Tag Archives: Victorian Romance

Embracing Scandal: “First, I’m not a thief. Second, I’m not a courtesan needing coin. Third, I’ve never been your mistress.” #HistoricalRomance #VictorianRomance #HistoricalMystery

Suzi Love Posted on by

1840 London.

Lady Rebecca Jamison ticked off numbers on the fingers of one revolting brown glove. “First, I’m not a thief. Second, I’m not a courtesan needing coin. Third, I’ve never been your mistress.” She looked down at her maid’s drab clothes, shuddered. “And if the women you’re taking to your bed dress this shabbily, I suggest you raise your standards.”

The Duke of Sherwyn drew several shuddering breaths. “Correct, on all counts. Now, appease my burning curiosity. What deception did you employ to hoodwink my servant?”

One shoulder lifted in the semblance of a shrug. “Oh, that! A child’s ploy. I laid coins on the fourth step and paid a street urchin to knock on your door and then run. When your gatekeeper bent to retrieve the coins, I slipped around the door and inside.”

Incredulity, then infuriation, surrendered to mirth. The simplicity of her ruse, alongside her detached style of recounting her deception, startled him into a snort of amusement.

“Huh! My ever-vigilant butler diverted by the sight of a few pennies.”

“Oh, no, not mere pennies. Gleaming new gold coins. Rest easy. Your servant’s momentary distraction cost me a high price.”

He lifted his hand to hide his smirk. Since he’d become Sherwyn, Jenner’s behavior vacillated between extreme formality due a duke or nose-lifting disdain owed to the family’s black sheep. This chink in Jenner’s polished armor pleased him.

He dipped his head, and said, “I bow to your finesse as a trickster. Now for my next pressing question. Why are you here?”

“I need your assistance.”

He grinned. “Ah, so once again your white knight is being asked to draw an imaginary sword and defend your ladyship’s honor.”

She groaned. “If only things were still as uncomplicated as in our childhood games.”

Embracing Scandal, Book 1, Scandalous Siblings Series. https://books2read.com/suziloveES

ES_EmbracingScandal_Cayle to Becca: “I will have you. I will not stop until I find a way.” Embracing Scandal By Suzi Love. #MysteryRomance #HistoricalRomance https://books2read.com/suziloveES
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Book Hooks: “Yes, yes, I know. They’ll dispense with us regardless.” #HistoricalRomance #HistoricalMystery #FamilySaga #VictorianRomance

Suzi Love Posted on by

Embracing Scandal Book 1, Scandalous Siblings Series. Lady Rebecca Jamison sneaks into the house of the Duke of St. Martin to beg his assistance to combat a rogue and murderous group of railway investors.

Lady Rebecca Jamison told The Duke of St. Martin. ‘We utilize Foster and Braithwaite as our stock trading agents and invest through them using the minimum identification on any documents.” 

“Impressive. I heard that Foster and Braithwaite’s business grew twelve fold in the last few years by riding on railway stocks.” 

“Hence, our problem. Their profits, our profits, became legendary. People speculated about the mysterious names on share certificates.” At his puzzled look she added, “Simple enough. We draw up letters. Ladies sign with their initials and family name, nothing more, so no one realizes the investors aren’t men. Or rather, no one did before.” 

“And now?” 

“Two weeks ago, some members of the outer circle approached my brother, Michael. They believe him to be personally responsible for our own change in fortune.” 

“How big a change in fortune?” 

“Oh, nothing too major.” She waved a hand in a vague manner and hoped her face didn’t flush. “Modest successes. Dividend rates in excess of six percent in some situations.” 

His eyebrows shot upwards. “Six percent! Nobody I do business with calls that modest. No wonder they wish to obliterate all reference to your family, and your Society.” 

“Yes, if only we’d been able to keep our good fortune a secret. We take the uttermost care with our clandestine activities, as we value our privacy and our reputations.” 

The Duke raised a brow and pointed at his clock. “Oh, yes. Great care with your reputation!” 

She chose to ignore him. “Michael laughed it off. Refused to join their so-called group of friends who dabbled in investing. So they raised the stakes. If he refuses to hand over m … his calculations for all the new railway share ventures opening, within the next two weeks, they vowed to destroy the members of his family. One by one, until he gives in.” 

“Ah, now I understand. That’s why they’re keeping you alive. They’re waiting to acquire the records. They assume as eldest, and involved in a charitable society, you hold the most knowledge of…” When he mumbled, she stiffened. Did he guess? “Of Michael’s future stock predictions. Then, when they have all they require, they’ll kill all–” 

“Yes, yes, I know. They’ll dispense with us regardless.” 

She lifted her chin a notch. “But I can resolve this situation. Given a little more time, plus a little assistance from you.” 

