Wagers Gone Awry’s 

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Releases April 7, 2014

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April 14, 2015 5:00-10:30 PM Eastern Time 

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She gave Duffen another warm tilt of her mouth. “Thank you for seeing our guest on his way. Let’s hope he doesn’t make an appearance again any time soon.”

“Don’t like the man.” He frowned and rubbed his amulet. “Greedy, no good churl.”

At his fierce tone, Brooke gave him a sharp look. “I understand you’re angry with him. I am too, but we must get him to cooperate with us.”

“I aint grovelin’ for the likes of that cheatin’ bugger,” Duffen muttered. “Mebe he’ll take you at your word an’ not come back.”

They exited the study into the unlit hallway, Freddy pattering behind.

“I think he’ll return, but I plan on being better prepared the next go round.” She raised the candle to look Duffen in the eye. “I promise you, as I told Lord Ravensdale, I shall do everything within my power to keep our home.”

“What about…nicking him off?” Duffen averted his eyes and tugged on his earlobe.

Brooke stopped abruptly and stepped on Freddy’s paw. “Pardon?”

The dog yelped and scampered away, giving her a wounded stare.

“I’m sorry, Freddy. Come here, let me see. Duffen, hold the candle please.” She bent and examined the dog’s paw. After assuring herself he hadn’t sustained a serious injury, she straightened.

Arms crossed, she regarded Duffen. He did say the most peculiar things at times. What went on in that head of his? “Don’t jest about something so appalling. Lord Ravensdale may be our adversary, but I do not wish the man dead.”

“He’d let you and the other misses starve.” Duffen jutted his chin out, his eyes suspiciously moist.

“That’s harsh, Duffen, and I believe you know it. His lordship doesn’t realize how dire our circumstances are.”

“Beggin’ your pardon, but he’d have to be blind not to see our sorry state.” He scratched his scrawny chest, frustration glittering in his toast-brown eyes.

Brooke retrieved the candleholder, her heart aching for the old retainer, and they continued along the barren hallway. “He’s only acting to better his interests, and it’s a wise business move on his part.”

“Why are you defending him?” Duffen snorted and gave her a look suggesting she’d gone daft.

Why am I defending him?

She entered the welcoming kitchen, Duffen at her side.

“You don’t need to worry yourself, Miss Brooke. I promised your father I’d take care of his girls. I’ve done what needs be done.”

 

Brooke Culpepper resigned herself to spinsterhood when she turned down the only marriage proposal she’d likely ever receive to care for her family. After her father dies, a distant cousin inherits the estate and becomes their guardian but permits Brooke to act in his stead.

Heath, Earl of Ravensdale is none-too-pleased to discover five young women call the dairy farm he won and intends to sell, their home. Desperate, pauper poor, and with nowhere to go, Brooke proposes a wager. His stakes? The farm. Hers? Her virtue. The land holds no interest for Heath, but Brooke does and he accepts her challenge.

Brooke loses, and her devastation is compounded when the cousin arrives, intending to haul the Culpepper misses off to London. Heath astounds himself and proposes in order to apply for guardianship of the other girls. Does Brooke dare marry the handsome stranger who’d been bent on compromising her? Will Heath regret his impulsive gesture, or will unexpected love flourish?