Mary Balogh Read online
Dear Reader,
When I ask people to name their favorites among the hundred or so heroes of my novels and novellas, certain names occur consistently. One of them, Lord Edmond Waite, appeared in an older book, The Notorious Rake, first published in 1992. Edmond has earned his reputation, but he is also one of my most complex, troubled heroes. It did not take me long to fall in love with him while I was creating him, and it did not take readers long to love him when they read his story. Now, more than twenty years later, you can fall in love with him all over again—or for the first time. His heroine, Mary Gregg, Lady Mornington, is an intelligent, refined widow, apparently his polar opposite. She spurns his attempts to woo her at the same time as her heart inexplicably yearns toward him. It is still one of my favorite books.
Mary was first mentioned in A Counterfeit Betrothal as the supposed mistress of the hero of that book, though in reality they were just friends. This story, also one of my favorites, is that rarity—a romance with two love stories of equal value. I really enjoyed writing it as one of the romances, involving the daughter of the other main couple, is light and humorous, whereas that of her long-estranged parents, whom she has schemed to bring together again by faking an engagement to a young rake she has known since childhood, is far more seriously passionate.
I am delighted that these two books are in print again, and I know many of you will be, too. I hope you will enjoy this two-in-one offering. Do let me know at my web site, www.marybalogh.com, or on my Facebook page, www.facebook.com/AuthorMaryBalogh.
Mary Balogh
PRAISE FOR
THE NOVELS OF MARY BALOGH
THE PROPOSAL
“Balogh begins a new series with one of her most beloved characters, Lady Gwendoline Muir, in the tender, heart-tugging story of a wounded soldier and an emotionally scarred woman who find unexpected love. It is a mature romance with unforgettable characters, and a sweetness and depth of emotion that only Balogh can create.”
—RT Book Reviews (4½ stars, top pick)
“Beautifully characterized and with a gracefully developed romance, this is a historical romance of unusual thoughtfulness and depth from one of the best writers in the genre.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Balogh contravenes the conventions of historical romance by introducing an ingredient the genre is not always known for: intelligence.”
—Kirkus Reviews
THE SECRET MISTRESS
“Regency romance doyenne Balogh … pairs a staid young nobleman with a vivacious debutante in this top-notch tale.… An unusually accurate portrayal of Regency society, laden with colorful period detail, makes a sparkling backdrop, and the supporting characters are delightful.… The charming mixture of sensual passion and hilarious confusion makes Balogh’s delightful tale a must-read for Regency fans.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“A grand mistress of Regency romance, Balogh always gifts readers with delightful, enthralling love stories layered with depth, humor, emotional intensity, grand passion and just a touch of the unconventional. This prequel to the Mistress series is utterly delightful, charming and intelligent—a winner!”
—RT Book Reviews (4 stars, top pick)
A SECRET AFFAIR
“Hannah, widowed duchess of Dunbarton, has set her sights on Constantine as the ideal lover—a handsome man of experience that she can seduce and set aside once she is done with him.… Constantine—dark, wicked, and cryptic—has a perfect foil in Hannah, and their encounters are steamy, their romance believable. Though series fans will be disappointed to see it come to a close, they couldn’t ask for a better way to go out.”
—Publishers Weekly
“The exquisitely crafted chemistry that develops between Hannah and Con is pure passion deftly leavened with tart wit, which ensures that A Secret Affair, the concluding volume in Balogh’s Regency historical Huxtable series, is a sweetly romantic, deliciously sexy triumph.”
—Booklist
SEDUCING AN ANGEL
“With her inimitable, brilliantly nuanced sense of characterization, elegantly sensual style, and droll wit, bestseller Balogh continues to set the standard to which all other Regency historical writers aspire while delivering another addictively readable addition to her Huxtable family series.”
—Booklist
“One of [Balogh’s] best books to date.”
—A Romance Review
AT LAST COMES LOVE
“Sparkling with sharp wit, lively repartee, and delicious sensuality, the emotionally rewarding At Last Comes Love metes out both justice and compassion; totally satisfying.”
—Library Journal
“At Last Comes Love is the epitome of what any great romance should be.… This novel will leave you crying, laughing, cheering, and ready to fight for two characters that any reader will most definitely fall in love with!”
—Coffee Time Romance
THEN COMES SEDUCTION
“Exquisite sexual chemistry permeates this charmingly complex story.”
—Library Journal
“Balogh delivers another smartly fashioned love story that will dazzle readers with its captivating combination of nuanced characters, exquisitely sensual romance, and elegant wit.”
—Booklist
“Mary Balogh succeeds shockingly well.”
—Rock Hill Herald
FIRST COMES MARRIAGE
“Intriguing and romantic … Readers are rewarded with passages they’ll be tempted to dog-ear so they can read them over and over.”
