Scandalous Liaison: Ladies and Scoundrels, #5

By Amanda Mariel

In her youth, Grace Stratton, the Duchess of Abernathy, gave her heart to Lewis Duffield, an American plantation owner. Family duty tore them apart when she was required to marry another man. After years of being widowed, Grace finds herself alone with Lewis and their old flames rekindle, but can they recapture the all-consuming love they once shared?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brook Ridge Press
• Release date: Dec 18, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386959090

Amanda Mariel

USA Today Bestselling, Amazon All Star author Amanda Mariel dreams of days gone by when life moved at a slower pace. She enjoys taking pen to paper and exploring historical time periods through her imagination and the written word. When she is not writing she can be found reading, crocheting, traveling, practicing her photography skills, or spending time with her family.

Book preview

PROLOGUE

England, 1822

Lady Grace Brighton, daughter of the Viscount and Viscountess of Forton entered the ballroom with a heavy heart. Tonight would undoubtedly be one of the hardest nights of her life. At seventeen, she should be enjoying the season not dreading what was to come. Nonetheless, her course had been set.

With dread lacing through her, Grace made her way to the veranda. Mr. Lewis Duffield would be awaiting her under the branches of their tree. The same one he had carved their initials into a fortnight ago. The scenario would have set her belly all aflutter a couple of nights ago, but now everything had changed. Where the butterflies should be, Grace felt an unpleasant churning, twisting her belly into knots.

She gathered her skirts into her gloved hands as she hastily made her way around a marble column, then down the stairs and toward the torch lit garden. If she tarried over long, people would notice. A situation she could scarce afford when so much hung in the balance. Father and Mother were counting on her. She could not let them down even if it destroyed her heart to honor their wish.

The dew covered grass dampened her silk slippers as she hastened down the garden path toward the old lime tree. The cool night air brushed against her skin and hundreds of stars sparkled overhead. But the peaceful setting did nothing to cool her nerves or soothe her upset. Her heartbeat increased as she drew closer to her destination—closer to Lewis.

Grace slowed her rampant pace and fought for composure as she took the final steps, closing the distance between her and Lewis. She saw him cast in the glow of the torchlight, his eyes sparkling and black hair gleaming as she left the path. The familiar fluttering she experienced every time she was near him returned to her belly but did nothing to erase the dread filling her soul.

A wide smile spread across his face. My darling Grace, come let me hold you.

Oh, Lewis. Forgetting her duties for a moment, she cast herself into the warmth of his embrace. What she would give to stay safe in his arms for all eternity. Unable to control her emotions any longer, a shudder racked her shoulders as the first tears seeped from her eyes.

What is it, darling? Lewis stroked her hair with his comforting hand as he held her close.

How was she to tell him they could no longer be together? Every part of her wished to deny the fact. She longed to run away with him. To start a new life with the man she loved. She would give almost anything to stay with him, but she could not toss her family to the wolves.

All will be well. There is no need for tears. Lewis continued his attempt at comforting her. He dropped a gentle kiss on her forehead. We are together now. I will keep you safe.

She had given Lewis her heart months ago and found herself powerless to take it back. All the same, she had a duty to her parents, to the family title and the ton, at least according to mother and father she did. Personally, Grace couldn’t give a fig about the title or the ton, but she could not make the same claim about her parents. She would sell her soul to protect her family.

A chill trickled through her, raising goosebumps on her flesh. If it killed her, and it well might, she would do right by her family. She had to. What other choice did she have? Without her, they would be destitute. Cast out into the London streets to fade into the chaos of the great city. Forgotten by all, and left to fend for themselves without the means or necessary skills to survive their harsh new reality. She simply could not sentence them to such an existence.

Grace drew in a slow breath. Resigned to her fate, she pulled away enough to look up into Lewis’s tender, green eyes. His gaze would haunt her memory forevermore—the love and tenderness she witnessed in their depths would be with her always. A steady reminder of what she’d sacrificed.

Grace, my darling He swept the tears from her cheeks. My love, whatever it is, you can confide in me. Trust me, darling. I will see you through it.

She drew on every ounce of courage and strength she possessed and stepped out of his reach. There was no choice in the matter. She had to tell him what happened. What was expected of her. She had to break his heart.

He stepped toward her, but before he could reach her, she turned her back to him. The words would never come as long his gaze was locked on hers. She could not watch his heart shatter. Grace opened her mouth to speak, then closed it again searching for the proper words. The ones that would make this easier on both of them, but none existed.

Blast, this was impossible.

He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her back against his hard chest before whispering in her ear, Everything will be okay. Tell me what is wrong and let me help you.

You cannot help. A fresh batch of tears blossomed and trailed down her checks. I am to marry the Duke of Abernathy.

Lewis stiffened behind her, his breath hitching. You can’t. Not when you are in love with me.

"God