The Duke's Blind Temptation

Professional Reviews

4 CUPS: "Ellie is the daughter of a baron. Her two sisters are blonde delicate beauties, while she is a tomboy who loves to spend her time riding and swimming. She has no idea she is beautiful, also. Rafe is the son and heir of a duke. He survived the Napoleonic Wars only to have someone try to kill him when it was all over. This resulted in his going blind, which ended his engagement. He is bitter and unsure of where his life will take him now. Ellie has always been in love with Rafe, but the future duke is far above her touch. When he is struck blind and hides in his hunting lodge, Ellie braves his bad temper to help him live again. She has been told that she must choose a husband this season, but she is determined to have a taste of Rafe before she chooses her future. Rafe is captivated by the stubborn and sensual Ellie, and when he regains his sight, he is determined to make her his bride despite the objections of his family and Ellie. This is a well-written historical romance. The characters are real and have all the usual human flaws, making them more attractive. The plot flows smoothly and held my interest completely. This is a fine story from an author who is rapidly becoming one of my favorites." -- Maura, Coffee Time Romance Reviews

4 STARS: "A charming and spicy novella, THE DUKE'S BLIND TEMPTATION is a great read. Paige Cameron pens a novella that is a charming romance and great entertainment. Raeford Anthony Kenton, Earl of Leyland, has isolated himself from the world after a recent accident left him blind. He was determined to spend his time sulking and alone, but Eleanor Upton will not allow it. She has loved Rafe for years and wishes to be the one person to help him adjust to his new handicap. A desperate man, a lovestruck woman and an undeniable passion between them makes for a very interesting experience. While Eleanor, a baron's daughter, is not the ideal match for a Duke's son...she can't help but wish for a life spent with the man she loves. Now all she has to do is help Rafe see he is not a lost cause and that he loves her just as much as she loves him. An interesting and well-developed novella, THE DUKE'S BLIND TEMPTATION is a worthwhile read for historical romance fans looking for a bit more passion. The novel has plenty of spice, yet it's presented in a way that is touchingly romantic and sweet. It delivers a simple, yet powerful romance between two classic characters. Rafe was a wonderful hero, since he starts this story as a tortured hero living in solitude and misery about his disability...and there's nothing better in romance than a tortured hero! His gruff attitude was understandable and meant to frighten Eleanor away. Yet Eleanor's refusal to be frightened away was humorous as she fought to make sure she remained a supportive figure for Rafe. Both characters were delightful and lovingly developed. The beginning created a Beauty and the Beast fairytale that is always classic and timeless in historical romance. What made the novella intriguing was the fact that it didn't remain that way. There were some intriguing changes that drastically altered the dynamic between the characters, and in a very good way. I enjoyed the drama it added to the story as it basically turned the tables on these characters and made for a very interesting situation. Overall, I liked this brief tale very, very much. Very spicy and charmingly romantic, THE DUKE'S BLIND TEMPTATION is pure enjoyment. Ms Cameron shows a great talent for making characters with great depth and passion that you can easily care about very much. Readers should not pass up this great tale." -- Lisa, The Romance Reviews

Excerpt

STORY EXCERPT

Their last encounter occurred when he came to say good-bye to her family before going off to Napoleon’s war. She’d waited until he left her house, and then had met him on the path to the stables.

Memories of that day were seared into her brain.

“What are you doing out here, Ellie?” His roguish smile had captivated her.

Her heart had beaten double-time. She didn’t have a coherent thought. Only that he was leaving and might die.

“Don’t go, please.” Tears filled her eyes and trickled down her cheeks.

“Don’t worry.” He handed her his handkerchief. “I fully intend to return home. This war will be over soon.”

“Do you promise?”

He gently cupped her chin and leaned down. “I promise.”

He had smelled of sunshine and spicy cologne. His warm lips lightly touched hers. He pulled her close. For a brief moment she was enveloped in his embrace, held against his strong, hard body, listening to his heartbeat. All too soon, he’d stepped away, kissed her forehead, and waved as he continued toward the stables.

 Ellie touched her bodice where she still carried his linen handkerchief. The memory of his kiss and touch remained as clear as though it occurred yesterday. She’d dreamed he’d come for her when he returned. Unfortunately, when he did come home, he preferred to live as a recluse.

 This was her chance to help him, the man she had grown to love and wanted to marry. In fact, she was determined not to marry anyone else. So, taking the risk to see him was worth any peril to her reputation.

She rode into the yard surrounding the elegant, beautiful lodge. The windowpanes glistened in the sunlight, and yet a sense of disregard and isolation hung in the air. She dismounted, tied her horse to a nearby tree, and, with a trembling hand, knocked on his door.

“Miss Upton.” Booth’s voice conveyed his shock.  

With his graying hair slicked down and perfect suit of clothes, he was the epitome of a gentleman’s butler.

“I want to see Rafe,” Ellie said with determination.

“It’s best you go home, Miss Upton. It’s not proper for you to be here, and he is in a mood not likely to welcome anyone.”

“I won’t leave without seeing him.” She reached her hand out in a pleading motion. “Please, Booth. I can help him.”

The old man shook his head and mumbled as he turned to the left corridor, took several quick steps, and went inside the second doorway on the right.

Ellie had slipped inside the small, circular foyer just in time to see him enter. She heard a raised voice, and Booth hurried out and back to her.

“He refuses any company.”

“Well, he won’t refuse me.” Ellie brushed past the butler and quickly strode to the room Booth had just exited.

Rafe sat on a straight chair facing the windows. When he turned, she’d have sworn he saw her. Her breath caught in her throat.

