Spotlight: Love and Other Disasters by Heather Boyd
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Their disdain for each other is strong…but not nearly so much as their unexpected passion.
Scandalous Brides Book 3
Genre: Historical Regency Romance
Lord Jasper Sweet, the often overlooked third son of a duke, is used to disappointment, and learned to rely on no one but himself. Forced to endure a summer at his family's estate, he’s planning a little party to pass the time and refill his empty pockets. But his nephew’s and their prickly governess, Sophie Radcliffe, remain at the estate too, and he’s expecting vast disapproval. He never imagined he’d need the governess’ help—and not just because someone left an infant screaming on his bed.
Sophie prefers to keep a distance from her employer’s rakish brother because it’s clear he doesn’t like her. But with one glimpse of the shoddy way he’s running his secret, scandalous house party—and the child screaming on his bed—it’s clear he needs her expertise for both. Sophie never meant to trust another rake with her reputation or the secrets of her past, but Jasper has snuck under her defenses and could steal her heart—if he ever saw her as more than a means to a scandalous end.
Love and Other Disasters is a steamy regency romance novel.
Excerpt
“Jasper,” the Duke of Ravenswood said slowly. “London will have to wait till next season. I need you to stay here for the summer.”
“What? Why?” Jasper Sweet, third son of the late Duke of Ravenswood, brother to the current duke, couldn’t be more surprised by this unexpected order.
“Someone must keep an eye on things. Unfortunately, Nash and I are committed to this house party I promised to attend,” Ravenswood murmured, looking grim, and then shrugged. “And Stratford has already promised himself to visit Aston. I’ll need you here for the entire summer.”
“Oh,” Jasper said, utterly surprised at the duke’s sudden request.
For years, Jasper had happily absented himself from the estate and reveled in the delights of London, seeking pleasure and fulfillment, often in the worst places. Mostly to irritate his late and hardly missed sire. London had become home. A place where men like him gathered to be at their ease. Jasper wasn’t truly needed at the Ravenswood estate. At least, he never had been until tonight’s pronouncement.
Jasper had once had lots of plans for this summer. Plans for the money he should have inherited but had gifted to his brother instead. He’d made the necessary adjustments without rancor or regret. Yet now it seemed his adjustments were still not enough. He sighed heavily, imagining an endless summer of boredom ahead of him.
Yes, the delights of London could and seemingly must wait. Ravenswood was never left unattended to by family.
Yet Jasper had only just returned to the estate after emptying Freemont Villa of his possessions ahead of the sale of the place. He’d planned not to unpack and head toward London immediately.
“What am I to do with myself here?”
“I have drawn up a list of the most pressing matters that require oversight,” Nash said, coming forward to hand it to him. “There are other matters that I shall not burden you with. They can wait until our return. I’m sure you’ll find them all tedious.”
Nash had so little idea of what Jasper found tedious. His lack of faith was as apparent as their father’s had always been. Father had excluded Jasper from serious discussions or sent him away whenever there was a problem on the estate to be solved. Yet, he was just as capable as his brothers.
Jasper had always been told that as a third son, he would never be important. For a time in his younger life, he’d lived up to that prediction. However, he’d too much intelligence to not make some effort to improve himself. He’d spent years visiting friends’ estates, drinking away his days and nights. However, that did not mean he’d not had his eye on the future, too. He had studied the activities of other families and every farm under their management, comparing the differences and successes.
However, to his family, until now, he’d pretended indifference to all that. But he was probably as well versed in land management as the duke and Nash. A fact of which his late father could never believe him capable, hence his disinterest in providing his third son much beyond a basic education. Jasper had to direct his own learning from the age of twelve, when his older brothers had both departed for Cambridge and Father had declared tutors unnecessary.
With Father gone now, was there any point pretending he didn’t know a fallow field from one bursting with a harvest-ready crop? He pulled a face.
Nash immediately turned to the duke. “Perhaps I should stay.”
“No,” the duke said. “I need you there by my side, distracting everyone from what I’m really there for.”
The new Duke of Ravenswood was on his way to claim a bride and not just any woman would do. Lady Stephanie Kent had already been chosen for the honor. She was the right age, had impeccable connections, and most importantly of all…she had pots of money to bring to the union. That, however, did not make her a particularly nice woman. Jasper was extremely glad the pair had not asked him to accompany them.
Jasper exhaled as Nash finally gave in to the duke’s decision. “Very well. I will remain behind.”
“Good.” Ravenswood beamed at him. “Think of it as some well-deserved relaxation in readiness for the coming season. Your return to Town, with money in your pockets then, is sure to be vastly more satisfying than pinching every penny and trying to hide that fact.”
Jasper nodded in agreement. He had no money because he’d loaned it all to save Ravenswood, just as they all had. “It better be.”
Jasper had had plans for that money, and the inheritance he’d long hoped for, too. Father had bled the estate dry. The newly adopted Sweet brother family motto was sink or swim together, but it seemed they were going their separate ways for the summer.
The duke winced. “I’d gladly remain behind with you if I could.”
Nash glared. “That is because you’re still fighting your fate. Your intended bride knows you’re coming.”
“She’s not my intended yet,” the duke said quietly.
“She must be by the end of the visit,” Nash reminded the duke somewhat unkindly.
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About the Author
USA Today Bestselling Author Heather Boyd believes every character she creates deserves their own happily-ever-after—no matter how much trouble she puts them through. With that goal in mind, she writes steamy romances that skirt the boundaries of propriety to keep readers enthralled until the wee hours of the morning.
Heather has published over fifty regency romance novels and shorter works full of daring seductions and distinguished rogues. She lives north of Sydney, Australia, with her trio of rogues and a fluffy four-legged overlord.
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