Georgie Lee - The Courtesan's Book Of Secrets

‘I don't need your help.’

Her tongue slid over the fullness of her bottom lip, sweeping through him as her crisp verbena perfume swept over his senses.

‘Oh, I think you do.’ He held steady as he leaned in, matching her enticing look with one of his own, refusing to let the student best the master, no matter how tight his dark breeches grew. ‘Why else would you invent such a dramatic reason to call on me?’

‘You flatter yourself.’ Her fingers swept her chest, the little half-moons of her fingernails matching the high curve of her breasts.

‘And you can't recover the register without me.’ He shifted closer, the wood beneath him creaking and almost covering the slight hitch in her breathing. He laid one hand on top of her knee, the curve of it filling his palm. ‘You need me.’

AUTHOR NOTE Author Note Title Page Dedication About the Author Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Copyright

I read a lot of historical non-fiction—for fun and for inspiration. My inspiration for THE COURTESAN'S BOOK OF SECRETS came from a biography of Nell Gwyn, mistress of King Charles II of England. In the biography, the author mentioned a book kept by a servant of Charles II that listed all the women who had slept with the King at Whitehall Palace. The book was destroyed, and with it a number of secrets.

Reading about this book, I began to wonder what might happen if a book of secrets everyone had thought was lost suddenly reappeared, and the secrets in it had the power to destroy titled families. My wondering eventually became Rafe and Cornelia's story. To craft their tale I had to dip into the darker underworld of Regency England. It was a treat to see a slightly seedier side of London, and to help my characters rise above the temptation of cards and blackmail to overcome the threat of the book and find love and success.

I hope you enjoy THE COURTESAN'S BOOK OF SECRETS. It is my fourth Regency story with Mills & Boon® including ENGAGEMENT OF CONVENIENCE, RESCUED FROM RUIN and HERO'S REDEMPTION from Carina Press.

Please check out my website www.georgie-lee.comfor more information about me and my novels. I love to hear from readers and you can e-mail me at georgie.lee@yahoo.com. You can also find me on Twitter @georgieleebooksand Facebook www.facebook.com/georgieleebooks

The Courtesan’s Book of Secrets

Georgie Lee

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Thanks to Tami and Melissa for giving the cougar

her bite and helping me get this story to the end.

A dedicated history and film buff, GEORGIE LEEloves combining her passion for Hollywood, history and storytelling through romantic fiction. She began writing professionally at a small TV station in San Diego, before moving to Hollywood to work in the interesting but strange world of the entertainment industry. During her years in La-La Land she never lost her love for romance novels and decided to try writing one herself. To her surprise, a new career was born. When not crafting tales of love and happily-ever-after, Georgie enjoys reading non-fiction history and watching any movie with a costume and an accent.

Please visit www.georgie-lee.comto learn more about Georgie and her books. She also loves to hear from readers, and you can e-mail her at georgie.lee@yahoo.com

Contents

Cover

Excerpt ‘I don't need your help.’ Her tongue slid over the fullness of her bottom lip, sweeping through him as her crisp verbena perfume swept over his senses. ‘Oh, I think you do.’ He held steady as he leaned in, matching her enticing look with one of his own, refusing to let the student best the master, no matter how tight his dark breeches grew. ‘Why else would you invent such a dramatic reason to call on me?’ ‘You flatter yourself.’ Her fingers swept her chest, the little half-moons of her fingernails matching the high curve of her breasts. ‘And you can't recover the register without me.’ He shifted closer, the wood beneath him creaking and almost covering the slight hitch in her breathing. He laid one hand on top of her knee, the curve of it filling his palm. ‘You need me.’

Author Note AUTHOR NOTE Author Note Title Page Dedication About the Author Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Copyright I read a lot of historical non-fiction—for fun and for inspiration. My inspiration for THE COURTESAN'S BOOK OF SECRETS came from a biography of Nell Gwyn, mistress of King Charles II of England. In the biography, the author mentioned a book kept by a servant of Charles II that listed all the women who had slept with the King at Whitehall Palace. The book was destroyed, and with it a number of secrets. Reading about this book, I began to wonder what might happen if a book of secrets everyone had thought was lost suddenly reappeared, and the secrets in it had the power to destroy titled families. My wondering eventually became Rafe and Cornelia's story. To craft their tale I had to dip into the darker underworld of Regency England. It was a treat to see a slightly seedier side of London, and to help my characters rise above the temptation of cards and blackmail to overcome the threat of the book and find love and success. I hope you enjoy THE COURTESAN'S BOOK OF SECRETS. It is my fourth Regency story with Mills & Boon® including ENGAGEMENT OF CONVENIENCE, RESCUED FROM RUIN and HERO'S REDEMPTION from Carina Press. Please check out my website www.georgie-lee.com for more information about me and my novels. I love to hear from readers and you can e-mail me at georgie.lee@yahoo.com . You can also find me on Twitter @georgieleebooks and Facebook www.facebook.com/georgieleebooks

Title Page The Courtesan’s Book of Secrets Georgie Lee www.millsandboon.co.uk

Dedication Thanks to Tami and Melissa for giving the cougar her bite and helping me get this story to the end.

About the Author A dedicated history and film buff, GEORGIE LEE loves combining her passion for Hollywood, history and storytelling through romantic fiction. She began writing professionally at a small TV station in San Diego, before moving to Hollywood to work in the interesting but strange world of the entertainment industry. During her years in La-La Land she never lost her love for romance novels and decided to try writing one herself. To her surprise, a new career was born. When not crafting tales of love and happily-ever-after, Georgie enjoys reading non-fiction history and watching any movie with a costume and an accent. Please visit www.georgie-lee.com to learn more about Georgie and her books. She also loves to hear from readers, and you can e-mail her at georgie.lee@yahoo.com

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six