut as she clung to him.
When he let her go, he was still visibly upset. "There will be no more talk of infidelity. Have I made myself clear, Lydia?"
How To Woo… A Reluctant Bride is available for only 99 cents at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, Kobo and Smashwords. Find Lyndi online at:
Website: http://www.lyndilamont.com
Blog: http://www.lyndilamont.com/blog
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LyndiLamont
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LyndiLamont
Anita, thanks so much for sharing my excerpt on your blog today.
ReplyDeleteGlad to have you.
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