Blurb: His work as a dangerous spy is nothing compared to the antics of his bride…
The Countess of Huntley, Gabriella, aspires to help less fortunate women gain independence from unfortunate circumstances. But her impulsive nature triggers one scandal after another.
The Earl of Huntley’s new wife is as unpredictable as she is lovely. And when a woman of questionable character disappears, and a man of the peerage ends up on the wrong end of a blade, the trail leads directly to his wife.
Huntley will do all in his power to protect Gabriella from the blackguard who is not thrilled with her good works. Difficult, when she doesn’t show the slightest care for her own ruin or… safety.
Excerpt:
Brita giggled, closing the door. She went to the wardrobe and pulled out a lacy confection and held it up.
Gabby gasped. “What are you doing?”
“I believe your husband has plans for you, milady.”
“Plans,” she repeated, looking at the champagne. The adjoining door parted, and Gabby’s husband stood there donned in a black silk robe.
“Good evening, wife.” He strolled over to Brita, fingered the lace she held, then confiscated it. “I’ll handle things from here. You’re excused for the evening.”
Lady Macbeth was apparently stunned silent.
Gabby spun around, putting her back to Huntley, and watched her giggling maid make her escape. Before Gabby could garner her defenses, the bodice of her gown was drooping from her shoulders. She held Lady Macbeth to her chest, keeping her dress in place. Gabby spun back around to blast him with her outrage. There was no need. Lady Macbeth had found her voice and yapped her own outrage on Gabby’s behalf.
“What the devil is that?”
“A dog.”
“That is not a dog. That is a rat. Where did it come from?”
“The mews. She was quite hungry,” she said with a sniff.
He narrowed his eyes on her puppy who had apparently decided he didn’t seem so bad, the little traitor. “It doesn’t have any hair. When did we acquire it?”
“We didn’t acquire her. I did.”
“Mm. Where does it sleep?”
Gabby lifted her nose. “With me, of course.”
His appalled look had her biting back a quick laugh. She and Huntley did not laugh together. “In the bed?” he demanded in apparent shock.
Resentment stirred through her. Why should it matter to him? No one else slept there besides her. “Yes.”
“Where does it stay when you’re not home?”
Irritation fluttered through her. “In my sitting room. What do you care?”
“Ah. Well, then.” He swooped in and instantly took possession of Lady Macbeth, leaving Gabby to clutch her gaping dress. He strolled over to the sitting room and set Lady MacBeth inside and closed the door on a hurt cry that broke Gabby’s heart.
“What do you think you are doing?” Gabby huffed out. “She doesn’t understand.”
“Rats don’t have to understand.” He took Gabby by the shoulders.
“Quit calling her a rat.” Her sudden breathlessness was an annoyance. “Her name is Lady Macbeth.”
He jerked back and stared into her face. “You cannot be serious. Who name’s a rat after a deranged, murderous literary character?”
Satisfaction rippled through her, and she couldn’t quite contain her amusement.
“Dear God. You’ll set the ton on its ear if anyone learns you’ve named that… creature—” He shoved a hand through his hair.
“Yes, I suppose it will,” she said lightly.
His eyes narrowed on her. “Why do I have the feeling you intend exactly that?”
She shrugged. “Perhaps your feminine intuition is asserting itself.”
Read the series:
Enchanting the Earl – A how they met prequel
The Earl’s Error – Lorelei and Thorne
The Marquis’s Misstep – Ginny and Brock
The 7th Son – Peyton and Alistar
The Viscount’s Vendetta – Maeve and Brandon
The Duke’s Detour – Rebecca and Sebastian
Captivated by His Countess – Gabriella and James