Kathryn Jensen - The American Earl

“Why not?” Abby asked.

“You need more time to consider what you’re giving away,” Matt responded.

“I’m more concerned about what I might lose,” she murmured. “And I don’t mean my virginity.”

“What about that husband in the future? He’ll know.”

“Maybe he’ll have to accept me as I am.”

As she was. Beautiful. Abby was pure joy to look upon, to be with. She dragged him out of his world of business deals, competition with himself and with others, even out of the pain of the past. He could see need in her eyes, desire, and he wanted more than anything to give her the pleasure she so longed for.

Yet, did he dare take from her the one treasure she’d safeguarded all her life? Abby claimed she was ready. But could he believe her?

Dear Reader,

Welcome to Silhouette Desire, the ultimate treat for Valentine’s Day—we promise you will find six passionate, powerful and provocative romances every month! And here’s what you can indulge yourself with this February….

The fabulous Peggy Moreland brings you February’s MAN OF THE MONTH, The Way to a Rancher’s Heart. You’ll be enticed by this gruff widowed rancher who must let down his guard for the sake of a younger woman.

The exciting Desire miniseries TEXAS CATTLEMAN’S CLUB: LONE STAR JEWELS continues with World’s Most Eligible Texan by Sara Orwig. A world-weary diplomat finds love—and fatherhood—after making a Plain Jane schoolteacher pregnant with his child.

Kathryn Jensen’s The American Earl is an office romance featuring the son of a British earl who falls for his American employee. In Overnight Cinderella by Katherine Garbera, an ugly-duckling heroine transforms herself into a swan to win the love of an alpha male. Kate Little tells the story of a wealthy bachelor captivated by the woman he was trying to protect his younger brother from in The Millionaire Takes a Bride. And Kristi Gold offers His Sheltering Arms, in which a macho ex-cop finds love with the woman he protects.

Make this Valentine’s Day extra-special by spoiling yourself with all six of these alluring Desire titles!

Enjoy!

Joan Marlow Golan

Senior Editor, Silhouette Desire

www.millsandboon.co.uk

has written many novels for young readers as well as for adults. She speed walks, works out with weights and enjoys ballroom dancing for exercise, stress reduction and pleasure. Her children are now grown. She lives in Maryland with her writing companion—Sunny, a lovable terrier-mix adopted from a shelter.

Having worked as a hospital switchboard operator, department-store sales associate, bank clerk and elementary school teacher, she now splits her days between writing her own books and teaching fiction writing at two local colleges and through a correspondence course. She enjoys helping new writers get a start, and speaks “at the drop of a hat” at writers’ conferences, libraries and schools across the country.

To Linda Hayes, of Columbia Literary Associates,

a superlative agent and even more valued friend.

May your retirement bring you exciting new adventures

and rich satisfaction. Thank you for everything…KJ

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Matthew Smythe marched into the empty room, his executive assistant trailing in his irate wake like a tiny skiff bobbing helplessly behind a battleship. “Why isn’t this room ready?” he snapped. “Where is Belinda?”

Paula Shapiro gave a weary sigh. “Sir, she quit this morning. Remember?” Like most men, including her own nearly grown sons, the young president of Smythe International only listened to what he wanted to hear.

“That’s ridiculous! The woman only took the job two months ago.”

“I suppose, like the others, she found the work—” Paula searched for a safe word “—demanding. It isn’t easy arranging these things on the spur-of-the-moment.” Or coping with your temperament, she added silently.

“A tasteful reception for a few clients. How difficult can that be?” he grumbled. Matt’s sharp eyes quickly scanned the bare room. A bar should have been set up, along with a table of imported delicacies in front of the expanse of bronzed glass overlooking a breathtaking Chicago skyline. Comfortable seating ought to have replaced the metal folding chairs.

Vaguely, he recalled that his latest in a long line of social secretaries had sounded upset about something earlier that day. But her feminine hysterics had barely made a dent in his busy mind. Perhaps he should have paid better attention. Paula had been out of the office on an errand for him or she would have been aware of the pending emergency. But it was too late now.

He glared at his watch. Less than two hours and his guests would arrive. He raked fingers through thick, dark hair. “What do you suggest we do?”

“I could call your caterer,” Paula suggested doubtfully. “But that won’t sell your products for you.”

Matt shook his head. “And tomorrow around noon, Franco would show up with a smashing spread. No, do it yourself. We have everything you’ll need.”

“Lord Smythe!” Paula’s chin dropped a full two inches, eyes narrowing to slits, fists settling on matronly hips.

Not a good sign, Matt thought. An intelligent, middle-aged woman, Paula sported a froth of blond, permed hair and spectacles with glittering thingies at the pointed corners. She also efficiently managed his office and accepted long hours of work without complaint, for which he paid her generously. But when she used his aristocratic title and that chin fell, he knew he’d gone too far.

“I reminded you just five minutes ago.” Her glare intensified. “I have to take my youngest to a dental appointment today.”

“Oh…well, of course. Sorry. Do you have any other ideas for this reception?” He could set out the food himself, but he wasn’t sure that he’d do a very good job of it. And it still left him in the lurch for a hostess, which had been the other part of Belinda’s job.

“If you’re really in a jam,” a mellow female voice spoke up from the doorway, “I could bring in a few gourmet items I think you’d be pleased with.”

Matt swung around to see a petite young woman standing at the entrance to the conference room. The first thing he noticed was her tumble of red hair. It must have been windy outside, because tendrils had been whisked every which way, yet still gleamed and managed to look terribly becoming as a frame around her elfin features. Her second remarkable feature were her long legs. If she’d been wearing anything less conservative than the navy blue suit, its skirt cut demurely below the knee, she would have been inviting trouble just by stepping outside her home. He studied her further. With the flaming hair, he expected her eyes to be green. They were not. They suggested rich mocha tones and glittered at him enthusiastically. He felt an immediate hot tug from within his body.

“Who are you?” he grumbled.

She produced a business card as swiftly as Annie Oakley drawing her six-shooter. Stepping forward, she thrust the little pink rectangle into his fingers.