A Lady Igniting Wicked Passions

A Lady Igniting Wicked PassionsA REGENCY ROMANCE NOVELLUCY LANGTON Copyright © 2023 by Lucy LangtonAll Rights Reserved.This book may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the publisher.In no way is it legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document in either electronic means or in printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited and any storage of this document is not allowed unless with written permission from the publisher. Table of ContentsTable of ContentsFree Exclusive GiftA Lady Igniting Wicked PassionsIntroductionChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Chapter 5Chapter 6Chapter 7Chapter 8Chapter 9Chapter 10Chapter 11Chapter 12Chapter 13Chapter 14Chapter 15Chapter 16Chapter 17Chapter 18Chapter 19Chapter 20Chapter 21Chapter 22Chapter 23Chapter 24Chapter 25Chapter 26Chapter 27Chapter 28Chapter 29Chapter 30Chapter 31Chapter 32Chapter 33Chapter 34Chapter 35Chapter 36Chapter 37Chapter 38Chapter 39Chapter 40The Scarlet Lady's Duke of DesireIntroductionChapter 1Chapter 2 Free Exclusive GiftSign up for my mailing list to be notified of hot new releases and get my latest Full-Length Novel “The Enchanted by a Fiery Lady” (available only to my subscribers) for FREE!Click the link or enter it into your browserhttp://lucylangton.com/adelaide A Lady Igniting Wicked Passions IntroductionArabella Harrington, the second daughter of the Earl of Ashendown, has always dreamt of being swept up in a passionate romance, just like the ones she has read in Shakespeare. However, her father's arranged marriage to an arrogant lord threatens her dreams. To make things worse, an irresistible attraction ignites between Arabella and her sister's betrothed…Will she succumb to the flames of desire, or will she be wise enough to bury it deep in the ground?Aaron Blackwood, the Duke of Ashenwood, is heir to a ruined castle and a dwindling fortune. When he finds himself in debt to a dangerous man, he agrees to marry the beguiling Helena Harrington in exchange for her father's promised dowry. However, a twist of fate leads him to grow lustful feelings for the wrong sister. He knows he is playing dangerously close with fire, but his passion is too overwhelming to resist…Will he risk his life and reputation for this sizzling fervour?Enveloped in an irresistible allure, Arabella and Aaron find themselves entangled in a web of forbidden desires whenever their paths cross. Torn between honour and scandal, can they risk social ruin and embark on a sinful love affair? In a world of yearning hearts and whispered secrets, will they seize their chance at love, or will their tantalising love story echo the tragic fate of Romeo and Juliet? Chapter 1Arabella stormed through the wood, wailing like a banshee. Her mount, Achilles, was a grey gelding with a light, athletic frame, and a love of running born in the blood. Arabella was similarly light, with a petite figure and a delicate, heart-shaped face, framed by auburn curls.Eyes as bright as sapphires were wide as she urged the young horse to greater speed, holding herself low to his neck to avoid tree branches that intruded onto the path. She was smiling as she rose, heart racing, trilling at the excitement of the headlong dash along an unknown path.As the madly racing pair rounded a bend in the woodland path, a fox chose that moment to burst from the undergrowth to streak across the path.Achilles shied away, rearing up from the unfamiliar shape and veering from the hard-packed earth of the woodland trail. Arabella had time for a startled gasp before throwing herself full length to Achilles’ long, stretching neck.Whisper-thin branches lashed her and leaves caught in her hair. The horse dodged and wove around trees and roots, across unexpected gullies and through all but the thickest bushes. All the while, Arabella held tight and urged him to stop.Sunlight exploded around them as the trees were abruptly gone and they were running across an open expanse of grassland. In the distance was a tall, square building topped with a forest of chimneys and surrounded by a colourful patchwork of ornamental gardens.Perhaps it was the sudden glare of June sunshine from a cloudless sky, after the sylvan shade of the woods. Or perhaps it was the sudden proximity of a man and woman riding along the wood’s perimeter, but Achilles dug in his hooves and lurched to a stop, ears twitching and nostrils flaring.Arabella slid from the saddle without relinquishing her hold on Achilles neck. She had begun to scream when his panicked flight had taken him through the thick of the trees.As her feet came to rest amid the soft grass, her screams had become hysterical laughter. Achilles turned his head and sniffed at her as she pressed her face against his grey, speckled skin. She rubbed his nose and then stepped away. Her knees shook and she sat down abruptly.“I say! Are you alright?”Arabella looked up at the gentleman speaking; he was young, roughly her age, just into her second decade. His face was creased with concern as was that of the young lady with him. She had ridden her mount side saddle, while Arabella had straddled Achilles.She’d tailored her skirts herself, to make them capable of splitting to accommodate the horse’s body. She also wore breeches beneath her skirts, which were hidden by her cream-coloured dress.The gentleman swiftly dismounted from his horse, the lady with him following at a more leisurely pace. He took off his hat revealing his tightly curled, fair hair.“What the Devil were you playing at Arabella?” he demanded, his pale blue eyes glaring from his round, boyish face.“Charlie, I was putting my father’s new horse through his paces, and he got away from me. Dratted fox spooked him. Help me up.”Arabella held up her hands to her oldest friend and he hauled her to her feet. As she brushed leaves and grass from her skirts, the young lady cleared her throat.“My Lord?” she asked.Charles Cavendish, Viscount of Harlton, eldest son of the Earl of Wimpole, looked over his shoulder at his companion.“Of course! Do forgive me! Arabella, this is Lady Elizabeth Gracely of Buckland Manor. Lady Elizabeth, my very good friend Lady Arabella Harrington of