Title – Saved by a Rake
Author – Em Taylor
Genre – Regency Romance (Historical)
Publication Date – November 22, 2013
Publisher – Author
Cover Artist – Veronica Fernandez
Daniel has been given an ultimatum, marry before his father dies or lose the majority of his inheritance money. Rebecca seems the perfect candidate, especially once rumours about her start to circulate in the drawing rooms of Mayfair.
When Newthorpe is found dead on the morning of their wedding, the people they care about find themselves suspects in the case. Who murdered Newthorpe and can Rebecca ever get over what he did to her?
As his lips briefly touched hers, the carriage jolted, pushing him closer to her. He caught her around the waist to ensure she did not bounce off the seat, then, without thinking, covered her mouth with his.He noted a moment’s hesitation from her before she moved her lips and reached up to tangle her gloved fingers in his curls. Tentatively she touched her tongue against his, causing him to stifle a groan. He had been without a woman for over a month and now his pretty little wife had her arms around him, kissing him as if she had done it a thousand times. She was a quick learner as she explored his mouth with her tongue, pressing herself closer to him.Devil take it. He had been struggling all day to stop himself becoming aroused. Her wedding gown had been low cut and her stays showed her breasts off perfectly. He had been distracted throughout the service and the wedding breakfast as images of disrobing her later had flitted through his mind. He wanted to see those breasts again.He unfastened the three buttons on her pelisse, peeling the material away to her side, then pulled out of the kiss and began to pepper light kisses along her jawline. God, he wanted her, and he was most definitely aroused now.He kissed her neck and was about to place his hand over that beautiful inviting orb, when he sensed her tensing. He pulled away slowly, tugging the material of her pelisse back over her. When he looked into her eyes, they were bright with confusion, passion and fear, all clearly warring within her. He cursed himself for being too impatient. Then he cursed Newthorpe for what he had done and could not help thinking that death was too good for the blaggard.“No. That’s the only word you ever have to say and I will stop,” he said simply.“I am sorry, my lord. I just expected some time before… well I expected to wait until we were in the coaching inn tonight.”“Yes, of course. It was very impatient of me. I beg your forgiveness.”Rebecca nodded and looked out the window.The streets of London rushed by as they headed for the Great North Road. He studied the view out of the other window, and they sat in silence for a long time. Eventually Rebecca spoke in a small voice which sounded as if she was on the verge of tears.“I fear I will not make you a very good wife if a mere kiss frightens me.”He turned and took her hand in his. He wanted her to be comfortable and not think he was going to pounce on her and ravish her at any given opportunity.“I have no doubt that you will make a wonderful wife, Rebecca. You just need time and patience and I have an abundance of both.”She turned large, tear-filled eyes towards him. “You should take a mistress as soon as we reach Scotland.”
He could not possibly have heard correctly. She was giving him permission to have a mistress? Surely not. But her mouth was set in a firm line as if she had made up her mind. A stab of hurt hit him. She thought of him as a rake who would be unfaithful.He pursed his lips and considered her. What should he do? He wanted to rail at her and tell her he had no intention of being unfaithful. He had taken vows only a few hours previously and yet now she was giving him permission to break them. But maybe the idea of him having a mistress brought her comfort. She was clearly terrified of intimacy between a husband and wife.“We shall discuss it once we reach Scotland, my lady. I have no wish to think beyond our present journey.”“Do you not see that I can only ever tolerate the marriage bed for the sake of giving you an heir,” she wailed, pulling her hand away from his. “He ruined me in more ways than you can ever know.”“You are only ruined if you allow him that power. A skilful lover could make you feel very different about certain aspects of a marriage.”“Well, I have heard enough tales to know that you are a skilful lover, Lord Ramsey. But I think you should save it for your mistresses.” Her tone was almost venomous but he ignored it, knowing that it was fear that drove her.
