Notorious Rake, Innocent Lady

Bronwyn Scott

Литагент HarperCollins EUR

Indulge your fantasies of delicious Regency Rakes, fierce Viking warriors and rugged Highlanders. Be swept away into a world of intense passion, lavish settings and romance that burns brightly through the centuriesThe going price for Julia Prentiss’s virginity was fifteen thousand pounds!Determined not to enter into a forced marriage, Julia could see no way out – unless she were to become a ruined woman! Notorious rake Paine Ramsden was reputed to have no qualms about seducing innocents, so maybe he would help with her…predicament. Certainly Paine deserved his rakish reputation – yet Julia was so achingly pure, one night with her might just ruin him!Awakening Julia’s sensuality aroused unfamiliar feelings in him – was it too late to make them both respectable?

‘This is a rather unusual time of evening for a business appointment. I must admit I am quite curious as to why you’re here.’

Paine leaned back in his chair, steepling his hands and trying to look as if he weren’t aroused from the sight of her magnificent figure or the sound of her voice.

He saw the long column of her neck work briefly as she swallowed. For the first time since she’d entered the establishment he felt her resolve waver.

‘I need you to ruin me.’ The words came out in a rush. A light blush coloured her flawless alabaster cheeks.

‘Ruin?’ Paine quirked an eyebrow. ‘What do you mean by “ruin”? Shall I ruin you at the gaming tables? I can arrange to have you lose any amount of your choosing.’

Her gaze met his evenly, in all seriousness, her courage having returned in full force now that she’d begun talking. ‘I don’t wish to lose any money. I wish to lose my virginity. I want you to ruin me in bed.’

Bronwyn Scott is a communications instructor at Pierce College in the United States, and is the proud mother of three wonderful children (one boy and two girls). When she’s not teaching or writing, she enjoys playing the piano, travelling—especially to Florence, Italy—and studying history and foreign languages. You can learn more about Bronwyn at www.nikkipoppen.com

A recent novel from Bronwyn Scott:

PICKPOCKET COUNTESS

Dedication:

For Scott and Joanne, my agent and editor respectively, who made my goal of being a Harlequin Mills & Boon author before my 40th birthday come true!

And for the kids: Rowan, Catie and Bronwyn. Remember you can have your (birthday) cake and eat it too. Someday when you’re old enough, that will make sense.

NOTORIOUS RAKE, INNOCENT LADY

Bronwyn Scott

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

Acknowledgements:

Books aren’t simply the product of one person’s writing but of countless others, who make the writing process successful. Thanks to all of you who support my work.

Thanks to Michele Ann Young for her research assistance on Regency era bankruptcy practices.

Thanks to Ellen Holt, my personal speed reader, who is happy to be a sounding board for early drafts.

Thanks to my kids, Rowan, Catie, for playing outside every afternoon so I could write. And to Baby Bronwyn who took extra-long naps when I needed them most.

Thanks to my whole family, who support each of my projects unstintingly with their interest.

Thanks to my PEO chapter for their support and publicity.

Thanks to my husband for being the best there ever was.

Thanks to my great co-workers at the college: Leon, Ann, Connie and the rest, who celebrate each cover with me and listen to me ramble about new plots.

Special thanks to my agent, Scott Eagan, who knew exactly where I belonged.

Extra-special thanks to my editor, Joanne Carr, for all her attention to detail and her unique brand of polish which gives each book the sheen of perfection.

Chapter One

London, early May 1829

She would not be sold like a prized mare at Tatter-salls! Julia Prentiss’s elegantly coiffed head swivelled in disbelief between Uncle Barnaby and Mortimer Oswalt, the lecherous o