The Pleasures of Passion: Sinful Suitors 4 Read online

  Copyright © 2017 Deborah Gonzales

  Cover image © Alan Ayers

  Author photograph © Jessi Blakely for Tamara Lackey photography

  The right of Sabrina Jeffries to be identified as the Author of the Work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

  Published by arrangement with Pocket Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

  First published in this Ebook edition in 2017

  by HEADLINE ETERNAL

  An imprint of HEADLINE PUBLISHING GROUP

  Apart from any use permitted under UK copyright law, this publication may only be reproduced, stored, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means, with prior permission in writing of the publishers or, in the case of reprographic production, in accordance with the terms of licences issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency.

  All characters in this publication are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

  Cataloguing in Publication Data is available from the British Library

  eISBN 978 1 4722 4543 4

  HEADLINE PUBLISHING GROUP

  An Hachette UK Company

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  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  About the Author

  Praise for Sabrina Jeffries

  By Sabrina Jeffries

  About the Book

  Dedication

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Epilogue

  Be seduced by the Sinful Suitors

  Meet the Hellions of Halstead Hall

  Find out more about Headline Eternal

  About the Author

  Sabrina Jeffries is the New York Times bestselling author of 40 novels and 9 works of short fiction (some written under the pseudonyms Deborah Martin and Deborah Nicholas). Whatever time not spent writing in a coffee-fueled haze of dreams and madness is spent traveling with her husband and adult autistic son or indulging in one of her passions – jigsaw puzzles, chocolate, and music. With over 7 million books in print in 18 different languages, the North Carolina author never regrets tossing aside a budding career in academics for the sheer joy of writing fun fiction, and hopes that one day a book of hers will end up saving the world. She always dreams big.

  For more information, visit her at www.sabrinajeffries.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SabrinaJeffriesAuthor or on Twitter @SabrinaJeffries.

  Praise for Sabrina Jeffries, queen of the sexy regency romance:

  ‘Anyone who loves romance must read Sabrina Jeffries!’ Lisa Kleypas, New York Times bestselling author

  ‘Irresistible . . . Larger-than-life characters, sprightly dialogue, and a steamy romance will draw you into this delicious captive/captor tale’ Romantic Times (top pick)

  ‘Another excellent series of books which will alternatively have you laughing, crying and running the gamut of emotions . . . I guarantee you will have a tear in your eye’ Romance Reviews Today

  ‘The sexual tension crackles across the pages of this witty, deliciously sensual, secret-laden story’ Library Journal

  ‘Exceptionally entertaining and splendidly sexy’ Booklist

  ‘An enchanting story brimming with sincere emotions and compelling scenarios . . . an outstanding love story of emotional discoveries and soaring passions, with a delightful touch of humor plus suspense’ Single Titles

  ‘Scorching . . . From cover to cover, it sizzles’ Reader to Reader

  ‘Full of all the intriguing characters, brisk plotting, and witty dialogue that Jeffries’s readers have come to expect’ Publishers Weekly (starred review)

  By Sabrina Jeffries

  Sinful Suitors Series

  The Art Of Sinning

  The Study Of Seduction

  The Danger Of Desire

  The Pleasures Of Passion

  Hellions Of Halstead Hall Series

  The Truth About Lord Stoneville

  A Hellion In Her Bed

  How To Woo A Reluctant Lady

  To Wed A Wild Lord

  A Lady Never Surrenders

  About the Book

  When Niall Lindsey, the Earl of Margrave, was forced to flee after killing a man in a duel, he expected Brilliana Trevor to wait for him. Seven years later, Niall has returned, disillusioned and cynical – so being blackmailed by the government into helping his former love catch a counterfeiter connected to her father doesn’t improve his mood.

  The now widowed Brilliana wants nothing to do with the reckless rogue who she believes abandoned her to a dreary, loveless life, but she will do anything to save her father. Yet as their fake engagement brings long-buried feelings to the surface, can she let go of the old hurt and put her pride aside? And will the pleasures of their renewed passion enable them both to rediscover love?

  For more dazzlingly romantic and witty historical romance, don’t miss Sabrina’s other gorgeous series including, The Hellions of Halstead Hall, The School for Heiresses and The Royal Brotherhood.

  To my lovely mother, who’s as fierce as Lady Pensworth when protecting those she loves.

  I love you, Mom!

  Prologue

  London

  1823

  Seventeen-year-old Brilliana Payne shoved the note from Niall Lindsey, Lord Margrave’s heir, into her pocket. Then she slipped into her mother’s bedchamber. “Mama,” she whispered. “Are you awake?”

  Her mother jerked her head up from amid the satin covers and feather pillows like a startled deer. Brilliana winced to see her mother’s lips drawn with pain and her eyes dulled by laudanum, even in midafternoon.

  “What do you need, love?” Mama asked in her usual gentle voice.

  Oh, how she loathed deceiving Mama. But until her suitor spoke to his parents about their marrying, she had to keep the association secret.

