Taken by the Earl

Legendary Lords of the Ton

A desperate rescue. A scandalous elopement. A love neither of them expected.

Miss Diana Atherton is no longer the lively girl I once knew. Now she is a quiet wallflower, hidden beneath drab gowns and the watchful eyes of the guardians who control her fortune.

When I overhear a chilling threat, I realize that Diana isn’t merely neglected. She’s in danger, and to keep her safe, I must take her.

An elopement to Gretna Green will place her inheritance beyond her guardians’ reach and ensure her safety. It should be a practical arrangement between two people who barely know each other.

But at some point on the road north, everything changes when Diana’s shy demeanor begins to fade away. In its place stands a woman I can no longer resist.

Now I’m racing toward the Scottish border with a bride I never intended to take. And for the first time in my life, I’m beginning to wonder if the greatest risk isn’t losing my freedom but losing her.

Perfect for readers who love rescued heroines, forced proximity, road-to-Gretna-Green elopements, protective heroes, and cynical lords who fall the hardest. TAKEN BY THE EARL delivers scandal, danger, and a romance worth risking everything for.

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Excerpt

I gathered my courage and took a step closer. “Do you think, my lord, that perhaps you could show me what it is like to kiss a man?”

His eyes dipped to my mouth. When he met my gaze again, they weren’t as bright a blue as normal. They were darker, and I was surprised to see heat reflected there.

He reached out, and I placed my hand in his, allowing him to tug me closer. “You’ve never kissed anyone?”

I shook my head. “I know I’m not the prettiest woman. I’m not as beautiful as Victoria or Caroline. But I never thought of myself as ugly until I went to live with my aunt and uncle.”

He tugged me closer until I fell against him. He placed his hands on my waist, holding me against his hard chest. I hesitated only a moment before reaching up to clasp his shoulders.

“Tell me if you want me to stop,” he said.

With a shake of my head, I brought my hands to the back of his head and threaded my fingers through his hair. “Please don’t stop.”

He chuckled, then he kissed me. It was soft at first, pleasant. I let out a soft breath and allowed him to take the lead.

This was nice, having him surround me. My heart was racing as the smell and taste of him filled me.

When his tongue traced along my lips, I opened for him, unsure what he wanted me to do. But then the kiss changed. It had been nice before, but now it was something altogether different. Something wilder than what I’d thought possible. His tongue surged into my mouth as he tilted his head and deepened the kiss. Something within me came alive, and I found myself ravenous for more. I tried to match what he was doing, tracing my tongue along his.

He let out a soft groan, which I took as encouragement. I don’t know how long we stayed like that, our mouths exploring each other’s. All I knew was that it wasn’t long enough for my liking. When he raised his head and stared down at me, our breathing was heavy.

“If I wasn’t so worried about Tuttleford finding us here and tearing you away, I’d throw you onto that bed and take you right now.”

Instead of scaring me, his words had the opposite effect. “I think I’d like that.”

© Suzanna Medeiros