“Ah! Back to the crux of the matter. What you require from me.”

ES_EmbracingScandal_Lady Jamison saves family from financial ruin by railway investing but when her friend is murdered, Becca begs assistance from new Duke of Sherwyn. https://books2read.com/suziloveES
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Book Hooks: The duke asks, “Who protects you from the current set of fire-breathing dragons?” #HistoricalRomance #HistoricalMystery #FamilySaga #VictorianRomance

Suzi Love Posted on by

The Duke of St. Martin asks Lady Rebecca Jamison, “Who protects you from the current set of fire-breathing dragons?” #HistoricalRomance #Mystery https://books2read.com/suziloveES

“And who protects you from the current set of fire-breathing dragons?” 

She raised her chin. “I’ve outgrown such childishness.” 

She lowered herself to the closest settee, a demonstration of ladylike maturity and a reprieve for her trembling knees. 

“Pity.” His forehead furrowed into a pained frown. “Ah. 

That’s why you wore a disguise. And why you came so late at night.” 

She nodded. “The consortium watches our house and tracks our movements. In order to speak with you alone, I was forced to dress like this and sneak out the servant’s entrance in the dark. Although luckily, the syndicate’s inner circle doesn’t want me dead. Not yet. 

“Wonderful!” He glared at her. “Your blithe not yet offers such comfort to my nerves.” 

She glared back. “Oooh! I cannot explain if you interrupt with your sarcastic jabs.” 

He dipped his head, and then waved a hand. “I apologize for my uncertain temperament this evening. Please, tell me about Peggy, and what she did at your Women’s Society.” 

“She writes — No, she wrote the letters for women who wish to invest in stock ventures. We were trying to keep their identities, and their objectives, a secret.” 

“Why? Because they’re women? Because jobbers stood for them in the Exchange?” 

She raised a brow. “For someone only recently returned to London, you appear exceedingly well acquainted with the inside activities at the Exchange.” 

He shrugged. “I’ve spent every spare moment since my return settling the family’s finances. Naturally, I’ve looked in at the Foreign Funds Room a time or two. Nobody in my position can afford to let bank balances sit idle, despite some labeling it as trade.” 

“I’m impressed, Cayle. You detested accounts when your father wanted you to learn.” 

Once more he shrugged, yet his show of nonchalance appeared overdone. “Perhaps it was more of not liking the methods of the educator, rather than the subject being taught.” 

She shuddered at her recollection of the late duke’s disciplinary methods. “But you’re correct,” she said, pushing away images of birch rods twanging on bare flesh. “Some in our prudish society frown upon a gentleman of your caliber frequenting auction rooms. But, for a woman, it’d be an outrage.” 

His eyes fixed upon her, all signs of his earlier fatigue vanished. “I can well imagine.” 

“Though legally nothing prevents a woman from owning shares,” she said, assessing his concentration by the tense way he held his long, muscled body. “Visiting members are vetted at the door. Bank managers and jobbers pay eight guineas a year to enter the main Exchange room, yet self-righteous men evict females.” 

“So, is it your gender that sees you under threat?” 

“Not merely our gender. When the consortium heard we invested in secret, and often did very well, at first they became alarmed. Then, they became angry. Very angry indeed.” 

“I can well imagine men abhorring being bested by a female.” 

ES_EmbracingScandal_Cayle to Becca: “I will have you. I will not stop until I find a way.” Embracing Scandal By Suzi Love. #MysteryRomance #HistoricalRomance https://books2read.com/suziloveES

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1860 New Hebrides (Vanuatu), South Pacific. Lord St.John spoke directly to Lady Montgomery in front of her father. #HistoricalRomance #HistoricalMystery #Vanuatu

Suzi Love Posted on by

1860 New Hebrides, Pacific Ocean.

Nothing had prepared Lady Katharine Montgomery for the jumble of feelings overwhelming her when Alex worshipped her body, first with words and later with his hands and mouth. For years around this house, she’d been forced to appear dowdy, unintelligent, and totally self-effacing to never anger her father, or draw his wrath. Now, though, every degrading restriction was lifted from her mind, body, and life. 

Her father was dead. Yesterday, she’d buried her hatred for the despicable man who’d given her life during the quarter hour it took to stand at his grave and, along with all the other hypocrites present, pretend to mourn as they buried his mortal remains. He’d cheated traders, beaten plantation workers, and horse-whipped her within an inch of her life. She and all the other mourners hoped he’d rot in hell.

Last night, she’d felt free to liberate the passionate nature she’d kept buried for six and twenty years for fear of her father’s explosive wrath. But one night with Lord Alexander St. John had changed everything. One night with a lover who was gentle and caring had her aching for more, more of Alex and more of life with him.

