In Love With A Clifford: 5 Historical Steamy Romance Short Stories

By Elizabeth Reed

In Love With A Clifford: 5 Historical Steamy Romance Short Stories

Total word count 26,852.

Please note that each of these short stories can all be bought as a standalone single story.

The Right Lord

                Lucy has always admired Jeremy Clifford, but unfortunately for her, her affections seem to be very one sided! With Jeremy not seeming to notice her let alone acknowledge her as a desirable woman.

                Well until that is Lucy finally plucks up the courage to confront Jeremy and speak to him from her heart. To find that she is met with a very different Jeremy, one that looks at her in a way that he has never done before! A reaction that makes Lucy suspicious that there is something not quite right about him.....

The Courtesan’s Daughter

Caroline Baxter is not completely oblivious to the fact that Jeremy Clifford is attracted to her. However as a Courtesan’s daughter she is not naive to how people and society, in general, may perceive her, for that reason she is always careful to guard her thoughts and feelings carefully.

But Jeremy is proving very persistent in trying to win her over. If only she could find a way to see into his heart and understand his true intentions towards her.....perhaps then she could allow herself to act on her own inner desire!

The Misunderstood Lord

Annabelle despite the insistence of her parents is reluctant to commit herself to an advantageous marriage to Lord Michael Clifford, who she finds initially to be far too serious and proud for her liking!

However, as she gets to know Michael better, she soon begins to have a change of heart which leaves her wondering whether she has been too quick to judge him.

For Her Lady’s Happiness

Bethany Clifford has a big dilemma.

Lord Michael Clifford, her eldest cousin and guardian, wants her to consider his acquaintance Mr Howard Douglas a wealthy gentleman of society as a serious marriage prospect.

Bethany knows that Michael is right that Howard will provide her with security and protection and in due course even the possibility of a relationship based on mutual respect.

And perhaps it may have been an easy decision to agree to marry Howard understanding such benefits, had it not been for a certain handsome army officer.

Her Lady’s Secret Love

Lady Charlotte Clifford has always held a soft spot for her childhood friend Luke.

However she believes that any feelings on her side towards him are pointless for Luke does not seem to share her romantic admiration in return. And not to mention a secondary problem for her of her meddling older brothers who seem determined to control every aspect of her life and keep Luke and her apart!       

• Language: English
• Publisher: LB Books
• Release date: Dec 19, 2015
• ISBN: 9781519935366

Elizabeth Reed

As long as I can remember I have always loved everything and anything to do with the romance genre. Enjoying writing, reading and watching a wide range of love stories. I am a true romantic at heart! So after studying for a philosophy degree and then going on to work in a corporate job in advertising, I decided to reconnect with my passion again! I now write mainly romance short stories, with the aim to share all of my ideas with others who also have an interest in romantic fiction. I write in a range of romance subgenres including erotic romance, contemporary, sweet, paranormal/fantasy fiction and historical. I hope to continue writing as long as my ideas keep flowing out from my mind. In early 2014 I experienced my own personal love story, when I married my one true love. I now live together with my husband in London.

Book preview

The Right Lord

Chapter 1

Miss Lucy Gordon took a deep breath, trying to compose herself before walking demurely to where she spotted a tall ash blonde haired gentleman casually leaning up against a large oak tree. She noted that he was all alone and looking out with interest at the green surrounding fields.

‘Jeremy!’ She called out to him as she neared to his side.

He turned to look at her with his baby blue eyes which had the effect of making Lucy immediately feel butterflies in her stomach. But as she took in the rest of his handsome features she could not help but think there was something different today about Jeremy her neighbour, something she could not quite put her finger upon.

Was it possible but his face looked a little more rugged and harsher than when she had last seen him only yesterday? With his jaw line more square and chiselled and he having a more noticeable shadow of hair across his lower cheeks and chin. His physique also seemed sturdier in appearance, had he grown in size in such a short time or had she just never noticed his powerful build? He was more filled out, his chest wider beneath his shirt and arms too for that matter. But yet when she looked at his face it was still somehow the same face she was familiar with, a face she had admired and loved from a far. No this was definitely her Jeremy that stood before her the man she intended to marry, she convinced herself.

‘Jeremy I am sorry to disturb your peace, you looked so preoccupied just then,’ Lucy spoke again when he did not initially greet her back with a welcome, trying to begin any conversation between them on a light note.

‘You’re right I was preoccupied, lost to the world for some brief moments shall we say, I sometimes forget just how beautiful this place is,’ he spoke with passion, taking Lucy by surprise along with his rich, deep baritone voice.

‘Why Jeremy you are becoming sentimental in your older age,’ Lucy teased, ‘you speak like you have never seen these sights before when we have both taken many walks across these grounds almost on a daily basis.’

