All's Fair in Love & Seduction (The Elusive Lords, Book 2.5) [Kindle Edition]

Beverley Kendall (Author)

Book Description

She hopes to gain his affections

For Miss Elizabeth Smith, sharing her first kiss with the charming Lord Derek Creswell is nothing short of a dream come true...that is, until she is spotted by one of the most influential gossips of the ton. With scandal nipping at her heels, to avoid total social ruin, Elizabeth must present a fiancé by the end of the Season. But when the viscount proves reluctant, Elizabeth is forced to employ a seduction of a different sort...

He is determined to ruin her

Viscount Derek Creswell believes Elizabeth set out to trap him into marriage. After all, her sister attempted the very same thing with his brother six years before. Now the delectable Miss Smith expects a betrothal and a ring, while Derek finds her ruination infinitely more appealing...

But as Derek sets out to seduce only her body, Elizabeth is intent on claiming his jaded heart.


This is a novella and 29,000 words. Included is a three chapter excerpt of the third full-length book in The Elusive Lords series, AN HEIR OF DECEPTION. The total word count for this book is 43,000 + words.

Other books in The Elusive Lords series are:
SINFUL SURRENDER (Book #1)
A TASTE OF DESIRE (Book #2)
AN HEIR OF DECEPTION (Book #3)

Praise for A TASTE OF DESIRE

Deliciously intense - Cathy Maxwell, New York Times bestselling Author

Sexy and Dramatic - Sophia Nash, RITA award winning author

"Finely wrought emotion."--Sarah MacLean, New York Times bestselling author of Nine Rules to Breaking When Romancing a Rake

Praise for SINFUL SURRENDER

"A delightful debut! Beverley Kendall writes with wit and passion!" --Sophie Jordan, USA Today bestselling author

"A fresh new voice in historical romance." --Anna Campbell, author of Captive of Sin

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

Excerpt © All Rights Reserved.

"Perhaps, we should come back during the daylight and that way I can see it properly."

"Come let us look at the rooms upstairs," he said as if she hadn't spoken. Placing his hand on the small of her back, he urged her toward the staircase.

Elizabeth looked up at him, her protest poised on the tip of her tongue when she saw the lust in his eyes. But that wasn't what gave her pause; it was the glimmer of satisfaction in making her wary and nervous.

By God, he knew she wasn't about to just let him have his way with her. Certainly not before they married. So what was his game?

"And is that where you hope to seduce me?" Her parents would be appalled had they heard her. She was astonished anything in that vein was able to pass her lips.

Lord Creswell didn't respond until they reached the first door on the third floor.

 No doubt a bed was on the other side of that door.

He turned to her. "If I may be frank, Miss Smith...Elizabeth." He spoke her name, soft and low, and somehow her name on his lips sounded more intimate than a kiss. "I am a man who likes to leave nothing to chance. If I am to court and marry you in such unfashionable haste, I would like some assurance that you and I suit when it comes to the intimacies of the marriage bed."

At his words, lust in its most pure form accosted her. Parts of her went soft while other parts became rigid, pinpoints of pleasure to come.

No. No. No. There would be no pleasure of any sort. Not for her and definitely none for the viscount.

"So you would like us to have marital relations outside the sanctity of marriage?" she asked in a voice she barely recognized.

 "You've been so skittish of late. If I hadn't already kissed you, I think you didn't like to be touched. When I marry, it'll be for life and I have no desire to saddle myself with a wife who cannot perform satisfactory in that area." Lord Creswell turned, his back to her as he faced the chamber door. But on his face, she glimpsed the barest hint of smile.

So that was how he thought to get around marrying her. He thought she'd cry off, refusing to enter his philistine game of sampling the goods.

For several long seconds, Elizabeth said nothing, allowing him to believe she was grappling in indecision. His hand released its grasp on the handle of the door and he straightened as if ready to claim victory.

"Very well, if that's what it will take to ease your mind--ease both our minds--let us proceed. But I must have your assurance that once we've established that we suit, um, in that way, we will immediately announce our betrothal and set a wedding date."

Elizabeth took great satisfaction in watching Lord Creswell's entire form stiffen and his hand still in mid-air. Slowly, he angled his head over his shoulder to regard her, incredulity flashing briefly in the  blue-green depths of his eyes. "You are in agreement?"

Feigning the stalwartness of that of a virgin about to be sacrificed for the good of God and country, Elizabeth gave a tremulous but firm nod.

"And if we do not suit, what then?"

Did his voice sound a mite strained?

"I have a feeling we shall suit very well." She gave him a slow smile. "Shall we proceed, my lord?"

About the Author

Beverley discovered her love of books while growing up in, the then, small city of Barrie, Ontario Canada. With her love of books and romance, she always wished that everyone would find their happily ever after. Add in her love of London, England set in a period when ladies strived to be genteel and dresses could barely fit through doors, and it was obvious she could write nothing but historical romances.

As the mother of one too bright and mischievous young boy, she pulls full-time duty on all fronts. When she's not working full-time, mothering, writing, reading or running The Season Book Review site, she's probably sleeping and dreaming of a time when she'll have time for her favorite hobbies: knitting, crocheting and sewing.

Beverley has lived on two continents, in three countries, two provinces, and four states. She stopped her nomadic existence and settled in the southeast. All things artistic feed her creative passion, but none more than writing. Readers can visit her at: beverleykendall.com or TheSeasonForRomance.com

Product Details

• File Size: 435 KB
• Print Length: 140 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Season Publishing LLC (July 6, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00586XP5S
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #29 Free in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Free in Kindle Store)
  • #1 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Romance > Collections & Anthologies

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 52 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Review: All's Fair in Love & Seduction September 2, 2011

By Amanda

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Who knew a kiss could cause so much trouble?

