Scandalous Seduction

Professional Reviews

4 CUPS: "Lady Tabitha and Lord Sterling are very appealing characters. She is a spinster who compares herself too much to her pretty sisters and plans her life accordingly. He is a handsome lord too used to getting his own way with women, until he finally meets his match. Both really want a love match like their own parents, and they finally do at the end of a story full of missteps, misunderstandings, and misadventures. Fans of the Regency genre are going to love this one." -- Maura, Coffee Time Romance

Excerpt

STORY EXCERPT

Tabitha had decided on a plan to thwart the wager by the time she was dressed to go downstairs the next morning. Annoyed that a respectable earl would participate in such a game, she decided to challenge him. She’d show him not to be so arrogant as to expect every woman to fall at his feet.

Having read several books her mother and father would not approve of, Tabitha possessed quite a bit of knowledge on the subject of seduction. Of course, she had no experience, but decided to have a bit of fun. Lord Sterling would be her experiment. She would seduce him. This was likely her one and only chance to experience what she’d read, since she didn’t plan on marrying. Her audacious thoughts made her cheeks flush and her heart trip faster.

First, she’d let Mama think she’d had a change of heart. On Monday, they would travel back to London for the last few weeks of the season. Once there, she’d ask for new gowns and bonnets.  She’d also stop wearing her eye glasses except to read. But, why wait? She’d put part of her plan into action today.

She surprised Hilda when she suggested wearing her green gown this morning. Her mother had the dress made for her last season. Tabitha had never worn it. The low-cut bodice, small sleeves, and light, flowery material did not appeal to the studious Tabitha but suited her new seductive personality just fine. Hilda, pleased with Tabitha’s notion, immediately took the gown out of the wardrobe. After Tabitha had dressed, Hilda arranged her hair in a loose twist, leaving small curls to flutter around her face.

Tabitha removed her spectacles and stared at herself. Her hazel eyes reflected the color of her gown, and her skin appeared softer, more of a creamy color against the green dress.

Still, she reached for her eye glasses. Her hand hovered above them. She felt unprotected, naked, as though something important was missing. If she planned to do this, she had to be strong and adventurous. They were only spectacles. She didn’t need them, except to read. Looking back into the mirror, she practiced her smile, one she’d seen her sisters use on admirers. Yes, this would be fun.

Her first opportunity to try out her performance came as she walked down the curving staircase. Lord Sterling and several of his friends had stopped at the foot of the stairs to talk. They all raised their heads and glanced up as she descended. She smiled slightly and almost laughed out loud at their expressions. They looked closer, as though they didn’t recognize her.

She waited until she was at the last step and stumbled. Lord Sterling was the closest. He quickly stepped forward to catch her. She leaned her body against him, briefly.

“Thank you,” she said in a breathy voice. “I don’t know what happened.” She blinked her eyelashes at him.

Lord Sterling helped her regain her balance and stepped back. He bowed. “I’m glad I was here to prevent your falling, Miss Bartley.”

“I am, too.” She smiled at him and the rest of the group before heading toward the small dining room. Turning back for a second, she added, “I moved too hurriedly down the stairs. I’m a little late for breakfast." After that comment, she left them. A flash of pleasure at their stunned expressions almost sent her into a peal of laughter, but not yet. They continued to gaze at her until she turned the corner.

ADULT EXCERPT

He swung her around and around as the music ended. “How do we always end up conversing in such improper conversations? No other woman entices me, as you do, to behave in such a manner.”

“Is that the attraction of Lady Jane, that she is more proper?”

He leaned back before releasing her. “Are you jealous?”

“Of course not. We hardly know each other.” This lie was getting easier to say.

“We know each other better than any other unwed couple in this room.” He leaned forward. “Meet me outside on the veranda. I’ll be waiting.”

Tabitha had the grace to blush at his words. The man completely disarmed her. She struck out across the room to her mother’s side. She didn’t care if he followed or not. He did. He thanked her, bowed, and walked briskly away.

“A handsome man. Is he the one you like the best?” her mother asked.

“There is no one special yet,” she said and watched Lord Sterling slip outside. “I’m going to the retiring room to freshen up, Mama.”

