The Twelve Days of Seduction

By Eva Devon

Twelve Days of Seduction by Maire Claremont

Alexander Hunt, Eighth Duke of Berresford, is aware his ward's governess misrepresented herself to gain employment, and he's quite displeased, even if she is one of the most intelligent women's he's ever met. His ward deserves a reputable governess, so he threatens to give Adriana the sack mere days before Christmas.

Desperate to convince the sexy duke not to tear her from the little girl she's grown to adore, Adriana challenges him to prove she's not the reputable governess he believed he hired. If he can seduce her before the Twelve Days of Christmas have come to an end, she will leave without protest.

But when they find the challenge more difficult than either imagined, can they face the consequences of their decisions?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
• Release date: Dec 30, 2013
• ISBN: 9781622664368

Eva Devon

Eva Devon is a USA Today bestselling author who was raised on literary fiction but quite accidentally, and thankfully, was introduced to romance one Christmas by Johanna Lindsey's Mallory novella The Present. Now, she loves to write her own roguish dukes and alpha males—and the heroines who tame them.

Book preview

Her deception might destroy him...

Alexander Hunt, Eighth Duke of Berresford, is aware his ward’s governess misrepresented herself to gain employment, and he’s quite displeased, even if she is one of the most intelligent women’s he’s ever met. His ward deserves a reputable governess, so he threatens to give Adriana the sack mere days before Christmas.

Desperate to convince the sexy duke not to tear her from the little girl she’s grown to adore, Adriana challenges him to prove she’s not the reputable governess he believed he hired. If he can seduce her before the Twelve Days of Christmas have come to an end, she will leave without protest.

But when they find the challenge more difficult than either imagined, can they face the consequences of their decisions?

The Twelve Days of Seduction

Eva Devon

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

Copyright © 2012 by Máire Claremont. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce, distribute, or transmit in any form or by any means. For information regarding subsidiary rights, please contact the Publisher.

Entangled Publishing, LLC

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Suite 109

Fort Collins, CO 80525

Visit our website at www.entangledpublishing.com.

Scandalous is an imprint of Entangled Publishing, LLC.

Edited by Liz Pelletier

Cover Design by Heather Howland

Cover Art by Period Images

ISBN 978-1-62266-436-8

Manufactured in the United States of America

First Edition December 2012

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Epilogue

Acknowledgments

About the Author

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Chapter One

On the Eve Before Christmas

My True Love Gave to Me

One Offer Most Seductive

Yorkshire

Christmas Eve

1859

I should throw you out into the snow.

The duke’s words traveled the short distance between them, reverberating through the cavernous gallery. Adriana Flint shivered. That heady voice filled her with awareness and forbidden desire. A most terrifying combination.

She lingered silently before him, bathed in the red glow of the enormous fire stoked to blazing. Uncertain how to reply.

The boisterous notes of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen being played down the hall on the new Broadwood Grand in the drawing room, complemented by the numerous guests, all made merry by many cups of mulled wine, drifted through the champagne-hued brocade walls.

It was a song that usually made Adriana sad at Christmas. It reminded her of the loneliness she had always felt on the most hallowed and anticipated days. Now, that song reminded her of the bold girl she’d been. The bold girl who demanded she give back as good as she’d been given. But this last year, she’d practiced meekness so well that now… Well, now, her own voice was hesitant and meek.

After all, she’d been in awe of the duke for almost a year now. An aching year in which she’d masqueraded as the perfect governess.

The worst of it was that she felt a hint of fear that sent her heart pounding against her ribs. It was an emotion she wasn’t particularly comfortable with. Squaring her shoulders, she said softly, No, you won’t throw me out thus, Your Grace. I know you won’t.

He took two sure steps forward, the black wool of his perfectly tailored frock coat and trousers straining against his well-muscled form. He stared down at her, his face a mask of dark shadows. Yet, even so, those whiskey-tinted eyes glowered from under two black slashes of brows. And how do you know?

She bit her lower lip and glanced toward the holly-and evergreen-decked mantel.

That voice, it slid over her skin like liquid sin. Every time she’d been in his presence, every moment she’d heard that timbre, heat had coiled in her belly, teasing lower and lower still. Sadly, as a governess, she’d seldom been in his company. And so, she’d savored every brief encounter.

Only now, he thundered at her, a menacing sort of growl that should have frightened her out of her wits. But she was no schoolroom miss to quake at a man’s displeasure. She’d been cornered in the galleries of a theatre by men who didn’t understand the meaning of desist, and she’d sent those men packing. So, even a duke’s censure couldn’t frighten her. Not truly. Not physically. Only. Only, she desperately didn’t wish to lose her place at Highburn. She was safe here. She had a place. A home. A little girl to love and who loved her in return. Oh, no. She wasn’t simply going to skulk away.