I am a fan of Beverley Kendall's Elusive Lords books and have been looking forward to the next one. Until the next full length book comes out, she's given us a novella.

Elizabeth Smith meets Derek Creswell in a rather informal way. Although she knew him six years ago, he has no idea who she is and that there is a tie between their families. Elizabeth keeps that link to herself once she realizes he has no idea who she is. As time goes on, she intends to tell him but can't bring herself to do it. The longer she waits, the more it weighs on her.

When Derek finds out the truth he doesn't tell her that he knows who she is. But he does string her along, trying to see if she'll trip up and reveal her true intentions. It's hard for a Lord to believe so much innocence can be wrapped inside one person. Surely she is trying to trap him. Or so he thinks.

I am such a sucker for this type of story. Unrequited love (Elizabeth) given to the gentleman that suspects every lady is out to get him. She's no gold-digger but he definitely thinks she is. I loved that you get both sides of the perspective in this novella. I don't know whose I enjoyed more; Derek or Elizabeth.

My heart did ache for her and I found myself doing a lot of talking to her. "Oh no, don't hide that secret, it's going to be bad when he finds out." Because they always find out!!

When Derek realizes the connection they had in the past is something that hurt his own family, he sets out to ruin her. He is charming and dashing and she begins to wonder if maybe she can give him her heart. But then after her virginity is taken he accuses her of things that she would never dream of doing to him or anyone else. Of course he doesn't believe her.

With her family telling him to stay away from her, Derek is still drawn to Elizabeth. He is torn; wanting to marry her but not just to protect her reputation, as he'd thought in the beginning. Although he doesn't say it, I think toward the middle of the story he desperately wanted her to love him and to prove his suspicions wrong. They have so much in common, which surprised him. I believe he was expecting her to be another girl trying to climb the ranks. Not a sweet and engaging friend as well as lover. Probably he expected she was thinking about how she had hit the jackpot in him. That seems to be a common theme with the historical romance genre. I'm a sucker for that part too.

They parted ways and I honestly wanted to shake Derek. Or perhaps give him a light slap in the face for being so stubborn. He does eventually find out that everything he thought had happened six years ago was a lie. Proving that Elizabeth and her family were innocent.

With that proven, guilt does weigh him down. I did a little "neener neener neener" cheer for Elizabeth. I love when a character that assumes something, is proven wrong in a big way. I also love for them to feel guilty and it to hurt them, knowing they treated someone so horribly. Yes, I love the heartache before a big "I love you" moment.

Derek avoids her for a while and Elizabeth is so distraught that I wanted to just climb into my Kindle and hug her. But since this is a novella, that doesn't last long. Derek comes to her so sweetly, and in a unique way, shares his love with her. It made me swoony sigh.

Happy endings and a story line conclusion tied up in a little bow makes me warm inside. And I can happily say that All's Fair in Love & Seduction hit the mark.

I know I'm rambling but I don't want to give too much away, especially the history between the two families. It's definitely worth a read, this one. But I do recommend reading the first two books first. It's more fun that way, getting to know the characters from the start.

Even more exciting is the three chapter preview of the third Elusive Lords book, An Heir of Deception. I can't wait!! These are fun books, with sassy characters and story lines. I find them enjoyable and engaging. I'll be keeping my eye out for more of the Lords!

[...]

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT Romance!!! wow!!! July 12, 2011

By Admiradora1

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am a big fan or romantic novels and I have to give a 5 starts to this one because it has all the ingredients for a romantic explosion. The novel is very easy to read, it is a fast novel, and the author do not linger in 4 - 5 pages long explanations/description. It goes right to the point and that is what kept me going and devouring pages. I love angst and even when it has a bit of it I trutly enjoyed. The story has basically 2 characters with a few secondary/support characters and the story grows steady with the plot line well defined. I read it 3 times because I realli really liked it and I hope you will like it too.

19 of 23 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Didn't Like It November 8, 2011

By Lorijay

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I let the reviews sway me when I should have read the excerpt on the description page instead. It's a fair representation of the bad pseudo-intrigue the novelette goes for. It's an interesting period romance, but the writing is not clever enough to pull it off. The author goes for sparkling dialogue but the heroine comes off as slutty and too modern. The hero is overly concerned with his erection. If any line in the excerpt makes you curl your lip then don't bother downloading; you will find the rest of the book dull and frustrating. I got halfway through and deleted it. Download Heart of a Knight instead.

More About the Author

Beverley discovered her love of books while growing up in, the then, small city of Barrie, Ontario Canada. With her love of books and romance, she always wished that everyone would find their happily ever after. Add in her love of London, England set in a period when ladies strived to be genteel and dresses could barely fit through doors, and it was obvious she could write nothing but historical romances.

As the mother of one too bright and mischievous young boy, she pulls full-time duty on all fronts. When she's not working full-time, mothering, writing or reading, she's probably sleeping and dreaming of a time when she'll have time for her favorite hobbies: knitting, crocheting and sewing.

Beverley has lived on two continents, in three countries, two provinces, and four states. She stopped her nomadic existence and settled in the southeast. All things artistic feed her creative passion, but none more than writing. Readers can visit her at: www.beverleykendall.com.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#90 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Romance > Historical Romance

#93 in Books > Romance > Historical

#90 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Romance > Historical Romance

#93 in Books > Romance > Historical