Mary Brendan - Tarnished, Tempted and Tamed

‘What are you doing?’ Luke asked quietly.

Fiona shook him off, attempting to step back, but he gripped her elbows, jerking her against him.

‘You mistake my character, sir. Thank you for your kind offer, but I still intend to keep a roof over my head by teaching children rather than sleeping with gentlemen,’ she said with faux sweetness.

‘Gentlemen? How many lovers do you anticipate having, Fiona?’ he rasped.

‘None …’ She flung back her head, her tawny gaze clashing with eyes that gleamed between lengthy jet-black lashes.

It is a surprising truth, borne out by my own experience, that when a familiar door slams in one’s face another might unexpectedly open and eventually lead to a far happier place …

In my novel Tarnished, Tempted and Tamed, the first in a duet of Regency novels, Fiona Chapman’s refined existence is rudely curtailed when she’s forced to flee from her unpleasant stepfather. Undaunted, Fiona sets off to the West Country on an adventure. Only fate has far more in store for her than braving the horrors of being governess to a stranger’s children. Her reputation and her virtue … even her life … come under threat before she reaches her destination in Devon.

Luke Wolfson is devilishly handsome—the sort of fellow Fiona might once have dreamt of marrying when younger. But she is determined to keep the major at arm’s length, despite his acting as her knight errant at every turn. Fiona has no intention of succumbing to a rogue’s practised charm, even if danger and scandal leave her vulnerable to his offer of carte blanche.

It seems Wolfson has acquaintances and secrets that should shock a gently bred young lady to the core, making her avoid him at all cost. Besides, a future as a gentleman’s mistress is not for Fiona—especially as Wolfson’s paramour has made it clear she’s not about to give him up without a fight.

I hope you enjoy reading about Luke’s pursuit of Fiona, and the passionate and emotional battle they endure while falling in love and finding happiness.

Tarnished,

Tempted

and Tamed

Mary Brendan

www.millsandboon.co.uk

MARY BRENDANwas born in North London, but now lives in rural Suffolk. She has always had a fascination with bygone days, and enjoys the research involved in writing historical fiction. When not at her word processor she can be found trying to bring order to a large overgrown garden, or browsing local fairs and junk shops for that elusive bargain.

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Contents

Cover

Introduction Disentangling herself from his embrace, Fiona raised her hands, intending to fumble beneath her collar for the clasp of the locket. But her fingers were arrested in mid-air and held steady at her shoulders. ‘What are you doing?’ Luke asked quietly. Fiona shook him off, attempting to step back, but he gripped her elbows, jerking her against him. ‘You mistake my character, sir. Thank you for your kind offer, but I still intend to keep a roof over my head by teaching children rather than sleeping with gentlemen,’ she said with faux sweetness. ‘Gentlemen? How many lovers do you anticipate having, Fiona?’ he rasped. ‘None …’ She flung back her head, her tawny gaze clashing with eyes that gleamed between lengthy jet-black lashes.

AUTHOR NOTE AUTHOR NOTE AUTHOR NOTE Title Page 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 Chapter Fifteen Chapter Sixteen Chapter Seventeen Chapter Eighteen Chapter Nineteen Chapter Twenty Chapter Twenty-One Extract Copyright It is a surprising truth, borne out by my own experience, that when a familiar door slams in one’s face another might unexpectedly open and eventually lead to a far happier place … In my novel Tarnished, Tempted and Tamed, the first in a duet of Regency novels, Fiona Chapman’s refined existence is rudely curtailed when she’s forced to flee from her unpleasant stepfather. Undaunted, Fiona sets off to the West Country on an adventure. Only fate has far more in store for her than braving the horrors of being governess to a stranger’s children. Her reputation and her virtue … even her life … come under threat before she reaches her destination in Devon. Luke Wolfson is devilishly handsome—the sort of fellow Fiona might once have dreamt of marrying when younger. But she is determined to keep the major at arm’s length, despite his acting as her knight errant at every turn. Fiona has no intention of succumbing to a rogue’s practised charm, even if danger and scandal leave her vulnerable to his offer of carte blanche. It seems Wolfson has acquaintances and secrets that should shock a gently bred young lady to the core, making her avoid him at all cost. Besides, a future as a gentleman’s mistress is not for Fiona—especially as Wolfson’s paramour has made it clear she’s not about to give him up without a fight. I hope you enjoy reading about Luke’s pursuit of Fiona, and the passionate and emotional battle they endure while falling in love and finding happiness.

Title Page Tarnished, Tempted and Tamed Mary Brendan www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author MARY BRENDAN was born in North London, but now lives in rural Suffolk. She has always had a fascination with bygone days, and enjoys the research involved in writing historical fiction. When not at her word processor she can be found trying to bring order to a large overgrown garden, or browsing local fairs and junk shops for that elusive bargain.

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

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

‘So, you are happy to be travelling all alone, then, Miss Chapman?’

‘I am, ma’am,’ the young lady answered through lightly gritted teeth. She had been asked the same question, in the same scandalised tone, about five minutes previously. Even before then two other women, and a gentleman, had made similar enquiries, couched in a slightly different way. Each interrogator had in turn professed a concern for her welfare rather than an interest in her business. In the close confines of the mail coach Fiona Chapman could not escape the ladies’ judgemental eyes or the fact that they were whispering about her behind their gloved fingers. Only the middle-aged farmer had not returned to the subject of her lack of a companion after his initial remark.