Something Wicked

Something Wicked

by Jo Beverley
Something Wicked

Something Wicked

by Jo Beverley

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Overview

It was a night of danger and intrigue. Disguised as the mysterious beauty Lisette, Lady Elfled Malloren anticipates only fun and flirtation at the Vauxhall Gardens Masquerade. Instead, the dark walkways lead to an encounters with treason, a brush with death, and a night of riotous passion with her family's most dangerous enemy --- the elusive Fortitude Ware, Earl of Walgrave. His control is indisputable, his power unquestionable, his attraction undeniable. And after just one night, Elf knows she will never forget the man she should not love ...

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781101210185
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Publication date: 01/04/2005
Series: Malloren World Series , #3
Sold by: Penguin Group
Format: eBook
Pages: 384
Sales rank: 208,802
File size: 469 KB
Age Range: 18 Years

About the Author

About The Author
Jo Beverley was the New York Times bestselling author of the Rogue series and numerous other romance novels. Widely regarded as one of the most talented romance writers today, she was a five-time winner of Romance Writers of America’s cherished RITA Award and one of only a handful of members of the RWA Hall of Fame. She also twice received the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. She had two grown sons and lived with her husband in England. Jo Beverley passed away in May 2016.

Date of Birth:

September 22, 1947

Place of Birth:

Morecambe, Lancashire, UK

Education:

Degrees in English and American Studies, Keele University, Staffs, 1970

Read an Excerpt

Tonight she was not Elfled Malloren, well-behaved lady, but a new creature entirely.

Lisette, she had christened the scarlet lady in the mirror. Lisette Belhardi, which translated roughly to bold-and-beautiful. Mademoiselle Lisette, visiting from Paris, and bolder by far than Elfled Malloren could ever be.

Elf felt wonderfully like a newborn person in a mysterious land. Even Vauxhall Stairs was different, being specially ornamented for Midsummer Night. Hanging lanterns glinted rainbow reflections off the dark, rippling waters of the Thames. Over nearby chatter and the impatient calls of the boatmen lined up on the river behind, she could hear the orchestra in the Grove.

"Welcome to Vauxhall, ladies!" cried the grinning young man who assisted Elf and Amanda up the steps and received a penny from each for the favor. With a wink he added, "I'm sure two such lovely darlings'll soon find gallant escorts on a night such as this."

Amanda pulled her blue hood farther forward. "Elf," she whispered, "are you sure this is wise?"

She tugged Amanda forward. "We cannot leave. There are so many boats waiting to land passengers there's scant chance of one leaving for a while. Come along." Elf guided Amanda into the stream of visitors heading toward dark Vauxhall Lane. She'd visited the gardens many times and knew the lane was a mock danger, too short and crowded to present any hazard. Its real purpose was to make the glittering splendor of the illuminated gardens burst dramatically upon the eye.

Even so, her heart beat a little faster as she entered the shadows, for this was an adventure because they were unprotected. Amanda had insisted on carrying a very serviceable knife in her pocket, and made Elf wear a bodice dagger, but they had no man with them.

This novel situation didn't make Elf at all nervous. In fact, she was relishing it like a fine wine. Secretly she hoped to meet an exciting rascal tonight now that her brothers weren't around to scare such men away.

After all, there had to be exciting men somewhere in the world.

In moments, she and Amanda spilled out of the dark lane into the light of a thousand lanterns. Colored lamps festooned tall trees, garlanded high arches, and snaked around Grecian temples and ancient grottoes. Nearby a fairy glade had been created, with costumed actors posing as characters from "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

"'I know a bank whereon the wild thyme blows . . ;.'" Amanda quoted, at last caught by the excitement. She did not resist being swept up by the chattering, laughing throng of masked and costumed merry-makers. "Oh, you were right, Elf. This is great fun!"

Letting the noisy crowd carry them along, Elf wondered how many members of Polite Society were here. Could an enchanting partner become distasteful when the mask came off?

What then created the enchantment?

Perhaps just the adventure, the wickedness.

Something wicked, she had said to Amanda. Of course, she didn't intend to do anything truly wicked . . . This excerpt from SOMETHING WICKED by Jo Beverley, copyright © Jo Beverley Publications Inc., 1997, appears here by permission of Penguin Putnam Inc.

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