Tempting the Broken Duke

TEMPTING THE BROKEN DUKE A STEAMY HISTORICAL REGENCY ROMANCE NOVEL A GENTLEMAN’S VOW SALLY VIXEN CONTENTS Before You Start Reading… 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 Epilogue Extended Epilogue Preview: A Spinster to Tame the Duke Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Also by Sally Vixen About the Author BEFORE YOU START READING… Did you know that there’s a special place where you can chat with me and with thousands of like-minded bookworms all over the globe?! Join Cobalt Fairy’s facebook group of voracious readers and I guarantee you, you’d wish you had joined us sooner! Let’s connect, right NOW! Just click on the image above! ⇧ ABOUT THE BOOK “I will keep to my vow…Not matter how tempting she is.” Rachel is fully aware she will, by all likelihood, remain a spinster. But deep inside, she yearns for her deepest wish: to become a mother… Daniel, the Duke of Elbridge, returned from war a broken man. His nightmares keep haunting him, and he is certain only of one thing: he will never father children… When a scandalous accident forces them into a marriage of convenience, both are forced to confront their biggest fears. But how long can they resist their own desires? And how long before their past returns to haunt them? CHAPTER 1 London, England “Rachel, you know you don’t have to watch over me like a mother hen clucking at her chickens.” “Do I not? Hmm, then I wonder exactly what mischief you would get up to if I was not here to watch you.” Rachel turned her eyes on her sister, knowing the truth of the matter. She and her two sisters were standing at the edge of the Countess of Haskett’s ballroom. One luxurious event was leading into another, now that autumn was upon them, and the Season’s events were ticking by. This ball was no different from any of the others for Rachel. The room may have been draped in rich russet and gold cloth, and the cuisine for the night was distinctly autumnal in fare, with tarts made from recently acquired pumpkins from the Americasf, and spiced wines gracing the tables, but it was still like all the other balls, and it still had the same effect on her sisters. Bridget, the middle sister, preferred hiding in the shadows. For one so petite in features with soft eyes and a gently sloping chin, she didn’t like many people looking at her. She preferred the corners of rooms where she could watch everyone from afar, regularly pushing back the light brown curls that framed her face. In contrast, their younger sister, Emily, strode forward, eager to be a part of the affair. With classic light blonde hair, she was a true beauty, and though she was aware of her fine features, she was not vain. Her flaw came in a different way instead. She is mischievous and bold, and longs to escape me, like a newly sprung bird that cannot yet fly, but totters out of the nest anyway. “Take care, Emily.” Rachel laid a hand on her younger sister’s arm. “Balls are not as safe as you give them credit for. Have you not pored over the scandal sheets this last summer? I know you have.” Emily rolled her eyes in answer. “Yes, yes, I know.” She waved a perfectly manicured hand in the air. “Many a lady’s reputation has been undone at such an event as this. That is not my intention, Sister, you know that.” “Whether it is your intention or not is not what I fear.” Rachel shared an uneasy look with Bridget, who was stepping between the two of them, trying to keep the peace. “Can this not wait for another time?” Bridget asked in a gentle voice. “No,” Emily and Rachel said in unison. “The problem is our sister treats me as if I am still a child,” Emily stated petulantly and reached for a glass of spiced wine nearby. She lifted the clove-scented wine to her lips and then gulped the liquid. Rachel hastily took the glass out of her sister’s hand, reaching past Bridget to do so. “I do not treat you like a child,” she said, trying to keep her voice calm. “I am attempting to point out that you should be wary of events such as this.” She waved the glass at the guests around them. “Many a gentleman comes here not for innocent dances, Emily.” “What do they come here for?” Bridget asked, frowning. Her light brown brows furrowed so deeply together that Rachel did a double take, sometimes startled at the innocence of her middle sister when her younger sister seemed to know everything there was about the mischief of men. “Bridget, you need to talk to the maids more,” Emily said with a giggle. “They could open your eyes to what a man and a lady can do alone.” Bridget bristled, rubbing her hands across her bare arms and pulling at the capped sleeves of her fine gown. “Ignore her, Bridget,” Rachel pleaded, laying a comforting hand on her sister’s shoulder. “You are here to enjoy yourselves.” “Yes, exactly!” Emily declared, snatching the wine glass out of Rachel’s hand again. “So, pray, let me enjoy myself.” With these final words, she spun away, taking the wine glass with her before Rachel could stop her. She disappeared into the crowds of well-dressed ladies and gentlemen with ease. “What is it you fear?” Bridget asked in a whisper, leaning toward Rachel. “Our sister may be mischievous, but she is not scandalous.” “It is rebellion I fear,” Rachel practically mouthed the words. “I know Emily has a good heart and would not risk her name for anything, but