Naughty and Nice, book 2
Phoebe Torrington, Lady Warminster, is bored, lonely, and downright frustrated by her life. Perhaps that’s why she’s turned to her stepson’s friend, Lord Selwood, to help her find the perfect lover. Clean, experienced, and discreet, her delicious Frenchman is as exciting as he’d promised. But she never expected Selwood—a man ten years her junior—to disguise his voice and send himself to share her bed.
Jonathan Oliver, Lord Selwood, came to his friend’s house party to stake a claim on his future bride. However, he delays his pursuit of the eager debutant when he discovers Phoebe’s intriguing need. Jonathan cannot resist the temptation to secretly spend a night in the widow’s bed. Yet once he’s tasted Phoebe’s desire, will one night ever be enough?
In the Widow’s Bed is a steamy regency romance novella.
- Friends to Lovers
- Friends with Benefits
- Second Chance Romance
Read An Excerpt
If ever a gentleman stood in need of forbearance then this confounded house party surely fit the bill. Jonathan Oliver, Earl of Selwood, stood amid the giddy throng and wished himself a thousand miles away. The perfumed stench of his best friend’s circle of acquaintances—each resplendent in more silk, satin, and sparkling jewels than necessary—choked the very breath from his lungs.
He eased out of the mind-numbingly boring conversation he’d become trapped in and moved away in search of more appealing quarry. Unfortunately, a hand clamped over his upper arm before he’d gone very far.
“I tell you, she’s up to no good, Selwood.”
Jonathan groaned but turned to face his friend, Lord Warminster. A man who was never entirely what he seemed. “To whom do you refer to this time?”
Warminster’s fingers tightened. “Lady Warminster, of course.”
Jonathan glanced down at the hand that held him in place. “How so?”
Warminster released his arm. “Her whole face lights up whenever any gentleman comes into view, has done so all evening too. Can you not see what I mean?”
Jonathan saw nothing in Lady Warminster’s manner to precipitate such a high level of distrust. But then again, he was conversing with the most suspicious man in England and should hardly be surprised by the direction of his friend’s thoughts.
Warminster’s stepmother, widowed these last four years, glided past with a group of twittering acquaintances. Her deeper, earthy chuckle reached Jonathan’s ears as she clung to his sister’s arm, sharing a confidence.
The lady appeared to him as she always had. Utterly breathtaking. He could see nothing wrong with her behavior.
“If anything, your mother appears happy,” Jonathan conceded. “About time.” He muttered the last under his breath, knowing his older friend would likely not agree.
Beside him, Warminster’s scowl deepened. “Step mother.”
A servant passed them with a tray of champagne and Jonathan’s friend scooped up a glass with an extravagant movement, downed the contents whole, and then returned the empty glass to the tray. “I have a job for you, Selwood.”
“No!” Jonathan groaned. Whenever Warminster needed something done, no matter how innocuous the matter sounded at first hearing, Jonathan would certainly face a moral dilemma by the end. He didn’t like to spy on acquaintances, but Warminster often called on him to do so whenever he had state business elsewhere. And his request couldn’t possibly come at a more inconvenient time.
“I need you to keep an eye on her,” Warminster said. “With the house so full of guests, I cannot watch over her closely enough.”
Damn Warminster to hell and back. Jonathan had plans for this house party. Watching over an unattainable woman wasn’t high on his list. His mind was set—fixed—on what he could get his hands on. “She’s a grown woman. Let her have a bit of fun for a change if she wants it. Good God, why must you meddle constantly?”
“Because—” Warminster groaned dramatically—“it appears to me that my dear step mother is intent on flinging away her mourning for my father only to throw herself into some scoundrel’s arms. It is imperative she not form inappropriate—and potentially inquisitive—romantic attachments. I do not need this right now.”
Jonathan turned his gaze to Lady Warminster and he stared. Conducting an affair with the lovely widow was an opportunity no man would turn down. “She’d hardly do what you fear,” Jonathan whispered, breath lost as his pulse beat a sudden gallop.
“Look at her. The clothes, the jewels, the elaborate hair fashion.” Warminster’s glance darted left and right. “Damn it, Selwood, she even commissioned a new scent. I can see a mad scheme as well as anyone.”
Mad scheme or not Phoebe Torrington, Lady Warminster, could tempt any man to consider a dalliance.
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English Edition – Book Info
Publish Date: February 28, 2011
Digital ISBN: 978-0-987097910
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-925239-60-7
Genre: Regency Historical Romance
Translations
French eBook Italian eBook Spanish eBook
Related Books
Naughty and Nice Series
1. One Wicked Night
2. In the Widow’s Bed
3. Love Me Tender
4. Love Me True
5. Wicked Mourning
6. A Husband for Mary
7. A Ramshackle Start
8. Let it Snow
9. Coming Together
10. Unforgettable