and one who has shown me in many ways that it is not birthright that dictates if a man is a gentleman, but honor. Happy birthday, brother.”
Oliver was smiling now, and Daniel couldn’t be sure, but thought his eyes looked a bit glassy.
“Now please sit back and relax and keep your deafening applause until we have finished.”
Abby gave him a reassuring smile, and he returned it. Then they began to play.
Surprisingly, apart from a few mishaps—Hannah tore her hem as she attempted to climb off the stage—and a few wrong notes, Daniel thought they had promise.
The applause was deafening, and his father’s smile wide as he stood to clap. All in all, a success.
“I do believe you said annual performance,” Abby said, moving to his side as they went in to supper.
“I think so. As the children in our families grow, there will be more to join our Merry Musicians.”
“What of our children? Will they play too?”
He stopped, letting the others go ahead, and looked at his wife.
“If they wish to, then of course they may play an instrument.”
“Then I think it best we set about making one, as it will be at least five years before it can participate.”
She leaned into him, and the kiss that followed was sweet.
“I think you may be right.”
They walked together to greet their friends and family, and Daniel had to say, he could not remember a time when he’d felt happier.
I hope you enjoyed The Lady’s Forbidden Love, book #7 in the Langley Sisters series.
Have you read the first book in my Sinclair and Raven series, SENSING DANGER? I introduced you to a few of the Sinclair family in this book.
Book #1 is SENSING DANGER. For an excerpt read on:
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“I enjoyed SENSING DANGER so much I kept reading rather than sleeping!”
-Amazon reviewer
Legend says the Sinclairs heightened senses are a result of a long ago pact between them and the powerful Raven family. To Honor and Protect is their creed, but the current Duke of Raven doesn’t make their task easy.
Arrogant and aloof, James, Duke of Raven, is determined to forge his own path and to hell with folk tales that his ancestors created. But when the breathtaking Eden Sinclair saves his life by risking her own, their past resurfaces, and with it comes the uncomfortable realization that they are linked by more than history.
Eden is forced to see the man behind the cool, haughty façade when she must use her special abilities to keep him safe. His suspicion of her soon turns into something else, something far more dangerous. Eden is torn between duty and self-protection. Does she have the strength to fight fate, in order to protect her own heart?
ONE CLICK FOR SENSING DANGER!
“OMG, this is fantastic. It gripped me right from the start. Wow, I couldn't believe the opening chapter, it was so bloody thrilling.”
-Goodreads reviewer
Turn the page for an excerpt of Sensing Danger!
Sensing Danger
available now
“You're best to just spit it out, James. It can't be healthy to have all that angst roiling around inside a person.” Cam's voice carried to him.
Devon coughed and Eden muffled a giggle. James, however, growled softly and then ground his teeth. Neither action eased his spleen, so he spoke his mind.
“How dare you put your sisters and mine in danger!” James waited for the siblings to reach him. Each had left their position at his first word and now flanked him.
“They were never in any danger, Raven. In fact, my siblings and I did what we had to, to preempt just that,” Devon added.
“You allowed your sister to ride into danger, Sinclair—a woman!”
“And therefore, unable to protect herself, James?”
James turned at Eden's words; her face appeared calm, yet her eyes were not. The laughter had gone to be replaced by an anger that suddenly seemed a match for his.
“I did not say that, Eden—”
“Come, James, we are all interested in what you have to say.”
James swallowed. How had the conversation veered out of his control?
“Eden, it is our job to protect you, not plunge you recklessly into danger where—”
“I may break a fingernail, or perhaps my skirts would be dirtied?”
“If you will let me explain—”
“Dear Lord!” Eden gasped as if a sudden thought had occurred to her.
“What?” James looked up the road. Was there more trouble ahead?
“Imagine if I was all alone without one of my big male protectors and I had a stone in my slipper.”
Cam was now laughing so hard he was snorting. Sinclair just smiled, but it was wide enough to expose his teeth.
“I wonder, James”—his name should not sound so sweet spilling from her lips, especially considering she'd spat it out through her teeth—” if you could locate my needlework.” Eden looked around her as if it would magically appear.
“I did not mean to suggest you were unable to care for—”
Eden held up at hand to halt his words and once again, much to his surprise, he compiled. Her eyes flashed at him, cheeks flushed. She looked wild. A luscious wild virago, he thought, staring at her mouth. Hell, he wanted to close the distance and kiss her into silence.
“I understand your views, James, yet thankfully I have, for the most, forward-thinking brothers and do not have to adhere to them.”
“Thank you, darling.”
Ignoring Cam, she continued. “So perhaps for the remainder of this journey, you should endeavor to understand that I am different from the cosseted women of your acquaintance. Now if you will excuse me, my sister is calling me.”
Before James could react she had turned away from him, and he was sure she muttered “addlepated fool.”
Devon was still smiling, although he attempted to rein it in as James glared at him.
“A word of advice, Raven?”
“What.”
“My sisters do not take direction kindly. It is best to guide them as one would a bad-tempered animal. They are headstrong, intelligent, and spirited, and I would have them no other way, though I beg you do not alert them to that fact.”
“Sinclair, I would rather fall into a pit of venomous snakes than further acquaint myself with your siblings,” James snarled rudely. He then rode back to the head of their little caravan and refused to feel any guilt over his words. They had been wrong to take such risks, and he would not allow them to do so again while he and his sister were keeping their company.
SENSING DANGER – available now
Other Books By Wendy
HISTORICAL ROMANCE
Regency Rakes Series
Duchess By Chance
Rescued By A Viscount
Tempting Miss Allender
The Langley Sisters Series
Lady In Disguise
Lady In Demand
Lady In Distress
The Lady Plays Her Ace
The Lady Seals Her Fate
The Lady’s Dangerous Love
The Lady’s Forbidden Love
The Raven & Sinclair Series
Sensing Danger
Seeing Danger
Touched By Danger
Scent Of Danger
Vision Of Danger
Tempting Danger
Seductive Danger
The Lords Of Night Street Series
Lord Gallant
Lord Valiant
Lord Valorous
Lord Noble
Stand-Alone Titles
The Reluctant Countess
Christmas Wishes
The Earl’s Encounter
Mistletoe And The Marquess
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
The Lake Howling Series
A Promise Of Home
The Texan Meets His Match
How Sweet It Is
It Only Took You
Don’t Look Back
A Long Way Home
Then Came You
Ryker Falls Series
Somebody To Love
From This Moment
Love Me Tender
Only Just Begun
About the Author
Wendy Vella is a bestselling author of historical and contemporary romances
such as the Langley Sisters and Sinclair and Raven series, with over a million copies of her books sold worldwide.
Born and raised in a rural area in the North Island of New Zealand, she shares her life with one adorable husband, two delightful adult children and their partners, four delicious grandchildren, and too many cantankerous farm animals.
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This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. Except for use in a review, the reproduction or use of this work in any part is forbidden without the express written permission of the author.
The Lady’s Forbidden Love is published by Wendy Vella
Copyright © 2020 Wendy Vella