Forbidden Kiss

By Roxie Brandon

Amazing value Regency three-story collection.

Charming dukes with attitudes and kind hearts. Lovely ladies who want to find love. You'll find all of this and much more in this collection.

This Regency romance collection is a sweet read with a guaranteed happily ever after.
The full collection includes:

1. The Duke's Lily
Edward Ridgeway, Duke of Cumberland, mourns his wife. He needs a new wife, a marriage of convenience for the sake of his children.

Unfortunately, after the death of his wife, the Duke became a faithless rake and a heartbreaker. No woman of good character is willing to live under the same roof as him. Apart from the beautiful Lily Hopkins.

Lily is ready to love the Duke’s children as her own, but her biggest challenge will be their father. Since his late wife died, he wants nothing to do with his children.

Will the innocent Lily win the Duke's heart? Will this be a marriage of convenience? Or has the Duke gotten more than he asked for? Could he be falling in love?

2. Charmed by the Duke's Son
Regina Hale has lost everything: her inheritance, her home, her position. Forced to become a maidservant to a Duke, she loses all hope.

Regina only has one option left. Without marrying the Duke, she can never hope to get back what she has lost. She can never hope to be whole again.

However, there's one breathtaking problem she hasn't considered. After meeting the Duke's handsome and salacious son, she is overwhelmed with desire that she must ignore to safeguard her secret.

What will Regina do when she’s faced with the risk of losing everything she has ever loved? Will she give in to the passion or will she walk away?

3. The Princess
There was only one treasure King Leonard cherished above all the treasures of the earth: his daughter, Princess Alice. Her mother, the queen, had been in the open market. She had obtained such ghastly injuries that she soon died from them.

Alice had all her heart desired as long as it kept her happy within the walls of the castle. But one day she escapes...She leaves the castle and enters the real world.
What will she find outside? Will she find the love she was looking for?

Enjoy this sweet Historical Romance with a happily ever after.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Roxie Brandon
• Release date: Apr 10, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463165836

Roxie Brandon

Roxie Brandon is an author of historical and contemporary romance, beauty and fashion books.Her romances range in setting from Medieval times to the Twentieth Century.She loves walks in the countryside and having afternoon tea with family and friends.

Book preview

The Duke’s Lily

Chapter One

Edward Ridgeway, Duke of Cumberland, ran the ducal estates ever since his father died. His wife, Elizabeth, died three years ago.

As much as he would have liked to escape the ugly truth, there was no getting away from the cold, hard fact. She had fought the disease, a sickness that seemed to eat her from inside.

He knew, even in the midst of his own pain, that she was better off now. Yet for some reason, his heart remained rooted in despair. Even as he reminded himself that she finally rested peacefully, he wondered if there would be something peaceful in his life again.

Ridgeway retreated to the library of the old Estate. He was standing behind thick curtains of purple velvet, which protected him from view, and was reading a letter:

My precious Edward,

How can I show what is in my heart within a short letter? I want you to know that from the moment I met you, you became the most important thing in my life. I hope you will forgive me. I beg you not to grieve over my death. You must be strong for our children. I am happy because God has answered my prayer to give you a guardian angel. He has chosen me. I shall love you forever.

Elizabeth

Edward remembered... Wind whipping through his hair, he leaned forward, pushing his horse to more speed. Elizabeth's golden hair sparkled in the sun's light.

Edward!

Her voice travelled over the distance. Her wonderful laughter reached his ears.

He pushed his horse on and soon pulled up next to hers. She leaned forward as the wind whipped through her hair. He smiled and once again pushed his horse on.

The road soon levelled out, opening up to green fields. Laughing, she looked at him. Her blue eyes sparkled as she turned to look at him. For a long moment, they flew forward, side by side, eyes fixed on the other. A perfect moment, so perfect that it hurt to think of it. A moment he would see in his dreams.

***

The wintry winter cold howled through the desolate field, which was covered with fluffy snow that was like an untouched blanket. Lily Hopkins could feel the air being heavy as her lungs were filled with sharp cold and frost each time she breathed in.

The bleak grey clouds overhead reflected her mood perfectly. Cold licked at her face and crept under her clothes, spreading across her skin like the lacy tide on a frigid winter beach.

