Surrendering to the Earl’s Desires (Preview)

“Will this journey ever end?” Theodora moaned. The carriage rattled over the rough thoroughfare, the landscape around them stark and bleak. “I don’t know why I had to come, anyhow.”

“Oh, Theo, really.” Her mother ran her hand across her face, letting her exhaustion out on a sigh. “Do you really have to make the journey even more difficult than it already is?”

“The Earl of Kingsbury is simply bursting at the seams with anticipation at our arrival,” her father, the Earl of Stafford, interjected. “He misses you and your sisters dearly. He hasn’t seen any of you in, what? Six months?”

“Probably more than that,” her mother said. Her lips were pursed, her face pale, and she clasped her hands before her as she stared straight ahead. Traveling had never suited her; she was always fretting, always sick. “But that is hardly the point. Why can’t you be more like your sisters? They are always well-behaved—and not quite so temperamental.”

“Because I am simply not as perfect as they are,” Theo replied, pulling a face of discontent and returning her attention to the passing world. 

Lady Theodora Cary, daughter of the Earl of Stafford, had just turned ten-and-four, and she felt as if the entire world was against her. She hated everything—her parents, her sisters, her governess, even the world around her. And to make matters worse, now she was being forced to visit Winterheath, home of her parents’ dear friend, Gideon Steele, the Earl of Kingsbury. She could see her life mapped out in front of her, and she hated that, too. 

She pouted as she stared out of the window. The road was uneven, the carriage jolting at every turn, but still, the horses were driven on. Theodora—Theo, to friends and family—hated that, and she hated the way it made a mess of her perfectly coiffed dark brown hair and her carefully arranged muslin gown. 

Oh, stop it. 

Her attitude irritated even herself, sometimes. She sighed. She had such a temper lately, though she had no idea why. Her maid had told her it was because she was transitioning from a child to a lady, that it was normal for someone of her age to be confused and frustrated with life. Whatever the son, she hoped it would calm down soon. She didn’t mean to be so snappy with her parents, nor so cruel to her sisters, but the words seemed to just come out of her mouth unintentionally. 

She let out another sigh, watching her reflection in the window. On the cusp of womanhood, Theo was yet to come into her full beauty, though hints of it could already be seen. A storm raged in her sea-blue eyes, and freckles danced across the bridge of her nose. She even sported a mole just above her lip—real, not painted on, she’ll have you know—a darkness in contrast to her alabaster skin. 

“And you need not pull that face, either,” her father snapped. “Really, Theo. You should consider yourself lucky. So many young ladies would like to be in your position. You’ll find that out for yourself when you debut in society.”

The countess tutted. “That’s four years away, Geraint. I really don’t think we need to talk of that just yet.”

“I may not want to debut in London’s society,” Theo cried, turning to face them again. Why did they think they could control her entire life, just as they had controlled her as a child? “Perhaps I have other ideas about my life.”

Her mother’s laughter filled the carriage, the high pitch of incredulity ringing in Theo’s ears. 

“I do not know what is so amusing to you, Mother,” she snapped. “Perhaps I would prefer to spend my days riding and reading.”

She didn’t know what she wanted to do, in truth. But she knew she was full of passion and desire. She wanted to learn things, to see things, to experience things! She didn’t want to become like her mother—a bitter old shrew who did little other than needlepoint. 

“You have no idea how real life works, Theo.”

“What does that mean?” she asked, annoyed by her mother’s attempt at mysticism. 

“Well, who, dear child, is going to support you financially while you spend your days riding and reading?”

Theo frowned and shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She still didn’t know why she couldn’t support herself financially, though she’d been told often enough it was impossible. She was certainly intelligent enough. She had ideas and dreams, and she had no desire to give herself up to a man simply so he could fund the lifestyle she desired. Why couldn’t she do so herself? It made no sense. 

“Why, Father, will continue to do so until I can—”

“Oh, for goodness’ sake.” The earl rolled his eyes as he interrupted her. “We can worry about your marital prospects in a year or two, but for now, can we please concentrate on today’s visit? Kingsbury has been something of a second father to you. I would have thought you would care about seeing him as much as he cares for seeing you.”

