Love With a Notorious Rake
Men of Wollstonecraft Hall Book 3
by Karyn Gerrard
Genre: Historical Romance
He’s as dangerous as he is irresistible . . .
The heir to his family’s fortune, Aidan Wollstonecraft is ready to put his prodigal ways in the past and prove himself worthy of his illustrious name. Going undercover in a factory to expose the wretched working conditions, Aidan believes his noble act will lead him to a better future. Until he’s reunited with the sweet beauty who saw him through his darkest days. Cristyn Bevan stirs him like no other woman before. Makes him yearn to claim her, despite the damning curse that dooms any Wollstonecraft wife to an all-too-early death . . .
To fall for Aidan would be her undoing. Yet, something about the blue-blooded scoundrel draws Cristyn to him like a moth to a deadly flame. Is it a desire to heal him that keeps the lovely nurse close? Or her secret hope that somehow, some way, Aidan can let go of his dark past and see the light—and the love—waiting for him?
“Karyn Gerrard writes very enjoyable, richly textured historical romances.”
—Kate Pearce, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author
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Last night Aidan heard the agonized cries of a recent inmate in addiction hell. God, had he acted the same when coming off the poison? He could not recall, but what little he remembered chilled his black soul.
He entered his room and stopped short at the sight of Cristyn. She was her father’s most trusted, loyal assistant and nurse. Her presence always caused his heart to skip a beat. It made him fully aware he was a man, and she a woman. Cristyn’s beauty never failed to capture his interest. She had a coal-black shade of hair similar to his, and violet-blue eyes he could happily become lost in. This glorious young lady was far too stunning to be toiling away in a country clinic for addicted reprobates.
Cristyn was making his bed, going about her chores efficiently and cheerfully. Early in his stay, there were times when she had annoyed him with her sunny smile and optimism; then he’d learned to bask in it, savor it. But nothing had prepared him for her touch. Even the lightest brush of her fingers seized his breath. He was shameless, being attracted to her while in such a pathetic state.
Could he be drawn to her because she was the only attractive woman around for months? Perhaps, for surely it could not be more. Despite his poor health, the rake still lurked under the surface. Yet during his horrible first few weeks here, Cristyn had stood at the vanguard, coaxing him to eat and attending to his every need. She’d spoken to him in soft, reassuring tones, all the while acting compassionate and kind and encouraging him to embrace his recovery. My angel. My savior.
One particularly vivid memory recalled him as a crumpled heap of tears and self-pity. Cristyn had held him, speaking soothing words of support. She had called him cariad more than once. Aidan found out later it meant “love” in the Welsh tongue. A term of endearment? Did she refer to all her male patients as cariad in her sensual, musical voice? What made him worthy of her special attention?
Beyond such questions, his blatant display of emotion and weakness embarrassed him the more his condition improved. In increments, he slowly tucked away such vulnerabilities and allowed the old Aidan to emerge, at least in her presence. The cool, detached, I-couldn’t-care-less rake. It was a solid shield to hide behind. You damned coward.
A multi-published author, she loves to write sensual historicals and contemporaries. Tortured heroes are an absolute must.
Karyn’s been happily married for a long time to her own hero. His encouragement and loving support keeps her moving forward.
Karyn Gerrard, born and raised in the Maritime Provinces of Eastern Canada, is glad to be back home in Nova Scotia. When she’s not cheering on the Red Sox or travelling in the summer with her teacher husband, she writes, reads romance, and drinks copious amounts of Earl Grey tea.
To learn more about Karyn and her books, visit www.karyngerrard.com.
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