To Seduce a Scoundrel

At the edge of ruin…

Ambrose listened intently for any sound from the corridor. He held his breath waiting to see if they would be discovered. After all their near misses to be found here in an indefensibly incriminating position…

She exhaled and it sounded like a cannon blast. He brought his gloved finger to her mouth and pressed it against her lips. Now her breath sucked in, albeit much more quietly. He tried not to think of the heat of her mouth seeping through his glove or the gust of her breath against his finger. And he fought the urge to slide that finger into her mouth in the faint hope she might suckle it…

Finally, muted voices came from outside the door. He couldn’t hear what they said, but only because his senses were full of Philippa—her lilac-honey scent, the warmth of her body so close to his, the sound of her soft breathing, quickening with each beat of her heart, signaling that her desire—like his—was climbing.

The voices continued, but he was having a hard time concentrating on anything but Philippa’s proximity. Because of the tight space, he stood so close to her that if he just inched forward—and as he thought it, he did it—her breasts would be pressed against him.

He closed his eyes in ecstasy. This was the closest he’d been to a woman in five years. His previous kisses with Philippa notwithstanding.

Instead of retreating as he might have expected, she leaned into him. And then she somehow read his mind—at least partially. She pressed her lips to his finger.

He stifled a groan as he cupped the side of her face and slid his palm down to her collarbone. Her heart beat strong and fast there, and the hot silk of her flesh burned through his glove.

Kissing her was out of the question. It would only lead to God-knew-what, and he couldn’t go there with her. But that didn’t stop him from lowering his head and inhaling the scent of her hair. He brushed his cheek against hers and bit his tongue lest it dart out and trace a path to her ear, down her neck, then lower to the edge of her bodice.

She nudged her cheek against him and breathed a single word, “Ambrose.”

He was a mass of dry, brittle wood and she was the flame that would burn him to the ground.

Also by Darcy Burke

Her Wicked Ways

His Wicked Heart

Praise for Darcy Burke

“A bad girl heroine steals both the show and a highwayman's heart in Darcy Burke's deliciously wicked debut.”

–Courtney Milan, New York Times Bestselling Author

“Captivating and romantic. Miranda is my favorite kind of heroine--witty, resourceful, and a little bit wicked--and I loved Fox for loving her as I much as I did.”

–Jackie Barbosa, Award-Winning Author

“…a delightful romance mixed with humor, tenderness and love.”

–Rogues Under the Covers

“…fast paced, very sexy, with engaging characters.”

–Smexybooks

“Sexy and wonderfully romantic. Her Wicked Ways is a debut every fan of historical romance should add to their to-be-read pile!”

–The Season

“FANTASTIC characters…totally recommend this delightful Regency romance…”

–Romancing the Book

“What a wonderful debut! Highly entertaining…the pages sizzle with sexual tension.”

–Forever Book Lover

“Intense and intriguing. Cinderella meets Fight Club in a historical romance packed with passion, action and secrets.”

–Anna Campbell, Seven Nights in a Rogue’s Bed

“A romance that is going to make you smile and sigh…a wonderful read!”

–Rogues Under the Covers

“Darcy Burke pulls no punches with this sexy, romantic page-turner. Sevrin and Philippa's story grabs you from the first scene and doesn't let go. To Seduce a Scoundrel is simply delicious!”

–Tessa Dare, New York Times Bestselling Author

“An enthralling tale of adventure, passion and redemption. At times humorous and at times deeply touching, the tension sizzles between Phillipa and Sevrin. With the Fight Club element, To Seduce A Scoundrel is a unique tale with a sexy hero you will never forget.”

–Leigh LaValle, The Runaway Countess

To Seduce A Scoundrel

By Darcy Burke

Nook Edition

Copyright © 2012 Darcy Burke

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 0985455829

ISBN-13: 978-0-9854558-2-8

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Book design © Darcy Burke.

Cover design © Hot Damn Designs.

All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the author.

For Jedgie, because you’re a fighter.

Acknowledgements

This book would not have been possible without the awesome power of the annual Northwest Pixie Writing Retreat. I don’t know what’s in the water there (or whatever else we’re imbibing), but the words sure flow! Thank you Linda, Kristina, Rachel, Courtney, Becky, Cathy, Kris, Natasha, Joan, and Elisabeth.

I am incredibly blessed with the greatest critique partners in the known universe: Erica Ridley, Lacey Kaye, and Janice Goodfellow. Each of you offers something unique and I could not do any of this without you.

Thank you Jim McCarthy for providing amazing editorial feedback. You knew exactly what needed to happen (or rather, not happen) to make this book sizzle.

I’ve been very fortunate to be part of a wonderful community of people who have eagerly followed my writing career and who have been nothing short of spectacular in their support. Special thank you to the ladies at ARE, Leslie and Ann. You make me smile on lousy days and for that, you deserve a medal. Hugs to my other ARE “fans,” but really I’m YOUR fan: Tina, Jen, Julie, Robyn, Rebecca, Karmin, Erin, and Laura. Thank you for touching my family’s lives in the best way possible.

My family’s perseverance in the face of my writing-induced-insanity is nothing short of miraculous. Thank you for supporting me, encouraging me, and most of all, loving me. I do all of this for you.