With purple lips tinged with blue and gently chattering teeth she wrapped her coat around her tighter. Gravestones lined the eerie graveyard, some recently placed, whereas others, cracked and crumbling.

Mould covered the engravings dedicated to the dead, trees leaning towards the stones, branches reaching out to each other. Spiked, black fences surrounded the graveyard almost like it was a prison.

The smell of old stone filled the dry air, weeds covering the graves of the dead, loved ones long since stopped visiting. Gravel paths weave through the maze of graves, allowing passers by to pay their respects to the people lined up in the earths embrace.

Lily walked past the heavy gates. As long as she had her mother’s necklace embedded on her chest, a tiny cross, she would be left alone.

A knitted black scarf hung around her neck loosely and it flew as the billowing wind brushed through her auburn hair. The sun was sinking fast below the horizons, giving her hair more reddish hue.

Lily's eyes were the glimmering color of emerald, sparkling in the light of the morning sun like a fresh sheen of morning dew. And when she lifted her pale face to the sky, emerald shifted into the color of deep ocean shimmering in the sunlight.

As she looked down at the grave, with her father’s name scrawled across the stone, and mother’s grave not two feet away, Lily wished she could just kneel here, and mourn.

She knelt at the grave, and laid her hand upon the headstone. I love you, father, she whispered. I love you, mother.

Then she rose and walked across the graveyard.

How Lily missed her parents! But she dismissed the disquieting emotions and chose instead to be hopeful; hopeful of a happy life in the years to come.

Although Lily had been raised a vicar’s daughter, she had been taught to be an accomplished woman. But after her mother had joined his father in death, Lily had come to live with her uncle’s family, and from the beginning she had felt unwelcome.

She knew they had only taken her in because they considered it their duty. She was, after all, family. However, both her aunt and uncle never missed an opportunity to remind her of her status. Lily never declined a request, never argued and never questioned her uncle’s authority. And yet, to this day he had never looked at her with affection, nor had her aunt.

Chapter Two

Letting his eyes sweep over the gathering of people in Lady Montgomery’s ballroom, exhaustion washed over Edward like a heavy rain. All Edward saw were people he didn’t know, people he didn’t care to know. And in that moment, he was grateful for Henry’s presence.

So? his cousin asked. Do you see anything you like?

Edward felt a hand settle on his shoulder as Henry turned to look at him. You can’t live in the dark forever.

Edward shrugged, shaking off his cousin’s attempt at comfort. I did not bring you here for your ill advice.

Henry grinned. You did not bring me at all. I came.

Edward shrugged.

So, let’s find you a wife, Henry said.

Although he felt he ought to, Edward didn’t protest. The sooner the better. The sooner he found a new wife, the sooner he could return to the shadows.

As Henry pointed out every young lady to pass before their eyes, Edward barely listened. He didn’t care how brilliantly their eyes shone or how golden their hair glistened in the sun.

After all, he wasn’t really looking for a wife. He was looking only for a mother to his children. He closed his eyes and saw Elizabeth’s face. Her deep blue eyes smiled at him as she threw her wild, golden curls back and flung herself into his arms. The knot in his stomach tightened, and he felt ill.

Opening his eyes, Edward found himself looking at a young woman. She was of pale complexion, long wisps of umber streaked with highlights of ginger that always seemed to gleam when they captured the light just right.

She had florid cheeks and flawlessly sculpted lips, as if crafted by angels themselves. All these features set together on a delicate, almost angelic face.

There was something about her that lighted up a room when she entered, that made people give her a second look and a smile.

Edward turned to see an older man approach her from the terrace, a scowl on his face. Her father? He wondered.

A muted conversation followed causing the young woman to drop her head and sink into herself. Her eyes rested on the ground and barely glanced up at the man clearly lecturing her. The smile that had only moments earlier illuminated her soft face had transformed into a serious and collected expression, darkening her eyes.

Edward watched the man walk away and rejoin his lady when another young woman approached the one he had been observing. Clearly a confidant, she tried to raise her friend’s spirits, but to no avail.

As they suddenly looked up, Edward averted his eyes. However, when he took another quick look, he met the beautiful woman’s gaze for a second before she looked away. Edward decided that today hadn’t been in vain after all. It had brought him a good step closer to choosing a wife.

