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Mistress
of Merrivale
Shelley
Munro
Genre: Historical
romance
Publisher: Samhain
Publishing
Date of Publication: 25 March 2014
ISBN: 978-1-61922-060-7
ASIN: B00GPOWVES
Number of pages: 281
Word Count: 86,000
Cover Artist: Kim
Killion
Book Description:
A marriage of
convenience…full of inconvenient secrets.
Jocelyn Townsend’s life
as a courtesan bears no resemblance to the life she envisioned in girlish
dreams. But it allows her and her eccentric mother to live in relative
security—until her protector marries and no longer requires her services.
Desperate to find a new
benefactor, one kind enough to accept her mother’s increasingly mad flights of fancy,
Jocelyn is nearly overwhelmed with uncertainty when a lifeline comes from an
unexpected source.
Leo Sherbourne’s
requirements for a wife are few. She must mother his young daughter, run his
household, and warm his bed. All in a calm, dignified manner with a full
measure of common sense. After his late wife’s histrionics and infidelity, he
craves a simpler, quieter life.
As they embark on their
arrangement, Leo and Jocelyn discover an attraction that heats their bedroom
and a mutual admiration that warms their days. But it isn’t long before gossip
regarding the fate of Leo’s first wife, and his frequent, unexplained absences,
make Jocelyn wonder if the secrets of Merrivale Manor are rooted in murder…
Warning:
Contains mysterious incidents, a mad mother who screeches without provocation,
scheming relatives, and a captivating husband who blows scorching hot and
suspiciously cold. All is not as it seems…and isn’t that delicious?
Excerpt
“Thank you.” Leo wanted
to place his faith in her words but intended to reserve judgment. Time would
tell. At least Jocelyn’s presence would stop Hannah’s constant attention. His
new wife brought hope to Merrivale Manor, something he hadn’t felt for a long
time. He shot her a quick glance. Lust too. The instant he’d stepped into her
chamber tonight, he’d wanted to strip off her green gown and explore her
luscious body. He’d badly wanted to discover if freckles, like the ones on her
face, covered other parts of her torso. Even now, he fought the urge to drag
her to a private spot, to ravish her until her beautiful blue eyes darkened
with passion.
The waiting since their
nuptials had been difficult, yet he didn’t regret the lost opportunity. She
deserved time to become used to him. Her light floral scent teased him, and he
sent her a grin. “I’m having trouble keeping my hands off you.”
“Oh.” She paused, the
subdued lighting not hiding her expressive face. Her lips curved upward.
“Good.”
A bark of laughter
escaped him, and he hugged her, enjoying the way she relaxed in his embrace.
“Not many women would react that way.”
“Which is why men seek
out mistresses, I presume. I’d much rather you wanted me than another woman.”
“I don’t have a
mistress.” Melburn had mentioned her no-nonsense nature. Leo found her
practicality intriguing, and when he compared her with Ursula—
He broke off the thought
abruptly, angry at himself for letting his first wife soil what should be a
special evening. “I’ve no intention of taking another woman to my bed.”
“Other men do it.”
“My first wife took many
lovers during the course of our marriage. I didn’t like it and won’t accept
disloyalty of that nature in you or myself.” Leo resumed their walk, requiring
motion to rid himself of painful memories and betrayal.
“I’m sorry.”
“I want you to feel free
to make changes in the manor. I believe there is more furniture in the attic.
Mrs. Green will know.” The shift of subject wasn’t exactly adroit, but
recollections of Ursula brought fury and regret for allowing his heart—lust—to
rule his mind. One mistake and he was still paying. He wouldn’t make the same
errors with this marriage.
Jocelyn nodded with
enthusiasm, dragging his focus back to the present. “I thought I’d give the
rooms themes. What do you think of cherubs for the main reception room? Maybe
rename it the Greek room.”
“Cherubs?” Leo barely
restrained his shudder of horror. The ones Ursula had placed in her chamber
gave him nightmares. “Ah, if that’s what you’d like.”
Her throaty chuckle
brought him to a halt. “I wish I could see your face more clearly. Your voice…”
She trailed off, laughing without restraint.
Leo’s brows rose, and he
found himself smiling at the joyful sound. “I can see I’ll have to watch you.”
“Yes, Leo.”
With a lighter heart, he
guided her past the maze.
She glanced at the
opening between the hedges. “I heard there was a murder.”
“Yes.” Damn, he
should’ve guessed the staff would gossip.
“I thought the maze was
difficult to navigate?”
“It is. I’d rather not
talk about murder. Not tonight.” The challenge of the labyrinth pointed the
finger squarely at him. The local authorities had already mentioned this fact.
He’d have to be careful or he’d find himself implicated again.
She heeded his strong
suggestion, and they strolled in silence, the bubble of the stream and the croak
of a frog providing background music. Leo guided her along the loop path and
soon they found themselves back on the terrace. “I find myself longing for
privacy.”
“Oh?”
“I’ve half a mind to
spank you, just to draw a line, you understand. I can’t have you teasing me
about cherubs.”
“No, Leo.”
“No, you’re agreeing or
no to spanking?” Damn, he found he liked the coquette in her manner. A spear of
lust struck his loins. He wanted her naked, under him, over him. He cast her a
considering glance while wondering if she’d take his cock in her mouth.
“I’ve heard rumors of
men and women who enjoy giving and receiving a spanking.” Moonlight highlighted
the mischief dancing in her eyes.
“And what conclusions
have you drawn regarding the reports?”
“I think I’d like you
touching my bottom.” A tiny smile played on her lips, impish in nature and one
he found intriguing.
The more he came to know
this woman the better he liked her. It meant he could let his guard down and
simply enjoy the evening instead of feeling as if he’d wandered into a Dartmoor quagmire.
His strides lengthened, his pace quickening until she was trotting at his side.
“Leo! Could you slow
down?” Her breath came in rushed pants, her chest rising and falling rapidly,
drawing attention to the plump curves of her breasts and a cinnamon freckle
that sat a scant distance above the fabric of her bodice. “You don’t want to
fatigue me this early in the night.”
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About
the Author:
Shelley Munro is tall
and curvaceous with blue eyes and a smile that turns masculine heads everywhere
she goes. She’s a university tutor and an explorer/treasure hunter during her
vacations. Skilled with weapons and combat, she is currently in talks with a
producer about a television series based on her world adventures.
Shelley is also a writer
blessed with a VERY vivid imagination and lives with her own hero in New Zealand. She writes
mainly erotic romance in the contemporary, paranormal and historical genres for
publishers Carina Press, Ellora’s Cave and Samhain Publishing. You can learn
more about Shelley and her books at http://www.shelleymunro.com.
WEBSITE: http://www.shelleymunro.com
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