Strong Desires
By Emily Ward
()
About this ebook
A Timeless Romance Collection
Download this collection now and spice up your Kindle with these hot romance reads. This is a guaranteed adventure beyond your wildest dreams. This special value collection includes stories from a top author in regency romance. These moving, independent stories feature strong heroines, tender romance, and compelling intrigue.
The complete collection includes:
- What the Duke Wants
- A Christmas Wish
Press BUY and multiply your pleasure with this exciting collection!
Read more from Emily Ward
The Duke's Scandalous Offer Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Climax of Seduction Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Art of Seduction Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWhat The Duke Wants Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWarming Up the Holiday Nights Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Christmas Wish Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to Strong Desires
Related ebooks
A Christmas Wish Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Sanguine Gem: A Marsden Romance, #3 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBusiness is Business PT 1 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Downtown Blues: Detective Jimmy Delaney Collection #2 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSons of Glasgow: Finding Ariyah: Sons of Glasgow Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHere Be Monsters: An Anthology of Monster Tales Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Lame Duck Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow to Tame a Billionaire Cowboy Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsOne Small Victory Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGhastly Battle: An Unofficial Minetrapped Adventure, #4 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Good Man Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBeautiful Distraction: The Pleasure Wars, #4 Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Liam: Brothers, #4 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsImpetuous Designs Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5The Right Idea Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Promise of Forever Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Christmas Office Party Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCelebrity Bounty Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Step to the Side: The Knights of Pecan Falls Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Scent of the Crime Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPlayed by the Billionaire Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The London Brotherhood I: BWWM Romance Brotherhoods, #1 Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Pathways to Bolingbrook: A Bolingbrook Babbler Story: The Bolingbrook Babbler Stories, #1 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Golden Trident Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsEvil Invasion: An Unofficial Minetrapped Adventure, #5 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Rescued - A Romance that Dances with Danger Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsJazz Baby Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTakeover Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCarats Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHot Under the Collar Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Historical Fiction For You
Demon Copperhead: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Sold on a Monday: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Yellow Wife: A Novel Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Grapes of Wrath Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5East of Eden (Original Classic Edition) Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5That Bonesetter Woman: the new feelgood novel from the author of The Smallest Man Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Red Tent - 20th Anniversary Edition: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Second Life of Mirielle West: A Haunting Historical Novel Perfect for Book Clubs Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Rebecca Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Last Kingdom Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This Tender Land: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5We Have Always Lived in the Castle Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The House of Eve Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Kitchen House: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Island of Sea Women: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Cloud Cuckoo Land: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek: A Novel Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Rules of Magic: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Girls in the Stilt House: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Carnegie's Maid: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Light Between Oceans: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Tinkers: 10th Anniversary Edition Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Book Woman's Daughter: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Hang the Moon: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The House Is on Fire Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Euphoria Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Life She Was Given: A Moving and Emotional Saga of Family and Resilient Women Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Poisonwood Bible: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Magic Lessons: The Prequel to Practical Magic Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Related categories
Reviews for Strong Desires
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
Strong Desires - Emily Ward
Strong Desires
An unforgettable Regency romance collection
Collection includes:
What the Duke Wants
A Christmas Wish
By Emily Ward
Eye Know Romance Publishing
Smashwords Edition
Copyright © 2020 Emily Ward
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. All pictures are held by commercial license and may not be duplicated by anyone without express permission.
Although the author and publisher have made every effort to ensure that the information in this book was correct at press time, the author and publisher do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause.
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Disclaimer/Acknowledgement/Miscellaneous
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
What the Duke Wants
Chapter 1:
Are you certain this is what you want to do?
Lord Liam Francis cocked an eyebrow at the man he shared a billiard table with. Micah was known to make a few foolish calls. It was no secret, and why so many people invited Micah into their games. An easy hustle. Liam couldn’t help but smirk as he watched the man trying to figure out what shot to make. You’ve already lost quite a bit of money.
Micah closed his eyes for a brief moment. I can make the money back.
The young man didn’t sound so sure.
Liam nodded, choosing to ignore how nervous his companion sounded. Make your move then. Billiards is your game after all.
Liam kept his smirk. He was teasing the other man, ever so slightly. Maybe he
It is. It’s just an off night.
Micah was blustering now, but he wasn’t doing a very good job at it.
Liam could tell that his victim didn’t believe that. The man knew that he had been outmatched, but was in a hole too deep to back out of now. A vague curiosity about how much money the man actually had access to crossed his mind, but he shook the thought out of his head, after all, it had been Micah’s choice to do this, and to keep going past what he could afford to lose. Liam decided to wait in silence, maybe a little bit of him felt sorry for the desperate man standing there. Going home with this kind of gambling debt to a lord didn’t end well for most people. A possible scandal was always frowned upon. And it wasn’t exactly a secret that Micah had some problems with gambling.
