An Improper Proposal by Heather Boyd ~ The Distinguished Rogues Series~ Release Day Spotlight

An Improper Proposal

Book Six, The Distinguished Rogues Series
By Heather Boyd

Release Date: June 9, 2015

In life there are choices…
Spinster Iris Hedley was once the darling of the ton until her father lost his fortune through an illness of the mind. Reduced to living as a penniless guest while her father rots in debtors prison, she’s determined to escape unscrupulous robbers who’ve set her to spy on the ton by the only
means possible—by becoming a wealthy mans mistress. Unfortunately for Iris, her proper upbringing never covered intimacy or seduction so she asks the one man she trusts for help with private lessons in the duties of a mistress.

…in love there is but one
Martin Andrews, the Earl of Louth, may have a soft spot for tiny Iris Hedley, especially after her father fled London with a horde of debtors nipping at his heels. Her request for lessons in seduction leaves him reeling and although tempted it’s an offer he must refuse for her own good.
Convinced she’s headed for heartbreak, he sets out to prove that surrendering to wicked pleasure is not worth the sacrifice of her future only to discover that her problems are more complicated than his own.

EXCERPT:
“How much experience do you have exactly?”
“Three kisses,” she answered immediately. “I know there are any number of degrees to a lady’s experience but Esme assures me a woman should be able to tell that the man she is with has the necessary skills to deserve her affections by the expertise of his kiss.”
“You’re a complete innocent,” he choked out. Gods, three kisses was nothing. She was contemplating a life well beyond the pale and had no idea of what changes would come in her life as a mistress.
“Yes.” She lifted her chin proudly. “But I’d like not to be ignorant, too.”
He rubbed his jaw, thinking hard of a way to turn her inexperience to his advantage. If he could distract her from her plan of finding a protector she might yet find a man to marry. A few poorly executed kisses wouldn’t bring her too much harm as long as no one learned of them. “Very well.”
Her mouth fell open.
He grinned at her shock. “I will be the one to answer your questions about intimacy on the condition you tell no one that you wish to be a mistress, for the time being. I must have your promise that this will be our secret. I won’t be a party to your ruin.”
“And you’ll teach me what I need to know, too?”
He paused. An innocent bride was expected to know very little on her wedding night. He would be careful of what he taught her. “Yes.”
“I do promise.” She drew closer. “Show me.”
“You want me to kiss you now? Here?” He glanced around wildly, hoping Lady Heathcote might be on the verge of rejoining them. However he heard not one sound beyond Iris’s rushed breath. When he’d imagined her education, he’d not envisaged undertaking it in Lady Heathcote’s drawing room where anyone might walk in.
Iris, however, stared up at him seriously. “Well, where else might be as private as this? If we were to sneak away at a ball, someone might see us. If we were to meet at a private residence you own, that too would be fraught with the risk of detection. Esme would not have left us alone had she not wanted me to continue my inquiries with you under her roof.”
“I see your point.” Now was indeed the perfect moment. He could kiss Iris and no one would know, and then tomorrow night she’d hopefully forget all about these ridiculous lessons and return to a search for a suitable husband.
Decision made, he gripped her shoulders and pressed his lips to hers in a smacking kiss that ended before it truly began.
When he released her and stood back, she stared at him in disapproval. “I thought you’d be better at kissing than that.”

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About Heather Boyd

Bestselling historical author Heather Boyd believes every character she creates deserves their own happily-ever-after, no matter how much trouble she puts them through. With that goal in mind, she writes sizzling regency romance stories that skirt the boundaries of propriety to keep readers enthralled until the wee hours of the morning. Heather has published over twenty novels and shorter works. Catch her latest news www.heather-boyd.com. She lives north of Sydney, Australia, and does her best to wrangle her testosterone-fuelled family (including cat Morpheus) into submission.

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