***

Edward Ridgeway and Henry Thorne, Duke of Langley, had ridden out from Brighton Manor, Henry’s family home.

Henry’s mother had been friend to Edward’s mother, and the two boys had been raised almost like brothers.

Is your mood really still so very low? Henry asked with concern. Of course it is, what a ridiculous question, forgive me. Of course your mood is still low.

Henry, my mood is low, it is true, but I have reached the point at which I recognize the fact that I shall survive. And the fact that I feel better alerts me to the idea that things shall improve, and time is all that is needed.

Well, if that is the case, then I am glad that I asked this question, Henry said. But I cannot help thinking there is something on your mind, something that you would wish to discuss. You have a look, and I recognize it well.

I suppose it is difficult for me to hide things from you. Perhaps that is because we are almost as brothers.

We are exactly as brothers, Edward, except that we do not argue as much as brothers might.

Edward turned a little in his saddle to look at Henry and smiled.

I like to think so, Henry went on. So, tell me, what is it that you wish to discuss?

You are right, of course, I do have something that I would wish to discuss with you.

Then tell me, Henry said.

I have been thinking that I ought really to marry at the earliest opportunity, Edward said.

Has somebody already caught your eye?

Miss Lily Hopkins, Edward said.

Are you acquainted with Miss Hopkins?

Only a little. She is only the vaguest of acquaintances and nothing more.

Really, I am not greatly acquainted with her either, but I knew a little something of her circumstances. Henry slowed his horse to a stop and turned to look at his friend.

I have decided to ask Miss Hopkins to marry me, Edward said.

Good heavens.

I thought that might surprise you. But really, if you think the whole thing through, it makes perfect sense. All I need is a mother for my children. Nothing more.

So, you would seek a marriage of convenience?

Yes. Edward nodded. Yes, I would. And, in truth, I think Miss Hopkins might even prefer something similar herself.

Edward, I can see all sorts wrong with this plan. Would you do me the honour of staying to dinner so that I might tell you all of the pitfalls?

Of course, Edward said and smiled, determined that nothing Henry could say would deter him from his plan.

Chapter Three

 I can’t wait for you to open it! Mrs Buckland said with enthusiasm as the servants brought in a long, rectangular box elaborately wrapped in fabric and adorned with a profusion of velvet bows.

What on earth is it? Lily asked curiously.

It’s your Christmas present, of course, her aunt said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Christmas present? But it’s barely November! Lily protested.

Just open it, Mr Buckland directed.

It was very unusual for Lily to be the centre of attention. She carefully unknotted the red velvet binding of the package and opened it.

Inside, resting upon a cloud of silver net, was a magnificent white satin gown; the overskirt made of silver lace which shimmered from the elaborate network of pearls embedded within the embroidered flowers that embellished it.

How beautiful! It looks like a wedding dress, Lily laughed.

Mrs Buckland beamed. That’s exactly what it is, Lily.

Who is getting married? Lily asked startled.

Mr Buckland’s face was wreathed in smiled. That’s another wedding present, my dear. You are.

I am getting married? How can I marry when I have no knowledge of it? Lily exclaimed, shocked by the discovery of an arrangement of which she had no knowledge.

She was an obedient niece and always had been so, but it seemed as though, if her marriage were being planned, that she should have been, if not consulted, at least informed.

You shall be the future Duchess of Cumberland, her aunt said.

Her family’s smiles proved that they expected her to rejoice at the news. Lily tried to force her lips to curve upward in a semblance of a smile.

A Duke she said faintly. How . . . how very unexpected.

Edward Ridgeway, the Duke of Cumberland, was the master of Camden Hall. She had noticed the Duke of Cumberland on several occasions watching her as she walked through the streets of the small village she had grown up in.

He was an attractive man, but Lily heard he was immoral, and even though many women would have loved to be his wife, Lily found him to be distasteful.

Lily knew that his wife died and that he had two children. But she also knew of his reputation. He was not the type of man that Lily had grown up dreaming that she would marry. She attempted to conceal her opinions and join in the family enjoyment.

Should we not toast to our niece’s great fortune? Mr Buckland said. He pulled the bell cord to summon the servant.

Lily tried to force her lips to curve upward in a semblance of a smile. Her face felt stiff as she listened to her family congratulating themselves on the fine