Sinful (Hot Regency Romance Novella) by Sharon Page

the inn, I
realized that having love and family is far more important than
fighting to always be in control.”
    She threw up her hands. “It doesn’t matter
what I want. Society would never accept me as a countess. You
wanted to clear Laura’s way to a better life, not throw more
obstacles in her path. I would be an insurmountable obstacle.” At
least they had managed to cover up Laura’s flight to Gretna with
Nick Swan. It had been explained that worry for her brother’s
safety had been the reason for her impetuous trip. Swan had kept
silent about it—he was too afraid Lyan would hurt him if he ruined
Laura.
    “Laura has found the man she wants to
marry.”
    Thank heavens they had avoided scandal for
Laura. “Goodness, already? Who?”
    “The young Viscount Norbury. I’d employed
Mrs. Fennings, an earl’s sister-in-law, to help ease Laura’s way
into Society. Mrs. Fennings introduced the two, and once Laura no
longer had Swan in pursuit of her and blinding her to other men,
she saw Norbury’s good qualities. But I told Laura she can’t
encourage him until you complete an investigation of him,
Estelle.”
    Her nervous laughter bubbled up.
    He clasped her hand, and just that simple
contact sent a sizzle to her toes. “I was afraid you wouldn’t want
to marry me because I was a Bow Street Runner,” he said, his eyes
serious. “The ton isn’t going to be eager to accept me as an
earl. But if I’m going to face whispers and sneers, I need you at
my side to give me strength. I’ve always needed you at my
side.”
    She took a deep breath and tried to speak.
But tears got in the way.
    “I want a home with you, Estelle. I want to
have more children with you—many brothers and sisters for Rose. But
more than anything, I want you, and that will never change. I don’t
care what the ton says about us. If I have you, I can look
any peer in the eye and tell him I’m the luckiest man in England.
For I’d have the two most precious things in the world. Love. And
you.”
    Her tears broke free. They ran down her
cheeks. Lyan looked nervous and got to his feet, jerking a linen
handkerchief from his pocket
    She took it and tried to wipe delicately,
then gave up and rubbed her cheeks. She couldn’t remember when she
had last cried. But no longer did she have to bear everything
alone. “Yes. Yes , I will marry you.”
    He grinned.
    She put her hand on his. “I want you to meet
Rose. I will break the truth to her, and make certain she
understands that I am the reason she didn’t know her
father.”
    “Don’t blame yourself. I understand what you
were afraid of.”
    “I was afraid of happiness; I didn’t believe
it was possible. I do now.” Estelle gave a soft sob of joy as Lyan
wrapped his arms around her. “And Lyan—” She gazed up into his
stunning green eyes. “We don’t need a special license to have a
wedding night again.”
    “Then let’s begin now.” He glanced at the
roses. “I’ve always fancied making love to you on a bed of rose
petals.”
    “All right.” She giggled, though tears of joy
still sprang to her eyes. “But then I want to coax you to lie down
on the petals, and I will make love to you.”
    “Wanting to fight for control?” he
teased.
    “No. Sometimes I’ll want you on top, and
sometimes I plan to be there. But we will always be together.”
    “Indeed.” Lyan’s eyes sparkled, and he began
to undo the fastenings of her dress. “Now, let’s begin the rest of
our lives with something sinful…”
     
    ###
     
    Read on for an excerpt of the newest mass
market romance from
     
    SHARON PAGE
    USA Today Bestselling, Award-winning author
     
Engaged in Sin
     
    Anne Beddington is in a desperate situation:
on the run for a crime she didn’t commit. Had she sufficiently
mastered the art of seduction to become the mistress of the
notorious Duke of March, Devon Audley? War has left Devon a
recluse, but Anne is penniless, alone, and in need of a powerful
gentleman’s protection.