She drew in a steadying breath then gazed up at him through her lashes. How do I know? Because unlike some of your station and sex, you are not cruel. You would never cast me out to such a rash fate.

His square, perfectly shaved jaw set in a hard line. Do you know what I have heard about you, madam?

She inwardly winced. She could only guess. There are many things I don’t doubt you might have heard. The important question is, from whom did you hear them?

He paused as if considering keeping his source a secret. Mr. Betterton.

My publisher.

How in bloody Hades had he found that man? She’d always been so careful with her correspondence and, in London, she wore a veil when she went out on business. Did you follow me?

His lids lowered, half hiding his molten, amber gaze. Yes.

He’d followed her? Himself? Surely a duke had far more important interests than following his governess. She was beneath his notice and yet…he had noticed. Blast. That didn’t bode well. Not for her future at Highburn. Why did you follow me?

You were acting most strangely, dressed like a woman in mourning, scurrying out of my home.

She fought a misplaced grin. It was too preposterous. So you followed me. Based upon your displeasure with my choice of dress and manner. My, but you are suspicious.

His gaze narrowed. You are avoiding the point.

She widened her eyes innocently. What point?

A low sort of growl seemed to rumble from his throat. Your black reputation.

She offered him a slow, wry smile. I imagine you must have thought of me in quite a biblical light to be so upset.

"If you

Reviews for The Twelve Days of Seduction

[kbranfield-837433 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Maire Claremont's The Twelve Days of Seduction is a sweet yet very steamy feel good love story that I highly recommend to fans of historical romance.

Alexander Hunt recently discovered that his governess is not exactly who she appears to be and threatens to fire her just before Christmas. Adriana Flint has a very good reason for her deception and she cannot fathom leaving the little girl (and the home) she has come to love. Adriana issues a challenge to Alexander that he cannot resist and both of them are surprised by what they learn about themselves and each other over the course of the twelve deliciously sexy days of Christmas.

Adriana is a strong woman who has overcome a difficult past and she is not afraid to speak her mind or stand up for what she believes in. Alexander is insanely attracted to her, but it is once they spend some quality time together that he begins to appreciate her for the woman she is. Once the restrictions of social classes are stripped away, Adriana and Alexander begin to recognize the depth of their feelings for each other.


The Twelve Days of Seduction is a sparkling gem with richly developed protagonists and a storyline that has a surprising amount of depth. The characters are engaging and the overall plot is quite heartwarming. A quick and easy read that will delight anyone who reads historical romances.

[bettysunflower · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Airiana Flint is a governess at the home of Alexander Hunt, the Eighth Duke of Berrisford. She is the granddaughter of an earl, but her mother was disowned when she left home to marry someone much lower on the social ladder. Airiana has had a hard life as her mother soon came to regret her decision and Airiana's father tried to drink that realization away. Airiana made it through her childhood years because her aunt took an interest in her and sent her to a school that would teach her to be a lady. That way, the aunt figured, she could attract a richer patron to support her and help to pay her aunt back. Airiana did not like her aunt's plans and left to seek honest employment. Her salvation was a job as a governess for the Duke's illegitimate daughter/ward. Christmas is just days away when the Duke called Airiana into his library. He has found out about her past and is asking her to leave. Airiana has no where to go and is horrified to be pulled away from Georgiana, the Duke's daughter. The Duke giver her a counter offer, she can stay, but not as a governess for his daughter. If she is willing to become his mistress, he will take care of her. But, she will no longer be near his daughter. She gives him a counter offer. If he seduces her she will become his mistress. However, she will have 12 days to change his mind about sending her away. This is a well written book with very likable characters and a sexy, warm, fun plot. I totally enjoyed this short read.

[lisa.hines · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Twelve Days of Seduction by Maire Claremont is a beautiful short story about love, respect and overcoming the separation of social classes.Alexander Hunt is the Eighth Duke of Berresford and has just discovered that his ward's governess is actually a fraud and a (Gasp) novelist!Adriana Flint has done everything she can to better herself beyond her circumstances of birth. She is now a governess to a wonderful little girl that she loves very much. When His Grace confronts her about her lies and confirms that he knows she is a (Gasp) novelist she believes she will be out in the snow on Christmas Eve.Instead, the attraction His Grace has felt towards the off-limits governess has surfaced with a vengeance and this Christmas they will both be seduced.