Once Upon a Duke by Sandra Masters
The Duke Series, Steamy Regency Romance
This
author based her books on women’s issues and the effect on all manner
of women during the Regency. In this case, it is—to use modern
words—spousal abuse. Belief in the existence of a "rule of thumb" to
excuse spousal abuse goes as far back as 1782.
Although
there is no other written record of Buller making such a pronouncement,
this so-called law inspired me to write Serena’s story.
For
those of you who asked, my broken right arm and left rotator cuff
surgeries have challenged my ability to type. I am on my way to
recovery. If there’s any bad that brings good with it, I have time to
read more. The power of positive thinking is amazing. As an author,
there are times when I like to read the entirety of one of my past
novels. In this case, my debut novel called out to me. I smiled and also
sighed, my duke was so…unforgettable.
Our sizzling hero, Geoffrey Austen, Duke of Sutton,
has been a rogue longer than he cared to remember. The marriage of his
mother and father was not one of warmth and love, but rather he likened
it to the polar regions of the planet. Annoyed at his mother’s constant
insistence he finds a suitable wife and performs his duty by producing
an heir, he cringes at the thought. The women she promenaded in front of
him were exact replicas of her artificial, cold, calculating wiles.
Quite by accident, he meets the sister of a friend at a hunt, Lady Serena Worthington.
The exotic raven-haired widow’s marriage was a nightmare until her
despicable husband died in a duel. Vowing never to marry again, she
fears intimacy with any man. Serena resides in a private house on her
brother’s property. Free to explore her artistic talents, Serena is
content to live an isolated existence except for the times when her
brother requests she serves as his hostess for his social and political
events.
Serena
is not prepared for the onslaught of his suave advances as he requests
she paint his portrait. The visits to her studio provide ample time for
the couple to share conversations and intimate moments. When he gifts
her with a puppy, Adonis, her fate is sealed.
Excerpt: Chapter Ten:
Serena
has refused all advances until one night, restless and unfulfilled,
Geoffrey goes to the lake for a cold swim, and finds Serena naked in the
water under the moonlit sky. He teased her, and as she attempted to
cover her nudity, he stripped and went into the water. She retreated. He
followed. She turned, and in the full night’s moon, he discovered her
secret.
He
scooped her up into his arms and splashed his way to the grassy knoll,
and sat her on the bench. The lantern light showed the marks on her
back. He helped her into her chemise; then he placed his shirt tightly
around her to calm the tremors. He stooped and rubbed her legs to get
the blood circulating. He’d been a fool to keep her in the water for
those few moments. “Come to me. I will not hurt you.” His arms encircled
her shoulders, and he cradled her. “I offer you the warmth of my body,
Serena. It is adequate for both of us.”
He pulled her close and nestled her head against his shoulder.
“Answer
me, my sweet Serena. Are your scars the reason you will not give
yourself to me?” He tilted her chin to him. “Did you think I would find
you repulsive?”
“Yes.” Tears trickled down her cheeks.
Geoffrey no longer wanted to seduce her, but only to protect her from whoever harmed her.
“Your husband did this, did he not? If he were not already dead, I would kill him myself—a slow painful death.”
She sniffled. “You honor me with your vow.”
She
raised one hand and placed it in the nest of fur on his chest. Her
touch ignited strong emotions—fury—desire— compassion—sympathy, each one
in combat with the others. He wanted retribution for the wrongs done to
her, but vengeance would not be his.
Serena
again sobbed. He rocked her in his arms while his lips tasted her salty
tears. He kissed her temple. “Shush, love. Those scars do not make a
difference to me. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever known,
inside and out.” His lips thinned in anger at the harm done to her
beautiful body.
“Are your wounds the reason you come to the lake at night?”
“The freedom of the water makes me forget…for a short time.”
§§§§§§
His
Grace was a marvelous storyteller in his own right. Eventually, he took
Serena on imaginary sensual travels all over the world. She fell under
his spell. What woman could resist when he brings her the harem outfit
so she could dance for him in his role as a sheik? Serena has fallen in
love with Geoffrey, but he has only fallen in lust with the woman he
calls, My Sultana.
“Excerpt: Page 161
“I
will create a story for us,” he whispered hoarsely. “Imagine yourself
in my draped tent in the desert. There is a small brazier to provide
light and warmth. Somewhere outside a woman sings a Turkish love song
and strums a lute. Your belly moves and writhes. I’m driven mad with
desire.” He sucked in a long breath.
“I am stripped
to the waist in nomad fashion. There are satin cushions strewn along
one side. Incense fills the air. I sit in the chair in the tent. You
undulate before me, and your sensuous lithe movements promise an
invitation of things to come. The dance escalates as you move and swirl
in spiral steps. Faster, faster.”
Geoffrey licked
his lips, watched her every motion. His body stiffened, he fought for
control of the relentless passion. It forged through him like a raging
mythic god.
Serena moved toward him.
His voice was soft as a warm desert wind that caressed and tempted. “Can you smell the incense, Serena?”
§§§§§§
When
she refused to become his mistress, they part. Her heart broken, but
her resolve strong, she’d savor the beautiful memories of their
lovemaking.
Upon Geoffrey’s
return to London, he had an epiphany, and after finding the theatre
women and others unsuitable, he returned to Serena—only to find she is
gone! Her villainous brother arranged for her betrothal to another man.
The despicable gentleman, Lord LeBran, now held her captive on his
remote fortress in the south, until their marriage in three weeks.
LeBran’s only interest was her money. The nefarious brother had told
Geoffrey a monstrous lie which caused him to curse the day he ever met
her. However, determine to be with Geoffrey or end her life, Serena does
find a way to have a message delivered to the duke that she was a
prisoner and would love him either in this world or the next.
Now he believed she always loved him, and sends a letter back to her to prepare for their marriage or his funeral.
Blurb:
Serena, an artist, and widow, has no desire for another husband. When
she meets Geoffrey Austen, attraction sizzles to a scorch. Stolen days
and nights ignite forbidden passion. Geoffrey asks Serena to be his
mistress, but she wants commitment, love, and marriage, not an affair
with a notorious rake.
Geoffrey realizes
Serena might be the one woman who can care for his tortured soul, and
maybe release his demons. The magic they shared shatters when he learns
of her engagement with another. He vows to save her even at the cost of
his own life.
Will Geoffrey’s gallantry prove he truly loves Serena?
If he survives, will Serena surrender all to him?
From
the author: I so enjoyed writing and rereading this book. As a debut
novel, it set the pace for the rest of the Duke Series. Check out:
https:www.authorsandramasters.com.
Sophie, our Terrier-Chihuahua
is cold and cuddles up in a too-big hat, but to me,
she’s still adorable. She’s waiting for hubby, Ron, to start the fire.