Three years had passed since their good-bye kiss. He was no longer the charming young man she remembered. While his shoulders were broader, his face was thin and drawn. Worse, the spark had gone from his eyes.

“Ellie, don’t stand there gawking. I told Booth I didn’t want company.” He rose from his seat and started hesitantly toward her.

“How did you know who came to call? Did Booth tell you it was me?”

His laugh was not pleasant. “I’m blind, not deaf. I heard your voice. You should have heeded Booth’s advice.” His harsh tone and movement toward her made her want to step back. She didn’t move. He faced her, almost toe-to-toe. Without thought, she raised her hands and touched the sides of his face. He flinched.

“Are you in pain?” she whispered.

For a second his hands covered hers, and then he pushed her back from him and against the wall. He leaned in, bringing their bodies into contact.

“Are you here to give the blind man sympathy?” He snarled. “Why do you all insist on invading my privacy?” His hands curved around her face.

Ellie felt his hard muscles against her body, his heat, toughness, and his arousal. Her heartbeat quickened. She’d dreamed of being this close to him, but not this way with anger heating the air between them. She stared into those midnight-blue eyes, still so beautiful.

His hands moved into her hair and pulled the pins out, letting the long tresses fall loose. He breathed deep. “You smell of fresh air and lemons. I always equated that particular lemony fragrance with you.” His lips came close to hers. She started to lean forward to kiss him. Suddenly, he lurched away.

“Damn. See. I’m not fit for respectable company. Forgive me for frightening you.”

“I wasn’t frightened.”

“Then you should have been.”

ADULT EXCERPT

Ellie ached for him. Her hunger increased to a ravenous lust, and she felt wet below. A smile crossed his face as though he knew exactly what she was experiencing and he enjoyed tormenting her. He nibbled at each breast, taking his time tasting and touching each one.

Almost angry now with her lustful hunger, Ellie daringly reached down inside his waistband and wrapped her hand around him. She was surprised at his silky hardness. Heat poured off of him. He jerked when she gripped him snugly, and then he calmly removed her hand as he continued his journey.

He bent and kissed her stomach, his tongue circling her navel, before he moved on to her legs. By now every nerve in her body quivered and ached with a voracious desire.

His warm, firm masculine hands skimmed magically across her skin. He massaged each curve of her feet, ankles, legs, and thighs. His lips followed his hands, tasting and nipping his way to the top. She jerked at the sudden breath on her lower lips as his hands touched her most private parts.

She stiffened.

“Don’t be afraid. Relax.” His voice was deep and slumberous.

Then his tongue brushed across her briefly, and her body arched.

His finger touched her swollen, wet lips and slowly moved to her opening as his thumb caressed her most sensitive spot, sending rippling waves of pleasure up her body. Her fingers raked through his hair.

“Let me touch you,” she whispered.

“Not yet. I’m not quite finished.” His mouth licked across the wetness, tasting her.

Her breath wheezed out. She tried to pull away, embarrassed at his actions, but he held firm to her hips and took his time exploring all the area with his tongue and teeth. She gasped as the waves of hunger poured over her. Twisting and turning, she moved her legs further apart to give him greater access. When she thought she’d die of the overwhelming desire coursing through every pore of her body, she suddenly was swept up and found herself moaning his name.

When she became aware again, she realized he’d moved to lie beside her. “You wish to do your own exploring now?” he asked, a smile on his face.

Although still weak, she turned to him and tasted his salt-flavored skin. Her teeth brushed across his chest and over his nipples. He took a sharp breath. She glanced at him and smiled. She nuzzled his hairy chest as her fingers rubbed his tight nipples.

Sliding further down, she scattered kisses over his hard, lean stomach and then helped him remove his last piece of clothing. She almost gasped when she saw the swollen evidence of his desire. Tentatively, she circled his shaft with her hand. He was hot, hard, and smooth. A tiny drop of moisture seeped from the top of his cock. On instinct, she leaned down and licked the salty drop away. She glanced at his tightly drawn face. “Does that feel good?”

“Very, but we can stop now,” he ground out between clenched teeth. “Nothing irrevocable has happened.”

Her throat tightened. Did he not want her? She studied the tenseness in his muscles. No. He was giving her a chance to change her mind.

“I want you,” she whispered.

He reached for her and pulled her alongside his hot body. Spreading her legs, he settled between them, his cock touching her most intimate area. His sightless gaze captured her attention. “You are sure? Once I start, I doubt I can stop.”

“Please don’t change your mind now.”

He ran his fingers over one breast while his other hand rubbed her clitoris. She moved her body against him. His tongue licked and tasted her as he slowly put one finger into her tight opening. She gasped, and he went still.

“Don’t stop,” she begged and sighed when his finger began to move gently along the walls of her vagina.

After a few moments, he put another finger in and stretched her opening. She moved restlessly as the pressure built. There was an uncomfortable tightness at first, but as his fingers began to go in farther, the discomfort lessened. He moved up beside her and suckled on her breast as he continued the motions below. A shocking and yet delicious pleasure began to overwhelm her. She threw back her head and moaned.

“I want you inside me,” she pleaded.

He placed his pulsing cock at her opening and surged forward. Hot, searing pain brought her out of her desire-filled haze. Tears seeped from her eyes. He’d filled her. He didn’t move.

“I’m sorry.” He kissed the tears away. “It won’t hurt after the first time.” Slowly he began to move inside her.

At first her body resisted, but then tingles replaced the pain, and heat and pleasure built to an increasing intensity until she couldn’t breathe. Time stood still. She gasped for air and found his rhythm, moving with him toward something she needed, wanted. Her body tightened around him.