1860 New Hebrides (Vanuatu), South Pacific. ‘I promise to abide by your ridiculous rules.’ #HistoricalRomance #HistoricalMystery #Vanuatu

Suzi Love Posted on by

1860 New Hebrides, Pacific Ocean.

Katie woke sluggishly, unable to pinpoint what felt different. Outside, it was still dark and she guessed it was a couple of hours before the tropical dawn. Already the heat was oppressive and sweat dotted her body, the bed linen a crumpled tangle on the floor. She usually awoke with a jolt, fearful of what the day might bring and uncertain if she’d be alive to see tomorrow’s dawn. But today she felt alive. Even her body felt different, sort of enjoyable lassitude, but with a few puzzling tender areas.

She flinched and barely smothered her scream when a heavily muscled arm draped across her bare waist and languidly pulled her backwards. Memory flooded her. Alex was tugging her, gently but persistently, towards him again. Her inner struggle between mind and body lasted only a fleeting minute as she permitted her naked body to be lifted and draped across his, breast to breast, thighs meeting and his aroused flesh, hot and hard, enticing her once more.

‘Alex…’

Gentle fingers against her lips silenced her. ‘Shush, Katie. Shush!’

‘But we have an agreement.’

‘I promise to abide by your ridiculous rules, but we still have many hours before full tide and I want to love you, again and again. I need this! We both do. This may be all the time we have to be together for a long while.’

When Lady Katharine Montgomery flees London after her scandalous husband was murdered, the Pacific islands of the New Hebrides (Vanuatu) become her haven. Her life changes when Lord Alexander St. John, British ship's captain and trader, sails into Port Vila. https://books2read.com/suziloveLovingLadyK
LLK_Loving Lady Katharine

Scenting Scandal: The Earl of Winchester ran his gaze over Lady Laura’s body, scorched where it touched and left her tingling. #HistoricalMystery #VictorianRomance #RomanticComedy #RegencyRomance

Suzi Love Posted on by

“No need,” Lady Laura Jamison said to the Eal of Winchester, unclenching her jaw and showing her teeth in a false but placating smile. “I’d be most distressed, kind sir, if you put yourself out on my account. Becca left me a list of instructions as long as my arm on which shares to buy and sell, and how to deliver my orders to our Stock Exchange agents. To excel at my duties, I need only follow each and every step. Rather like climbing a ladder.”

“People have been known to tumble from ladders. Land in the wrong place.”

She narrowed her gaze. “Very true. But for all I know, aligning myself with you may land me in deep water. How do I know you’re trustworthy? You could be copying those scoundrels Becca had imprisoned. Sneaking into our household to steal our secrets.”

She’d tried to appear apprehensive, but when his jaw went slack with shock, she couldn’t stop help but chuckled.

He waggled a finger. “You, pixie, are provoking me. Deliberately.”

“Do, please, stop calling me such a childish name. If you haven’t noticed, I became a woman several years ago.”

His gaze flicked over her body, scorched where it touched and left her tingling in its wake. “Trust me, Laura, I’d noticed.”

Scenting Scandal Book 2 Scandalous Siblings Series. https://books2read.com/suziloveSS

Lady Laura Jamison believes she can sniff out her perfect match but will the Earl prove her theory wrong? #HistoricalRomance #Mystery https://books2read.com/suziloveSS
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Book Hooks: If Lady Laura Jamison had inherited her great-grandmother’s ability to portend disaster… #MFRWhooks #HistoricalMystery #VictorianRomance #RomCom #BookHooks

Suzi Love Posted on by

Book Hooks: If Lady Laura Jamison had inherited her great-grandmother’s ability to portend disaster… #MFRWhooks #HistoricalMystery #VictorianRomance #RomCom #BookHooks https://books2read.com/suziloveSS

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1860 New Hebrides (Vanuatu), South Pacific. Lord St. John pulled his thoughts back from the direction they were heading before McLeish noticed. #HistoricalRomance #HistoricalMystery #Vanuatu

Suzi Love Posted on by

1860 New Hebrides, Pacific Ocean.

Listening to McLeish extol his own greatness nearly had Lord Alexander St. John at screaming point, but he fixed an interested look on his face while he let his mind wander to Lady Katharine, his thoughts touching over her like a caress. He wanted to kiss her, to taste her sweetness, to allow his tongue to sweep the inside of her soft mouth while his hands explored her body. Oh, God. He had to pull his thoughts back from the direction they were heading before McLeish noticed that his groin was suddenly hard and hot from just thinking of Katie.

