The Lord Pretender, page 27
“I missed you so,” said her mother with damp eyes.
“And I you.”
The crush began anew, with further hugs, kisses, and proclamations of love and delight. After a minute, Simon waded into the fray.
“Ho, there,” he said. “That’s my job now.”
“You must share, m’lord,” Aunt Gertie replied. “My house, my rules.”
A wide grin split his face. “Heard and understood, General.”
Emma disentangled herself from the mob and gave a bewildered smile to her Red Lion friends. “Why are you all here?”
Kit clapped her hands happily. “Discussing strategy, of course.”
“Strategy? Do tell.”
Every eye turned toward Jess. She rolled her eyes and frowned as if weary of explaining.
“Very well. It seems my younger sister, Sophie, has unexpectedly inherited a fortune from a miserable but wealthy great aunt to be used as a dowry. The wolves of Society have already begun to descend, so we are making plans to drive them off. Are you with us?”
Though Emma wondered about Jess’s exclusion from the inheritance, she folded her arms with mock umbrage. “Well, of course. Am I not a member of the Order of the Red Lion? Have I not pledged my sword to our mutual defense?”
Jess smiled. “That is just what I wished to hear.”
Emma felt Simon looming behind her, and his breath tickled her ear when he spoke. “What about the gentlemen. Can we also join this sacred order?”
Kit and Diana exchanged a sharp glance before replying in unison. “No.”
“No?”
“No,” Diana said. “However, if you prove yourself worthy, we might allow you to become a lackey to be used in service of the order.”
Emma suppressed a chuckle as Simon stood tall and gripped a lapel. “Very well. How does one prove oneself worthy to become a lackey?”
Jess tapped a long finger against the center of his chest. “By loving our friend as she deserves.”
Simon rubbed the back of his neck and frowned. “Now, that’s a problem.”
Emma spun on him. “A problem? How am I now a problem?”
He leaned his forehead to hers and placed large hands on her cheeks. “Because you deserve more than I can possibly give. All I can offer is my undying devotion and a steady supply of grand gestures.”
Emma grinned up at him. “Grand gestures? That phrase intrigues me. What do you have in mind?”
He rocked his head side to side and rolled his eyes upward in consideration. “Oh, I don’t know. Perhaps something like this.”
He dropped his hands to Emma’s waist and swept her up into an overpowering embrace until her feet dangled. As she threw her arms around his neck, his lips found hers and proceeded to demonstrate just what he meant, in front of the Lord God and everybody. Emma didn’t pay the audience much mind, though, for she was flying.
After having fallen to the depths of the pit, Emma’s meteoric rise was only just beginning. And rising was proving much better than falling in every possible way.
Like FREE Books?! Download one of Entangled’s bestselling books here!
Acknowledgments
The unsung heroines of this story are my editor, Erin Molta, and my wife, Karen. When my publishing efforts appeared stalled, Erin suggested that I create something truly unique in Regency romance—a Freaky Friday style body swap rom com. Intrigued by her idea, I went to work on the plot with Karen, whose reading habit of fifty Regency romance novels per year makes her the perfect story advisor. Erin provided feedback as we worked out a plot, helped me fix the broken things and fill in the holes of the resulting story, and championed the pitch to the publisher’s acquisition team. Karen was my alpha reader, as she always is. As a result, this story is as much their baby as it is mine. Editors rarely get the credit they deserve for bringing order to chaos, and significant others are often overlooked for the hours they give and the solitude they grant for a book to be written. So, I am delighted to share the laurels and my gratitude with Erin and Karen for bringing this story to life.
About the Author
As a male writer of historical romance, I am a member of a small but fortunate fraternity. After I ignored the genre for most of my life, discovering many years ago how much I loved it proved more than simply unexpected. It was an epiphany. Reading romance has changed me as a man by eroding my introversion, improving my relationship energy, and kindling hotter the romantic flame of my life. As a writer of other genres, it was only a matter of time until I felt compelled to try my hand at historical romance. After three pedestrian manuscripts, the fourth finally found a home at Entangled Publishing. I am far more lucky than good as a writer, and strive every day to reduce that ratio. Find me on the web at www.sawyernorth.com and on Twitter at @MrDarcyExplains.
