In Bed with a Blackguard

In Bed with a Blackguard Book 1 of Lady Knights series Cara Maxwell © Copyright 2023 by Cara Maxwell Text by Cara Maxwell Cover by Dar Albert Dragonblade Publishing, Inc. is an imprint of Kathryn Le Veque Novels, Inc. P.O. Box 23 Moreno Valley, CA 92556 [email protected] Produced in the United States of America First Edition January 2023 Kindle Edition Reproduction of any kind except where it pertains to short quotes in relation to advertising or promotion is strictly prohibited. All Rights Reserved. The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author. License Notes: This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook, once purchased, may not be re-sold. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. 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Without your support, there is no ‘us’, so we sincerely hope you adore these stories and find some new favorite authors along the way. Happy Reading! CEO, Dragonblade Publishing Table of Contents Title Page Copyright Page Publisher’s Note Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fifteen Chapter Sixteen Chapter Seventeen Chapter Eighteen Chapter Nineteen Chapter Twenty Chapter Twenty-One Chapter Twenty-Two Chapter Twenty-Three Epilogue About the Author Chapter One April 1817 Exeter, England He was a surprisingly good kisser. Jacquetta had seduced enough lords to report credibly on the subject. He was thorough but with a touch of spontaneity. His tongue explored every part of her mouth, then flicked downward and pulled her lower lip between his teeth in a tantalizing nip. Most of the gentlemen Jacquetta kissed were sloppy—too wet, too eager. But despite his young age, Lord Andresen impressed her. It was almost a shame that in a few minutes he would be nothing more than an unconscious puddle on the expensive Turkish rug. Andresen’s hand wandered up her arm toward her shoulder, palming the soft curve exposed by the wide-cut neckline of her gown. Jacquetta was vaguely aware of the path his hand was taking. If he decided to get too bold, she’d take evasive action. Most of her attention was fixed on the closed door of the study and the hallway beyond. She monitored the sounds beyond, listening for footsteps or the creak of a floorboard. But the door remained stubbornly closed. Which meant the farce must continue. Jacquetta slid her hand up from where she gripped Andresen’s shoulder to the nape of his neck. She wriggled her fingers into the neatly clubbed, pale brown hair… pressed herself into him… let her lips vibrate in a little mmmmm of pleasure. A carefully executed sequence to keep Andresen’s attention focused on her, his mind pliant. She’d done this a hundred times. The gentlemen of the ton were so mind-numbingly predictable. A well-placed glance, a spin across the dance floor interspersed with lingering touches, and they allowed her whatever she wanted. There. She finally heard it. Footsteps that stopped at the door rather than drifting on down the corridor. Nothing in her touch changed—Jacquetta showed the young lord no sign that she’d shifted into the second phase of her plan. Phase one had gone off flawlessly. She’d lured Andresen out of the ballroom and into the study for a private tryst with ease. Jacquetta had selected the room intentionally. It was far enough from the festivities that no one was likely to stumble upon them. No one except for the gentleman who’d been watching her all night. That thought almost made her snort. Gentleman. Grayson Thane was nothing of the sort. Gentlemen did not linger outside closed doors, waiting to interrupt evening trysts and kidnap unsuspecting young women. Which was exactly what Grayson Thane was doing at that very moment. Jacquetta pulled her mouth away from Andresen’s, letting her lush coral-pink lips part slightly as she panted in excitement. Not feigned. But certainly not from Andresen’s kiss. She watched his mouth curve into a self-satisfied smile as he took in her heaving bosom and the exhilarated glitter in her eyes. He did not notice that those turquoise eyes barely met his, were intensely watching the door to the study, which was still closed. Andresen lowered his mouth back toward hers, ready for the next round of exploration. “Perhaps a moment…” Jacquetta flicked her gaze down coquettishly, mock innocence dripping from her. She pretended to scan the room, her eyes settling on the crystal decanter and amber cognac which filled it. “A bit of refreshment?” He followed Jacquetta’s eyes to the low-slung table positioned between two gleaming cherry brown leather chairs. He glanced back, finding her expression a perfect mix of flirtation and hesitation. “Of course, Miss Lawson.” He slipped his hand from her shoulder and offered it to her, palm up. Jacquetta summoned a small smile, biting her bottom lip