She turned her head to look out of the window again. He was at a complete loss. She thought him almost as bad as Newthorpe. Well, not quite but she did not think he would be faithful. A long silence stretched out between them as he considered what to say to her. Her back was rigid, and she swiped at her cheek with one gloved hand.
“What he did to you…”“What he did has destroyed me, and I am not sorry that he is dead. I wish I had been the one to kill him.”
“Please, Rebecca…”She burst into tears and fished in her reticule for a handkerchief, he presumed. He held his out to her and with a large sob she accepted it. He untied her bonnet and threw it onto the seat opposite before gathering her in his arms.She tried to move out of his grip but this time he held firm, knowing that she would accept his comfort, which she did, weeping as she buried her face in his coat.As her sobs turned into sniffles, which turned into silence then light snuffles of sleep, he held her and wondered how he was going to help his beautiful young wife over her fear of physical love.
Unfortunately, Em was put off reading and writing by school and although she rediscovered her love of reading many years ago, she only tried her hand at writing again in 2011. After a year of writing fan fiction, she wrote an original short story for an anthology. This was followed up with two more shorts and 4 novella length books, all published under a pen name. Having fallen in love with a new sub-genre, courtesy of books by Mary Balogh and Lynsay Sands, she decided to try her hand at her new favourite genre for reading—regency.
Having bitten the bullet, she feels she has found her home in the 19th century, and it does give her an excuse to watch Colin Firth in a pair of buff breeches and riding books ad infinitum.
REVIEW SOON TO FOLLOW
Character Bios
Lord Daniel Andrew Rutherford Ramsey, Viscount Ramsey and the heir to the Earldom of Drumbane in the south of Scotland. He was brought up like a typical English aristocrat – educated at Eton then Cambridge University. There he met his life-long friend, Lord James Eversley.
Until now, Daniel, now 34, has lived the life of a gentleman about town—visiting White’s Gentleman’s Club, riding in Hyde Park, fencing and boxing, and hiding in the card room during balls so none of the debutantes will trap him into a leg-shackle. He enjoys the company of women, but since he’s not a total cad, he restricts his liaisons to young widows and courtesans—although he was not averse to the odd married woman in his younger days. His mother died when he was nineteen. He has a brother and a sister and a father who believes he should be married to ensure the continuation of the family line. When he hears that James’ sister has been raped, he sees marriage to her as an answer to both their problems.
Lady Rebecca Eversley is the daughter of the Earl of Chapelbrooke. Like all aristocratic ladies, she had a governess and grew up mostly in the large country estate of her father, with the occasional trips to London. She plays the pianoforte, embroiders beautifully, sings and reads more than she ought. She is now 24 and had her come-out six years ago. She just has not yet found anyone she really wanted to marry.
But this year, she really must accept a suitable match. So when The Earl of Newthorpe begins to pay her attention, she agrees to be courted by him. It seems he will ask for her hand and though she is not particularly drawn to him, it is a good match. When he takes her to his home and dismisses her maid, she should have said no. There, in the countess’s bedchamber, he ravished her. Bruised, broken and most likely ruined, her only hop is a quick match before the Ton become aware of her predicament. Can her saviour really be Daniel, the rakish friend of her big brother?
Top “10” Ten
Top Ten Reasons You Love Being An Author
1. I’m allowed to let my imagination run away with me.
2. I get full control of what happens in someone else’s life since I seem to have no control over my own life.
3. I can stay in my PJs all day and no one can say anything about it.
4. I can do my job in a bar, on a boat or in a café.
5. I can kill people and not end up in prison.
6. I can read for research. I love reading.
7. I can create my own world, or language or race of people.
8. I have great friends who are also authors, most of whom I met on Facebook.
9. I can watch Colin Firth in the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice ad infinitum and claim it is research. Obviously the wet shirt scene is important for understanding menswear in Regency times.
10. I get to do something I love every day.
Thank you so much for being part of the tour - TONYA
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