Also by Sawyer North…
Fair Weather Enemies
Everything a Lady is Not
Discover more romance from Entangled…
A Matter of Temptation
a novel by Stacy Reid
After she’s ruined in the eyes of society, Mina Crawford spends her days hiding in her family’s crumbling estate. When her brother reveals the dearth of their financial problems, she decides to seek employment as a secretary. The only one who takes her in is Simon Loughton, the Earl of Creswick. As they work alongside each other, temptation and desire builds between them. But a secret from the past may just ruin them both.
The Bachelor Betrayal
a novel by Maddison Michaels
The respected Earl of Westwood is a deadly threat, when her Majesty needs him to be. And his only goal is to avenge his brother’s murder, which would be much easier if the viciously skilled Lady Kaitlyn Montrose wouldn’t run off with his only lead. Kat is determined to avenge her uncle’s murder. They’ll have to work together…if they don’t kill each other first.
10 Rules for Marrying a Duke
a novel by Michelle McLean
To restore her family’s ruined reputation, Arabella Bromley must marry a duke—and she has just the rakish fellow in mind. The Duke of Whittsley’s sense of mischief doesn’t excuse him from duty. He agrees to Arabella’s plan: he saves her family; she gives him an heir. They have one year to achieve their goals and ten rules to keep them on track. Because the only thing that could ruin their plan…is falling in love.
Highland Justice
a Sons of Sinclair novel by Heather McCollum
To keep the conquered clan in line, new chief of Clan Mackay Gideon Sinclair must mete out ruthless justice. But from the moment he meets Cait Mackay, all of Gideon’s careful objectivity is compromised. Cait knows that kissing the brawny Highlander is a dangerous game. Only her act of deception has made things worse… Now Gideon must choose between his duty and his heart when his lovely thief is accused of treason against the king himself.
Sawyer North, The Lord Pretender
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“And I you.”
The crush began anew, with further hugs, kisses, and proclamations of love and delight. After a minute, Simon waded into the fray.
“Ho, there,” he said. “That’s my job now.”
“You must share, m’lord,” Aunt Gertie replied. “My house, my rules.”
A wide grin split his face. “Heard and understood, General.”
Emma disentangled herself from the mob and gave a bewildered smile to her Red Lion friends. “Why are you all here?”
Kit clapped her hands happily. “Discussing strategy, of course.”
“Strategy? Do tell.”
Every eye turned toward Jess. She rolled her eyes and frowned as if weary of explaining.
“Very well. It seems my younger sister, Sophie, has unexpectedly inherited a fortune from a miserable but wealthy great aunt to be used as a dowry. The wolves of Society have already begun to descend, so we are making plans to drive them off. Are you with us?”
Though Emma wondered about Jess’s exclusion from the inheritance, she folded her arms with mock umbrage. “Well, of course. Am I not a member of the Order of the Red Lion? Have I not pledged my sword to our mutual defense?”
Jess smiled. “That is just what I wished to hear.”
Emma felt Simon looming behind her, and his breath tickled her ear when he spoke. “What about the gentlemen. Can we also join this sacred order?”
Kit and Diana exchanged a sharp glance before replying in unison. “No.”
“No?”
“No,” Diana said. “However, if you prove yourself worthy, we might allow you to become a lackey to be used in service of the order.”
Emma suppressed a chuckle as Simon stood tall and gripped a lapel. “Very well. How does one prove oneself worthy to become a lackey?”
Jess tapped a long finger against the center of his chest. “By loving our friend as she deserves.”
Simon rubbed the back of his neck and frowned. “Now, that’s a problem.”
Emma spun on him. “A problem? How am I now a problem?”
He leaned his forehead to hers and placed large hands on her cheeks. “Because you deserve more than I can possibly give. All I can offer is my undying devotion and a steady supply of grand gestures.”
