Anne Herries - A Worthy Gentleman

“You have not forgotten your promise to me, sir?”

“How could I?” John asked, his eyes intent on her face. He realized that he wanted very much to dance with her, to hold her close, hear her laughter and inhale the intoxicating perfume of her skin. Surely there was no sin in letting himself admit the feelings he had for her? “I am looking forward to it, Sarah—and I hope you will keep two dances for me.”

Sarah glowed in the warmth of his smile. Her heart had begun to race wildly and she was sure that he felt something for her.

“No matter who asks, I shall not give your dances away,” said Sarah.

“Good.” He reached for her hand, holding it with a firm, gentle grip. His touch sent a tingle winging down her spine, making her want to melt into his arms. “We are friends, are we not, Sarah? We have always liked one another?”

“Yes, of course.” Sarah hesitated, then added, “It might perhaps have been more once, had I not been such a foolish child….” She caught her breath as she saw the look in his eyes.

A Worthy Gentleman

Harlequin ®Historical

In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries there was a passion for gothic novels. When huge old houses were lit by candlelight and there were none of today’s modern conveniences, it must have been gorgeously frightening for society ladies to read of young girls cruelly locked away and at the mercy of evil men. How much more terrifying would it be for a young girl stolen from the bosom of a loving family to be forced to take part in a satanic ritual? And think of how her family must have suffered when she could not be found! But in the age of Romance there were at least three brave men willing to walk through hellfire for the sake of the women they loved.

This trilogy deals with the abduction of Miss Sarah Hunter and the search for her by her brother Charles, the Earl of Cavendish, and Mr. John Elworthy. It began with Elizabeth Travers and the Earl of Cavendish, and continued with Charles Hunter and Lady Arabella Marshall, ending in this last book with Sarah’s own story.

The element of darkness is balanced by the thrill of romance, and I hope you will love reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it for you.

TORONTO • NEW YORK • LONDON

AMSTERDAM • PARIS • SYDNEY • HAMBURG

STOCKHOLM • ATHENS • TOKYO • MILAN • MADRID

PRAGUE • WARSAW • BUDAPEST • AUCKLAND

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A winner of the Romantic Novelists’ Association Romance Prize, Anne Herries lives in Cambridgeshire. She is fond of watching wildlife, and spoils the birds and squirrels that are frequent visitors to her garden. Anne loves to write about the beauty of nature, and sometimes puts a little into her books, although they are mostly about love and romance. She writes for her own enjoyment, and to give pleasure to her readers.

The Abducted Bride #135

Captive of the Harem #145

The Sheikh #157

Rosalyn and the Scoundrel #166

A Matter of Honor #173

* A Perfect Knight #180

* A Knight of Honor #184

* Her Knight Protector #188

** Lady in Waiting #202

** The Adventurer’s Wife #208

†† Forbidden Lady #209

† An Improper Companion #227

†† The Lord’s Forced Bride #231

† A Wealthy Widow #235

† A Worthy Gentleman #243

#911 THE SHOCKING LORD STANDON—Louise Allen

Encountering a respectable governess in scandalizing circumstances, Gareth Morant, Earl of Standon, demands her help. He educates the buttoned-up Miss Jessica Gifford in the courtesan’s arts. But he hasn’t bargained on such an ardent, clever pupil—or on his passionate response to her!

The next sensual installment of Louise Allen’sThose Scandalous Ravenhurstsminiseries!

#912 UNLACING LILLY—Gail Ranstrom

Abducting Lillian O’Rourke from the altar is part of his plan of revenge. But Devlin Farrell had no idea that he would fall for his innocent captive. Devlin may be baseborn, but to Lilly he’s the truest and bravest gentleman….

A dramatic tale of love, danger and sacrifice.

#913 THE REBEL AND THE LADY—Kathryn Albright

Returning to an unstable Texas, Jack Dumont is determined not to engage in the disputes brewing, wanting only to reunite with his brother. But beholding the entrancing beauty that is Victoria Ruiz, Jack realizes that to gain her love, he must fight hard for her land—and for her….

Rebellion, freedom and romance—all in one passionate Texan tale!

#914 TEMPLAR KNIGHT, FORBIDDEN BRIDE—

Lynna Banning

Beautiful, talented Leonor de Balenguer y Hassam is more interested in music than marriage, while Templar Knight Reynaud is seeking his true identity. As they travel together, both keeping secrets, attraction flares, but Reynaud knows he can’t offer Leonor what she deserves….

Travel on a thrilling journey through medieval France and Spain!

#244 WORKING MAN, SOCIETY BRIDE—Mary Nichols

Well over six feet tall, with broad shoulders, he was the best-looking man Lady Lucinda Vernley had ever seen. But with her family expecting her to make a good marriage, it wouldn’t do to be fantasizing about a man she had seen working on her father’s estate…. Myles Moorcroft certainly didn’t dress like a gentleman, but by his manner there was something that had Lucy intrigued….

Lucy breaks society’s rules in this emotional tale from Mary Nichols

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

The man bent to lay a single yellow rose on the freshly turned soil. For a moment he stared at the inscription on the simple wooden cross, reading the words aloud, as if he wanted to hear them. As if only by saying them out loud could he believe that it was true.

‘Here lies Andrea, wife of John and mother of Nathaniel. May God keep and love her for all time.’

Tears trickled unashamedly down his cheeks so that he tasted their salt on his lips. He was weeping for the waste of it, for the loss of a young life and the bitterness of despair.

‘Forgive me,’ he said. ‘I failed you. You asked me to save you and I couldn’t. I am sorry…so sorry. I should have done more…I am so sorry, Andrea.’

His mind was tortured with regret, with the sense of failure and guilt. He thought of the empty house awaiting him, the shadows that gathered in its dark corners and taunted him in the watching hours.