The Bad Luck Bride
by Janna MacGregor
Genres: Romance, Historical
Series: The Cavensham Heiresses - Book One
Published by St. Martin's Paperbacks on May 2nd, 2017
Summary from Goodreads:
All were shocked at the announcement of the “cursed” Lady Claire Cavensham to Lord Alexander Hallworth, the Marquess of Pembrooke, especially since she is already engaged to another unfortunate Lord. Perhaps she will make it to the altar this time with one of these fine gentlemen! Could her run of bad luck finally be at an end? It’s highly doubtful in this writer’s humble opinion. —Midnight Cryer
No one is left breathless at the imperious pronouncement of her engagement to Lord Pembrooke more than Claire. She hardly knows the dangerously outrageous man! But after three engagements gone awry and a fourth going up in glorious flames, she isn’t in a position to refuse...especially once she realizes that Lord Pembrooke makes her want to believe she’s not a bad luck bride anymore...
Alexander requires the hand of his enemy’s fiancée in marriage in order to complete his plans for revenge. It’s his good fortune that the “cursed” woman is desperate. However, what begins as a sham turns into something scandalously deeper. The beguiling lady has no business laying claim to his heart. But as a mission of revenge turns into fiery passion, Alexander wants nothing more than to break Claire’s curse...and lead them both to their hearts’ desire.
“The Bad Luck Bride is a stroke of good luck for readers—the intricate plot, arresting characters,
and rich emotional resonance will leave you swooning.”—New York Times bestselling author Sabrina Jeffries
The Bad Luck Bride is the first in a new Regency romance series from Janna MacGregor!
About The Author:Janna MacGregor was born and raised in the bootheel of Missouri. She credits her darling mom for
introducing her to the happily-ever- after world of romance novels. Janna writes stories where compelling
and powerful heroines meet and fall in love with their equally matched heroes. She is the mother of
triplets and lives in Kansas City with her very own dashing rogue, and two smug, but not surprisingly,
perfect pugs. She loves to hear from readers. The Bad Luck Bride is her first novel.
Excerpt
Alex smiled in earnest. “I would never allow you to be humiliated in front of
society. I’m trying to help you.” Somehow, he had to convince her of that fact, then the
idea of marrying him would be much easier to accept.
She blinked rapidly, then turned back to him and, for an instant, appeared startled
to see him there. “That’s very gallant, my lord. Truly, thank you for the effort. But I must
leave.”
This night could not end with her escaping, so he tried another tactic. “You need
to protect your Wrenwood estate and your wealth from lechers who would feed upon
your vulnerability. Not to mention stop that ridiculous curse.”
“I have two.” She held up two gloved fingers.
“Two? Two what? Curses?” No one at his club had uttered a peep about another
curse.
“Estates. I have two estates, Wrenwood and Lockhart.” She returned his stare.
Her answer was unexpected, but his business experience had taught him to show
nothing. The report from his private investigator had not mentioned additional properties.
Thoughts were percolating if she chose to disclose this information.
A razor of lightning split the sky. She flinched and took a step closer to him, but
her reaction had nothing to do with him. It was the storm.
Her gaze darted to the exit of the alcove, then she returned her attention to him.
With a slight shrug of her shoulders, his evening jacket fell into her hands. She offered it
to him. “My lord, good night.” Outside their hideaway, the voices of a man and a woman
floated in the air.
Alex put his hand on her shoulder to prevent her escape. “Will you give me some
assistance? I seem to have lost my valet.” He quirked an eyebrow. “Besides, if you leave
now, whoever is out there will see us.”
She ventured a halfhearted grin and held his jacket in two hands. With a little
persistence, he wrestled his way into the evening coat. Her hands smoothed the material
across his shoulders and back, causing a pleasant sensation to cascade through him at the
slight touch.
Claire took several steps toward the pathway. In a flash, he moved beside her and
grasped her elbow. When he brought her close, something flared between them as he
gazed into her haunted eyes. Whether the desire to keep her next to him was passion or
the need to protect a vulnerable woman made little difference. He pulled her into the
shadows and brought his mouth to her ear. “Wait until they pass.” The warmth from her
skin beckoned.
A flash of lightning lit the gardens and the alcove.
With a gentle hand, he pushed her against the wall and stood to the side so he
blocked her body from view.
A clap of thunder cracked as if the sky were breaking. It rolled into a loud rumble
that refused to die.
“Please.” Her whisper grew ragged as she struggled for breath. In one fluid
motion, she pulled the lapels of his evening coat toward her. She buried her face against
his chest and pressed the rest of her body to his, almost as if she sought sanctuary inside.
“Don’t leave me.” Her voice had weakened, the sound fragile, as if she’d break into a
million pieces.
“I won’t. I promise.” Alex pulled her tight. One hand sank into the soft satin of
her skirts while the other slid around the nape of her neck to hold her close to his chest. It
was the most natural thing in the world to hold her. Her body fit perfectly against his.
With the slightest movement, she pulled away. Her eyes wildly searched his. For
what, he couldn’t fathom.
He lowered his mouth until his lips were mere inches from tasting her. Madness
had consumed him. All he wanted was to kiss her thoroughly until she forgot her
fear—until she forgot everything but him.
Her breath mingled with his, and the slight moan that escaped her was
intoxicating. Nothing in his entire life felt as right as this moment. He bent to brush his
lips against hers.
“Pembrooke? Have you seen Lady—”
Claire leaned back and released his lapels. Without her warmth, he experienced a
sudden loss of equilibrium. He turned with a snarl to greet the intruders.
Immediately, Lord Fredrick Honeycutt and his sister, Lady Sophia, took a step
back as their eyes grew round as dinner plates.
The first to recover, Honeycutt announced, “I see you found Lady Claire.” He
bowed his head slightly, then lowered his voice. “The Duke of Langham is looking for
his niece and is directly behind us.”
A sense of wariness flooded Alex’s mind when Claire’s uncle strolled forward and came
into sharp focus. As he stood, his feet spread shoulder width apart, the duke’s presence
commanded everyone’s attention. His visage held the hint of a smile, but the two large
fists resting by his sides were the real barometer of his mood. “Claire, are you all right?”
The affection in his voice was at odds with the fury flashing in his eyes.
Copyright © 2017 by the author and reprinted by permission of St. Martin’s
Press.
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