Distinguished Rogues, book 18
The banns have been called, the date is set, but he’s falling fast and hard for the wrong woman.
When her parents announce they intend to break their promise to remain in London society for another year, Charlotte Waters is also given an ultimatum—make a suitable match immediately or start packing her trunks. Since leaving England is the last thing she wants, Charlotte puts aside her foolish longing for love and throws herself into the hunt for any proposal of marriage with the help of her good friends. However, her persistent infatuation for an engaged earl proves a great distraction when it becomes clear that his life is in peril…and Charlotte is the only one who’s noticed.
Winston Bell, Earl of Hurlston, has his position in society, a loving mother, loyal friends, and an arranged marriage he’s willing honor for duty, if not love—until a sweet, brave, and normally blushing wallflower puts herself in danger to save his life. His gratitude slowly blossoms into an attraction to a woman he shouldn’t long to seek out at every turn. But when another attempt is made on his life, Charlotte Waters is fighting right by his side again, transforming attraction to deep desire. Can he prevent falling further under the spell of a woman he shouldn’t want?
Seduced in Secret is a full-length regency historical romance. It’s the eighteenth book in the steamy Distinguished Rogues series but can be read as a stand-alone.
- Forbidden Love
- Man in Peril
- Virgin Hero
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Read an Excerpt
Charlotte grabbed both her parents by the hand and towed them down the front steps as fast as she could while they continued their conversation. The carriage had been waiting half an hour already to take them into the heart of London. Charlotte bullied her father to enter the carriage first, and then her mother followed, of course.
Only then did Charlotte settle herself into the carriage and give the order to depart.
If Charlotte left it to her father to provide the coachman with instructions, they might still be sitting before the house for a week while her parents debated which roads to travel to reach their destination. Father did enjoy the sound of his own voice, and Mama loved nothing more than to debate every issue. The only thing they ever agreed about immediately was the importance of their work translating obscure historical texts. Their obsession with the history of far-flung places surpassed their interest in anything nearby.
While her parents continued their conversation about Falconbridge’s letter and their work, Charlotte tuned them out and strove to calm her racing heart. This might just be the most terrible day of her life, and her parents had no idea of her anxiety. It was rumored to be the day a most important wedding date was announced, officially, with the calling of the banns for an arranged marriage.
The cream of the ton could be in attendance today.
But only one person mattered. A man. And not just any man. The earl Charlotte loved in vain. She wanted one last long look at Lord Hurlston as a bachelor before he took the fatal step toward becoming a married man.
The calling of the banns would make him officially unavailable forever.
Although Hurlston could hardly be aware of her existence, Charlotte was determined to be there to support him today. He was not marrying for money or love—well perhaps there was money involved though she’d not been privy to the details. He was doing his duty to please his family in a marriage arranged long before she’d ever met him.
Charlotte railed silently about that, as she always had when she considered his future. It was not fair. No one could love or admire Lord Hurlston more than she did. But she hadn’t a chance to prove her worth to him and never could. Lord Hurlston had been betrothed since childhood to a neighboring family’s daughter—Elizabeth Mayflower.
A lovely name, and she was reputed to be beautiful, too. Not that Charlotte had seen her yet. Few in society had, in fact. Hurlston had kept his bride in the country for years pending their marriage. But he was a permanent fixture in society and continued to frequent tonnish amusements as a carefree bachelor.
But not for long. If the banns were read today, he’d be married in a month. So, today Charlotte must swallow this last bitter draft and then try to put her hopeless admiration for the unattainable man firmly behind her.
Book Info
Publish Date: December 7, 2021
Digital ISBN: 978-1-925239-93-5
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-925239-94-2
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