He watched the shot go wrong, missed as it skipped across the table. Liam forced the small twinge of guilt away from his mind as he lined up to finally win the game. After all, there wasn’t much to be done other than end it as quickly as possible at this point.
Micah sighed when it was all over then looked up. His face was drawn, lines of worry across it. I can beat you next time.
You don’t have the money to continue this.
Liam shook his head. "Why don’t you pay me what you owe me and we can both move on with our lives.
Micah looked guilty. Liam couldn’t say he wasn’t expecting that. He knew the man didn’t have the kind of money he had just lost in these games of chance and skill. I’ll have to bring it to you.
How long is that going to be?
The truth was that Liam couldn’t wait forever either; the establishment wanted a portion of every penny that he won by playing these games. It was the danger of having certain friends in these sorts of places. Which means if Liam let Micah leave without paying the money that he owed, Liam would be held responsible for that bill, and that wasn’t a thought he particularly relished.
It won’t be long.
Micah made the promise, but he was clearly grasping.
Liam pursed his lips. You seem rather confident for a man that doesn’t have the money on him.
Micah looked down at the table. Just a minor setback. I’ve got the money to pay you, I simply need to go collect it.
He didn’t look completely confident, but Liam was willing to play this role.
Another person walked up to them, looking over the table. A rather large brute of a man that looked anything other than someone from high society. It was very clear this man had been watching the match and looked down at Micah. You need to pay your debts.
Micah looked up and gulped. I can pay. I just don’t have it here.
He was feeling for his money, but of course, it came up with much less than he owed. I’ll have to go home and get it.
That so?
Liam was amused. This was an old song and dance, one that he had played a dozen times or more.
Of course. I wouldn’t put myself into debt that I couldn’t pay.
Micah tried to feign insult, but it fell flat. Everyone could read that the young man was lying.
Liam watched him carefully, not saying much as the man that stood across the table from him deflated. The bluster faded away, and Micah just shook his head. Liam had won this round.
Gambling money you don’t have is bad form.
The man shook his head. Liam must have dealt with this a hundred times, there were even times when he was on Micah’s side of this ordeal, but he had learned not to do that sort of thing, rather quickly.
Liam watched. He had seen this at least a dozen times, the build-up to getting a favor instead of the pounds that they were owed. He knew his part to play in this game and spoke up. Now, now. Perhaps we could work something out. After all, we’re all gentlemen here.
What are you suggesting?
The large man sneered down at the young vassal’s son.
Micah gulped under the glare. Yes, what do you mean?
His eyes were wide. Liam could almost smell the fear off of this young man. It was clear that he may have gotten into trouble before, but never anything quite this big.
What if he works off the debt?
Liam suggested as if this all wasn’t a part of the plan.
Hm, that could be an idea.
The large man tapped his chin. Perhaps it could work. What would you have him do?
I have a few ideas.
Liam nodded as the large man seemed to accept this idea and walked away from the pair of dandies. Liam pulled himself closer to Micah. This shouldn’t take very long of your time at all, but the men that work here, we’ve got an agreement. They get a portion of every win I make. They need their money.
Micah suddenly seemed to realize the depth that he had gotten himself into. The realization painted itself all over his face. Liam pushed the pang of guilt out of his mind. Nothing is going to cause you any trouble. Nothing dangerous.
Micah’s face hardened with resolve. I doubt it will be any sort of problem.
Excellent.
Liam walked over to his new friend and placed an arm around the man’s shoulders. It’s a very simple task, after all.
Micah nodded as he was led out of the small billiard room. Will this take long?
He was wringing his hands, just enough to make it clear that he felt backed into a corner. He was hesitant, but Liam knew that he had the man on the ropes. Micah was going to agree.
Somewhere to be?
Liam smirked. Or can I assume your family is concerned about you damaging your reputation?
The last thing they need is someone damaging my sister’s prospects,
Micah admitted. The shame was clear on his face. He must have truly loved his sister to feel that way. Liam took note of it. Perhaps it was something that he could use to his advantage later.
I assume you’ve already done some damage on that end yourself.
Liam was laughing softly as he walked down the street with the man. Don’t worry. If everything goes according to plan no one will ever know.
Oh. What is it I’m doing?
Micah glanced around the streets they were taking. The pair was weaving down less populated streets.
In fact, they were heading out of the business and past the housing districts. The warehouses were the places that they needed to be. A place that very few people were at outside of business hours and this was very much after business hours.
"All I need is for someone to play a bit of a guard at