Emma grinned up at him. “Grand gestures? That phrase intrigues me. What do you have in mind?”
He rocked his head side to side and rolled his eyes upward in consideration. “Oh, I don’t know. Perhaps something like this.”
He dropped his hands to Emma’s waist and swept her up into an overpowering embrace until her feet dangled. As she threw her arms around his neck, his lips found hers and proceeded to demonstrate just what he meant, in front of the Lord God and everybody. Emma didn’t pay the audience much mind, though, for she was flying.
After having fallen to the depths of the pit, Emma’s meteoric rise was only just beginning. And rising was proving much better than falling in every possible way.
Like FREE Books?! Download one of Entangled’s bestselling books here!
Acknowledgments
The unsung heroines of this story are my editor, Erin Molta, and my wife, Karen. When my publishing efforts appeared stalled, Erin suggested that I create something truly unique in Regency romance—a Freaky Friday style body swap rom com. Intrigued by her idea, I went to work on the plot with Karen, whose reading habit of fifty Regency romance novels per year makes her the perfect story advisor. Erin provided feedback as we worked out a plot, helped me fix the broken things and fill in the holes of the resulting story, and championed the pitch to the publisher’s acquisition team. Karen was my alpha reader, as she always is. As a result, this story is as much their baby as it is mine. Editors rarely get the credit they deserve for bringing order to chaos, and significant others are often overlooked for the hours they give and the solitude they grant for a book to be written. So, I am delighted to share the laurels and my gratitude with Erin and Karen for bringing this story to life.
About the Author
As a male writer of historical romance, I am a member of a small but fortunate fraternity. After I ignored the genre for most of my life, discovering many years ago how much I loved it proved more than simply unexpected. It was an epiphany. Reading romance has changed me as a man by eroding my introversion, improving my relationship energy, and kindling hotter the romantic flame of my life. As a writer of other genres, it was only a matter of time until I felt compelled to try my hand at historical romance. After three pedestrian manuscripts, the fourth finally found a home at Entangled Publishing. I am far more lucky than good as a writer, and strive every day to reduce that ratio. Find me on the web at www.sawyernorth.com and on Twitter at @MrDarcyExplains.
Also by Sawyer North…
Fair Weather Enemies
Everything a Lady is Not
Discover more romance from Entangled…
A Matter of Temptation
a novel by Stacy Reid
After she’s ruined in the eyes of society, Mina Crawford spends her days hiding in her family’s crumbling estate. When her brother reveals the dearth of their financial problems, she decides to seek employment as a secretary. The only one who takes her in is Simon Loughton, the Earl of Creswick. As they work alongside each other, temptation and desire builds between them. But a secret from the past may just ruin them both.
The Bachelor Betrayal
a novel by Maddison Michaels
The respected Earl of Westwood is a deadly threat, when her Majesty needs him to be. And his only goal is to avenge his brother’s murder, which would be much easier if the viciously skilled Lady Kaitlyn Montrose wouldn’t run off with his only lead. Kat is determined to avenge her uncle’s murder. They’ll have to work together…if they don’t kill each other first.
10 Rules for Marrying a Duke
a novel by Michelle McLean
To restore her family’s ruined reputation, Arabella Bromley must marry a duke—and she has just the rakish fellow in mind. The Duke of Whittsley’s sense of mischief doesn’t excuse him from duty. He agrees to Arabella’s plan: he saves her family; she gives him an heir. They have one year to achieve their goals and ten rules to keep them on track. Because the only thing that could ruin their plan…is falling in love.
Highland Justice
a Sons of Sinclair novel by Heather McCollum
To keep the conquered clan in line, new chief of Clan Mackay Gideon Sinclair must mete out ruthless justice. But from the moment he meets Cait Mackay, all of Gideon’s careful objectivity is compromised. Cait knows that kissing the brawny Highlander is a dangerous game. Only her act of deception has made things worse… Now Gideon must choose between his duty and his heart when his lovely thief is accused of treason against the king himself.
Sawyer North, The Lord Pretender
