THE BARON AND THE MISTRESS By Karyn Gerrard
Release date: April 7th, 2015
Historical/Victorian/Sensual
Approx: 29,700 words
KG Publishing
Great price! 1.99!
Forget the horrors. Remember...me.
A
shivering young woman leans against a lamppost in the most notorious
street of ill repute in all London. For Asher Colborne, Baron of
Wenlock, this is a haunting vision of beauty and wretchedness.
Uncharacteristically halting his carriage, he is shocked to discover the
thin, dressed-in-rags creature is none other than Chastity Armitage, a
beautiful angel who captured his heart at a grand ball more than two
years past. For Colborne, her circumstance is a mystery he feels honor
bound to unravel.
Chastity and her siblings have been on the run for more than two
years. Desperate for food and lodging money, she is forced to sell
herself. She never expected a tall, handsome man to appear as if from
mist and change her life forever. She is given a choice, continue down
the path of never-ending poverty or become the baron's mistress.
Though they are both determined the arrangement remain an
emotionless business transaction, the attraction between them is
scorching. Many barriers and obstacles lay in Chastity and Ash's path.
Can the baron and the mistress embrace true love?
Heat Level: Very Sensual
Excerpt: Chastity could not believe she allowed the well-dressed gentleman to
take her away in his carriage. They did not go far nor did they speak during
the short journey. They both sat in a private room at The Pig and Whistle tavern.
Her stomach rumbled. The man, who introduced himself as Ash and insisted she
call him by that name, ordered beef stew, ale, and extra bread and cheese.
Fifteen shillings? The obscene amount still rattled about in her bewildered
brain. With proper planning the money would keep her and her brother and sister
comfortable for some weeks. What in God’s name did he wish to do with her? Or
to her? What perverse act would she be subjected to? His intense stare made her
uncomfortable. This Ash was too handsome by far. After removing his hat and
gloves, he ran his hand through his black-as-midnight hair. His eyes were the
color of a fine cognac and the gleam of lust that shone from them sent waves of
heat through her body. Ash removed his cloak. The silver lining appeared to be
the finest silk. His tall frame was perfectly proportioned and how well it
filled out the excellently tailored evening wear. A smartly tied silver cravat
about his neck completed the look and he did
look every inch the rake. Chastity caught a whiff of expensive cologne. The
scent of bergamot and lemon invaded her nostrils. Her stomach dipped
precipitously. Dear heaven, I find him
attractive? Not wise. Chastity’s gaze darted about the small room trying to
find a quick escape route.
“What is your name, my sweet?”
His voice was deep, resonant, and cultured. A sensual baritone as rich
as melted dark chocolate. Should she give her name? What would it matter? “Chastity.”
The man’s eyes widened briefly as he shifted in his seat, but his
concentrated gaze did not waver. “Interesting choice of name for a prossie.”
Fury boiled quick and hot in her veins. “It’s my real name and I’m not
a...a...prossie!”
The corner of his mouth quirked in amusement. “Of course not, even though
you offered me a quick tup—for coin.”
Chastity’s cheeks burned in humiliation. Before she could answer, the
door burst open and the barmaid carried in a tray of foodstuffs. The
tantalizing aroma of beef, grilled onions, and fresh bread made her salivate.
For a meal such as this and fifteen
shillings, she would agree to anything. And she would bet this arrogant,
handsome man knew it.
AUTHOR INFO: Karyn lives in a small town in the western corner of Ontario, Canada. She whiles away her spare time writing and reading romance while drinking copious amounts of Earl Grey tea. Tortured heroes are a must. A multi-published author with a few bestsellers under her belt, Karyn loves to write historicals, particularly in the Victorian era. She also writes the occasional contemporary.
As long as she can avoid being hit by a runaway moose in her wilderness paradise she assumes everything is golden.
