Historical
Fiction Virtual Blog Tours Presents…
Rogue
Most Wanted
By
Janna MacGregor
Wanted: an engagement of convenience. Found: A noble suitor.
Raised on a remote
Scottish estate by her adoring grandfather, Lady Theodora Worth has inherited
an earldom as well as the land itself. But when an upstart duke challenges her
claim to the title and the Ladykyrk estate, Thea is suddenly in need of a
husband—in name, at least. An elderly neighbor with a thoroughly modern
sensibility and a dashing great-nephew just might be the answer to Thea’s
prayers. Except she has no intention of marrying the first man she meets. That
would be utterly ridiculous.
It just can’t be him. . .
Lord William
Cavensham is entirely too devoted to his family’s estate—ever since he was
jilted as a lad–to wed, but he agrees to meet the woman his aunt has taken
under her wing—and introduce her to possible suitors. But after just one
meeting with beautiful, spirited Thea, Will is determined to help her reclaim
her title. And even moreso, he can’t stop thinking that perhaps marriage to
this bold, passionate woman may be the one thing he’s been missing all along?
Praise for Rogue
Most Wanted
“Effervesces with lighthearted
romance…sweet and sultry in equal measures.”
Publishers Weekly
“[An]
emotionally rich, exquisitely wrought tale that superbly celebrates the
redemptive power of love.”
Booklist
Excerpt
“Nervous, are we?” Lord William Cavensham drawled. “There’s no need to
be, Lady Eanruig. My aunt asked
that I call on you, but I’m afraid my visit will be short.”
“Oh, I hope not. I have several matters to discuss.” She reached for a
plate to serve the apricot tartlets and small cucumber sandwiches. With a quick
glance at Lord William’s tall physique, she could tell he’d probably eat at
least six dainty pastries and three sandwiches. “Let me first say I’m sure
you’re a very nice man with a charming disposition.” She carefully arranged the
delicacies on the plate then handed it to him.
“What a lovely compliment.” Completely at ease, he chuckled as he set
the plate on the table before him. “Yet I think there might be a ‘but’ coming.”
She nodded in answer, then took a bite of her own tartlet and chewed.
They were still warm, and the sweet apricot filling melted in her mouth. At the
taste of heavenly perfection, she moaned. Before she could take another bite,
she noticed a dab of rich apricot filling had landed on her thumb. It would be
a waste, not to mention a sin, to wipe it off with her napkin. With the tip of her tongue, she licked it
clean.
His wide-eyed stare enhanced the blue of his eyes.
“I didn’t want to waste a drop of goodness.” She smiled and shrugged her
shoulders.
He blinked twice as if coming out of a trance. “You seem to be a person
who loves their sweets.”
Thea nodded as she pointed to his plate. “You should eat yours while
they’re still warm. As I was saying, you seem to be a lovely man”—she smiled
slightly— “but I’m not going to marry you.”
“Pardon me?” He leaned back in his chair.
“Your aunt graciously offered you as my groom, but I’m not going to
marry you.” She said it a tad louder this time so there was no
misunderstanding. “I hope that doesn’t hurt your feelings. I don’t want to hurt
hers either, but truthfully, I haven’t met many men. If I must find a
husband, it’s best that I wait until I arrive in London and see all the
available choices. Not that you wouldn’t fit the bill nicely.” She smiled in
reassurance. “But this is too important a decision for me to rush into.” She
exhaled her frustration at her predicament, then tried to soften the blow of
her rejection. “If my hand is forced and I can’t find anyone that I want to
marry, then I’ll accept you as my fiancĂ©. Of course, only if you’re so
inclined.”
He leaned forward close enough she caught a whiff of his scent. He
smelled of expensive soap, sunshine, and the outdoors. Without hesitation, she
leaned forward to match his movement.
“You don’t want to marry me?” His voice held a hint of humor interlaced
with a tad of disbelief that she was rejecting him.
She nodded slowly. The poor man. She’d shocked him with a refusal before
he even popped the proposal.
“I’ve thought quite a bit about my situation over the last several
days.” She fisted one hand in her lap to keep her anger at bay. “The Duke of
Ferr-Colby is challenging my right to the Earldom of Eanruig. The privilege
committee isn’t expecting him to find a bride. But I’m expected to find a
groom. He’s still unattached, and they’re allowing him to go on his merry way
and throw me off my own land.” She forced herself to breathe deeply and slow
down. “It’s simply unfair that I have to marry quickly for the committee and
propriety’s sake. Wouldn’t you agree?” The look of utter astonishment on his
face sent a pang of regret through her chest that she’d caused him any
discomfort. “I’m sorry.”
She shifted her gaze to her hands. When her grandfather was well, he’d
instilled in her a sense of pride for their heritage. It was why she was so
passionate about her circumstances. Her fight to protect this title and
property from the new duke would succeed. She would carry on the line of
rugged, proud, descendants from the Eanruig line. It would be her memorial to
her grandfather.
“Lady Eanruig?”
Thea returned her attention to her guest.
“We’re in complete agreement. I don’t want to marry you either, and it’s
completely unfair that you’re being forced to marry. The privilege committee
should follow the goose-gander rule.”
“Goose-gander rule?” she asked.
“What sauce is good for the goose is good for the gander. Whatever you
have to do, Ferr-Colby should have to do.” He rested his elbows on his knees
and studied her with a smile that made her insides tingle. His intense regard
sent frissons of awareness through her, and she couldn’t look away.
“You remind me of my sister, Emma.” His deep voice dipped even lower.
“She would say the same thing about the position you’re in.”
“I would like her.” Thea leaned a little closer until she could see the
flicks of gold in his kingfisher blue eyes.
“And she would like you,” he answered.
“Thank you,” she said softly. Though he didn’t know anything about her,
her heart had skipped a beat at his kind words. More than anything in the
world, she wanted friends and family. He was truly a nice man to say that his
sister would welcome her friendship. Plus, he was taking his rejection
extremely well.
“If I can help you in anyway, please ask.” He picked up his plate and
popped two tartlets in his mouth at the same time.
“Excellent. I was hoping you would say that,” Thea said with the warmest
smile she could muster. “Do you by chance read Latin?”
Giveaway
During the Blog Tour, we are giving away
two paperback copies of Rogue Most Wanted by Janna MacGregor! Enter HERE!
Giveaway
Rules
♥ Giveaway
ends at 11:59 pm EST on July 5th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
♥ Giveaway is open to US only.
♥ Only one entry per household.
♥ All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
♥ The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.
♥ Giveaway is open to US only.
♥ Only one entry per household.
♥ All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
♥ The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.
Pick up your copy of
Rogue
Most Wanted
Janna MacGregor
Janna MacGregor was born and raised in the bootheel of Missouri.
She credits her darling mom for introducing her to the happily-ever-after world
of romance novels. Janna writes stories where compelling and powerful heroines
meet and fall in love with their equally matched heroes. She is the mother of
triplets and lives in Kansas City with her very own dashing rogue, and two
smug, but not surprisingly, perfect pugs.
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See you on your next coffee break!
Take Care,
Mary Anne xxx