Distinguished Rogues, book 2
An unrepentant rogue discovers danger and unexpected passion when he finally meets the fragile lady he could have wed in this second Distinguished Rogues romance.
Summer 1813
Unrepentant rogue Giles Wexham, Earl of Daventry, wrings pleasure from every moment and likes his carefree life exactly as it is. During his summer retreat to the country, he becomes reluctant host and nursemaid to his former betrothed, a woman he’d thought long dead, a woman Giles had mistaken for a ghost while he found pleasure in another woman’s arms.
Unbearable pain and laudanum have kept Lillian Winter apart from society since the accident that ruined her life. She’s endured six years of agony at the hands of incompetent practitioners, and longs for an end to her suffering. Finding herself in the Earl of Daventry’s care brings surprising relief from her injuries, and a glimpse into the life denied her. Yet as newfound pleasures lower Lilly’s resistance to the wicked earl, a long-forgotten danger returns to stalk her.
Broken is the second steamy regency historical romance novel in Distinguished Rogues series but can be read as a stand-alone.
- Woman in Peril
- Reunion
- Stuck Together
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Praise for Broken …
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “A beautiful romantic, sexy book.” ~ Romance z top
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “Ms. Boyd has a way of drawing you in when you least expect it.” ~ JRT
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “Just the right mixture of romance and intrigue. I loved all the characters from the butler to the dog.” ~ CLB
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “This is a wonderful story of a redeemed rogue that can finally find happiness with a ghost of a woman.” ~ A Reader
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “…a wonderful love story with a lot of twists and turns.” ~ Estell S
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “…a unique, page turning, delicious romance. I cannot say enough about this book or this author.” ~ Fi J
Read an Excerpt
Giles forced a smile to his lips to welcome Lord Winter to his country estate in Northamptonshire. “Winter,” Giles called. “Welcome back to Cottingstone.”
The newcomer shook his head. At least the old baron could pretend to look pleased that Giles had broken his rule about receiving a guest at Cottingstone Manor. But no, Lord Winter’s face wore a perpetual frown, just like every other time their paths had crossed in London.
“Daventry.” The older man’s quavering voice, pitched somewhat lower than Giles’, betrayed exhaustion. “The place hasn’t changed.”
Giles held out his hand. “You must be weary. Dinner won’t be served for an hour, but I have some excellent whiskey to soothe you while we wait.”
The baron crushed Giles’ fist. “Brandy would be preferable in its place—especially today. But first…” Winter returned to the carriage.
Giles took a step back toward his butler. “Dithers?”
“I shall switch the decanters when I return to the house, milord,” he promised.
“Do that, and ask Cook if dinner can be brought forward,” Giles murmured. “Lord Winter doesn’t appear in good health.”
“I don’t believe his health is the problem, milord,” Dithers replied.
Without another word of explanation, the butler stepped back, leaving Giles to ponder to whose health he had referred. The baron traveled alone and often. His servants all looked a disciplined, healthy bunch. But they moved carefully on the carriage and didn’t speak overloud. The horses were settled swiftly, too. Calm, efficient, eerie.
As Giles stepped out of the way of a burdened footman, a bloodcurdling howl erupted from beyond the house. Every man stopped and stared, not in the direction of the sound, but at the dark carriage they were unloading.
The steady pounding of paws heralded the arrival of Giles’ ancient wolfhound, Atticus. Judging by the dog’s speed and his whining agitation, something was seriously amiss with him. In fact, this level of energy from the hound was more than a little surprising. He had spent most of Giles’ visit lying under his feet snoring.
Atticus skidded to a stop beside the closed door of the carriage. If the door had been open, Giles was sure the hound would have barged his way in. He ignored the restless horses and stunned attendants to haul his beast out of the way. The dog was heavy and determined to stay exactly where he was, but Giles managed to pull him aside.
Lord Winter stared at the dog, nodded, and then stepped into the carriage. When he emerged a few moments later, he held a body in his arms.
Atticus, generally so docile, whined and whimpered, straining against Giles in such a fashion as to cause alarm. Lord Winter adjusted the black-cloaked figure, and the bundle moaned.
Every hair on the back of Giles’ neck rose. That was a woman’s moan—one in great pain. He renewed his grip on the restless dog.
Lord Winter moved slowly toward the house, keeping his movements smooth. The grim set of his features showed just how much effort he expended not to jostle his burden. There was agony on that rugged face, too much grief for one man to bear alone.
With a hitched brow, Giles glanced at his butler, but Dithers revealed nothing. The butler scurried ahead to push the main doors wide and gestured Lord Winter inside. Giles followed, imitating the baron’s quiet steps and keeping Lord Winter in sight.
Just inside the doorway, the baron stopped and bent his head to the bundle in his arms.
“Atticus.” A voice carried to Giles’ ears, eerily soft and pain-filled.
Giles only just managed to stop the dog from flinging himself at the woman.
“Atticus, come.” Again, that voice called his hound, and a pale arm slipped from beneath the black travel cloak to hang down limply.
Atticus whined, pulling Giles forward unwillingly. The dog reached the woman’s hand, rasping his wet tongue against it. At first, she jerked back, but returned to rub the dog. Since Giles held the beast, he couldn’t miss the shudder that vibrated through Atticus. Giles was stunned by the sensation.
“Atticus, heel.” The woman spoke again, and Giles tensed as the voice tickled his memory.
The wolfhound calmed instantly, pulled free of Giles’ slackened grip, and moved along with Lord Winter. Troubled, Giles followed them upstairs.
Book Info
Publish Date: 1 May, 2011
Digital ISBN: 978-0-987097-93-4
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-925239-38-6
Genre: Regency Historical Romance
Related Books
Distinguished Rogues Series
1. Chills – Jack and Constance
2. Broken – Giles and Lillian
3. Charity – Oscar and Agatha
4. An Accidental Affair – Merrick and Arabella
5. Keepsake – Kit and Miranda
6. An Improper Proposal – Martin and Iris
7. Reason to Wed – Richard and Esme
8. The Trouble with Love – Everett and Whitney
9. Married by Moonlight – Gilbert and Anna
10. Lord of Sin – Julian and Portia
11. The Duke’s Heart – Sinclair and Kitty
12. Romancing the Earl – Price and Lenore
13. One Enchanted Christmas – Otis and Margaret
14. Desire by Design – Alexander and Sylvia
15: His Perfect Bride – Harry and Ophelia
16: Pleasures of the Night – Teddy and Eugenia
17: Silver Bells – Hector and Ruby
18. Seduced in Secret – Winston and Charlotte
19. Yours Until Dawn – Drew and Aurora
20. No Ordinary Lady