Distinguished Rogues, book 17
She didn’t trust him in her youth, so how can she depend on him now?
Widowed a year, Ruby Roper must flee her Scotland home when she discovers her father-in-law plans to marry her off—and keep her only son. Running to her uncle finds her in an equally undesirable situation, surrounded by silent servants and mounting secrets. Very soon, it seems perhaps The Vynes isn’t the safe haven Ruby had hoped. After all, the last time she set foot on the estate, she’d lost something dear. This time, she could lose something a great deal more precious…unless she’s willing to put her trust in a man she’s not seen in years.
Silver Bells is a novella length regency historical romance. It’s the seventeenth release for the steamy Distinguished Rogues series but can be read as a stand-alone.
- Enemies to Lovers
- Christmas Romance
- Second chance romance
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Praise for Silver Bells…
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “Short but packed a punch.” ~ Angela D
Read an Excerpt
Ruby Roper shivered at the sudden chill of the kitchen and wished she were outside in the real cold of a snowy field. “What do you mean, I’m leaving?”
Her father-in-law sniffed. “Fergus Masters requires a wife and likes the look of you, despite everything.”
Despite Ruby being English is what he meant. Mr. Roper, a Scotsman with an unrelenting dislike for anyone born English, had never approved his son’s choice of bride. He now made no bones about how worthless she was to the family since his son was no longer alive to defend her existence.
Ruby was considered a burden. The fact that she had loved their son from the moment they’d met until he’d suddenly passed away a year ago counted for nothing in Mr. Roper’s eyes. Nor did the dowry she’d brought to the marriage. That money had disappeared into the family coffers, never to be seen again.
Now, a year after she’d buried Liam Roper, his father would be rid of her. “I don’t know the man well enough to consider such an alliance.”
“Well, ya canna stay here,” he said, rising to tower over Ruby at his dinner table. “It’s him, or you’ll find your way in the world. He’ll be here tomorrow.”
Ruby swallowed. “To meet us?”
“To fetch you, girlie. I’ll have none of your fancy talk of long courtships. You wrapped our Liam around your finger. Keeping him away from his duty to the family for too long.” Mr. Roper jabbed a finger in her direction. “You’ll tie the knot without a fuss, as every other Scottish lass does, and be grateful I thought of you at all.”
She shivered at the future her father-in-law had in store for her. But it made her decision to leave next week, return home to the family she’d become estranged from, all the more urgent. She didn’t have a week to escape with her son. “You can’t possibly want to send Pip away from the only home he’s ever known.”
Mr. Roper shook his head. “The boy stays with us. He belongs here.”
Ruby stood. “No, I won’t be parted from Pip.”
Roper raised his hand above her face, ready to strike her. “You’ll do as ya told, lass.”
She trembled, waiting for the blow…but it never came. Her mother-in-law had taken hold of her husband’s elbow and stopped him.
“Not in my kitchen,” Eliza Roper cried out.
Book Info
Publish Date: August 10, 2021
Digital ISBN: 978-1-925239-81-2
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-925239-92-9
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