  “I’m going for my walk in Green Park.” Where Niall, my love, will join me. “Do you need anything?”

  Despite her pain, Mama smiled. “Not now, my dear. You go enjoy yourself. And tell Gilly to make sure you don’t stray near the woods.”

  “Of course.”

  What a lie. The woods were where she would meet Niall, where Gilly would keep watch to make sure no one saw them together. Thank heaven her maid was utterly loyal to her.

  Brilliana started to leave, then paused. “Um. Papa said he won’t be home until evening.” Which meant he wouldn’t be home until he’d lost all his money at whatever game he was playing tonight. “Are you sure you don’t need me?”

  She dearly hoped not. Niall’s note had struck her with dread, partly because he rarely wrote to her. Usually he just met her at Green Park for her daily stroll when he could get away from friends or family. Something must be wrong.

  Still, it shouldn’t take more than an hou
r to find out what. And perhaps let him steal a kiss or two.

  She blushed. Niall was very good at that.

  Then again, he ought to be. He was rumored to be quite a rogue with ladies, although Brilliana was convinced it was merely because of his wild cousin, Lord Knightford, with whom he spent far too much time. Or so her maid had told her.

  “I’ll be fine,” Mama said tightly. “I have my medicine right here.”

  Medicine, ha! It made Mama almost as ill as whatever mysterious disease had gripped her. The doctors still couldn’t figure out what Mama had, but they continued to try everything—bleeding her, cupping her, giving her assorted potions. And every time a new treatment was attempted, Brilliana hoped it would work, would be worth Mama’s pain.

  Guilt swamped her. “If you’re sure . . .”

  “Go, dear girl! I’m just planning to sleep, anyway.”

  That was all the encouragement Brilliana needed to hurry out.

  A short while later, she and Gilly were in Green Park, waiting at the big oak for Niall.

  “Did he say why he wanted to meet, miss?” Gilly asked.

  “No. Just that it was urgent. And it had to be today.”

  “Perhaps he means to propose at last.”

  Her breath caught. “I doubt it. He would have approached Papa if that were the case.”

  Gilly’s face fell. “Then you’d best take care. ’Cause if he spends as much time with the soiled doves as I’ve heard, he might be the sort of fellow to take advantage—”

  “He’s not like that,” Brilliana said. “Not with me.”

  Except for those lovely kisses, he was respectful. Besides, the gossips always painted a scandalous picture—that was why they were called gossips. But through weeks of secret meetings, she’d seen his character, and it was a good one. She was sure of it.

  “Well, I daresay you’re right about him then,” Gilly said soothingly. “And he still might be proposing, you know. He might just have wanted your consent before he approached your papa.” A hopeful expression crossed her face. “That’s how all the gentlemen is doing things these days, I’m told. And only think what your mama will say when she hears you’ve snagged an heir to an earl!”

  “I haven’t snagged anyone yet.” Besides, the word snag was too coarse for what she wanted from Niall—his mind, his heart, his soul. Since hers already belonged to him.

  “There you are,” said a masculine voice behind them. “Thank God you came.”

  Her heart leapt as she turned to see Niall striding up to them. At twenty-three, he was quite the handsomest man she’d ever known—lean and tall and possessed of the most gorgeous hazel eyes, which changed color from cedar brown to olive green depending on the light. And his unruly mop of gold-streaked brown hair made her itch to set it to rights.

  Though she didn’t dare be so forward until they were formally betrothed. Assuming that ever happened.

  Offering Brilliana his arm, he cast Gilly a pointed glance. “I’ll need a few minutes alone with your mistress. Will you keep watch?”

  Gilly curtsied deeply. “Of course, my lord.”

  Normally her maid balked a little at that, but she was obviously eager to allow Niall a chance to propose.

  Indeed, his behavior did signal that today’s meeting wasn’t going to be like the others. Without his typical pleasantries, Niall led Brilliana into the woods to the clearing where they generally talked.

  That dimmed her joy in their meeting a fraction. “You do realize how fortunate we are that Gilly is a romantic. Otherwise, she would never let us do these things.”

  “I know, Bree.”

  He was the only one to call her that, and she rather liked the nickname. It made her sound carefree when she felt anything but.

  Halting well out of earshot of Gilly, he added, “And then I wouldn’t get the chance to do this.”

  He drew her into his arms for a long, ardent kiss, and she melted. If he was kissing her, he obviously didn’t mean to break with her. As long as they had this between them . . .

  But it was over far too soon. And when he drew back to stare at her with a haunted look, her earlier dread returned.

  “What’s wrong?” she whispered.

  Glancing away, he mumbled a decidedly ungentlemanly oath. “You’ll be furious with me.”

  She fought to ignore the alarm knotting her belly. “I could never be furious with you. What has happened? Just tell me.”

  “This morning I fought a duel.”

