Distinguished Rogues, book 5
Falling in love was easy. Keeping trust, however, proves a challenge for the Distinguished Rogue in this fifth exciting installment to the series.
A BATTLE OF WILLS…
When the Marquess of Taverham married at eighteen, he was certain his life would be smooth and well ordered—right up till the moment his exuberant bride ran away on their wedding night, never to be seen again. Ten years later, when Kit is finally prepared to set his rash marriage aside by having his wife declared dead, she makes a shocking return, still beautiful but distrustful, and once more throws his life off-balance by refusing to live with him and resume their marriage.
…A WAR OF PASSION
Despite some lingering attraction, Miranda Reed has no love left for the heartless rogue she married. Older and wiser, she refuses to be a convenient wife for a man who expects everything to be his way with no care for her feelings. Keeping her husband at arm’s length is essential; her secrets will bring him to his knees. But in a battle of wills where hope and trust are both the prize and the casualty of war, the victor isn’t always the winner. Sometimes it takes an act of rebellion to recapture a fragile love.
Keepsake is the fifth steamy regency historical romance novel in Distinguished Rogues series but can be read as a stand-alone.
- Runaway Bride
- Secret Baby
- Marriage in Trouble
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Praise for Keepsake…
★★★★★ “Heather Boyd has done it again! She has once again written another fabulous historical romance story that kept me completely spellbound throughout the whole story. Keepsake is a fabulous story that kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what in the world could possibly happen next.” ~ Crystal @ Reviews by Crystal.
★★★★★ “Heather Boyd, you clever, clever woman. After finishing Keepsake, I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. It’s been a while since a book was able to lead me on such an emotional wild goose chase. What a fantastic tale of heartache and forgiveness – the twists and turns had me hooked. I absolutely couldn’t put it down.” ~ Janette @ 3 Chicks After Dark Book Reviews.
Read an Excerpt
When a man settles on a new course for his life, it’s necessary to relinquish the old and learn from his mistakes. When a marquess, disappointed, requires a replacement bride, it becomes absolutely certain that his next choice will live up to his expectations. Kit Reed, Marquess of Taverham, might not understand why his first wife had disappeared without so much as leaving a note, but that departure hadn’t been anything to do with him.
He focused on the stage of the Theatre Royal, but his mind was distracted by what he needed to do tomorrow. He had to convince those who mattered that his marriage should be set aside and soon.
He had last seen The Beggar’s Opera with Miranda, his first and fleeting bride, a few months before their marriage. He thought it fitting to see it one last time before he took the first steps on the path to have her declared legally dead after a ten-year absence.
He drew in a deep breath. There was no possibility she was coming back. He’d searched and hoped for so long after he could have had her declared legally dead that his friends were looking upon him with pity. He was done with the past.
He was done dancing to Miranda’s tune.
He might not have loved her, but she was his wife and he owed her for the dowry she’d brought to him through their marriage. A fortune that had saved him and their home from the tumbledown ruin it had been on their wedding day.
She should have stayed to see the good their marriage had brought to those connected to the estate. Because of her, every situation had improved greatly over the years.
His gaze flickered across the theatre briefly to where his married friends sat in their own box. Lovers surely, their hands linked, their eyes meeting and soft smiles twisting their lips. He looked down at his clenched fist and forced himself to relax.
There was nothing Miranda had liked better than theatricals, even badly performed ones that made her laugh uproariously and earned her so many disapproving looks. Miranda had been so different in her manner than anyone he knew that he could only conclude he’d been so blinded by her zest for life that he’d proposed before he’d thought the matter through properly. He knew better now.
He turned to Lady Brighthurst to whisper, “How goes plans for this year’s hunt?”
A longtime friend and confidant, the recently widowed Emily knew only a portion of his reasons for attending this play. Emily wasn’t as enthusiastic about the opera as Miranda had once been, but since she’d come up to town for the season to discuss their arrangement and had no other engagements tonight, she’d humored him by accepting an invitation so he wouldn’t have to sit alone.
“It is well in hand, although”—she eased closer—“we have a great many more acceptances than usual this year. I cannot account for the increase in numbers.”
Kit smiled, noticing a few familiar faces watching them closely rather than the performance on stage. When he frowned, they quickly turned their attention elsewhere. To Emily he said, “They come this year for the pleasure of your company and because of your renown for designing the most elaborate feasts. Acton’s warm and gracious hospitality has always drawn the most avid hunters north, but you are the icing on the cake my dear.”
“Thank you.” Yet her brow creased into lines of deep concern. “I fear the number of guests this time around may be even too great for us to host.”
Kit patted her hand soothingly. “Nonsense, the more the merrier is Acton’s motto, and I’m sure with the continued help of staff and funds from Twilit Hill the event will be a merry one. Acton would sulk if I offered my estate as an alternative location for the hunt.”
Besides, Kit hadn’t hosted a gathering since his wedding day.
“Acton loves you as a brother,” Emily continued with considerable feeling. “He would give way should you ask and particularly if doing so made me happy, too.”
Kit shook his head. “But I will not ask. I will continue to support the event in my own quiet way. It’s worked this way since I inherited the title and there’s no need to change anything about our arrangement in the foreseeable future.”
Emily laughed softly. “If only you let others see your generous heart and home more often, they would know how truly worthy a gentleman and dear friend you are.”
“Thank you,” he murmured while thinking he’d been a failure as a husband. Miranda had not thought him worthy in the end.
“She’s seated in my place,” Miranda’s soft voice complained in his mind as if she’d the right to tell him what to do after all these years.
Kit closed his eyes and willed the voice of his wife to leave him in peace. Miranda’s place at his side had been empty for so long. He had at last reconciled to never seeing her or hearing her voice again. It’s too late now.
Book Info
Publish Date: 8 September 2014
Digital ISBN: 978-0-9924863-2-7
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-925239-40-9
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