Jo Beverley - [Malloren 02] (58 page)

Authors: Tempting Fortune

"But I will have to submit to this man," she said faintly, "and bear his children."

The duke nodded. "That is unfortunately true. There is no more impersonal way of achieving the purpose. I have to say however, though you may find it indelicate, that his expertise in that matter should make it possible to achieve the purpose with as little distress to you as possible."

Expertise? Beth shuddered. Was that to be put in the scale against purity and respect? Beth knew her cheeks were red but she would not hide them again. "I really have no choice, do I? Are you not ashamed of what you are doing?"

He made no reply, though she thought her words had reached him. She added rather helplessly, "What will Aunt Emma think?"

"I suggest you pretend to be willing. If you tell her of the coercion involved she will be obliged to refuse to accept the sacrifice. I will only find other, more formidable weapons."

Feeling bruised, Beth rose unsteadily to her feet. "What do I have to do?"

He rose too and began to pull on his gloves. "I will send Arden down and you can become acquainted.

He will, for common knowledge, fall madly in love and sweep you off to his family. After a suitable but short period you will be married."

Beth had felt herself no longer capable of shock but that did stun her. "I am to live in your house? What will your wife think?"

"She will be delighted," he replied. "She misses her daughters. We are all civilized people and if we are careful this can be managed without hurt to any party."

Beth raised her chin. "Balderdash," she said and marched out to find Aunt Emma.

An Unwilling Bride

The Company of Rogues

Book Two

Jo Beverley

New York Times & USA Today

Bestselling Author

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An Unwilling Bride

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Publishers Weekly declared Jo Beverley "Arguably today's most skillful writer of intelligent historical romance..." Her work has been described as "Sublime!" by Booklist, and Romantic Times described her as "one of the great names of the genre."

She is the NYT bestselling author of over thirty historical romance novels, all set in her native England in the medieval, Georgian, and Regency periods. Her novels have won the RITA, romance's top award, five times, and she is a member of Romance Writers of America's Hall of Fame.

She also writes some romantic stories with a science fiction and fantasy twist. The Trouble With Heroes... won the Sapphire Award for Best SF Romance, and The Marrying Maid was an honorable mention for Best SF 2011.

Her web site is
www.jobev.com
, and she regularly blogs at Word Wenches.
www.wordwenches.com
. You can also find her on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/jo.beverley

She firmly believes that reading should be fun, and that every book should leave the reader with a smile.

Page forward for a list of books by Jo Beverley

Also by Jo Beverley

An Arranged Marriage

An Unwilling Bride

Christmas Angel

Forbidden

Dangerous Joy

The Demon's Mistress (a novella)

The Dragon's Bride

The Devil's Heiress

Hazard