The Bridegroom

Zusatztext "A guaranteed good read."—Heather Graham "Johnston warms your heart and tickles your fancy." — Daily News ! New York "Joan Johnston continually gives us everything we want...fabulous details and atmosphere! memorable characters! a story that you wish would never end! and lots of tension and sensuality." — Romantic Times Informationen zum Autor Joan Johnston Klappentext He vowed to wed, bed, and abandon her. But love got in the way... Joan Johnston sweeps you back to Regency era England and Scotland with a love story that will take your breath away. Here is romance at its best as Johnston brings back unforgettable characters from her bestsellers Captive, After the Kiss, and The Bodyguard in a spellbinding novel of seduction and betrayal. She was the reigning belle of the ton for the fourth Season in a row, but Lady Regina Wharton, the Duke of Blackthorne's daughter, was determined to avoid the perils of marriage. She had already seen enough to distrust all men. Then Clay Bannister, the dashing Earl of Carlisle, dared to steal a kiss and stir new and exciting desires. Scarred by tragedy, Carlisle intrigued her with his mysterious past and his dark, dangerous charm. She never suspected she was about to marry her father's most vengeful enemy—or that her greatest defense would be the passions he could not resist.... Leseprobe "Stay away from him, Reggie. He looks dangerous." Lady Regina Wharton eyed her twin sister, Rebecca, Lady Penrith, from behind her fan, then shifted her glance back to the tall, dark-haired, dark-eyed lord who had recently arrived at Viscount Raleigh's ball. "I need something to relieve the boredom, Becky. Since no other gentleman here seems up to the task, I suppose I shall have to appeal to this newest addition to the ton. Whom do you know that might be willing to introduce us?" "The Earl of Carlisle is not someone you should know," her sister admonished. "'Tis said he was a pirate!" Reggie laughed. "Yes, the Sea Dragon. I heard that ridiculous rumor. Though he does look rather like a fire-breathing dragon with those dark eyes of his burning holes in everyone he spies." "'Tis said he killed a man with his bare hands!" Becky hissed. Reggie raised a finely arched brow. "I find that difficult to credit." She eyed the broad shoulders that strained beneath an exquisitely cut jacket by Weston, then perused the narrow waist and muscular thighs revealed by skintight breeches. "Not that I doubt he has the strength to accomplish such a feat, but most gentlemen vanquish their foes with sword or shot." "'Tis said he dresses in black to mourn the death of his wife in childbirth, though his year of mourning ended some little while ago," Becky said. "I doubt he is desirous of innocent female company." Reggie studied the hawkish features set off by snowy white linen and saw the ravages of grief reflected in the earl's stern mouth and brooding eyes. She knew from her father's grief over the past ten years for the babies her stepmother Kitt had miscarried how such a loss could hurt. She could not imagine the melancholy Carlisle must feel at having to bury his wife as well. Suddenly, the dragon's fiery eyes were focused on her. Reggie was shocked at the heat she felt, until she realized it was her own blush flooding her cheeks. She knew she had been staring, but now, so was he. She refused to be the first to look away. She lifted her chin and boldly met his gaze. His lips lifted at the corners before he turned away in what, if she had been a less confident female, might have seemed like the cut direct. "I am determined to meet him," Reggie said to her sister. "If you will not name someone to introduce us, I will manage an encounter myself." Reggie had already snapped her ivory fan closed and was threading her way thr...

Product details

• Authors: Joan Johnston
• Publisher: Random House USA
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback
• Released: 09.02.1999
• EAN: 9780440234708
• ISBN: 978-0-440-23470-8
• No. of pages: 384
• Dimensions: 106 mm x 174 mm x 26 mm
• Series: Captive Hearts; Captive Hearts
• Subject: Fiction > Narrative literature