WANTON (34 page)

“That’s very curious. I don’t remember her contacting me.”

The three of them were staring as if Evangeline had grown a second head, but Lord Run’s assessment was the most intense of all, his shrewd gaze probing for information and details that Evangeline had no idea how to supply. She flashed a tepid smile, hoping to generate a hint of a smile in return, but he simply glared and pointed to her gray dress.

“Are you a nanny? A governess? What?”

There was no way to hide her identity. She had to reveal herself. He’d learn who she was soon enough.

“I’m the vicar’s fiancée.”

There was a shocked silence, then Mr. Blair asked, “Vicar Bosworth—as in Ignatius Bosworth?”

“Yes,” Evangeline said.

“He’s marrying? Truly?” Mr. Blair persisted.

Miss Bernard chimed in with, “He’s marrying
you?”

“Yes.”

Lord Run seemed the most bewildered by the news. He studied her even more intensely. Finally, he said, “
You
are engaged to Cousin Iggy? Seriously?”

“Yes.” It might have been the sole word Evangeline could speak.

There was another fraught silence, then the trio burst out laughing in loud, rude guffaws.

Evangeline had never been more mortified and didn’t know why they were so amused. Was she an inappropriate bride for the vicar? Was she too far beneath him? Or was the vicar inspiring their hilarity? Were they surprised by his betrothal? Were they humored that he’d settled on Evangeline? Why would they be?

Was Vicar Bosworth horrid? Was Evangeline the only one who hadn’t been apprised? What sort of mess had Miss Peabody orchestrated?

What’s so funny?
she yearned to demand.

But instead, she spun and ran, their chortles following her down the hall

Praise for New York Times Bestselling Author

CHERYL HOLT

“Best storyteller of the year...”

Romantic Times Magazine

“A master writer...”

Fallen Angel Reviews

“The Queen of Erotic Romance...”

Book Cover Reviews

“Cheryl Holt is magnificent...”

Reader to Reader Reviews

“From cover to cover, I was spellbound. Truly outstanding...”

Romance Junkies

“A classic love story with hot, fiery passion dripping from every page. There’s nothing better than curling up with a great book and this one totally qualifies.”

Fresh Fiction

“This is a masterpiece of storytelling. A sensual delight scattered with rose petals that are divinely arousing. Oh my, yes indeedy!"

Reader to Reader Reviews

Praise for Cheryl Holt’s “Lord Trent” trilogy

“A true guilty pleasure!”

Novels Alive TV

“LOVE'S PROMISE can't take the number one spot as my favorite by Ms. Holt—that belongs to her book NICHOLAS—but it's currently running a close second."

Manic Readers

“The book was brilliant...can't wait for Book #2.”

Harlie’s Book Reviews

“I guarantee you won't want to put this one down. Holt's fast-paced dialogue, paired with the emotional turmoil, will keep you turning the pages all the way to the end.”

Susana’s Parlour

“...A great love story populated with many flawed characters. Highly recommend it.”

Bookworm 2 Bookworm Reviews

BOOKS BY CHERYL HOLT

WONDERFUL

WANTON

WICKED

LOVE’S PERIL

LOVE’S PRICE

LOVE’S PROMISE

SWEET SURRENDER

MUD CREEK

MARRY ME

LOVE ME

KISS ME

SEDUCE ME

KNIGHT OF SEDUCTION

NICHOLAS

DREAMS OF DESIRE

TASTE OF TEMPTATION

PROMISE OF PLEASURE

SLEEPING WITH THE DEVIL

DOUBLE FANTASY

FORBIDDEN FANTASY

SECRET FANTASY

TOO WICKED TO WED

TOO TEMPTING TO TOUCH

TOO HOT TO HANDLE

THE WEDDING NIGHT

FURTHER THAN PASSION

DEEPER THAN DESIRE

MORE THAN SEDUCTION

COMPLETE ABANDON

ABSOLUTE PLEASURE

TOTAL SURRENDER

LOVE LESSONS

MOUNTAIN DREAMS

MY TRUE LOVE

MY ONLY LOVE

MEG’S SECRET ADMIRER

WAY OF THE HEART

CHERYL HOLT
is a
New York Times
,
USA Today
, and Amazon “Top 100” bestselling author of thirty-seven novels.

She’s also a lawyer and mom, and at age forty, with two babies at home, she started a new career as a commercial fiction writer. She’d hoped to be a suspense novelist, but couldn’t sell any of her manuscripts, so she ended up taking a detour into romance where she was stunned to discover that she has a knack for writing some of the world’s greatest love stories.

Her books have been released to wide acclaim, and she has won or been nominated for many national awards. She has been hailed as “The Queen of Erotic Romance” as well as “The International Queen of Villains.” She is particularly proud to have been named “Best Storyteller of the Year” by the trade magazine
Romantic
Times
BOOK Reviews.

She lives and writes in Hollywood, California, and she loves to hear from fans. Visit her website at
www.cherylholt.com
.