Kissed by a Scoundrel (My Sweet Scoundrel Book 2)

Author:Aileen Fish [Fish, Aileen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Aspendawn Press
Published: 2017-02-23T18:30:00+00:00

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I hope you enjoyed Lavinia and Ringley’s story. You can watch their relation develop further in Markham’s story, The Miscreant Marquess.

Please continue reading for some excerpts from other sweet Regency romances by Aileen Fish.

The Rake Takes a Wife

Chapter 1

Fall, 1816, Hambledon, Hampshire

“Yes, I will accept your offer.”

Miss Barbara Hallewell sighed as she whispered her favorite words, then she stabbed herself with the needle in her hands. Drat. She poked her finger in her mouth to stem the bleeding.

That would teach her to let herself fall into the familiar fantasy. The man she dreamed of was tall and handsome, broad-shouldered, and he stood straight with pride. He had no face, though, which was a problem. Not quite as big a problem as having no name and no chance of ever appearing, but she’d dearly love to know what color his eyes were and how thick was his hair.

Never had she imagined whether that man would be wealthy or common since that minor detail was unimportant. Everything about him was unimportant now. All the joy of romantic fantasies had left her long ago. Marriage was simply a means to provide a living for Mama and her. The income Papa had left them upon his death needed supplementing by their sewing, and even then, they might run out of coal at the end of the quarter.

How different life had become without Papa. Barbara’s gowns were several years old, but she never entertained or went to assemblies beyond the village, so fancy fabrics and the latest patterns weren’t necessary. They’d let most of the staff go. Life was peaceful, though, and she was grateful for what she had.

The jingle of a harness on the street interrupted Barbara’s thoughts.

“Is that a carriage?” Mama asked.

“Who would call here in a carriage? I’m certain it drove on past us.” She continued to sew until someone knocked on the door. Maizy, their housekeeper, bustled by to answer it. After a brief, muffled conversation Maizy entered the salon. “Mr. Jonas Tatum wishes to speak to you, ma’am.”

Mama set her needlework into a basket beside her. “Show him in. Barbara, straighten your hair and take off that apron.”

“He’s not here to see me. He’s Gilbert’s friend. I pray he doesn’t bear bad news.” Her chest tightened when she feared this man brought news of her brother who was fighting with the cavalry. Still, she made herself as neat as possible in the short time it took him to enter the salon, and rose to greet him.

“Mrs. Hallewell, Miss Hallewell. How do you do?”

“We are well.” Mama motioned to a chair before sitting. “Won’t you sit?”

In his buff breeches, gold waistcoat and brown tailcoat, Mr. Tatum could be a handsome young dandy on morning calls. When he caught Barbara’s gaze, his smile melted the icicles hanging from her neglected heart, but his words were a splash of cold water. “You are more lovely than I remember.”

Had he imagined she looked like an overworked servant? Admittedly her brown hair didn’t glow with

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