Scandal at Vauxhall by
Layna Pimentel
Pleasure Garden Follies, Book 1
Erotic Historical Romance - novella -
31,000 words
Media Kit
Full
of mystery, gambling, and a love story for the ages, this Regency romance is a
wonderful addition to your historical romance library. Find out why scandal has
never been sweeter, even when society dictates otherwise!
Blurb:
The
love and happiness Isabel Salisbury expected in life when she accepted the
proposal of the Marquess of Stoughton takes an unexpected turn, when he leaves
on a mission for the war office. She is married off to the Duke of Brimley.
Nathaniel
Thompson, the Marquess of Stoughton, is devastated to learn upon his return
that Isabel has married the duke. When news of her husband’s death surfaces,
Nathaniel sets out to make amends and will stop at nothing until she’s his
marchioness.
But
when London learns of a promiscuous tryst between them in the Daily, their
credibility is at stake. They soon discover that nothing in life is simple, nor
private, and all is fair in love and war.
Excerpt:
On
a night like tonight, however, she was thankful for the lack of her husband’s
presence. These types of occasions always put him in a sour mood. He’d wind up
playing whist and lose. Then, he’d drink himself into a stupor, drag her away
from whatever conversation she was having, take her home and bed her roughly,
only to fall asleep before giving her any pleasure in return.
Pfft.
What is pleasure anyway? Yet, while she didn’t have much experience in the ways
of lovemaking, it was highly unlikely most marriage beds were like hers.
Especially during these moments, she wished she had the courage to run.
Is
married life supposed to be like this? Leaving me feeling filthy, unworthy, and
so lonely? She hadn’t the slightest clue about what she'd ever done wrong, but
the pang of regret over not standing up to her husband made her frailer with
each passing day.
Distracting
her from such sad thoughts, Lady Balfour approached, fanning herself with
expediency. “My dear, have you heard? The Marquess of Stoughton has just
arrived. My word, he hasn’t aged one bit, and he’s looking quite fit.”
Nathaniel!
He’s alive. Isabel’s heart pounded in her chest as her gaze settled on him.
She
hadn’t seen him since he’d told her he was leaving on business for the war
office. Her pulse kicked up furiously to the point that she felt light-headed
and breathless. He was still a sight for sore eyes. His dark hair and piercing
blue gaze stood out in the crowd. The sheer breadth of his shoulders framed his
muscular size. She watched as he stopped and spoke with other gentlemen, his
back now facing her and Lady Balfour.
My
God! He really is here. Would he even recognize me? Hardly. He’s probably here
to fetch his mistress for the evening. Why would he even pay me any mind?
Besides, she was a duchess, very much married, and obliged to keep up
appearances.
“My,
would you look at the size of his thighs,” Lady Coxley announced as she
approached the ladies, garnering a few giggles from prying ears.
Isabel
smirked, knowing all too well in what direction this conversation was headed.
“They
are wonderfully built, but I’m sure some other lady has laid claim on the
marquess.”
“You
haven’t heard, have you, Isabel?”
“What
haven’t I heard?” she asked. Her breath hitched and her pulse raced. What could
I have missed?
“Come
away with me to the terrace. I wish to speak to you in private. We can’t have half
of London listening in.”
She
followed Lady Coxley outdoors, leaving behind the sounds of merriment to be
embraced by the shrouded darkness of night and silence.
“They
say the marquess will not marry until he’s found her.”
“Until
he’s found who?”
“The
one who broke his heart. But in all honesty, everyone knows it’s you. With any
luck,
perchance some horrible fate will happen upon Henry.”
If
I were only so lucky. “You shouldn’t talk like that! And for the record, the
marquess and I were done long ago. Remember, he’s the one who left me.”
“Isabel,
you cannot expect me to believe that you haven’t thought about that man— at
least once or ever—during the course of this sham of a marriage of yours. The
haute ton in its entirety knows where he is right now. And you’d be a fool to
think Henry gives
two
ninnies about your welfare.”
The
sound of someone clearing their throat interrupted them.
“Excuse
me, ladies, but I was wondering if perchance I could steal Her Grace for a
dance.”
Good
grief. Did he hear any of our discussion? I cannot believe he’s actually here.
Heat
coursed through Isabel at the thought of holding him once again. She nodded and
held out her gloved palm for him to take. “I’d be honored, My Lord.”
“The
pleasure is all mine, Your Grace.”
Leaving
behind Lady Coxley, she followed his lead inside for a waltz.
“It’s
been too long, Isabel. I’ve missed you terribly,” he whispered as they took a
turn about the dance floor. Nathaniel bowed and took her hand. His touch warmed
her, and the gentle squeeze that followed reassured her that the flame they
once had was still there.
She
and Henry hadn’t danced since their wedding and even then, he quickly discarded
her to dance with the Duchess of Downsbury. If she’d only known her dismissal
that evening would be the first of many others. For the most part, her husband
had two left feet, but Nathaniel whisked her away gracefully to the tune. She
wished to kiss him again and remind herself of their time together. Good
heavens, Isabel. You’re married. Enough of this foolishness!
Isabel
felt him pulling her closer as his arm at the small of her back pushed her in.
His head dipped down, and, naturally, she looked up at him, ignoring every
stare and whisper as they moved together. She finally cringed and mustered the
courage to ask him the one thing weighing heavily on her mind. “Why did you
take so long? Why didn’t you come sooner? Nathaniel, there hasn’t been a day I
haven’t thought of you.”
As
the music wound down and the dancers departed, Isabel locked her eyes on his
and felt a tear escape. “You’ve been missed greatly, My Lord.”
His
thumb swiped away the drop. “My dear, there hasn’t been a day, hour, or dream
you haven’t occupied.”
About the Author:
Born
and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Layna discovered her love of reading at an
early age. She’s a bestselling author at All Romance eBooks, and
multi-published author of historical, paranormal and contemporary erotic
romances. When she isn’t devouring salacious romance novels or writing, she
enjoys losing herself in researching ancient history and mythology, weaponry,
and hiking. She lives in Northern Ontario, with her husband and two daughters.
For
updates on her upcoming releases, or to leave her a comment, you can find at:
Website:
http://www.laynapimentel.com
Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/LaynaPimentel
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/AuthorLaynaPimentel
Newsletter:
http://eepurl.com/R1bCH
No comments:
Post a Comment