The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress (14 page)

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Did you know there are more books in the series?

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In order, the Dukes of War books are:

The Viscount’s Christmas Temptation
The Earl’s Defiant Wallflower
The Captain’s Bluestocking Mistress
The Major’s Faux Fiancée
The Brigadier’s Runaway Bride
The Duke’s Accidental Wife

Other Romance Novels by Erica Ridley:

Too Wicked To Kiss (2010)
Too Sinful To Deny (2011)
Midwinter Magic (2013)
Let It Snow (2013)
Dark Surrender (2014)

Erica Ridley learned to read when she was three, which was about the same time she decided to be an author when she grew up.

Now, she's a
USA Today
best-selling author of historical romance novels. Her latest series,
The Dukes of War
, features roguish peers and dashing war heroes who return from battle only to be thrust into the splendor and madness of Regency England.

When not reading or writing romances, Erica can be found riding camels in Africa, zip-lining through rainforests in Central America, or getting hopelessly lost in the middle of Budapest.

For more information, please visit
ericaridley.com
.

As always, I could not have written this book without the invaluable support of my critique partners. Huge thanks go out to Emma Locke, Janice Goodfellow, and Erica Monroe for their advice and encouragement, and Anne Victory for her invaluable Oops Detection.

My thanks also go to Ailish Doherty, Amy Hargate Alvis, Barbara McCarthy, Carol Kumanchik, Daliana Ferrero, Debbie McCreary, Demetra Toula Iliopoulos, Dianna Richards, Janice Rodriguez, Jenn Marner, Jenn Ryan, Kathie Spitz, Lesia Chambliss, Lisa Schmidt-Ringsby, Margie Walzel Aronowitz, Monique Daoust, Roscoe Kendall, Sheri Gerwe, Vi Brandon, and Yvonne Daniels for their support and for sharing their ideas.

I also want to thank my incredible street team (the Light-Skirts Brigade rocks!!) and all the readers in the Dukes of War facebook group. Your enthusiasm makes the romance happen.

Thank you so much!

When Major Bartholomew Blackpool learns the girl-next-door from his childhood will be forced into an unwanted marriage, he returns home to play her pretend beau. He figures now that he's missing a leg, a faux fiancée is the best an ex-soldier can get. He admires her pluck, but the lady deserves a whole man—and he'll ensure she gets one.

Miss Daphne Vaughan hates that crying off will destroy Major Blackpool's chances of finding a real bride. She plots to make him jilt her first. Who cares if it ruins her? She never wanted a husband anyway. But the major is equally determined that
she
break the engagement. With both of them on their worst behavior, neither expects their fake betrothal to lead to love...

Certain individuals might consider Lady Amelia Pembroke a managing sort of female, but truly, most people would be lost without her help. Why, the latest
on-dit
is that rakish Viscount Sheffield is canceling the fête of the year because he hasn’t time for silly soirees. He doesn’t need time—he needs her!

When a flash of lightning destroys the venue for his family’s annual Christmas ball, Lord Benedict Sheffield intends to enjoy a relaxing holiday for once. But after twelve days of beguiling Lady Amelia’s guerrilla tactics, he’s up to his cravat with tinsel . . . and tumbling head over heels in love.

Oliver York returns from war to find his father dead, his finances in arrears, and himself the new Earl of Carlisle. If he doesn’t marry an heiress—and fast!—he and his tenants are going to be pitching tents down by the Thames. He definitely shouldn’t be trading kisses with a penniless debutante... no matter how captivating she is!

Miss Grace Halton is in England just long enough to satisfy the terms of her dowry. But a marriage of convenience isn’t as easy as she’d hoped. Back in America, her ailing mother needs medicine only Grace’s dowry can afford. Which means the dashing earl she can't get out of her mind is the one man she can’t let into her heart.