—McAllen Monitor
“Wonderful characterization [and a] riveting plot … I highly recommend you read First Comes Marriage.”
—Romance Reviews Today
“Peppered with brilliant banter, laced with laughter … and tingling with sexual tension, this story of two seemingly mismatched people struggling to make their marriage work tugs at a few heartstrings and skillfully paves the way for the stories to come.”
—Library Journal
“The incomparable Balogh delivers a masterful first in a new trilogy.… Always fresh, intelligent, emotional and sensual, Balogh’s stories reach out to readers, touching heart and mind with their warmth and wit. Prepare for a joyous read.”
—Romantic Times
SIMPLY PERFECT
“A warm-hearted and feel-good story … Readers will want to add this wonderful story to their collection. Simply Perfect is another must-read from this talented author, and a Perfect Ten.”
—Romance Reviews Today
“With her signature exquisite sense of characterization and subtle wit, Balogh brings her sweetly sensual, thoroughly romantic Simply quartet to a truly triumphant conclusion.”
—Booklist
SIMPLY MAGIC
“Absorbing and appealing. This is an unusually subtle approach in a romance, and it works to great effect.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Balogh has once again crafted a sensuous tale of two very real people finding love and making each other’s lives whole and beautiful. Readers will be delighted.”
—Booklist
SIMPLY LOVE
“One of the things that make Ms. Balogh’s books so memorable is the emotion she pours into her stories. The writing is superb, with realistic dialogue, sexual tension, and a wonderful heart-wrenching story. Simply Love is a book to savor, and to read again. It is a Perfect Ten. Romance doesn’t get any better than this.”
—Romance Reviews Today
“With more than her usual panache, Balogh returns to Regency England for a satisfying adult love story.”
—Publishers Weekly
SIMPLY UNFORGETTABLE
“When an a
uthor has created a series as beloved to readers as Balogh’s Bedwyn saga, it is hard to believe that she can surpass the delights with the first installment in a new quartet. But Balogh has done just that.”
—Booklist
“A memorable cast … refresh[es] a classic Regency plot with humor, wit, and the sizzling romantic chemistry that one expects from Balogh. Well-written and emotionally complex.”
—Library Journal
SLIGHTLY DANGEROUS
“Slightly Dangerous is the culmination of Balogh’s wonderfully entertaining Bedwyn series.… Balogh, famous for her believable characters and finely crafted Regency-era settings, forges a relationship that leaps off the page and into the hearts of her readers.”
—Booklist
“With this series, Balogh has created a wonderfully romantic world of Regency culture and society. Readers will miss the honorable Bedwyns and their mates; ending the series with Wulfric’s story is icing on the cake. Highly recommended.”
—Library Journal
SLIGHTLY SINFUL
“Smart, playful, and deliciously satisfying … Balogh once again delivers a clean, sprightly tale rich in both plot and character.… With its irrepressible characters and deft plotting, this polished romance is an ideal summer read.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
SLIGHTLY TEMPTED
“Once again, Balogh has penned an entrancing, unconventional yarn that should expand her following.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Balogh is a gifted writer.… Slightly Tempted invites reflection, a fine quality in romance, and Morgan and Gervase are memorable characters.”
—Contra Costa Times
SLIGHTLY SCANDALOUS
“With its impeccable plotting and memorable characters, Balogh’s book raises the bar for Regency romances.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“The sexual tension fairly crackles between this pair of beautifully matched protagonists.… This delightful and exceptionally well-done title nicely demonstrates [Balogh’s] matchless style.”
—Library Journal
“This third book in the Bedwyn series is … highly enjoyable as part of the series or on its own merits.”
—Old Book Barn Gazette
SLIGHTLY WICKED
“Sympathetic characters and scalding sexual tension make the second installment [in the Slightly series] a truly engrossing read.… Balogh’s sure-footed story possesses an abundance of character and class.”
—Publishers Weekly
SLIGHTLY MARRIED
“Slightly Married is a masterpiece! Mary Balogh has an unparalleled gift for creating complex, compelling characters who come alive on the pages.… A Perfect Ten.”
—Romance Reviews Today
A SUMMER TO REMEMBER
“Balogh outdoes herself with this romantic romp, crafting a truly seamless plot and peopling it with well-rounded, winning characters.”
—Publishers Weekly
“The most sensuous romance of the year.”
—Booklist
“This one will rise to the top.”
—Library Journal
“Filled with vivid descriptions, sharp dialogue, and fantastic characters, this passionate, adventurous tale will remain memorable for readers who love an entertaining read.”
—Rendezvous
WEB OF LOVE
“A beautiful tale of how grief and guilt can lead to love.”
