Secrets, Volume 10

The Ruination of Lady Jane

Will he continue to refuse, or succumb to her pleas?

         "You are lucky that I found you," Havyn stated with some asperity. "Someone else might spread gossip, but you may be assured that this… adventure of yours will remain between us. Grantham has kept his inquiries discreet, so you need not fear on that score."
         She shrugged. "It is nothing to me."
         "Why don't you face me? Here I am, willing to help if you'll let me--"
         "Help? Hah," she scoffed, but she did turn around. "My guardian sent you to fetch me home like a lost parcel." She lifted her chin. "I refuse to be fetched."
         "You may refuse, Lady Jane." He didn't bother to hide his annoyance. "But it will do you no good. You will return to Grantham Lodge with me."
         "I won't do that."
         "Cease your protests, Lady Jane. Neither of us has any alternative."
         "You have no choice? You?" She whirled to face him. "How are you involved?"
         "I am acting on Lord Grantham's behalf."
         "He has already shown no regard for my interests." She narrowed her eyes and stared at him. "Are you dependent on your brother for funds that you must do his bidding?"
         He restrained his temper at the insult. "I am my own man. With my own fortune and responsibilities."
         "Yet here you are, demanding I return with you. What have you to gain from this errand? Has Yarwoode spoken to you, secured your support?"
         He spoke through gritted teeth. "I have nothing to do with him."
         "Yet you expect me to marry him," she snapped.
         "I don't care whom you marry, Lady Jane," he retorted. "All I have contracted to do is see to your safe return."
         "And I wish nothing to do with you, Lord Grantham or Yarwoode. He's a swine!"
         "Quite so." It was difficult to argue with her when she held so many points in her hand. She was obstinate, yet he couldn't help respecting her. Nor thinking about her naked. Her clothing attempted to disguise her natural shape, but he was positive it would be lush and womanly. Exactly as he liked a woman to be. He didn't care for this situation one bit. To be attracted to her, understand her revulsion, be sympathetic to her plight and yet have to take her back and hand her over to another.
         He sighed and leaned back, looking up into the cloudless sky, studying the strength of the broken walls, the jagged edges dark in contrast to the clear blue of the heavens.
         What was he to do?

“The Ruination of Lady Jane by Hamre is definitely not a run-of-the-mill Regency. Havyn Attercliffe, heir to the title of Lord Grantham, is sent to recover a missing bride to be. When he finds her, passions that should be hidden in polite society are unleashed, and seductive fires ignite and flame out of control.”
—Romantic Times BOOKclub

“The Ruination of Lady Jane has well developed characters, very hot exciting love scenes and is an erotica romance at its best. Whew!!” “These two characters were very likable and drew the reader into their story.”
—Fallen Angel Reviews