A Golden Ticket to… Marriage?

Dearest Readers,

When Baron Granville died last month, mammas everywhere tittered with glee because the title passed to his handsome and quite eligible son. Do not pop your stays in excitement yet, ladies. I have it on good authority that just prior to the elder Granville’s passing, he ordered his son to find a wife and secure the barony. But those of you who follow this column know that Lord Owen Granville is often found in the company of that odious rake, Lord Twisden, and spends more time in gaming hells than his own house.

Should it come as any surprise then that the new baron would choose to seek out the services of Mrs. Dove-Lyon, the infamous matchmaker and owner of the Lyon’s Den gaming hell? In a Season full of eligible young ladies, it would seem that he would prefer to gamble for a woman than court one!

This writer has also been informed that the new baron recently received one of the golden invitations to the Mystere Masque at the Lyon’s Den. A night sure to be full of drinking, gambling, and wanton wickedness. No lady of quality would dare be seen there, hiding behind the mask of anonymity where anything might happen. One can only imagine the type of bride the baron will take at a gaming hell on a night of debauchery. But then, with many of the Ton secretly desiring to go to the Mystere Masque, Lord Granville might, for once, surprise us.

About Night of Lyons – The Lyon’s Last Chance:

Choosing between love and loyalty has never been so painful.

Owen Granville has secretly been in love with his best friend’s sister, Grace, for years. A disastrous bet from his youth ended with his promise to never speak to her again, so when Owen finds himself in need of a wife, he knows he’ll have to choose another woman. An invitation to a masquerade ball hosted by a renowned matchmaker seems to offer the perfect opportunity to find a suitable wife. But fate has other plans because Grace is also at the ball in search of a husband. Suddenly Owen has a chance to win her back, but if he succeeds, it comes at a great cost—the betrayal of his best friend.

Pre-Order Link: https://amzn.to/44jspWu (also available in KU)

Excerpt: The moment he stepped through the open door into the moonlit gardens, a body bumped into him and he heard a soft, feminine “oof”. Owen gently gripped the woman’s arms to steady her and looked down—way down—into eyes so familiar, that his breath caught in surprise.

The lamp light shone down on luxurious, dark brown hair fashioned in ringlets and tied with golden ribbons that matched the mask covering half of her face which had a fan of short peacock feathers to one side. He didn’t need to see behind it to know the soft curve of her cheek or the dark sweep of lashes over the brightest blue eyes he’d ever seen. As small and delicate as she was, she fit perfectly in his arms, and Owen couldn’t help his instinctive reaction to pull her closer. His hand slid down one arm to encircle her waist and anchor her to him.

Call it destiny, luck, or whatever else came to mind. Owen had come to the masquerade in search of a wife and found the woman of his dreams. God help him because George would kill him, but right at that moment, he couldn’t summon the will to care. Grace Twisden was in his arms again, and if he had any say in the matter, she would stay there.

“Gracie,” he whispered, savoring her nickname on his lips. A name he’d forbidden himself from speaking for far too many years. She looked ravishing in her deep blue gown embroidered with green and gold peacock feathers, accentuating the curve of her hips and delightful bosom.

She stiffened in his arms and took a half step back, her eyes wide behind her mask. Then she slapped him.

Connected Series: Taken by Destiny

Book 2- Tempting the Reclusive Earl- Teatime Tattler link: https://bluestockingbelles.net/the-belle-of-the-ball-chasing-the-awkward-earl/

Book 1- The Earl’s Timely Wallflower- Teatime Tattler link: https://bluestockingbelles.net/an-earl-with-two-mistresses-in-the-same-house/

About the Author: Aurrora St. James writes sexy historical and paranormal/fantasy romances featuring tough heroes, strong women, quirky characters, and a touch of humor added in for spice. She loves coffee, making her own journals, old B, C, and D-movies, and the magic of a happily ever after.