It Started With a Kiss by Ella Quinn
It Started With a Kiss
by Ella Quinn
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GENRE: Historical Romance
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What is a young Worthington woman to do when the man of her dreams is not who she thinks he is?
This season, all eyes are on the Earl of Worthington's spirited, beautiful sister, Lady Louisa Vivers. Many gentlemen are vying for her attention in and around the ton. Yet, Louisa longs for someone who can take her beyond the ballroom - a man who is worldly, adventurous, and passionate. She won't settle for just any suitor. She wants her true soul mate - and she'll know him when she sees him.
Is Gideon, the Duke of Rothwell, him? The moment he and Louisa meet, they share a powerful attraction. Rides at sunrise and waltzes at dusk follow. Finally, Gideon can no longer resist the urge to embrace her, and Louisa is sure he will ask for her hand. But Gideon believes he is in no position to marry. The Rothwell estate has gone bankrupt, a scandal simmers in its wake, and he has nothing left to offer. Now, he must decide if he will let pride stand in the way of true love - or if he will risk everything, and let the lady decide for herself...
Praise for The Worthingtons series
"A classic Regency romp! Perfect for fans of Grace Burrowes." --Caroline Linden, USA Today bestselling author on When a Marquis Chooses a Bride"Three Weeks to Wed is a delightfully heartwarming escape into the sparkling world of the Regency. Ella Quinn weaves magic." --Cathy Maxwell, New York Times bestselling author
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Early morning, Hyde Park, May 1815
Dawn had broken only a few minutes before, but a light fog
clouded the air making the sun look like a small yellow ball. Gideon, Duke of
Rothwell, was certain he was the only rider at this hour of the morning.
Needing the calm a hard ride gave him, he thundered down the empty carriage
way. Suddenly, from out of nowhere, a dark bay burst through the mist,
disturbing his solitude. Yet it was the massive dog, almost the size of a pony,
keeping pace with the horse that caught his notice.
What the devil?
Faisu, his black Murgese stallion, pranced nervously as
Gideon brought him to a halt. “Easy, boy. We don’t need that beast tangling
with you. He could sever your hamstrings in an instant.”
A moment later, a twist of long, dark hair pulled loose from
under the rider’s hat, riveting his attention on the woman. By the time she was
even with him, he’d taken in the neat figure encased in a dark blue riding
habit, and her excellent seat.
She glanced over, slowing her horse for a bare moment as she
passed him. Her cheeks were pink from the cool air and a smile graced her lush
rose lips. Their gazes collided and held. As if they were the only two people
on earth. In that second, Gideon felt as if he would tumble into the vivid blue
of the rider’s eyes that reminded him of lapis.
She cannot be real.
He blinked and she was gone. He might have dreamed her
except that a few seconds later, a groom raced by, clearly attempting to catch
up with his mistress.
For a moment he was tempted to follow as well, but it
wouldn’t do him any good. She was obviously a lady, and even if he could obtain
an introduction, and their relations proceeded satisfactorily, he was not yet
in a position to wed.
It was pure fantasy to think of marriage in conjunction with
a woman he’d seen in passing. Still, he would have liked to have been able to
dream.
Blast Father! If he were still alive, I’d shake some sense
back into him.
But the old duke had been in the ground for over three
months when Gideon had returned from Canada. Now all he could do was pick up
the pieces his father had left behind.
Is a woman property or the means to an end? Should she have a say in her future husband?
Are women capable of making wise choices? I know I've touched a nerve there. These wonderful women are not only intelligent and capable, but often the true strength of families.
While the main story may be about the untimely match of a certain couple, this book is fascinating on many levels. The combined and extended family is full of marvelous characters.
It is also a story about reputation and deceit, plus an intriguing tale about a woman who specializes in finding men who are feeling less appreciated. A well rounded regency adventure.
Bestselling
author Ella Quinn’s studies and other jobs have always been on the serious
side. Reading historical romances, especially Regencies, were her escape. Eventually
her love of historical novels led her to start writing them. She has just
finished her first series, The Marriage Game, and her new series, The
Worthingtons, began in April 2016.
She is
married to her wonderful husband of over thirty years. They have a son and two
beautiful granddaughters, and a dog. After living in the South Pacific, Central
America, North Africa, England and Europe, she and her husband decided to make
their dreams come true and are now living on a sailboat cruising the Caribbean
and North America. Europe is next!
Website:
www.ellaquinnauthor.com
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