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MargaretBennett.com
Category:
Historical Fiction
Publisher: KDP
Type: Fiction
Pages: 220
Copyright: Jun 9, 2023
Price: $3.99 (eBook)
A savvy business woman battles with an impoverish aristocrat: A stolen kiss with an unknown young woman at a ball ruins him for all other women. But she wants no part of him.
A kiss never forgotten . . .
Known for his roguish behavior, Grayson Brentford, the Marquess of Harberton, overhears a young woman being cruelly jilted at a ball, so he gives her a kiss to boost her moral. But it’s a kiss that haunts him, ruining all his romantic trysts ever since. Now seven years later, Gray’s inherited a near-bankrupt title, and only marriage to an extremely wealthy heiress can save the estate. He’s willing to bite the bullet, and fortunately, an heiress whose fortune is large enough is in Town. Then he realizes the cotton mill owner, Miss Sophia Wyndham, is the mysterious young woman of years back whose kiss has rocked his world.
As the sole operator of her family’s cotton mill, Miss Sophia Wyndham has learned her lesson well—never trust a nobleman. She refuses to have anything to do with the Marquess of Harberton, who has admitted he must marry for money. He insists they are a perfect match, reminding her of a kiss she’s never forgotten. Despite her adamant refusal of his suit, his honest persistence touches a cord, and her heart softens toward him.
Amid the backdrop of rioting Luddites and attempts to kidnap her, Sophia finds herself relying on the comfort and support of Gray’s broad shoulders. Yet, despite her growing attraction for him, she cannot dismiss the fact that the beau monde will never accept a savvy business woman, no matter who impoverished the aristocrat is.
Can he convince her otherwise?
Excerpt
Prologue
Mayfair, England
1805
Gray Brentford, the Seventh Marquess of Harberton looked across the Countess of Compton’s ballroom and cursed under his breath. He was in no mood to fence with his current inamorata, Lady Julia Wardour, a grasping widow who was hot at hand to make their relationship more permanent. In fact, he thought ducking into a curtained alcove to avoid the curvy blonde before her roving eye spotted him, between his father’s and brother’s gambling habits and himself without a feather to fly with, it might be time he took the King’s shilling.
As he gave the idea more thought, a young couple stopped in front of the alcove, momentarily trapping Gray behind the curtain.
“Of course, we’ll see each other from time to time,” the young gent said.
“But you asked Papa’s permission to court me.” The young woman sounded distraught.
“My actions were premature, but not tantamount to a proposal.” Gray recognized the voice of Lord Henry Stang, one of the Duke of Avondale’s sons, a young cub he played cricket with on occasion.
“Did he not tell you of the terms of my mother’s will?” she asked with a note of hope in her voice.
“Yes, but—”
“My dowry is twelve thousand pounds.”
Stang released a long-suffering sigh. “Miss Tadgell’s is thirty thousand. You see, there is no comparison. I want to start a breeding farm of racehorses. Your paltry twelve thousand won’t go near as far as thirty. And with an older brother, it ain’t like you’ll inherit your father’s business. Besides, don’t want a wife known as ‘Miss Nose’.”
“Is that what people call me?” she asked in a small voice.
“Some,” he admitted shamefacedly.
“Do you?” A heavy silence followed the query before she sobbed, “But you said you loved me. You took advantage of me.”
“Now there you’re out. I might have exaggerated my feelings some, but I never dishonored you.”
“You kissed me and—”
“Well yes, a kiss or two, a fondle here and there, but that don’t mean I ruined you. Far from it. Fact is, kissing you is like kissing a cold fish.”
A soft sniffle. “But everyone knows. They’re expecting an announcement.”
“Lud, this sort of thing happens all the time. Besides, I’ll put it about you jilted me. The Season’s almost over, it’ll soon be forgotten. Sorry, but you can see it ain’t practical I get priest-linked with you.”
“What am I to do?” A watery sob escaped her.
“’Twere me, I’d nab the next likely bloke who comes along and propose.”
“Oh—” She emitted a louder sob.
“Now, no histrionics. Can’t abide them. Ah, there’s Reggie. He owes me. I’ll get him to dance with you.”
The curtain swayed as the young woman stepped back into the folds of the red velvet drape and would have sunk to the floor but for Gray reaching around the curtain and grabbing her elbow.
“Easy, little lady.”
“W-what?” she squeaked, surprise making her voice high.
“I’ve got you. Breathe deeply. I’m going to swing you around and draw you behind the drape so you will have a chance to regain your composure. You don’t want to let that cad see you shed a single tear over him.”
Putting his words to action, he pulled her through the opening of the curtains and drew her into the alcove and into his arms. She was a slender morsel, though slightly taller than most females and smelled deliciously of bergamot and violets. He drew her closer, and when she opened her mouth to protest, he kissed her, deeply.
She froze for several seconds, then slowly responded. A jolt of desire like he’d never experience surged through him, pricking his heart with a searing ache.
What was happening? Who was this woman?
Consumed with possessing her, he crushed her to him. He felt her intake of breath, then a hand wedged against his chest, pushing him away. Just as quickly, it was over as he let her step back. Still, he kept his arms loosely about her, unwilling to let her go, still drawing in her delicate, sweet scent. When she started to squirm, he said, “Stang’s the cold fish. You’re a passionate lady worth far more than any dowry. Remember that, and go out there and conquer your beaux.”
A humorous, nervous laugh escaped her. “I’m not an enchanted frog, sir. Your kiss didn’t turn this gorgon into a princess.”
“Gorgon? Surely you jest.” In the dim lighting behind the drapes, he could only make out shadowy images of her face and hair.
“Pfft, I am a walking portrayal with frizzy red hair, freckles, and a pointed chin and a beak for a nose that could rival any witch. I lack only the warts.” He felt her back stiffen. “Thank you for your kind words, but please release me, sir.”
He let her pull away and caught only a glimpse of red curls as she slipped through the curtain.
Impossible, Gray thought, momentarily surprised by the young woman’s description of herself. He drew the velvet curtain back slightly and blinked at the brilliantly lit ballroom. She was gone. His enchantress had vanished into the crowd, and he had no idea who the young woman was, or what she looked like.
All he knew was that her kiss had pierced his soul.
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