“We won’t stay much longer. Some have already left.”

* * * *

Tabitha moved quickly before she changed her mind. She hid in the crowd so Mama would not see her direction. Glancing around and making sure that no one noticed, she slipped out onto the wide empty veranda. Here an array of candlelight lit the stone floor and the attached walkway to the gardens. A sliver of moon reflected light, and a slight breeze ruffled the curls around her face.

He stood further along and to the side in the shadows, alone and staring away from her. She moved quietly up behind him and wrapped her arms around his middle. He stiffened then stood still as she let her body lean against him. She laid her head against his back and absorbed his scent and the feel of him.

Pulling her hands apart, he turned and faced her. He started to say something, but instead cupped her face, and leaning down, ran his tongue over the line of her closed lips. She opened for him, and he gathered her tightly into his arms while he ravished her mouth. Raising his head, he whispered, “Come.” Taking her hand, he led her down the lighted path, turned left, then right until they were far from the others and surrounded by darkness.

“You play with fire, my Tabby.” He lifted her into his arms and carried her across the uneven ground to the backside of a large, wide oak. He put her feet on the grass, then struggled out of his coat and swung it around her shoulders. Before she could say a word, he pushed her against the tree trunk.

His mouth nibbled at her neck and along her shoulder, while his hands moved the top of her bodice lower exposing her white breasts gleaming in the silver moonlight. His lips moved from shoulder to breasts, kissing each pebbled nipple. Tabitha ran her hands through his thick hair and moaned softly.

He licked and suckled each tip of her breasts as he moved his leg between hers. She rubbed herself against his thigh to relieve the ache building deep inside.

“Damn you,” he muttered and pulled her skirts up. His fingers found the damp moist space between her legs. He slid his fingers along the sensitive folds until he found her clit. A shiver of pleasure chased over her heated body.

“Yes, yes,” she said when he rubbed across the sensitive nub. “Don’t stop.”

She was so wet, and she ached, hungry for him to continue touching her. He guided one finger inside where she had felt an unknown urgency to receive his touch. Her body clenched around the intrusion as he slid his finger deeper, but her desire was too strong to stop him. Her legs relaxed, moving wider apart, welcoming his further explorations. Her mind swirled, overcome with emotions flooding across her in a wave of unfamiliar feelings. Heat, shivers of desire, an unbearable ache, and hunger, but for what, she wasn’t sure. His fingers moved across her clit to the same rhythm that his lips suckled on her nipple.

He soon slipped one finger, and then a second, inside her wetness. The intimacy overwhelmed her. Unfamiliar sensations coursed through her veins.  She wanted more. His unrelenting thumb brushed across her clit until she almost couldn’t bear it. Suddenly, rolling waves began where he moved his fingers in and out of her. She stiffened.

“Let it take you, my love.” His words urged her on. She let go, and exploded in a bright light of warmth and wave after wave of release. Unable to control her breathing, she tilted her head back. He swallowed her cry in his mouth.

As her consciousness of her surroundings returned, she realized she lay against his upright body. He’d straightened her skirts and was moving the top of her gown into place.

“You are all right?” he asked bending down to stare into her face. Embarrassed, she looked away from him.

“What just happened to me?”

He chuckled. “You had your first, but hopefully not last orgasm.”

“I, but you-”

“Don’t worry. I enjoyed myself thoroughly, but now we’d better get you back before you’re missed. Can you walk?”

She nodded. Weak-kneed, she held onto his arm as they strolled back the way they’d come. Gradually the trembling and weakness subsided. A breath of cool air brushed her cheeks and coherent thought returned.

No one else was around, but what if someone had seen them? She’d be ruined. Whatever was she thinking? She didn’t think when near him.

“You go inside first. I’ll wait a while so no one realizes we were out here together,” he said. “By the way,” he added before she moved away from him. “We’ll call this encounter a draw. I assume our wager is definitely back on.”

Heat rushed to her face. She didn’t look at him, but nodded yes. Peeking around the door, she saw the dancing continued. No one appeared to see her as she reentered.