Please welcome Vivienne Westlake to Book Binge!
About the Book:
Never fall in love with your employer. Any respectable governess knew the cardinal rule. Christine Aubrey prided herself on her devotion to her charges, never suspecting that one day a former pupil would tempt her to break every rule in the book.
Theodore Blake was a “good boy” who grew up into a responsible man. Shouldering the burden of raising his sister’s children and managing his older brother’s affairs, Teddy has always done the right thing. But when his former governess returns to Birchwood, all he can think about is how good it would be to be bad.
Enjoy the excerpt:
“Would you like to take luncheon?” Teddy asked.
He’d worked up quite an appetite over fisticuffs with his trainer. While he’d never be as good as his brother, Bartie—who had studied pugilism in some detail—Teddy required vigorous exercise to release his physical urges in a constructive manner. Boxing seemed a most efficient way to do it.
He’d taken to boxing three times a week since Christine had come to live at the country estate.
“I ate some bread and cheese with the children an hour ago, but thank you for your kindness, sir.”
Sir. There was nothing at all inappropriate about the address, yet it reminded him once again that they were unequal. He missed hearing the way she used to say his name. It was only proper that they should be sir and Miss Aubrey, but still he longed to be Teddy and Christine.
“Perhaps you might like a book from the library,” he offered. “I shall escort you down and perhaps I will take some bread and cheese myself.”
Before she could argue, he began walking toward the staircase. She would have to follow. He knew he took advantage of his position, but he did not want her to make an excuse and retreat to the children’s room. The only time he was ever alone with her was during her weekly report on the children’s studies. And he made it a point to leave the door open, so as not to arouse suspicion.
A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds, Teddy reminded himself. Even if Christine felt an attraction or regard for him, she would not encourage him. He must be the one to bring her to his side.
And what then? he asked himself. Would he make a mistress of his governess? Would he ruin her reputation just to satisfy his infatuation? What if he was still caught up in the dream of his boyhood, enamored of a fantasy?
He heard her footfalls on the stairs and the heat of her presence warmed his back. For a moment, he hesitated on the stair, hoping that perhaps she would bump into him, that her skin might inadvertently touch his. But there was only silence as she waited for him to proceed.
GIVEAWAY ALERT: 3 eBook copies (format of choice) of Lady Northam’s Wicked Surrender by Vivienne Westlake will be given away by the publisher, use the below Rafflecopter widget to enter!
Good luck!
Author Bio:
Vivienne Westlake has been reading and writing romance since the age of fifteen. What makes her stories unique is her love of a sassy heroine who keeps the hero on his toes. Though she has a fondness for redeemable rakes, Vivienne’s favorite Jane Austen/Regency hero is Captain Wentworth.
.jpg)
.JPG)
