Sharon Page - The Worthington Wife

Sharon Page sparkles in this poignant and irresistibly entertaining follow-up to her breakout novel, An American Duchess

Lady Julia Hazelton is the most dazzling among 1920s England’s bright young things. But rather than choosing the thrill of wanton adventure like so many of her contemporaries, Julia shocks society with her bold business aspirations. Determined to usher the cursed Worthington estate into a prosperous, modern new era, and thus preserve her beloved late fiancé’s legacy, the willful Julia tackles her wildest, most unexpected adventure in Cal Carstairs, the reluctant new Earl of Worthington.

The unconventional American artist threatens everything Julia seeks to protect while stirring desires she thought had died in the war. For reasons of his own, Cal has designed the ultimate revenge. Rather than see the estate prosper, he intends to destroy it. But their impulsive marriage—one that secures Julia’s plans as well as Cal’s secrets—proves that passion is ambition’s greatest rival. Unless Cal ends his quest to satisfy his darkest vendetta, he stands to ruin his Worthington wife and all her glittering dreams.

Praise for New York Times bestselling author Sharon Page Contents Cover Back Cover Text Praise Title Page Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Acknowledgments Extract Copyright

“Sharon Page shines with this riveting tale of true love... The rip-roaring plot kept me turning pages far into the night.”

—New York Times bestselling author Sabrina Jeffries on

An American Duchess

“Fans of Downton Abbey should reach for An American Duchess... Page’s captivating prose evokes the Roaring Twenties with skillful and vivid details and creates a searing romance with a timeless message.”

—International bestselling author Pam Jenoff

“Merging the flavor of Downton Abbey with her own special touches, Page crafts a vibrant novel and a dramatic love story [that] completely captures the angst and glamour of the era.”

—RT Book Reviews on An American Duchess

“With danger and erotic intrigue at every turn, The Club is a fast paced, blistering page turner that evokes the emotional and erotic with every scene.”

—USA TODAY bestselling author Kathryn Smith

“A winner.”

—Publishers Weekly, starred review, on The Club

“[A]n intensely emotional love story. It isn’t only the sizzle that rivets readers, it’s the true passion and love that [Page] infuses into the story that makes it a deep-sigh read.”

—RT Book Reviews on Engaged in Sin (Top Pick)

“Anticipation...smolders on every page.”

—RT Book Reviews on Deeply in You (Top Pick)

The Worthington Wife

Sharon Page

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text Sharon Page sparkles in this poignant and irresistibly entertaining follow-up to her breakout novel, An American Duchess Lady Julia Hazelton is the most dazzling among 1920s England’s bright young things. But rather than choosing the thrill of wanton adventure like so many of her contemporaries, Julia shocks society with her bold business aspirations. Determined to usher the cursed Worthington estate into a prosperous, modern new era, and thus preserve her beloved late fiancé’s legacy, the willful Julia tackles her wildest, most unexpected adventure in Cal Carstairs, the reluctant new Earl of Worthington. The unconventional American artist threatens everything Julia seeks to protect while stirring desires she thought had died in the war. For reasons of his own, Cal has designed the ultimate revenge. Rather than see the estate prosper, he intends to destroy it. But their impulsive marriage—one that secures Julia’s plans as well as Cal’s secrets—proves that passion is ambition’s greatest rival. Unless Cal ends his quest to satisfy his darkest vendetta, he stands to ruin his Worthington wife and all her glittering dreams.

Praise Praise for New York Times bestselling author Sharon Page Contents Cover Back Cover Text Praise Title Page Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Acknowledgments Extract Copyright “Sharon Page shines with this riveting tale of true love... The rip-roaring plot kept me turning pages far into the night.” —New York Times bestselling author Sabrina Jeffries on An American Duchess “Fans of Downton Abbey should reach for An American Duchess... Page’s captivating prose evokes the Roaring Twenties with skillful and vivid details and creates a searing romance with a timeless message.” —International bestselling author Pam Jenoff “Merging the flavor of Downton Abbey with her own special touches, Page crafts a vibrant novel and a dramatic love story [that] completely captures the angst and glamour of the era.” —RT Book Reviews on An American Duchess “With danger and erotic intrigue at every turn, The Club is a fast paced, blistering page turner that evokes the emotional and erotic with every scene.” —USA TODAY bestselling author Kathryn Smith “A winner.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review, on The Club “[A]n intensely emotional love story. It isn’t only the sizzle that rivets readers, it’s the true passion and love that [Page] infuses into the story that makes it a deep-sigh read.” —RT Book Reviews on Engaged in Sin (Top Pick) “Anticipation...smolders on every page.” —RT Book Reviews on Deeply in You (Top Pick)

Title Page The Worthington Wife Sharon Page www.millsandboon.co.uk

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Acknowledgments

Extract

Copyright

1

The American Heir

The Estate of Brideswell Abbey

June, 1925

“I don’t care about scandal, Nigel.” Lady Julia Hazelton marched up to the desk in the study of her brother, the Duke of Langford, and set her palms on the smooth oak edge. “These women lost their husbands to war and now there is nothing for them. If they have farms or stores or homes, they are being turned out of them, despite having children to feed and clothe. I can help them. What do you think I will do? Do you really think I’ll be inspired, after spending time with a fallen woman, to stand outside the village public house, plying the trade?”

“Good God, Julia!” Her brother, startlingly handsome with raven-black hair and brilliant blue eyes, jolted in his chair. Fortunately he had a secure grip on the very precious bundle he held. Nigel wore his tweeds, but a lacy blanket hung over his shoulder. Napping on his shoulder was his eleven-month-old son, holding his father’s strong hands.

Nigel blushed scarlet. “The fact you know so much about such things speaks for itself.”

“I thought Zoe finally cured you of your stuffiness, Nigel,” Julia said.

Zoe was her brother’s American bride, the “American Duchess” famous in the British newspapers—once famous for her wild style of living, now famous for her brilliance in investing and in turning Brideswell into the most modern yet beautiful house in England.