Book Title: The Earl’s Awakening
Author: Joy Lynn Fielding
Publisher: Extasy Books
Cover Artist: Martine Jardin
Release Date: September 8, 2023
Genre: Regency M/M romance
Tropes: Rake/bad boy romance
Themes: Learning to live, self-discovery.
Heat Rating: 5 flames
Length: 55 000 words/ 198 pages
It is a standalone story and does not end on a cliffhanger.
Buy Links
Extasy Books | Amazon US | Amazon UK
One glance, and his past life was history.
Blurb
Leander Talbot’s life changed forever when his wife died. He is now reluctantly venturing back into society, knowing that, as the Earl of Ockley, he must marry again to produce an heir. But he can’t bring himself to the sticking point. Instead, he spends his time evading the matchmaking mamas of the ton.
The dark and dangerous Duke of Arden is an infamous libertine. It is said that he seduces innocents, and there are even more sinister tales whispered of his predilections. Only the wild young blades who form his retinue know the truth, but he is shunned by all save those wishing to court notoriety.
A chance meeting brings Leander into Arden’s orbit. Ignoring the warnings about Arden’s intentions, Leander is drawn into a seductive world of sexual indulgence. There, he finds the freedom he craves from his overbearing family. By the time he suspects Arden might have ulterior motives, it may be too late to save his reputation—and his heart.
Comfortably established in her barouche, Lady Annesley appeared set to continue talking all afternoon of her daughter’s accomplishments, regardless of Miss Westcourt’s evident mortification as she sat silently beside her mother.
Leander was just calculating to himself when his new riding boots would be ready—following Jack’s enthusiastic recommendation, he had tried a different man for the pair he wore today and was not completely satisfied with them—when he became aware that the good lady had stopped talking. That she was, in fact, stiffening in outrage.
“Lady Annesley?” Leander asked.
There was no answer. Leander turned to follow her indignant gaze and saw the Duke of Arden approaching, mounted on a mettlesome black horse. Drawing to a halt before them, Arden inclined his head to Lady Annesley in a way that managed to insult rather than compliment and ran his gaze over Miss Westcourt in an entirely improper manner. He sat his horse with easy grace, his reins gathered lazily in his right hand. The exquisite cut of his dark coat was evidently the work of a master. The white of his buckskins was displayed to advantage against the leather saddle, and the polish of his top boots matched that of Leander’s own.
Arden tapped his whip slowly against his left boot as he considered Leander. “Ockley?” he invited.
A moment of madness assailed Leander. It was this or be condemned to hours of tedious company. He also felt that removing the man from Miss Westcourt’s presence would be the proper thing to do. Taking his leave of the still speechless Lady Annesley, he turned his horse and accompanied Arden along the ride.
“Are you certain you can afford to be seen with me?” That lazy mocking drawl again, a sideways glance from brilliant dark eyes, while something that might have been amusement tugged at the corners of his mouth.
Leander kept his gaze between his horse’s ears, though he was aware of the scandalised glances his companion was attracting. “I think my credit can bear it,” he agreed blandly.
Silence fell, broken only by the sound of their horses’ hooves on the tan. After a while, Leander glanced at his companion. “I don’t recall seeing you ride in the park before.”
The smile grew, and Arden turned in the saddle to face him. “You thought my physical activities to be conducted after dark?”
Leander’s cheeks heated. It was what he had imagined, but he had not meant to imply so. “The inference is yours.”
Arden laughed softly. “Oh come, Ockley, we both know how the ton love their simple narratives. Should you believe their tattle, I am beyond all hope of salvation, just as your heroic brother is held in higher regard even than Nelson.”
Leander shot him a sharp look, then concentrated on making his horse step out. He knew his face gave away more than it should. The heel on the side away from Arden dug into his mount with sudden force. His action caused the animal to curvet protestingly, providing an excuse for Leander to turn his attention from Arden.
Arden watched in silence, but those heavy-lidded eyes missed nothing. Once Leander had brought his horse back under control, Arden remarked, “You have a good seat, Ockley.”
Without knowing why, Leander felt his cheeks heat once more. When he looked back at Arden, he saw the man was watching him with a curiously intent expression.
“Do you feel your credit sufficient to allow you to dine with me tonight?” Arden asked.
Leander hesitated. He had no intention of forming a friendship with someone who had as unsavoury a reputation as Arden. On the other hand, there was something about the man’s shameless flouting of convention that he, brought up as a dutiful first-born son, found oddly alluring.
“Or would your brother disapprove?”
The question was murmured and blatantly manipulative, but it was enough for Leander to meet Arden’s eyes and accept his invitation.
Joy Lynn Fielding lives in a small English market town, where she indulges her passions for vintage aircraft, horse riding and gardening (though not all at the same time).
Joy tends to wax lyrical about the fascinating facts she discovers during her research for books. Thankfully, she has a very patient Labrador who has a gift for looking interested in what she’s saying while he waits for the food to arrive.
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