Cover & Excerpt
The Hornsby Brothers Book One
An Intriguing Proposition...Passion. Seduction. Pleasure. These are the qualities of any courtesan worth her salt. As owner of The Starling Club, London’s most notorious house of ill-repute, Madame Philomena McGrattan has seen it all, heard it all, done it all. There is little that surprises her anymore, and even less that excites her. So when she is presented a chance at an irresistible seduction, she can’t help but rise to the challenge.
A Dangerous Game...
Studiousness. Practicality. Discipline. Such are the attributes of a good scholar, and such are the principles Lord Spencer Hornsby has built his life around. Alone in the Welsh countryside, with only his wolfhounds for company, Spencer has thrown himself into his work. There is little time for the pleasures of society, not even to think of the joys of the fairer sex. But when an unexpected guest arrives at his isolated hunting lodge, Spencer cannot help but be baffled by the presence of this dangerously beautiful woman. And when he discovers the reason for her arrival, and the pleasures she promises, he cannot help but find himself irresistibly intrigued...
Genre: Historical Romance
Content/Theme(s): Victorian, Gothic
Release Date: September 1, 2015
Publisher: Kensington/Lyrical Press
Excerpt & More
Purchase link(s): Amazon ARe BAM iTunes Kobo B&NExcerpt:
Of all the replies this strange woman could give, that one Spence did not expect. Damn his interfering friends. The last time he’d been in their ignominious company they teased him mercilessly of his virgin state. Never should have admitted to such a confidence, but he had one too many brandies and his tongue loosened. At the time, they did not chortle at him, but merely commented the state should be taken care of—and soon. The teasing, he supposed, could be considered good-natured; it wasn’t cruel. He knew the difference.
A sudden and slow simmer of anger stirred inside him. Were his so-called comrades lounging at a club in London, laughing with mirth at their joke? Sending a woman for hire all this way to bed him? Spence’s gaze narrowed. Perhaps this tart was in on it.
She made for quite a vision, standing there stroking her leg. A ripple of desire caused his dormant prick to twitch a little. Her gown, though garish, showed a certain style. Philomena the madam possessed an attractive figure and a pretty enough face, if not for the gaudy paint. Her hair shimmered with various shades of the midnight sky and glowed with health and vitality. His birthday was tomorrow, really? It must have meant Christmas had come and gone for another year. He did have turkey for dinner last week come to think of it. Back to the matter at hand.
“Please remove your limb from the chair, Madam McGrattan, and take a seat.”
She gave him a brief pout but did as he asked.
“I am not sure what manner of payment my acquaintances promised you for carrying out this means of humiliating me, but I will match the amount if you will leave me alone.”
She arched an eyebrow at him. “In the first place, Professor, your friends were genuinely concerned for your isolated life-state. This is not a joke at your expense, nor would I participate in someone’s mortification. Second, I’m stuck here for the week. Under the circumstances, we can hardly avoid each other. If you think I will be bringing in trays of food to you, or looking after those great beasts of yours, you are bloody well mistaken.”
Justinian woofed, raised his shaggy head, and after a few moments, rested it on his front paws, ignoring them both.
Her light brown eyes shone with determination. Quite an attractive shade, like tea after the milk had been added. One week. The place was large enough they could manage to avoid each other. He couldn’t very well turn her out into the teeth of cold, winter weather. Sharing accommodations with a stranger would upset his equilibrium; however, he must make an effort and keep his anxieties well hidden.
“On the second floor there are a few rooms. Pick one of the least dusty ones, and there you may stay until Boyle returns with the wagon in a week’s time.”
The madam crossed her arms across her ample chest, and the enticing glimpse of her bosom caused his cock to twitch again. “I can see to the meals as I’m able to cook, but you will eat in the bloody dining room with me. As I said, be damned if I’ll wait on you. You do have one?”
“Yes. Though the room hasn’t been used in some time. Is your verbosity always this colorful?”
“A lot of men like it. Yes, I suppose my talk could be considered salty.”
“Much like your cooking I’ll wager to guess,” he murmured.
Philomena smiled. “I like a man who gives as good as he gets. It bodes well for the task ahead.”
“There will be no ‘task’ between us, Miss McGrattan.”
She stood straight. “We’ll see on that score. I always follow a job through. Now there is plenty of food. I’ll see what I can scrounge up. I’ll come and fetch you when it’s ready.”
Philomena turned on her heel and marched from the room, her chin held high.
Theodora gave him a questioning woof.
“I know, old girl. I’m not sure what to make of her either.”
~~~~~~
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Other titles by Karyn Gerrard:
the Mistress |
Heart |
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Pitch |
Wicked Bad |
Celtic Kiss |
Collection |
& the Beast |
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of Rock |
the Wolfe |
& the Madam |
Crop for Two |
Highlander Cover Model |
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Lust |
Desire |
Heart |
Scar |
Blind Cupid |
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Be on the lookout for Karyn Gerrard's future release(s): The Spinster & Mr. Glover coming December 2015, The Vicar’s Frozen Heart coming March 2016, and Beloved Monster coming September 2016
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