A Matter of Manners
Blurb:
Jeremy Wyles believes himself sterile. He’s also a sadist and fears no lady would agree to marry him. When a woman shows up on his doorstep, pregnant and claiming to be his wife, he’ll do whatever is necessary to ensure his dukedom has an heir. A loveless marriage in name only seems the perfect solution, but his disobedient duchess stirs his desire for discipline…and something more.
Irish rebel Kathleen “Katy” Brennan only seeks recompense from the husband whose cousin married her by proxy and left her with child. The bargain he offers is tempting. He’ll claim her baby as his own, and she can become the grand lady she’s always imagined. There’s just one condition she’s not sure she can live with. The delicious-looking duke refuses to touch her…ever.
Can Jeremy put aside the wicked urges that rule his life, or will Katy’s rebellious spirit destroy his tenuous control?
Excerpt:
Katy stared as realization crawled through her.
Alfred had seemed confused when she asked for George. He’d said the duke would see her. He’d called this man Your Grace.
The determination and courage that had held Katy together burst like a poorly blown glass bubble. She swayed and reached out. What now? If George wasn’t the duke who was he? Would George even be able to help her?
“Forgive me.” A firm, gentle grip latched onto her elbow and guided her to a nearby chair. “That was badly done.”
He eased her into the chair, then lowered himself to perch across from her. Unlike at home, his chair didn’t creak or wobble. A strong, tanned hand reached out and claimed hers. Stunned, she stared as he massaged her icy hands and frowned at her tattered gloves. Shame rushed up, but the heat felt good.
He had nice hands with strong fingers. Not soft and pale like George’s.
Katy blinked and sat up straighter.
Just because George wasn’t who he claimed to be didn’t mean she was any less a lady.
“I asked to see George.” Somehow, the words came out calm and confident with none of the disquiet thrumming through her.
“George is my cousin. I’ve sent for him. He’ll be here soon.”
“George isn’t the duke?”
“No.”
Kathleen squeezed her eyes shut. Things had become much more complicated.
Meet the author
Terry Graham has been imagining love stories since she began playing with Barbie and Ken. In high school, she read Barbara Cartland along with Dickens, Austen, Asimov and everything else she could get her hands on. After two careers, as a chemist and a computer programmer, she retired to try her hand at writing. Terry lives in upstate New York with her cat Amber. She’s divorced with a grown son who makes it all worthwhile.
Website https://terrygrahamromance.com
facebook https://www.facebook.com/tgrahamwriter
Twitter https://www.twitter.com/TGrahamWriter
Really interesting way to lead into a complicated
story. Bets are that he will touch her before she
makes the first move.