The Tantalizing Miss Coale (The Notorious Coale Brothers) (7 page)

Ben gave a slow smile. ‘Try me.’

Sally held her breath, looking at the three men. Slate-grey
eyes clashed with ice blue, neither giving ground.

‘You shall not fight,’ she declared. ‘It is preposterous that
the three people I love most in the world should fall out over me. Dom, Jasper,
I tell you I
shall
marry Ben, forsaking all others,
and if that means I have to say goodbye to you forever, then so be it.’ Her
voice wavered a little. ‘But please don’t make me choose between you.’

‘Bravo, my love.’ Ben raised her hand and kissed her fingers.
‘Well, gentlemen, the lady has spoken. It seems she and I are of the same
mind.’

She clung to his hand as she waited for her brothers to
speak.

‘Do you know,’ said Dominic, rubbing his chin. ‘If I recall,
our original intention was to go after that damned rascal Nettleton and prevent
him from marrying Sal. Seems to me we have done that.’

A gleam of genuine amusement crept into Ben’s eyes. Beside him,
he had the impression that Sally was holding her breath. Dominic raised his
brows as he looked at his brother. ‘Well, Jas, what do you say? We can go back
to Markham and tell Pa there was no sign of our little sister.’

Jasper’s eyes were fixed on Ben, who said quietly, ‘You need
not worry about your sister, Coale. I’d give my life for her.’

‘Yes,’ Jasper nodded. ‘I think you would. Very well, you may
proceed, but on one condition. Our sister is
not
travelling to the border in a curricle!’

* * *

An hour later the little group stood in the yard. Sally
turned to her brothers, hugging each one in turn.

‘Be careful when you go back to Markham,’ she begged them. ‘Do
not let Papa be too angry with you.’

‘No need to worry about that,’ grinned Dominic, kissing her
cheek. ‘It’s Nettleton who will bear the brunt of his wrath this time.
Nevertheless, Pa has had his own way for too long. We knew he was getting
eccentric, but this time he has gone too far. It’s about time Jas and I took a
stand. I have to rejoin my regiment at the end of the week, but we will take
care he doesn’t have the means to come after you, and Jas will be there if you
need him.’ He turned to Ben. ‘Good luck, Hensley. Take care of our little
sister.’

Ben ushered Sally into the waiting postchaise, the steps were
put up and they rattled out of the yard. Sally leaned out of the window and
waved until her brothers were out of sight, then she sank back into her seat
with a sigh. Ben reached for her hand.

‘Happy?’

She leaned against him.

‘Happier than I ever dreamed I could be.’ She turned her face
up and he obliged her with a long, lingering kiss that sent shivers through her,
right down to her toes. ‘I am sorry that you had to give up your holiday,’ she
murmured at last, snuggling up against him.

‘There will be others. In fact, it’s time I gave up the work
altogether.’ Ben pulled her onto his lap and began to unbutton her jacket.
‘Besides, I think life with you may be one long holiday.’

‘You do?’

‘Yes.’ The jacket undone, he proceeded to open her shirt.

Sally shivered, but with delight. He nibbled at her neck and
with a shudder of anticipation she turned her face towards him, her lips
parting, waiting for his kiss. He obliged and even the rocking of the coach
could not prevent a sudden urgency overcoming them.

‘Ben,’ she gasped as he released her mouth, only to drive her
wild as he trailed kisses across her breasts. ‘Ben, surely we should
not...surely it is not possible in a coach?’

He paused, raising his head to look down at her, his blue eyes
glinting so wickedly that her heart turned over.

‘It is a very long way to Gretna,’ he murmured, shifting her
more comfortably onto his lap, ‘we have plenty of time to find out.’

* * * * *

Read more about the Coales in
Sarah Mallory’s
The Notorious Coale Brothers duo
from Harlequin
Historical

They are the talk of the
Ton!

Twin brothers Dominic and Jasper Coale set Society’s tongues
wagging with their disreputable behavior. Get to know the real men behind the
scandalous reputations in this deliciously wicked duet from Sarah Mallory!

Major Dominic Coale

He’s locked away in his castle in the woods, with only his
tormenting memories for company, until governess Zelah Pentewan crosses the
threshold…

BENEATH THE MAJOR’S SCARS

(December 2012)

Jasper Coale, Viscount Markham

Used to having his own way where women are concerned, Jasper
would bet his fortune on being able to seduce beautiful Susannah Prentess—but
she proves stubbornly resistant to his charms!

BEHIND THE RAKE’S WICKED WAGER

(January 2013)

Enjoy more passion through the ages with
the sensual Harlequin Historical UNDONE titles on sale now:

Maid Until Midnight
by Joanne
Rock
Some Like It Scandalous
by Carole
Mortimer
To Undo a Lady
by Christine
Merrill
The Pirate’s Reckless Touch
by
Linda Skye
His Wicked Christmas Wager
by Annie
Burrows
An Invitation to Pleasure
by
Marguerite Kaye
A Lady’s Lesson in Seduction
by
Barbara Monajem
What a Cowboy Wants
by Lauri
Robinson
An Illicit Temptation
by Jeannie
Lin

Craving something a little longer? Find more historical
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* * *

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ISBN: 978-14603-0019-0

The Tantalizing Miss Coale

Copyright © 2012 by Sarah Mallory

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