Bold Seduction
The Hornsby Brothers # 1
By: Karyn Gerrard
Releasing September 1, 2015
Lyrical Press
No offer is more daring…
BOLD SEDUCTION
An Intriguing Proposition
Passion. Seduction. Pleasure. These are the qualities of any courtesan worth her salt. As owner of The Starling Club, London’s most notorious house of ill-repute, Madame Philomena McGrattan has seen it all, heard it all, done it all. There is little that surprises her anymore, and even less that excites her. So when she is presented a chance at an irresistible seduction, she can’t help but rise to the challenge.
A Dangerous Game
Studiousness. Practicality. Discipline. Such are the attributes of a good scholar, and such are the principles Lord Spencer Hornsby has built his life around. Alone in the Welsh countryside, with only his wolfhounds for company, Spencer has thrown himself into his work. There is little time for the pleasures of society, not even to think of the joys of the fairer sex. But when an unexpected guest arrives at his isolated hunting lodge, Spencer cannot help but be baffled by the presence of this dangerously beautiful woman. And when he discovers the reason for her arrival, and the pleasures she promises, he cannot help but find himself irresistibly intrigued . . .
Finally, he asked, “And who are you, her replacement?”
Her?
A housekeeper? Should she pretend to be a servant? Bugger that.
“Hardly. I believe the old hag had plans to leave anyway as her bag was
packed and at the ready. I’m here at the invitation of two of your
acquaintances. Mr. Jacob Williamson and Mr. Clive Christopher.”
The
professor frowned. At least she thought he did. It was hard to read his
expression under the wiry thatch of hair surrounding his mouth. He
rifled through a pile of unopened correspondence. “Oh? I do not recall
any recent note from those gentlemen.”
“I believe I am to be a surprise present for your birthday tomorrow.”
His
owl eyes blinked rapidly as if he could not process what she said. “I
do not require a maid, though you tell me Mrs. Brickell has departed. It
appears I could use a housekeeper…”
He
had absolutely no idea why she came to him. His mind did not even
consider the fact it could be for carnal reasons. What a sheltered life
he must lead. “I’m no servant, though you need tidying up as much as
your home does. You bear a striking resemblance to a painting of a
French Canadian trapper I saw in a book once. All wild and shaggy—all
that is missing is the plaid coat and the beaver pelts.” She gave him a
sweet, smug smile.
With
his lips pressed into a straight line, he sat back and regarded her.
“Oh? You read a book once?” His elegant voice dripped with
self-righteous sarcasm.
“Touché,
Professor. Well aimed. A direct hit.” Phil pointed to the dogs who
still stared at her. Their unblinking attention followed her every
minute move. “Should I be afeared for my life? Your animals are
intimidating.”
“Justinian.
Theodora. Easy.” The hounds relaxed at his command, laying their heads
on their paws. “They are Irish Wolfhounds. ‘Gentle when stroked, fierce
when provoked.’”
Phil placed a hand on her hip. “Does that saying apply to you as well, Professor Hornsby?”
Did
he smile slightly? Again, hard to tell under the facial hair. Phil
pulled a chair toward the desk and placed it a few feet away. She raised
one leg to the chair.
“Now,
I don’t claim to be a blue-stocking, but I am able to read.” Phil
grasped the hem of her green striped gown, and with a slow, deliberate
movement, raised it past her ankle boots. She glanced at the beast
behind the desk. His gaze remained steady as it slid down to where she
continued to raise her petticoats to reveal one of her shapely legs. At
least she’d been told they were shapely. No matter. Running her hand
over the sheer white stocking, she lingered near her silk garter. “I do
not think they are blue. You better come closer and inspect the shade of
my stockings for yourself…Professor.”
He
coughed and looked away. She made him uncomfortable, and she would
wager to guess--a little aroused. No sound could be heard in the room
except a whimper from one of the dogs and the huge clock in the corner
ticking away the awkward minutes.
Hornsby faced her. “Who are you, madam, and why are you here?”
She
continued to fondle and caress her leg, and having the unkempt man
watch her caused a slow roll of heat to travel through her. Again, his
voice. Like molten gold or a cello played by a master that vibrated with
life, power, and resonance.
“My name is Philomena McGrattan. I am indeed a madam and hired to relieve you of your virginity.”
There was no further reaction from the professor whatsoever. This did not bode well.
Karyn lives
in a small town in the western corner of Ontario, Canada. She whiles
away her spare time writing and reading romance while drinking copious
amounts of Earl Grey tea. Tortured heroes are a must. A multi-published
author with a few bestsellers under her belt, Karyn loves to write in
different genres and time periods, though historicals and contemporaries
are her favorite.
As
long as she can avoid being hit by a runaway moose in her wilderness
paradise she assumes everything is golden. Karyn’s been happily married
for a long time to her own hero. His encouragement keeps her moving
forward.
Rafflecopter Giveaway
($15 Amazon Gift Card)
($15 Amazon Gift Card)
No comments:
Post a Comment