A Duke in Time (The Widow Rules #1) - Janna MacGregor Page 0,131
you’re rubbing is where the first shot hit. It’s the reason for my instability. My thigh bone was shattered.”
Her eyes widened of their own accord. She waited for him to call her out for it. Instead, he turned his attention to the window.
Her perfidious gaze dipped to his shoulders, then rose to study his profile. He had grown into an extraordinarily handsome man. His eyes had almost closed as if about to succumb to sleep.
Yet his stubborn pride wouldn’t let anyone in. He was hurting in so many ways, more than in a physical sense.
“The surgeon insisted that he had to cut off my leg.” He faced her. “I declined.”
“Oh, Jonathan, I can’t imagine the pain and the horror.” She skated her hands over his kneecap, then swooped back down for another rub lower.
He narrowed his eyes. “No pity.”
“No pity.” She swallowed the lump inside her throat and sniffed. To change the topic, she scooped another handful of salve. “I must come closer to work on the rest of your leg.”
His stare never left hers as he nodded once.
Scooting nearer, she rested on her knees much like if she was in church kneeling to pray. She reached under his banyan, then trailed her fingers across his skin until she found the last injury.
Forcing her attention to his thigh, she traced the wound to see how large it was. Though this leg was smaller than his other, it was still massive in size and strength, so different from her own. With the tips of her fingers, she could tell where he’d been shot. Angry striations of raised skin accompanied by a depression of about an inch deep and several inches wide along with a myriad of stitches marked his thigh about his knee. She massaged it over and over.
With every exhale that escaped from his parted lips, she could tell if she was too rough or too soft. If they were sharp, then she pressed too hard. If they were shallow, then her ministrations were perfect.
His breath fanned across her cheek as if kissing her. Memories of their first kiss rushed forward, sweeping her closer to him. This was the worst timing in the world to think about kissing her husband. Constance was supposed to be helping him, not seducing him. She made the mistake of looking down.
God help her. Her husband was aroused. Though his banyan was closed still, the outline of his hard cock resting against his midriff was plainly visible.
She closed her eyes yet the image stayed front and center. She took a deep breath, desperate for control. Inside, an incredible heat was building. His scent was tempting her to take what she wanted.
“Constance.”
She couldn’t ignore the low thrum of her name on his lips. Unable to fight it, she leaned closer and forced her eyes to his. The startling whisky color of his eyes held a fire hotter than the sun. She leaned in an inch, a simple experiment to see how he’d react. If he leaned opposite, he’d have made it perfectly clear he wanted no part of her. He stood his ground.
She wanted to shout to the heavens. But there was still work to be done.
She moved closer.
He still didn’t budge an inch.
Closer and closer she leaned, not giving him any quarter. She moved with a stealth that hunters would have envied. And she didn’t stop until her cheek rested against his. She couldn’t breathe. How long she had waited to feel this close to him—skin-to-skin. His evening bristles teased her to press closer. All she wanted was to cup his other cheek in her hand, then press her lips against his.
A ragged breath escaped as she tried to tamp down the chaos that had erupted in her own body. Feeling and sensations melded together in a combination primed to explode.
She whispered his name in answer. “Jonathan, do you want…?” She couldn’t be certain, but it was entirely possible his lips brushed against her ear.
“It’s entirely possible that I want what you want, but you tell me first.”
She stayed perfectly still. Any movement was too dangerous for either of them. Though their cheeks touched, several inches separated their bodies from one another. His heat radiated toward her, surrounding her, holding her close.
She never wanted to escape.
“Tell me what you want,” he demanded softly.
In answer, she moved her hand up his thigh. The muscles underneath her fingers flexed. His hand tightened around hers. Slowly, he pulled it toward his body.
“I want…” She slid her cheek across his, the touch incredibly slow and sure and erotic, yet innocent.
A scant inch separated her lips from his. Their breaths mingled in a prelude that they both knew would lead to another wall between them cautiously dismantled stone by proverbial stone.
If she had her way, she’d much rather obliterate it into bits. However, the moment called for patience.
Slowly, she raised her eyes to his. “Let me kiss you.”
Also by Janna MacGregor
WILD, WILD RAKE
ROGUE MOST WANTED
THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE DUKE
THE LUCK OF THE BRIDE
THE BRIDE WHO GOT LUCKY
THE BAD LUCK BRIDE
Praise for WILD, WILD RAKE
“Passionate, tumultuous.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Incandescent.”
—Booklist
“Will delight those looking to warm their hearts with a tender read.”
—Library Journal
ROGUE MOST WANTED
“A decadently delightful love story that refuses to conform.”
—Publishers Weekly
“An unforgettable love story.”
—Booklist (starred review)
“Deliciously romantic and poetic.”
—Fresh Fiction
THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE DUKE
“Sparkling … a richly engaging romance with a heroine we should all resolve to be more like.”
—Entertainment Weekly
“Utterly delightful in every possible way.”
—Bookriot
“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
THE LUCK OF THE BRIDE
“Sparkling dialogue, a dash of deliciously tart humor, and just enough soul-searing sensuality to keep romance fans sighing happily in satisfaction.”
—Booklist
“Brimming with family, hope, and tender sensuality, this shrewdly plotted, gently paced romance is especially satisfying.”
—Library Journal
“A lovely, sweet, and touching love story.”
—RT Book Reviews
THE BRIDE WHO GOT LUCKY
“Rising star MacGregor once again demonstrates her remarkable gift for effortlessly elegant writing, richly nuanced characterization, and lushly sensual love scenes.”
—Booklist (starred review)
“A heady mix of action, wit, and sexual tension. Readers will eagerly turn the pages to see how this intense story concludes.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Deliciously provocative in historical detail … there is everything in this novel and more. The Bride Who Got Lucky is absolutely brilliant!”
—Romance Junkies (5 stars)
THE BAD LUCK BRIDE
“With its beautifully defined, exceptionally appealing protagonists, intriguing secondary characters, and graceful writing deftly leavened with wry wit, this classic romantic story line becomes something marvelously fresh and new, thus making MacGregor’s stellar debut a must-read for any fan of Regency historicals.”
—Booklist (starred review)
“An impressive debut … plenty of sizzle.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“This charming tale features a refreshing array of happy families, solid relationships … The book’s promise of a delicious story is well realized, building anticipation for future installments.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Well-paced, powerfully plotted debut where love and revenge vie for center stage. Here is a romance that reminds readers that love is complicated, healing, and captivating. MacGregor’s characters are carefully drawn, their emotions realistic, and their passions palpable. Watch for MacGregor to make her mark on the genre.”
—RT Book Reviews
“Delightful! Janna MacGregor bewitched me with her captivating characters and a romance that sizzles off the page. I’m already a huge fan!”
—New York Times bestselling author Eloisa James
About the Author
Janna MacGregor was born and raised in the boot heel 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. She loves to hear from readers. Visit her at www.JannaMacGregor.com, or sign up for email updates here.
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Contents
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
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
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Epilogue
Author’s Note
Excerpt: Rules of Engagement
Also by Janna MacGregor
Praise
About the Author
Copyright
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.
First published in the United States by St. Martin’s Paperbacks, an imprint of St. Martin’s Publishing Group
A DUKE IN TIME
Copyright © 2021 by Janna MacGregor.
Excerpt from Rules of Engagement copyright © 2021 by Janna MacGregor.
All rights reserved.
For information address St. Martin’s Publishing Group, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271.
eISBN: 9781250761606
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St. Martin’s Paperbacks edition 2021