The Mad, Bad Duke (Nvengaria #2)(113)
They shook firmly, then drew apart, looking at their wives again, a favorite pastime of each man.
Damien’s eyes narrowed. “They are planning something.”
Both Penelope and Meagan were watching them with sly smiles, and Alexander’s heartbeat sped. “Yes, they look quite conspiratorial.”
“They’ve learned Nvengarian intrigue,” Damien offered.
“God help us.”
Damien grinned. “We will need it.”
“They also have Adolpho’s Book of Seductions,” Alexander reminded him.
They shared a worried glance, then Damien broke into a laugh. “Damn, but we are lucky men.”
“Indeed.” Alexander joined him in the laughter, his a little more gravelly, like his panther’s growl.
“Shall we find out what they intend?” Damien asked.
“Let them reveal it in their own time,” Alexander said as they started back toward the ladies. “We can pretend we know, and drive them mad wondering how we guessed.”
Damien threw back his head and laughed again. Sure enough, both women glanced over at them, their smiles wavering.
“You are an evil man, Alexander of Nvengaria,” Damien said.
“I have had a lifetime of practice,” Alexander answered, and then they went to their wives and children.
Meagan greeted Alexander with a kiss that warmed his blood, her eyes glinting in suppressed excitement.
As the picnic commenced, Alexander and Damien gathered wild raspberries from a patch they remembered, which had grown even bigger and richer in the years between. They were joined soon after by Myn and Anastasia, Myn as cryptic as ever, Anastasia relaxed and laughing, happiness radiating from her.
That night, Alexander lay next to Meagan in their huge bed in the palace, tired from their day in the sunshine and games with the children. He’d become a panther again and Myn a wolf, to the boys’ great delight.
When they’d at last retired to bed, Meagan had begun one of Adolpho’s elaborate seductions, which involved wine and fruit and scented oils, but Alexander had swept aside the accouterments and taken Meagan into his arms to love her in a simple but deeply satisfying session of lovemaking.
Now Meagan smiled at him across the pillow, her eyes shining beneath half-closed lids. “I love you, Alexander.”
Alexander shimmered briefly into panther form and licked her face. Meagan squealed and laughed, and he shimmered back. “Why did you do that?” she gasped, wiping her face on the sheets.
“To say I love you too.”
“Perhaps you could say it not quite so wetly.”
Alexander laughed, in a way he could now. He dabbed Meagan’s face dry with the sheet, then rolled on top of her and showed her, by deed and by word how very much he, Alexander the man, loved her.
End
Author’s Note
Thank you for reading! The Mad, Bad Duke stands as a favorite of my novels, right up there with all the Mackenzies, Tiger Magic, and the Captain Lacey mystery and Stormwalker fantasy series. In Mad, Bad Duke I was able to marry my love for strong, handsome, powerful men who have trouble connecting with the world and the no-nonsense young women who reach them, with my enjoyment of writing about shape-shifters, magic, and mayhem. One of my favorite scenes is the Nvengarian men’s dance, which I think would be beautiful and exciting to witness in real life. I also had a great deal of fun with Adolpho’s Book of Seductions, which must make for some interesting reading!
If you enjoyed this book, whether it is a first read or re-read, consider posting a review wherever you like to leave reviews—it helps to get the word out that Mad, Bad Duke is again available, in a brand new, re-edited and re-formatted edition.
Mad, Bad Duke, like Penelope and Prince Charming, is based on a fairy tale—this one is of course Beauty and the Beast.
The next book in the series, Highlander Ever After, is another favorite, based loosely on the Snow White fairy tale (beautiful princess flees danger and is protected in a remote place by a group of men—in this case Egan MacDonald and his Highland cousins). I have also had that book re-edited and re-formatted into a brand new edition. Continue reading for an excerpt.
I hope you enjoy these fairy tales romances featuring the make-believe country of Nvengaria. Some day, I’d love to go there!
Best wishes,
Jennifer Ashley
Excerpt: Highlander Ever After
Nvengaria, Book 3
Chapter One
The Devil’s Teeth
To Egan MacDonald
Castle MacDonald
Ullapool, Scotland
* * *
Egan, my friend, I am sending you precious cargo. Nvengaria is once again rife with plots, and I have recalled Grand Duke Alexander to help me fight them. I am not entirely worried—Alexander has the most devious mind I have ever known, and between the two of us, we will deal with the insurgency. An Imperial Prince of Nvengaria has to expect a rebellion every year and a serious one every decade—it is the way of Nvengarians to be restless.
But trouble has come to my cousin Zarabeth. As I told you, she married one in the Council of Dukes—Sebastian is his name—and he is one of the ringleaders of this current plot against me. He is intelligent and commands loyalty, and I cannot take his threat lightly. Zarabeth braved certain death to escape from his stronghold and make her way to inform me of his treachery.