—Library Journal
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
2013 Dell eBook Edition
A Counterfeit Betrothal copyright © 1992 by Mary Balogh
The Notorious Rake copyright © 1992 by Mary Balogh
Excerpt from The Proposal by Mary Balogh copyright © 2012 by Mary Balogh
Excerpt from The Arrangement by Mary Balogh copyright © 2013 by Mary Balogh
All rights reserved.
Published in the United States by Dell, an imprint of The Random House Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc., New York.
DELL is a registered trademark of Random House, Inc., and the colophon is a trademark of Random House, Inc.
A Counterfeit Betrothal was originally published in paperback in the United States by Signet, an imprint of Dutton Signet, a division of Penguin Books USA Inc., in 1992.
The Notorious Rake was originally published in paperback in the United States by Signet, an imprint of Dutton Signet, a division of Penguin Books USA Inc., in 1992.
This book contains an excerpt of the forthcoming title The Arrangement by Mary Balogh. The excerpt has been set for this edition only and may not reflect final content of the forthcoming book.
eISBN: 978-0-345-53869-7
Cover design : Lynn Andreozzi
Cover illustration : Gregg Gulbronson
www.bantamdell.com
v3.1
Contents
Cover
Author’s Note
Title Page
Copyright
A Counterfeit Betrothal
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
The Notorious Rake
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Excerpt from The Proposal
Excerpt from The Arrangement
Other Books by This Author
A Counterfeit Betrothal
1
“ANYWAY,” LADY SOPHIA BRYANT SAID, “I HAVE NO intention of marrying anyone. Ever.” She gave her yellow parasol a twirl above her head and looked into the flowing waters of the River Thames, which sparkled in the May sunshine.
It was a rash statement to make considering the fact that there were three perfectly eligible gentlemen in the group that adorned the grass on the riverbank at Lady Pinkerton’s garden party in Richmond. There were two other young ladies there, too, one Lady Sophia’s close friend and the other one of the greatest gossips of the younger generation. By nightfall the whole of London would know what she had just said, including her papa, who had brought her to London for the Season, doubtless with the intention of finding her a husband despite the fact that she had not quite reached her eighteenth birthday.
But she had meant the words.
“Then there will be no further point in being in town,” Mr. Peter Hathaway said. “We gentlemen might as well pack our trunks and retire to the country, Lady Sophia.” He caught the eye of Lord Francis Sutton, who was sprawled on his side, propped on one elbow, his chin on his hand. He was sucking on a blade of grass. He raised one expressive eyebrow and Mr. Hathaway grimaced. “Were it not for the presence of Miss Maxwell and Miss Brooks-Hyde, of course,” he added hastily.
“But why, Lady Sophia?” Miss Dorothy Brooks-Hyde asked. “Would you prefer to be a spinster dependent upon your male relatives for the rest of your life? You do not even have any brothers.”
“I shall not be dependent,” Lady Sophia said. “When I am one-and-twenty I shall come into my fortune and set up my own establis
hment. I shall cultivate the best of company about me, and all the married ladies will envy me.”
“And you will cultivate the label of bluestocking into the bargain, Soph,” Lord Francis said, first removing the blade of grass from his mouth. “It won’t suit you.”
“Nonsense,” she said. “You are going to be horribly covered with grass, Francis.”
“Then you can brush me down,” he said, winking at her and returning the blade of grass to his mouth.
“I do not wonder that the name of rake has sometimes been attached to you in the past few years, Francis,” Lady Sophia said severely.
“Sophia!” Miss Cynthia Maxwell said reproachfully, dipping her parasol in front of her face to hide her blushes from the gentlemen.
Sir Marmaduke Lane entered the conversation. “Seriously, Lady Sophia,” he said, “it is neither easy nor advisable to avoid matrimony. Our society and the whole future of the human race depends upon our making eligible connections. Indeed, one might even say it is our duty to enter the married state.”
“Fiddle!” was Lady Sophia’s reaction to this rather pompous speech. “Why would one give up one’s freedom and the whole of one’s future happiness just out of a sense of duty?”
“I would rather have said that happiness comes from marriage and the bearing of children,” Dorothy said. “What else is there for a woman, after all?” She glanced at Lord Francis for approval but he was occupied with the absorbing task of selecting another blade of grass to suck upon.
“Marriage brings nothing but unhappiness,” Lady Sophia said hotly. “Once the first flush of romance has worn off, there is nothing left. Nothing at all. The husband can return to his old way of life while the wife is left with nothing and no means of making anything meaningful out of what remains of her life. And there is no getting out of marriage once one is in, beyond praying every night for the demise of one’s partner. I have no intention of allowing any such thing to happen to me, thank you very much.”