Why Dukes Say I Do (37 page)
“And Thistleback simply left?” Isabella asked with astonishment. “I can hardly believe it!”
“Well, he did take a little persuading from what I hear,” Trevor said. “He was escorted to the docks with just the clothes on his back, forced to drink laudanum, then deposited on the ship into a locked cabin lest he try to escape. I do not think he will have a very happy crossing.”
“Good riddance,” Perdita said. “After what he tried to do to you, Isabella, I hope he never comes back.”
“Thank you for telling me, my dear,” Isabella told Trevor, leaning over to kiss him quickly on the cheek. But he turned and kissed her in earnest, much to the mock disgust of Perdita and Georgina.
“What did I tell you, Georgie?” Isabella heard her sister complain to their friend. “Lovebirds. I don’t know how I shall manage to keep from becoming ill every day while I am in Yorkshire with them.”
“Oh, I think they’re sweet,” Isabella heard Georgina croon.
“Do you think we’re sweet?” Trevor asked, pulling back a little from Isabella to look into her eyes.
“I don’t think we’re sweet,” she said, gathering him closer so that she could whisper into his ear. “I know we are, because we are in love.”
Also by Manda Collins
How to Dance with a Duke
How to Romance a Rake
How to Entice an Earl
Praise for Manda Collins’s delicious Regency novels …
HOW TO ROMANCE A RAKE
“With her trademark wit and charm, Manda Collins has penned a deeply romantic and emotionally satisfying story in
How to Romance a Rake
. Her heroine is plucky and tremendously appealing, and I cheered for her well-earned happily-ever-after.”
—
Vanessa Kelly, award-winning author o
f Sex and the Single Earl
“Collins’s second installment of the Ugly Duckling trilogy is both a lovely, sensitive romance and a taut thriller. Collins brings a dashing hero and a wounded wallflower together in the type of love story readers take to heart. With compassion and perception, she delves into the issues faced by those who survive physical and emotional trauma. Brava to Collins!”
—RT Book Reviews
, 4 stars
“Absolutely delightful,
How to Romance a Rake
is an emotion-packed, passionate historical romance.”
—Romance Junkies
, 5 stars, Blue Ribbon Review
“
How to Romance a Rake
is a wonderfully moving story about two damaged people coming together to form a unique bond. Manda Collins is now on my auto-buy list, and I can’t wait for the final book in this series.”
—Rakehell, Where Regency Lives
“
How to Romance a Rake
is a wonderful story. It is the sort of story that warms the heart and reaffirms the notion that love conquers all. Books like
How to Romance a Rake
are why I read romance.”
—Romance Novel News
“The passion sizzles in this book, and while Collins delves into deeply emotional issues, she also infuses her stories with plenty of humor along with a terrific secondary cast.
How to Romance a Rake
is going straight to my keeper shelf. I highly recommend it!”
—Romance Dish
HOW TO DANCE WITH A DUKE
“Sexy, thrilling, and romantic—whether she’s writing of the mysteries of the heart or of the shady underworld of Egyptian relic smuggling, Manda Collins makes her Regency world a place any reader would want to dwell.”
—USA Today
bestselling author Kieran Kramer
“A fast-paced, adventurous love story that will enthrall readers. Her dynamic characters, a murder, and passion combine with the perfect amount of lively repartee.”
—RT Book Reviews
“If Manda Collins keeps writing novels like [this], she is sure to become a bestseller.”
—
Romance Junkies,
Blue Ribbon Review
“A vivid reminder of why I love historical romances … an excellent debut by Manda Collins that has me des-perate for the next book in this trilogy.”
—
Night Owl Romance,
Top Pick
“Manda Collins is a sparkling new voice in romantic fiction. Her smart, witty storytelling will keep readers turning pages.”
—Toni Blake
“A splendid read, well written and fun.”
—
Romance Reader
“Written with intelligence, wit, and compassion,
How to Dance with a Duke
is a book that should put Manda Collins on the radar of historical romance readers everywhere.”
—Romance Dish
“A refreshing and fun debut spiced with just the right amount of mystery.”
—
Rakehell
“Warmth, wit, and delicious chemistry shine through every page … With a heroine to root for and a hero to die for,
How to Dance with a Duke
is a romance to remember.”
—Bestselling author Julie Anne Long
“Manda Collins writes sexy and smart historical romance, with a big dash of fun. Romance readers will adore
How to Dance with a Duke
!”
—
Vanessa Kelly, named one of
Booklist
’s “New Stars of Historical Romance”
“Regency lovers have a new author to add to their dance cards! Manda Collins heats up the ballroom and writes romance to melt even the frostiest duke’s heart. With sparkling Regency wit, a dash of mystery, and just the right amount of steam,
How to Dance with a Duke
is an enchanting debut, sure to sweep readers off their feet!”
—Tessa Dare, named one of
Booklist
’s “New Stars of Historical Romance”
About the Author
Manda Collins spent her teen years wishing she’d been born a couple of centuries earlier, preferably in the English countryside. Time travel being what it is, she resigned herself to life with electricity and indoor plumbing, and read lots of books. When she’s not writing, she’s helping other people use books, as an academic librarian.
Visit her website at:
www.mandacollins.com
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
WHY DUKES SAY I DO
Copyright © 2013 by Manda Collins.
All rights reserved.
For information address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
eISBN: 9781466815360
St. Martin’s Paperbacks edition / August 2013
St. Martin’s Paperbacks are published by St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.