‘Well I believe that sometimes you can never have enough of a good thing, don’t you think?’ He spoke joyfully, leaving Lucy to think of an appropriate reply back to say to him.

‘Yes Jeremy I could not agree more,’ Lucy gave him her most charming of smiles, ‘and with that idea in mind I wanted to speak to you about a certain delicate matter.’

‘And what delicate matter would that be that you are referring to?’ He grinned after he had spoken; standing up straight as he folded his arms and gave Lucy his undivided attention. Lucy could not help but feel all flustered as she noted his eyes trailing down her body in a way that perhaps should have made her feel offended but had the opposite effect of exciting her. For the first time, it seemed that she was getting her wish at last, a reaction from Jeremy, and he actually seemed to be noticing her dare she say it as an attractive woman!

‘Well, it has come to my attention after speaking to your sister that you have been spending a lot of time with Miss Caroline Baxter.’

‘And what if I am, there is nothing wrong with having friends is there?’

‘No....nothing wrong at all with friends, if they are the right sort of friends...you are aware of the rumours about her, and her parentage as most of society is, I would caution you in keeping company with her,’ Lucy tried not to sound too severe.

‘You did not strike me on my first impressions of you as being such a snobbish lady easily given to societal gossip,’ he immediately rebuked her, making Lucy blush with embarrassment. ‘Whoever Jeremy, I mean I, choose to spend time with, can surely be no concern of yours, I am a grown man of thirty after all!’

‘Of course I understand, I did not want to cause you offence and enter into your personal matters unnecessarily, I was merely giving you advice as a friend and good neighbour that is all,’ Lucy’s heart sank thinking that she had completely blown her chances with Jeremy.

‘Really now, was it just advice, or was there an ulterior motive behind your words?’ He spoke with suspicion clear in his voice.

‘No it was just advice primarily.....but,’ Lucy clenched her fingers together; suddenly nervous as she battled with herself in her mind, on whether this was the moment she dared speak from her heart.

‘Come on spill it out, I will not bite.’

‘Well, it was just that you spending more time with Caroline Baxter means that you are now spending less time with me. I miss our time together, our friendship and I think....well I think we are much better matched, and I more suited to you than she is,’ Lucy rambled out all her feelings, not knowing whether to be relieved or ashamed once she was done.

‘Oh is that what it is, I should have guessed....you’re jealous,’ he laughed lightly.

‘I am not jealous...oh you don’t understand, I should not have opened my mouth,’ Lucy spoke feeling deflated as she turned away from him.

‘No please wait, don’t go.’ His voice stopped her, and when she looked in his direction, she was surprised to see him directly in front of her, only a few steps away so that she could easily touch him.

‘I did not mean to tease you, that was a little wicked of me. But in truth I have liked your company thus far, it has brightened my day even further to converse and be in close proximity so early in the day with a beautiful woman such as yourself,’ he spoke with a trace of admiration in his voice, sending goose bumps across Lucy’s skin. She noted his eyes moving down to her lips which only added to her giddiness.

‘You think I am beautiful?!’ Lucy spoke with surprise; Jeremy had never given her such an open compliment before.

‘Yes very much so...and looking at you now, I cannot imagine that Caroline could be a match for you.’

Lucy blushed as her heart filled with joy.

‘But there is more to a woman than her outside exterior, and a man needs much more if he is to fall wholeheartedly for a woman,’ he reached up to lightly touch one of Lucy’s dark curls, making her feel even more mesmerised than she already was.

‘What more is there Jeremy that a man desire’s from a woman?’ Lucy found herself speaking automatically, her voice coming out not much louder than a whisper.

‘A man admires and desires all, a woman’s body, mind and soul...but it must be the right woman for him.’

‘But how can he know?’ Lucy could not help herself from finding out his inner thoughts now he was finally opening up to her.

‘There are ways...let me show you,’ his voice came out deep and thick.

‘Jeremy...!’ Lucy did not get a chance to say anymore as he took her completely by surprise closing the gap between them as he reached out for her, taking Lucy into his strong arms as he bent down to kiss her firmly on her lips.

Lucy found herself seconds later giving out an automatic moan of surprise and delight as he caressed her mouth lightly with his sensual one, before applying more pressure and nibbling and sucking on her lower lip playfully, making Lucy open up for him. Once she took his bait she found herself completely melting against him, their tongues making contact again and again as they tasted each other with increased enthusiasm, whilst her purrs of delight were overshadowed by his hearty groans. She felt his two hands cupping her derriere as he started to become more bold and explore her body through her clothes, Lucy had no power to stop him as she started to become overcome by sensations she had never experienced the likes of before.

‘Andrew! Lucy! Whatever are you both doing to each other?’ Came a loud voice from behind them,