Passion and Propriety (Hearts of Honour Book 1) (52 page)

“You’re on your way to see Lady Blackthorn?”

Grace nodded, and Mr Loring’s already impressive chest expanded as he drew in a deep breath.

“Is she . . . on the mend?”

“It looks that way.”

“Thank God.” He released his breath on a sigh.

“Indeed,” Grace murmured, unsurprised he didn’t apportion credit to any other source. The effort she’d gone to in saving Hannah, and her husband before her, was substantial, but it would be a cold day in hell before Mr Loring acknowledged the part the village herbalist had to play in both miracles.

“You’re on your way to visit the viscount?” she asked when he said no more.

“His stable master first, then Blackthorn if he can be dragged away from his wife’s side.” Mr Loring’s mouth twisted, and they shared a smile. It was an unprecedented event,
unnerving,
and Grace averted her gaze.

“He is rather besotted.” She shrugged, one of the many habits she was free to enjoy since she was no longer a recognised member of polite society.

“And has been terribly worried, as have we all.”

The sincerity in her unlikely companion’s voice was unmistakeable, and her expression sobered. “Well, hopefully I’ll be able to lay those fears to rest today.”

Their gazes met, and for the second time in the short ride they were of one accord, Mr Loring’s concern as genuine as her own.

About the Author

A great believer in living happily ever after, Elise began her lifelong obsession with the romance and paranormal genres when she was far too young to be reading either. With a lifetime’s experience and more than thirty years of marriage behind her, she now knows great relationships don’t just magically happen, they take work . . . which doesn’t mean writing about them can’t be a whole lot of fun!

While raising a family, Elise established a career as a counsellor and family therapist. Seeking an escape from the stresses of her work, she discovered the world of fan fiction, and her timid writer’s muse made its voice heard. Two point three million hits, twenty thousand reviews, and an e-mail from an acquisitions editor at The Writer’s Coffee Shop later, and her life found a new and fascinating direction.

Elise likes to see her characters grow, experience passion and adventure, tackle some difficult issues, and find lasting love . . . eventually.

To contact Elise (she loves hearing from her readers) or to find out more about her stories, check out her webpage or Facebook author page.

http://www.elisedesallier.com/
https://www.facebook.com/elisedesallierauthor

Acknowledgments

I’d like to thank Kathie Spitz for believing in me enough to suggest I write this story and submit it for publication, and then encouraging me throughout the process.

Thanks also to the editing team for
Passion and Propriety
, Hayley German Fisher (Lead Editor), Allison Hoover (Copy Editor), and Andrea McKay (Proofreader), for all your hard work. To the rest of the team at The Writer’s Coffee Shop, Catherine Edwards (Marketing) and Lea Dimovski (Editing) in particular, thanks for all your help . . . and for putting up with me.

To my Fabulous Five, April Brown, Sammi Collington, Sherry Gomes, Nan Kubicek, and Kathie Spitz, we all know I wouldn’t be here without you, neither still writing nor quite possibly on the planet!

To my wonderful husband, family, and friends . . . thank you so much for your unwavering support.

Also by Elise de Sallier

Innocence (A Forbidden Love, Book 1)

Ignorance is supposed to be bliss
, but in Anneliese Barlow's experience, it leads to unwise choices and unnecessarily tragic outcomes . . . and there is nothing blissful about either.

Forced to flee her father's brutal heir, Anneliese masquerades as Lisa Brown, a servant, in the grand country mansion of the Duke of Worthington. Discovering the life of gentility she had known was a virtual fairytale, reality a dark and forbidding place, she faces danger at every turn. 

Captivated by the beautiful maid, the Marquis of Marsden, decides the only way to keep Lisa safe is by offering her his protection. With all hopes of returning to her previous station lost, she surrenders her virtue to the man she has come to love
almost
beyond reason. Finding unexpected passion in Nathaniel's arms, her senses are awakened to a world of sensuality she'd not known existed . . . a world not without grave risks.

If her identity is uncovered, Lisa's innocence won't be the only thing that's lost.

Protection (A Forbidden Love, Book 2)

He'll do anything to protect the woman he loves . . . but first, he must make amends for taking advantage of her innocence.

In the much awaited conclusion to
Innocence, A Forbidden Love – Book One
, Nathaniel, the Marquis of Marsden, is left reeling at the revelation of Lisa's royal heritage. Keeping her safe has always been his priority, and he is determined to protect her . . . from the King's machinations, their enemies, and her own overly generous nature if necessary.

Although overjoyed to be reunited with Nathaniel, Lisa fears she made a better mistress than she will a marchioness. Longing for a return to the freedom they shared when he thought her a commoner, she does her best to live up to his—and
society's—
expectations, but she's only willing to compromise so far. Being kept in the dark is no longer an option. Despite the unexpected pleasure she discovered in Nathaniel's arms, if there is one thing Lisa has learned . . .
 
ignorance is far from bliss.