Can she save him from the nightmares that haunt
his sleep, or will all be lost when her father’s diabolical plan threatening
her life?
The Viscount’s Salvation by Vikki Vaught
Publisher & Release: Enticing Pleasures
Romance, October 30, 2016
Time
and setting: 1803, England
Genre:
Historical Romance/Regency
Length: 240 pages
Heat
Level: 2 Flames
Book Description:
Vikki Vaught’s Honorable Rogue series started with
the award-winning novel, Lady Overton’s Perilous Journey. The
Viscount’s Salvation, Book 3, brings you her brother’s story. A
historical romance of high suspense and sensuality. Buy this book now to find
out how he survived his ordeal in war-torn France.
Captain Cortland Wallingford returns a broken man, plagued
by horrific nightmares. While attending a ball, Cortland meets Lady Mary, an
Earl’s daughter. Her calm demeanor brings him a peace that has evaded him since
his imprisonment.
Lady Mary learns of her father’s diabolical plan, one that
threatens her life. She’s desperate to find a way out of marriage to a
notorious marquess, more than twice her age. When Cortland discovers the danger
Mary faces, he offers her an escape from the earl’s evil intent.
Can Mary chase away his nightmares, or will the person who
wants him dead achieve their goal before she has a chance?
Buy
Link:
Excerpt:
Lady Mary
hummed as she thumbed through the bookshelf on the upper level of her father’s
library in his Grosvenor Square townhouse. As she looked for a novel to read
before bed, she heard the door open. She blew out her candle as she ducked
behind the drapes concealing the window seat. Her father would be livid if he
found her at this time of night…and in her nightclothes. The Earl of Melton
believed in strict discipline and did not spare the rod, especially with his
nineteen-year-old daughter. Mary held her breath, praying he had not seen the
light nor heard her when he entered.
She
listened as he began speaking to whoever entered the room with him. “Please
take a seat. I’m surprised by your visit this late at night. What do you want,
Worthington?”
Mary
shrank further into her hiding place. The Marquess of Worthington was one of
the men her father brought to the house for his vile, debauched parties. The
man had cornered her on more than one occasion, and she had barely escaped with
her virtue intact the last time. Thank goodness, her aunt had walked in the
music room.
Why did
her father sound so disturbed? Normally, he was on good terms with the marquess.
Their friendship went back for many years. She wanted to sneak to the railing
and peek over it, but she dared not risk it.
“You know
why I am here, Melton,” the marquess sneered. “It is time to settle the huge
gambling debt you owe me. I demand you honor your marker.”
Her
father blustered, “I need another month, or…perhaps we can work something out.
I have seen the way you look at my daughter. She would make you a fine wife. I
would be happy to give her to you if we can come to terms. She has a fine dowry,
and she comes from good breeding stock. Before her useless mother ran off with
her lover, she did give me three sons. I know you still need an heir.”
Mary’s
heart dropped to her feet. Worthington was a notorious rake and more than twice
her age. Surely her father could not be serious. The man had already buried
three wives, and the last one under suspicious circumstances six months ago. If
the gossip she had overheard was correct.
Several
moments passed before the marquess answered. “You say her dowry is large? If
that is the case, why do you not use it to pay your debt?”
Her
father retorted, “Because the dowry came to her through her grandmother, and my
own mother made sure I could not touch it. It was part of her widow’s
jointure.”
“Ah, I
see,” Worthington mused. “Not that I need the money, but how much is she worth?
Besides her value as a wife who can give me sons.”
Her face
grew hot, and she fisted her hands. They were talking as if she were a breeding
mare on sale at Tattersall’s. She had not thought even her father could stoop
so low. What would she do if the marquess agreed? She’d heard the tales the
maids told regarding Lord Worthington. They had sounded afraid that he would
catch them alone and rape them. Evidently the man had some type of dreadful
disease, and they did not want to contract it.
“Five
thousand pounds,” her father replied, “and she brings with her a small estate
in Northampshire. Winston Hall turns a tidy profit each year.”
Mary
covered her mouth to hold in her gasp. She had no knowledge of this. Her life
had gone downhill once her sweet grandmother had passed away when she was ten.
She should not be surprised, though. Grandmama had told her she would watch out
for her, but she thought she’d meant while she was alive.
“That does
sweeten the pot.” She could hear the glee in the marquess’ voice. “I have had
the chance to talk to Mary on several occasions, and I do find her…very
appealing. She seems to be a sweet-natured, biddable, young girl, one I could
mold to my…ah, tastes.”
Her
father replied, “You will find Mary very willing to please, my friend. She’s
lived a sheltered life and is a complete innocent. Do we have an agreement?”
There was
a pause while the marquess undoubtedly contemplated her father’s vile proposal.
“I leave for my estate in the morning. I shall take this under careful
consideration and let you know my decision when I return next month, but rest
assured it will be a favorable one.” Mary heard the creak of the leather
upholstery and guessed the man stood up. The marquess spoke again. “I will take
my leave now, so I bid you a goodnight.”
“Very
good, Worthington. I look forward to your decision.” His voice moved away as he
spoke, and she heard the door close.
She
waited several minutes until she was sure her father had left the library with
the marquess before she ventured from her hiding place. Her knees shook as she
made the climb down the ladder to the lower level. She crept to the door and
opened it a crack to make sure her father had disappeared from sight. Finding
the hall empty, she quietly made her way up the stairs to her room. Once she
made it inside and closed her door, she slumped against it as tears slipped
down her cheeks.
She’d
always known her father did not love her, but she would never have imagined he
would offer to sell her to settle gambling debts. It would do no good to talk
to Aunt Mildred since she was her father’s sister. Her maiden aunt would surely
be relieved she would no longer have to act as her chaperone.
She moved
over to her bed, then crawled in and burrowed under the covers. Her heart pounded
at the thought of becoming that horrid man’s wife, but what could she do? Her
father was her guardian and could do whatever he wished with her. If she
refused, he would beat her and threaten to harm her fourteen- and fifteen-year-old
brothers. Thank goodness Michael and Charles had left for school the previous
month.
Possibly,
she should write to her elder brother, Ben. Of course, he could not do anything
while he was at Oxford. Her twin was only ten minutes older than she, and
dependent on their father as well. If he tried to interfere, Father would cut
off his quarterly allowance. No, she could not involve her gentle brother.
While he might be the eldest, she’d always felt protective toward him because
he suffered from asthma. Stress over her could bring on an attack.
Mary
buried her head in her pillows and wept bitter tears until at last, she slipped
into a troubled sleep.
Author Bio:
Vikki
Vaught started her writing career when a story invaded her mind and would not
leave. Ever since then, the stories keep coming and writing is now her passion.
Over the last five years, she has written almost a dozen romances and is
presently working on her next, while fighting off the other future characters
shouting my turn!
Vikki
lives in the beautiful foothills of the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee with her
husband, Jim, who is a saint for putting up with her when she is in a writing
frenzy. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her curled up in a comfortable
chair reading, lost in a good book with a cup of tea at her side. She also
enjoys walking her little dog, Marlee who has captured her heart!
While
all her books are love stories, she also writes sweet contemporary romances as
Vikki McCombie.
Author Links:
Website: http://www.vikkivaught.com/home.html
Email: mailto:vvaught512@aol.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/vvaught512
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/vaughtmccombie/
Amazon Author Page: http://smile.amazon.com/Vikki-Vaught/e/B008EE7TG2/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1433778387&sr=1-2-ent
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5208041.Vikki_Vaught
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