A big part of Theo was indeed looking forward to seeing Lord Kingsbury, though she was loath to admit that to her father. She hated to prove him right. Instead, she looked out of the window once more and muttered, “The answer remains the same. I would far rather be riding or reading or some mix of the two.”

“Well, you cannot!” her mother shouted, glaring at her, her travel woes forgotten. “We all have duties in life, Theodora, and this is one of yours.”

“Besides,” her father said, taking the softer approach, as he always did, “it really is a treat, spending a few weeks in Rochester. Such a beautiful part of the country, don’t you agree?”

Theo looked out over the barren land between here and their destination. It was far from beautiful. It was dry and prickly and untended. She knew, of course, that Rochester was not at all like that and Winterheath even less so. The Earl of Kingsbury’s gardens were amongst the most beautiful in the whole of England, but the wasteland they traveled through now helped serve her point. 

“I see no beauty,” she muttered. 

Her mother sighed loudly and pushed her spectacles further up her nose. “No,” she replied sardonically. “You don’t see the beauty in anything, do you?”

I do, she thought. It is only that I cannot express it. 

They rode in silence for a while, and slowly but surely, the greenery around them became richer and more cared for. Theo felt the heaviness in her heart weigh her down further. Oh, how she longed to be curled with her feet beneath her, the fire roaring as she slipped into a novel and disappeared from the world. 

“It’s only a shame your sisters couldn’t come,” her father mused after a while. “But alas, their education is important.”

“And mine is not?” Theo asked though she knew her formal education was coming to a close, and she would continue with her etiquette training in preparation for her coming out into the ton. 

“Do you always have to be so argumentative, Theo? At a time like this! You know all this travel is no good for my nerves.”

“Then perhaps we oughtn’t to come again,” Theo suggested with an insolent glare. 

“It would be so delightful if you could set a good example for your younger sisters, Theodora,” her father continued. “They do look up to you so much.”

Theo shook her head. Her sisters looked up to her far too much, in her opinion, and her parents relied on her excessively. “I don’t think you realize what a burden it is to be the eldest of three girls,” she said. “When I am not expected to entertain them, I am expected to guide and teach them. But surely that is not my role in this family. I am not their mother nor their governess, and neither do I ever intend to be.”

“Theodora, please!” her mother cried. “I really—”

But before she could say more, the carriage jolted. It was not the normal roughness of before but a physical jolt, throwing all three of them across the carriage. The countess let out a blood-curdling scream, her arms out to protect herself and her family. It was her worst fears coming to life. 

But the carriage righted itself, falling back onto its two wheels with a thud. The earl, with a hand to his chest, let out a sigh of relief that was, in part, a half-laugh. “Goodness me. We’re safe now.” He forced a smile onto his face. “You see, darling? Nothing to worry about.”

Even Theo’s heart had begun to race, and she clutched onto the seat for dear life. The ride had never before been so uneven, and if she did not know better, she would have thought the coachman an inept fool. They may have returned to four wheels, but even now, the journey was far from smooth. 

“Dear, sweet Lord, please save us,” the countess muttered, her eyes raised to the heavens. Theo would have laughed at her sudden piety were it not for the fear in her own heart. Instead, she looked at each of her parents in turn and cemented the image of them in her mind. Though she tended toward insolence and disagreement, she loved them dearly and wanted to hold on to them for as long as she possibly could.  

“It’s fine,” the earl said with another uneasy chuckle. “Everything is all right now. We’re safe and look—we’re almost there.”

Theo looked out of the window and was, to her surprise, relieved to see Winterheath looming ahead. She let out her breath and smiled. “You see, Mother,” she said. “We’ll be drinking tea before you—”

***

“Theodora! Theo, my darling girl!”

Everything was black, dark, and Theo groaned as the hands under her arms pulled her from the wreck. Her mouth felt thick, like it was stuffed with cotton, and every single part of her ached. She opened her eyes slowly, the light painful. 

“Wh… what happened?” she croaked. The Earl of Kingsbury towered above her, his face a picture of sheer panic. 

“The carriage toppled,” he said quickly. “Are you all right? Does anything hurt?”

“Everything hurts,” she managed. 

He scooped her up in his arms and whisked her from the wreck. Pain shot through her with every movement, and she dared not look back at the disaster that had struck them.