Feigning a large yawn, he apologized to McLeish as he excused himself. ‘I thank you for a delightful evening, Robert, but I find I am extraordinarily tired and if I am to discuss business with you tomorrow in any sort of reasonable fashion, I will retire now to my bed.’

‘Yes, yes, Alexander. I understand perfectly. I will meet you at nine at the warehouse.’

‘Ah, Robert. A little later would be better. I will need to arrange things on board my ship first.’

‘Of course, of course. Whatever suits. Until tomorrow.’ He turned to scream for the Chinese houseman, who Alex could see was already waiting in the shadows. ‘Tong! Show Earl St. John out and bring me another whiskey. Quickly!’

Alex started to correct McLeish about promoting him to Earl while his father still lived, but even another minute spent in the company of this appalling man would be too much.

When Lady Katharine Montgomery flees London after her scandalous husband was murdered, the Pacific islands of the New Hebrides (Vanuatu) become her haven. Her life changes when Lord Alexander St. John, British ship's captain and trader, sails into Port Vila. https://books2read.com/suziloveLovingLadyK

Embracing Scandal: “Two nights ago,” Lady Rebecca Jamison said, “the woman we engaged at the Women’s Betterment Society was murdered. #ReadARegency #VictorianRomance #HistoricalMystery #HistRom

Suzi Love Posted on by

“Two nights ago,” Lady Rebecca Jamison said, “the woman we engaged at the Women’s Betterment Society to tally the Stock Exchange ledgers — our friend — was murdered. The killer was still inside Peggy’s house when I arrived. Her slayer stopped at the back door and stared directly at me, memorizing my features.” 

Her pronouncement was flat-voiced, deadly calm. 

“Thankfully, his immediate concern was escaping with our two accounting books. But when the cache identifies me as the woman who saw their lackey’s face, I am certain they will send him to dispose of me as well. They are peers, titled and wealthy, and cannot risk being exposed as members of an illegal group. If we cannot stop these men, brutes who employ cold-blooded assassins to do their dirty work, I will certainly be the next to die.”

The Duke of Sherwyn’s chilled blood turned to ice.

Embracing Scandal (Scandalous Siblings) by Suzi Love. Lady Rebecca Jamison saves her family from financial ruin by investing in railways, but when a greedy syndicate murders her friend, Becca is forced to beg assistance from Cayle St. Martin, the new Duke of Sherwyn. https://books2read.com/suziloveES

ES_EmbracingScandal_Cayle to Becca: “I will have you. I will not stop until I find a way.” Embracing Scandal By Suzi Love. #MysteryRomance #HistoricalRomance https://books2read.com/suziloveES
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1860 New Hebrides (Vanuatu), South Pacific. Lord St. John forced himself to take his leave as politely as if from a London drawing room. #HistoricalRomance #HistoricalMystery #Vanuatu

Suzi Love Posted on by

1860 New Hebrides, Pacific Ocean.

Belatedly recalling that he was speaking to a British peer, McLeish pulled himself together and shrugged off his outburst. ‘Never mind that sordid story, my lord. How about another shot of my fine whiskey?’

Nearly choking on rising bile, Lord Alexander St. John forced himself to take his leave as politely as he would have from a London drawing room. ‘I thank you, sir, but as I sail on the morning tide so I must bid you farewell.’

He wanted to punch the bastard in his smug face after witnessing the disrespect he’d shown his daughter. He’d heard the stories of the man’s abuse of his daughter and his cruelty when dealing with his plantation laborers. If he’d remained in the same room as that vile man for another minute, he would not have been able to contain his rage. The only thing holding him back was knowing that McLeish’s moods were mercurial. Tonight, he had wanted his daughter to appear enticing but Alex feared the aftermath if he’d shown Lady Katharine any special attention. McLeish would do anything to leave these islands and return to London and becoming part of the St. John family would ensure he would be accepted back into London society, despite the cloud he departed under previously.  

Relieved to escape the house without further conflict, he strode down the garden path lit by flares and walked away from the house. Once out of McLeish’s view, he turned into the gardens. When a soundless lips in a gesture of silence and beckoned Alex to follow. Wordlessly, they descended to the small cove where Tong Lee stopped and pointed. Alex could make out a huddled figure on the beach, staring fixedly out to the ocean. Not wanting to scare her, he cleared his throat softly to announce his approach. Nevertheless, she started in fright and fear.

‘It is only I, Alexander. Please do not fear me. I didn’t wish to alarm you, but I needed to be assured of your well-being before I sailed.’

LLK_When Lady Katharine Montgomery flees London after her scandalous husband was murdered, the Pacific islands of the New Hebrides (Vanuatu) become her haven. Her life changes when Lord Alexander St. John, British ship's captain and trader, sails into Port Vila. https://books2read.com/suziloveLovingLadyK