A Duke in Pursuit of Passion

A Duke in Pursuit of Passion A REGENCY ROMANCE NOVEL LUCY LANGTON Copyright © 2023 by Lucy Langton All 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 Contents Table of Contents Free Exclusive Gift A Duke in Pursuit of Passion Introduction Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Epilogue A Duke's Longing Gaze Introduction Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Free Exclusive Gift Sign 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 browser http://lucylangton.com/adelaide A Duke in Pursuit of Passion Introduction The alluring Ella Gideon, daughter of the Earl of Partridge has always been the epitome of poise and elegance. However, when her younger sister falls into the clutches of a wicked man who claims to love her, everything begins to fall apart. With an overbearing mother, a sick father and a runaway sister, Ella feels as though she is the only one left to save their family from scandal. When a tempting old friend from her past resurfaces and offers his help, she must decide whether she is willing to risk her heart in order to save her sister. Will she succumb to the irresistible lust she feels for him? The seductive Lord Nathaniel Rolfe is the only son of the Duke of Worthington. Having travelled all over the British Isles he has certainly made a name for himself, as a rogue and a rake. When a letter from his father calls him home to help his childhood best friend Ella in finding her missing sister, he jumps at the chance to prove himself to her and possibly seduce her. However, coming face to face with the tantalising Ella again, he is shocked by her cold reception and her obvious disdain for him. Will he melt her chilly façade and convince her that opposites can make for a passionate match? As they search for her sister, Nathaniel and Ella are forced to confront the unresolved, flaming feelings they have for each other. The attraction between them is undeniable, but can they let go of the past and embrace the passion that burns between them? Or will they let their old wounds tear them apart? Chapter 1 The evening was chilled, but Lady Louisa Gideon, the youngest daughter of the Earl of Partridge, barely felt it as she pressed herself close to her lover. The sun had set, and the moon was only beginning to rise into the sky. And save for the odd rustling of a small animal or the chirping of bugs, all was quiet. Sitting upon a boulder, just within the boundary of the woods that skirted her father’s estate, Louisa felt oddly at ease and content, wrapped in Joshua’s arms as he whispered into her ear, “Are you clear on what you need to do?” A shiver passed through Louisa, though not from the chill. It was anticipation that made her quiver, the thought that her entire life would soon change. Soon she might finally be taken seriously. Louisa nodded, gazing up at him, unable to stop wondering whether he could see the nervousness in her gaze. “I am.” Joshua smiled back at her, his dark blonde hair falling around his face like curtains to cut them off from the outside world. He brushed a few tight curls back from her face to cup her cheek. Kissing her, he added, “Then you’ll meet me back here at what time?” “Two a.m.,” Louisa breathed back against his lips, the response barely audible as she tilted her head slightly to invite further kissing. When he did not do so, Louisa could not stop admitting, “I am quite nervous.” Nuzzling her nose with his own, he pressed his forehead against hers and responded, “You need not be nervous. You are doing the right thing. This is the only way we shall ever be allowed to be together.” In the dark and the cold, his words warmed her, and she knew he was right. One fear lingered in the back of her mind: will my family ever forgive me? It didn’t bear thinking about, and so she quickly forced it away. She could deal with those consequences when it was too late to change anything. They would understand – eventually. Needing just a little more reassurance, she asked, “You’re sure this is the only way?” Louisa was surprised by the way that Joshua gripped hold of her face in both his hands. So shocked, in fact, that her blue eyes flew open, and she found his face so close to hers that if he had been anyone else, she might have been frightened. “I would not ask you to take such a risk if I was not absolutely certain,” Joshua assured her. “We must do this. We must fight for our love.” Louisa gulped past the sudden lump in her throat and nodded with a little difficulty against his hands upon her face. “You will meet me, won’t you?” Joshua asked, his brown gaze darkening with suspicion. His look caused Louisa’s skin to crawl. She hated it when he did not trust her word. “Of course, I promise," she told him in all sincerity, hoping