  “What?” Her heart dropped into her stomach. How could that be? “I—I don’t understand.” She must have heard him wrong. Surely the man she’d fallen in love with wasn’t the violent sort.

  “I killed a man, Bree. In a duel.”

  She hadn’t misheard him. Still scarcely able to believe it, she roamed the little clearing, her blood like sludge in her veins. “What on earth would even make you do such a thing?”

  “It doesn’t matter.” He threaded his fingers through his hair. “It’s done, and now I risk being hanged.”

  Because killing someone in a duel was considered murder. Her heart stilled. Her love was a murderer. And now he could die, too!

  “So I’m leaving England tonight,” he went on. “For good.”

  The full ramifications of all he’d told her hit her. “You . . . you’re leaving England,” she echoed hollowly. And me.

  His gaze met hers. “Yes. And I want you to go with me.”

  That arrested her. “Wh-what do you mean?”

  “I’m asking you to marry me.” He seized her hands. “Well, to elope with me. We’ll go by ship to Spain, and we’ll wed there. Then my friends in Corunna will help us settle in.”

  She gaped at him. He was serious. He actually meant for her to leave her family and home and run away with him now that he’d gone off and killed a man.

  But in a duel. Might it not have been done with good reason?

  “Do you have to go abroad?” she asked. “Sometimes the courts will acquit a gentleman of the charges, assuming the duel was a just one.”

  “It was.” His expression grew shuttered. “But I can’t risk defending myself in court.”

  “Why not?”

  “I can’t say. It’s . . . complicated.”

  “It can’t be more complicated than running away to the Continent, for goodness’ sake.”

  A muscle worked in his jaw. “Look, I’ve made a vow to keep the reasons for the duel quiet. And I have to keep that vow.”

  “Even from me?” She couldn’t hide the hurt in her voice. “Why? Who demanded such a thing of you?”

  “I can’t say, damn it!” When she flinched, he said, “It isn’t important.”

  “It certainly is to me. You want me to run off with you, but you won’t even explain why you fought or even with whom you dueled?”

  Letting out an oath, he stared past her into the woods. “I suppose I can reveal the other party in the duel, since that will get around soon enough. The man’s name is Joseph Whiting.”

  She didn’t know any Joseph Whiting, so that information wasn’t terribly helpful.

  “But that’s all I can reveal.” He fixed her with a hard look. “You’ll simply have to trust me. Come with me, and I will take care of you.”

  “What about passports? How can you even be sure we can marry in Spain?”

  “There’s no reason we can’t. And I have a passport—we’ll arrange for yours once we arrive.”

  She didn’t know anything about international travel, but his plan sounded awfully havey-cavey. “If you’re wanted for murder here, surely no British consulate—”

  “I promise you, it will all turn out well in the end.”

  “You can’t promise that.”

  “Deuce take it, I love you,” he said, desperation in his tone. “Isn’t that enough?”

  “No! You’re asking me to risk my entire future to go with you. To leave my family and my home, possibly never to see either again. So, no, it is not enough, drat you!�
��

  He squeezed her hands. “Are you saying you don’t share my feelings?”

  “You know I do.” Her heart lurched in her chest. “I’d follow you to the ends of the earth if I could, but I can’t right now.” Certainly not without some assurance that he truly meant to marry her and not just . . . carry her off to have his way with her.

  Oh, Lord, that was absurd. Just because he was heir to an earl and she the daughter of an impoverished knight didn’t mean that Niall would stoop so low. She was sure of it. She’d heard of women being fooled into thinking they were eloping when really they weren’t, women who were discarded after they’d served their usefulness to some randy lord. But Niall would never do such a thing. He was an honorable man.

  Except for the fact that he fought a duel for reasons he won’t reveal.

  She winced. It didn’t matter. He would never hurt her that way. She couldn’t believe it. And for a moment, the idea of being his forever, of traveling abroad and seeing the world without their families to make trouble—

  Families. That brought reality crashing in. “You know I can’t leave Mama.” Regretfully, she tugged her hands from his. “She needs me.”

  “I need you.” His lovely eyes were dark with entreaty. “Your mother has your father.”

  “The man who spends every waking moment at his club or in the hells, gambling away my future and Mama’s,” she said bitterly. “She could die, and he wouldn’t even notice.”

  Papa had never met a card game he didn’t like. Unfortunately, he’d never met one he could win, either. But he spent all his time and money trying to find one.

  Consequently, Mama spent much of her time alone with Brilliana or servants. Brilliana had hoped that when—if—Niall proposed marriage, she could persuade him to let her take Mama to live with them. But that was impossible if he meant to carry her off to the Continent.

  “What about your family?” she asked.

  He tensed. “What about them?”

  “Do your parents know that you mean to flee London? Have you spoken to your father about . . . us?”

  The stricken look on his face told her that answer. “He knows I’m leaving England. But no, he doesn’t know about us, because I wanted to speak to you first. In case you . . . refused to go.”