Elizabeth Bevarly - An Irresistible Temptation - Master of Fortune / The Temptation Of Rory Monahan

Together for the first time in one volume, two fan-favorite romance stories from USA Today bestselling author Katherine Garbera and New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Bevarly!

Master of Fortune

If Henry Devonshire wants to inherit his dying father’s empire, he has to make Everest Records a huge success. And the one person who can help him, Astrid Taylor, is also the only woman he desires. Mixing business with pleasure is never wise, but this time, it could literally cost Henry a fortune.

The Temptation of Rory Monahan

Professor Rory Monahan has no explanation for his new reaction to librarian Miriam Thornbury. Something is suddenly different about her. He’s never noticed that her legs are so long…or her lips quite so full. Why, it’s as if the sultry but sensible Miss Thornbury is trying to seduce him! Well, two can play at this game.

www.millsandboon.co.uk

MASTER OF FORTUNE Master of Fortune

About the Author USA TODAY bestselling author Katherine Garbera is a two-time Maggie Award winner who has written more than sixty books. A Florida native who grew up to travel the globe, Katherine now makes her home in the Midlands of the UK with her husband, two children and a very spoiled miniature dachshund. Visit her on the web at katherinegarbera.com , connect with her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter: @katheringarbera . Look for more books by Katherine Garbera in Harlequin Desire—the ultimate destination for powerful, passionate romance! There are six new Harlequin Desire titles available every month. Check one out today!

Dedication This book is dedicated to Rob, Courtney, Lucas, Josh and Tabby for making our summer in England so much fun and for putting up with me saying “just one more photo!!”

Acknowledgments Acknowledgments I’d like to thank my good friend Kenny Howes for answering my questions about the music industry; Kenny has been rocking out for as long as I’ve known him. Any mistakes in this book are my own. I’d also like to thank Krista Stroever for all of her hard work on editing this manuscript. Also a quick shout-out to my friends who always have my back: Nancy and Mary Louise—you guys rock!

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

THE TEMPTATION OF RORY MONAHAN

About the Author

Dedication

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Epilogue

USA TODAY bestselling author

Katherine Garbera is a two-time Maggie Award winner who has written more than sixty books. A Florida native who grew up to travel the globe, Katherine now makes her home in the Midlands of the UK with her husband, two children and a very spoiled miniature dachshund. Visit her on the web at katherinegarbera.com, connect with her on Facebookand follow her on Twitter: @katheringarbera.

Look for more books by Katherine Garbera in Harlequin Desire—the ultimate destination for powerful, passionate romance! There are six new Harlequin Desire titles available every month. Check one out today!

This book is dedicated to Rob, Courtney, Lucas, Josh and Tabby for making our summer in England so much fun and for putting up with me saying “just one more photo!!”

I’d like to thank my good friend Kenny Howes for answering my questions about the music industry; Kenny has been rocking out for as long as I’ve known him. Any mistakes in this book are my own.

I’d also like to thank Krista Stroever for all of her hard work on editing this manuscript. Also a quick shout-out to my friends who always have my back: Nancy and Mary Louise—you guys rock!

“Why are we here?” Henry Devonshire asked. He sat in the boardroom of the Everest Group in downtown London. A nice view of the Thames was visible through the plate-glass windows.

“Malcolm has prepared a message for you.”

“Why should we listen to this?” Henry faced the lawyer across the polished boardroom table.

“I think you’ll find your father’s—”

“Malcolm. Don’t call him my father.”

The Everest Group had always been Malcolm Devonshire’s life. Of course, now that he’d turned seventy, it was no surprise that the old man had gotten in touch with him and his half brothers. He probably wanted to make sure that his life’s work didn’t end with his own death.

Geoff was the eldest of the three of them. Henry couldn’t really say much about the other men. He didn’t know either of his half brothers any better than he did their biological father. Geoff’s very aristocratic English-looking nose betrayed his place in the current royal family.

“Mr. Devonshire is dying,” Edmond Strom said. “He wants the legacy he worked so hard to create to live on in each of you.”

Edmond was Malcolm’s…butler, Henry thought. Or maybe man of affairs would be more apt.

“He didn’t create the legacy for us,” Steven said. He was the youngest.

“Well, he has an offer for the three of you now,” Edmond said.

Henry had actually met his father’s lawyer and personal assistant more times than he had his father. Edmond had been the one to deliver Christmas and birthday presents when he’d been younger.

“If you would all please sit down and allow me to explain,” Edmond said.

Henry took a seat at the end of the conference table. He had been a rugby player and a pretty good one to boot, but that had never gotten him the one thing he’d really craved—Malcolm’s acknowledgment of him. He couldn’t explain it any better than that. His own father had never recognized any of Henry’s accomplishments. So he had stopped looking for it and gone his own way.

Which didn’t explain why he was here now. Maybe it was simple curiosity about the old man.

Edmond passed three file folders across the table, one to each of them. Henry flipped his open and saw the letter his father had written to the three of them.

* * *

Geoff, Henry and Steven;

I have been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. I’ve exhausted every avenue to try to prolong my life and have now come to believe I only have six months left.

None of you owe me allegiance, but I hope that the company that brought me into contact with your mothers will continue to prosper and grow under your leadership.

Each of you will control one of the divisions. You will be judged on the profit you make in your segment. Whoever shows the best acumen for running their segment will be appointed CEO and Chairman of The Everest Group.

Geoff—Everest Airlines. His time as an RAF pilot and traveling the globe will serve him well.

Henry—Everest Records. I expect him to sign the music groups he’s already helped make their way up the charts.

Steven—Everest Mega Stores. Hopefully his genius for knowing what the retail public wants will not fail him.

Edmond will monitor your progress and make reports to me. I would have come to speak with you today, but my doctors have confined me to my bed.

I have one caveat. You must all avoid scandal and focus on running your segment or the deal is off, regardless of profit. The one mistake I made in my life was letting my personal life distract me from my business. I hope the three of you can benefit from my mistakes and I trust you will accept this challenge.