To Tempt a Bride

From the moment she first saw tall, dashing Eric Ford, Camille's heart was lost. In her most cherished fantasy she is standing by his side, exchanging sacred wedding vows with her beloved. But Eric seems content to be no more than her unofficial protector, watching over the younger sister of his dear friend—and, despite her every attempt to open his eyes, it appears Camille's dream of wedded bliss might never come true.

Eric knows a spirited and passionate beauty like Camille deserves much better than him, an ex-military man who has no patience for the games of the ton. Still, he aches each time a potential suitor approaches her, or when he sees her dancing in another man's arms. Eric knows he will never be complete until Camille is his. With each lingering glance and caressing touch he must tempt the lady to be his bride. But when danger and betrayal threaten, will it destroy a secret love…or bind two hearts for all eternity?

Excerpt

Chapter One

It was the hottest spot in London on the coldestnight of the year. The humidity was so highthat water dripped down the inside of the closedwindows as the outside iced over. The dancers'armpits would have shown damp spots if there'dbeen room for them to lift their arms, but there washardly room to move their feet. Still, they keptsmiling. Because although it felt like a jungle, theywere in a ballroom in the best part of Londontown, and for all their sweat and panting, theywere happy to be there.

But one of the guests felt a chill and knew it wastime to go home.

The problem was that he couldn't leave rightaway any more than he could stay. Eric Ford looked around the crowded room and decided hehad a choice: he could remain and embarrass himselfor leave and embarrass himself. He shudderedagain. That made up his mind. He recognized thesigns. He'd hoped it was over and done with, butrealized with sinking heart that it was not, and sohe had no choice. He'd have to be quick with a glibexcuse and leave as soon as he could, because hebegan to think that this time, however hurt, feelingswould mend faster than he would.

Eric scanned the room, seeing more than mostmen would, if only because he was the tallest there.The woman he was looking for was wearing gold,he remembered.

There. She was with a young officer, romping ina country reel.

Eric knew the tune, heard it winding to a close,and knew the dance would soon be over. No matterwhose name she had on her dance card, he'd talkher into letting him have the next one. He had to,for he wasn't sure he could linger longer.

When the music stopped, she raised a flushedface to her partner, and the two of them began toleave the floor. Eric's head began to throb, but hepasted on a smile and went to intercept them.

And the musicians struck up again, this time awaltz.

Eric frowned. She had permission to waltz, but ifhe tried to whirl around the room now, he was surehis head would go whirling off his shoulders. Soonit would feel as if it had anyway. But he couldn't disappoint her. As he stood wondering what to do,he saw her being approached by another man. Ericgrimaced and moved forward. This time, he'd haveto be ready when the music ended. He'd given herhis word.

"Two dances?" she had cried excitedly whenhe'd agreed to her teasing suggestion. She'd slewedaround in her saddle. "Really? Oh, Eric! Thatwould be wonderful! Won't that open their eyes!To see me, a great gawk of a girl from the country,snaring you for two dances! I'll have a partner forevery dance for the rest of the Season, much less thenight!" She'd whooped with laughter before hecould make a comment to take the sting from herwords.

"What a bag of moonshine!" He'd laughed in return,angling his horse closer. "You've been a successsince you appeared on the scene. I wonder howmany likely lads I'll have the threaten in order toeven get my two dances."

"They'll have to deal with me if they try to interferewith you," she'd said immediately and thenlaughed again, a little shamefacedly, when hegrinned at the thought of her having to help him.

Because while Camille was a fine figure of a girl,he was almost a giant, with enough muscles to givehis tailor fits. Current fashion wasn't happy withgentlemen built along the lines of Hercules, butCamille obviously was. Still, she was young, and hewas her brother's friend, and she adored herbrother, so that probably accounted for it. But she was also bright, so Eric was sure that sooner thanlater she'd see that was the extent of her interest inhim and go on to fascinate more suitable beaux.That would be especially true now that she was inLondon at last. Still, the least he could do was tomake her feel comfortable in her new setting, and iftwo dances would do it, he was happy to oblige.

She had flashed him a brilliant smile that day,nudged her horse forward, and they'd gone gallopingdown the riding trail, each too pleased with thefine afternoon and their plans to say another word.

When he'd seen her tonight, he'd actuallystopped in his tracks, confused, as though he'dseen a familiar face in an unfamiliar setting andcouldn't quite place it. His jolly companion onhorseback was now a vision, with her hair done uplike a lady and the thin gold gown showing howmuch of a woman she'd become. He was used toseeing her romping with her dogs or riding herhorses, always dressed in comfortable old clothes.He didn't know if her new gown was comfortable,but it made him uncomfortable to see the younglady she had suddenly become.

She'd opened her arms to show him all her newsplendor and then sank into a deep curtsey. Whenshe rose, she grinned her old familiar grin at him."I clean up nicely, don't I?" she said with her usualcheeky good humor.

Her brother sighed, her sister-in-law rolled hereyes, and Eric laughed. "You certainly do," he said,and led her into his first promised dance.

But tonight Eric realized his own personal Davidwas in the room with him and he didn't have longbefore he'd be felled as certainly as Goliath hadbeen ...

(Continues...)

Excerpted from To Tempt a Brideby Layton, Edith Excerpted by permission.
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