To Be Read Catalog
Samantha Hastings lived a quiet, peaceful life on her family’ s country estate. With no man to order her around and no stifling society rules to follow, she considered herself blessed. However, when her brother’ s ship sinks during a short trip to France, Samantha receives a request from her sister-in-law to return to town and manage the late Earl’ s finances. Suddenly thrust into society, Samantha faces an unfamiliar world and a pair of very familiar green eyes. Lord Benjamin Westwood never intended on following through with his rash promise to his best friend. Now, with Edward’ s death, Benjamin becomes the unwilling guardian to Edward’ s bratty little sister, who has grown up considerably since the last time they met. His intention to marry her off to the first available suitor is thwarted when he finds himself falling for Samantha’ s unique demeanor. He lights upon the perfect plan; a marriage of convenience, giving him the opportunity to romance Samantha without distraction.
However, when they discover Edward’ s disappearance was due to foul play, Benjamin’ s perfect plan begins to quickly unravel. Now, Samantha is in more danger than either of them realized and Benjamin is running out of time.
Excerpt
“ Really,” Benjamin murmured thoughtfully, his eyes flickered over the young men roving hungrily on the sidelines.“ I do not think you know the first thing about men.”
“ I do,” insisted Samantha. She stopped dancing to place her hands firmly on her hips. The childish pose brought a smile to Benjamin’ s lips.
ROMANCE
“ Let me show you how much you do not know. Shall we retire to the terrace; it is such a lovely night?” Without waiting for a response, he grasped her wrist lightly and tugged her towards the open glass doors. Samantha followed reluctantly.
The balcony, bathed in light from the ballroom, provided shadowy corners for couples seeking a little more privacy. It was into one of these dim corners that Benjamin pulled Samantha, pushing her back against the ivy covered bricks. Both his hands rested on the greenery, sufficiently trapping Samantha between his body and the wall. He inhaled her scent, sweet like honeysuckle.
He moved closer, the heat from her body licked flames onto his skin. Their breath intermingled, caressing two pairs of lips before escaping into the star-spattered sky. His hips slid nearer, pressing into her with his unreleased desire. One finger tipped her chin until she was forced to stare into his eyes. The other hand moved behind her head, clasping her neck, just above the bodice.
“ This,” he rumbled softly, their lips separated by mere centimeters,“ is how a potential suitor might behave. Can you handle this?”
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