His thick black hair hung nearly to his collar in a wild sort of disarray that suggested he’d used his fingers as a comb. And he was not in the least properly dressed. His shirt lay open at the collar and hung loose over slim hips that rolled seductively when he moved

LADY GEORGIANA CRESSINGTON is living a nightmare. Coerced by her father into returning to her childhood home, the young widow becomes a pawn in his heartless game. Her return to Summerfield Hall reunites her with the man she once loved—before their hearts were shattered by a devastating betrayal.

SIR ROBERT GARRICK, an artist knighted by the queen, lives alone in a mansion near the family estate Georgiana’s duplicitous father won in a crooked card game. Rob sets out to regain Summerfield Hall to keep Georgiana’s son from inheriting Rob’s rightful home. However, when he and Georgiana are thrown together, he once again craves the forbidden lady he never stopped loving, and a passion that never died bursts into flames.

Facing danger and a long-hidden truth, Georgiana and Rob must confront a relentless enemy and heal the wounds on their souls in order to claim the powerful love that will restore their fractured hearts.

ISBN-978-1-63375-623-6

 

Available from Entangled Publishing

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Praise for Portrait Of A Forbidden Lady and Excerpt

I truly enjoyed reading Portrait of a Forbidden Lady! Following the adventures of the Magnificent Malvern Clan is sexy, exciting and smart. Sir Crocodile meets up with and has to deal with his past. We also finally meet the lady in the portrait. I simply adore Mum and kind of want to be like her when I grow up….there is nothing she can’t get away with. Seeing her character reappear in this installment made my day. I have truly become a die-hard fan of Ms. Roth’s books. Her fresh, new style ofI truly enjoyed reading Portrait of a Forbidden Lady! Following the adventures of the Magnificent Malvern Clan is sexy, exciting and smart. Sir Crocodile meets up with and has to deal with his past. We also finally meet the lady in the portrait. I simply adore Mum and kind of want to be like her when I grow up….there is nothing she can’t get away with. Seeing her character reappear in this installment made my day. I have truly become a die-hard fan of Ms. Roth’s books. Her fresh, new style of writing has convinced me to become reacquainted with the Historical Romance genre that I gave up many years ago. I can’t wait for the next installment! M. Miller

Excerpt:

A shift in Rob’s energy, and Georgie realized she’d lost a few seconds staring at his mouth, remembering the kiss he’d given her before she’d exited the woods.

“You look especially lovely today.” His deep voice flowed over her like a caress. “I’ve a mind to kiss you again.”

Oh, dear, he’d read her mind. Her cheeks heated. “Don’t tell me you are going to stand in the middle of Charingham and flirt outrageously whilst everyone in the village looks on.”

He stood straight and tall, his hands clasped behind his back. While his eyes danced with merriment, there was no mistaking the fire banked in them as once again, he openly studied her every movement. He leaned to her ear, his words a sensuous whisper. “Madame, I do not consider my frank confession to be an exercise in flirting, but if it will get me that kiss, than I shall commence with the task at once.”

“You are outrageous.”

“Indeed, and I thank you for noticing.”

Lord give me strength. It had been so long since she’d stood on this very street with him while he flirted mercilessly. She barely knew how to act. In fact, her solitary life had lacked even a modicum of social contact. She hadn’t been this close to another man in such an enjoyable manner since she and Rob had gone their separate ways. He stood so close she could smell soap, clean and spicy. She wanted to press against him, bury her nose in the crook of his neck, and absorb as much of him as she could. Instead, she worked to control her demeanor.

She closed her eyes for a brief moment while she collected her scattered thoughts. When she opened them and saw Rob focused intently on her, she nearly lost her nerve. “I am about to become exceedingly honest, Rob.”

He glanced around as though others on the street might have heard. “No need to further expound. I understand. It is Ridley you fancy.”

She grabbed his gloved hand and encased it in both of hers, squeezing tight. “Good heavens, no. You couldn’t be more wrong. Please, allow me to finish.”

She held onto his hand while she spoke. “I have felt very alone in the world for a very long while. Moving back to Summerfield Hall has been both a blessing and painful. All my childhood memories of growing up with you and the Malverns have intensified since my return. After a short time in everyone’s presence, I realize I missed all of you so very much, and I desperately want my son to fit into this unique family, since he is set to inherit Summerfield. It is important you understand what I am trying to get across.”

She drew in a deep breath and spoke on the exhale. “I have learned there are four kinds of love, Rob. There is filial love, which the Malverns have barrels of—spilling over the top, I might add. There is romantic love, of which I have no desire to enter into ever again since I have no plans to marry. And then there is love of family.”

Rob lifted a brow. “The fourth?”

“Love of friends. Special friends.”

His eyes held steady with hers, and for a moment she felt as though her heart might burst. “And you wish for me to remain in your love of friends category?”

He stood before her for a long moment, his gaze powerful and penetrating. Then, with a little bow, he kissed her hand. “You are a remarkable woman who speaks well, and with a good deal of intelligence. But just now you spoke foolishly. After our foray by the pond, it’s become clear you want me and I want you. Even though you have no desire to marry again, and I am not inclined to wed, we have not finished with each other. Until we do, what exists between us will eat away at our insides until there is nothing left of us, so let’s bring to an end whatever we started sixteen years ago, and then we’ll have this conversation again.”

Good God! She was at a loss for words.