“Mother…” she managed, but the words were difficult, and she cleared her throat. 

Lord Kingsbury lowered her onto the ground as gently as he could, then stroked her hair from her face. He looked down at her with such concern and love that she herself began to panic. 

“My lord, what—”

“My men are doing everything they can to pull them out. The carriage turned over completely. I’ve never seen anything like it, dear girl. It must have hit something or… I…”

He trailed off and glanced in the direction of the crash. His brow was deeply furrowed, a dark shadow across his features, and the ball of anxiety in Theo’s chest deepened still. 

No, please. Don’t let it be true. 

She jumped when Lord Kingsbury screamed, his voice ripping across the gardens, across the disaster. Across the noise and fuss of the men trying to save her parents. 

No, no, no. Not now, not after all I said to them in the carriage. 

“Anelle!” Lord Kingsbury screamed again. “Anelle!”

His wife ran over and landed on her knees beside them, all care for her delicate gown gone. With a strange calmness, Theo thought she had never seen Lady Kingsbury so emotional before. The woman was normally a master of hiding her feelings, a queen in the world of propriety and correctness. 

“Oh, Theodora,” Lady Kingsbury muttered. She twisted, so that she sat with her legs in front of her, then she gathered Theo from Lord Kingsbury’s arms and cradled her head in her lap. “Go.”

Lord Kingsbury nodded. Theo knew he wanted to be with his men, to be in the thick of the rescue. He would never forgive himself otherwise. 

Lady Kingsbury stroked Theo’s hair, rocking her gently back and forth. Despite herself, Theo allowed herself to be lulled into believing all was well, that this was normal. It was probably the shock or the pain—or, most likely, both, but her mind wouldn’t allow her to grasp the true severity of the situation. 

“It’s going to be all right,” Lady Kingsbury whispered as she rocked, the words repeated over and over again. “It’s going to be all right, Theo, my darling. It’s going to be all right.”

Theo looked up at her. The lady’s eyes were filled with tears, not quite spilling over onto her cheeks.

“I’m going to look after you, darling girl, and your sisters. No matter what happens, I’ll always be here for you.”

Nothing will happen, Theo told herself. 

“I’ll protect you, all of you Cary girls, no matter what happens.”

Theo’s eyes fluttered closed, and she buried her face in the soft cotton of Lady Kingsbury’s gown, inhaling her sweet lemon scent. It’s going to be all right. They’re going to be — 

Her thought was cut off by another scream. Lord Kingsbury. She screwed her eyes closed tighter, not wanting to see, not wanting to admit what was happening. 

No, no, no. Please. Not now. Not like this. Not after…

“It’s too late,” Lord Kingsbury said. His voice was low, but it carried on the wind into Theo’s heart. “I’m sorry. They’re gone.”

Chapter One

Ten Years Later

“Aren’t you nervous?” William asked as they rode across the undulating green hills toward Winterheath. “I’d be shaking in my boots taking over an estate I’d never seen.”

Maxim chuckled. “I have seen it,” he said. “It just so happened to be when I was a young boy. Uncle Gideon spent more time in London than we spent here, though even that stopped in recent years. Too old for the travel, he said. And no, I’m not nervous. A little uncertain, I suppose, but mostly, I’m curious.”

At seven-and-twenty years of age, Maxim Steele had just become the newest Earl of Kingsbury, his dear uncle having passed without producing an heir. He scratched the scar on his chin, a permanent reminder of a riding accident—and a time of his life he would rather forget. He thought the scar added a certain charm to his looks, though, a little mystery perhaps. 

He was handsome, he knew that. He took great care over the waves of his blond hair, the color of molten gold. He was tall and slim, and he carried himself well, knowing the ladies of the ton were attracted to his warm, almost caramel skin and the mischievous twinkle in his chocolate-brown eyes. And that, he had realized of late, was half his problem. If he weren’t so damned attractive, he’d be far less likely to get himself into trouble. 

But the trouble I find myself in is so very enjoyable.  

He shook away the thought, looking out across the countryside. He’d fallen in love with women when he was barely out of shorts, and his lustful mind had led him into sinful acts more than once. He raised his face to the cool air as his dappled gray mare trotted over the brow of the hill, and the house came into view. It was magnificent, just as Maxim knew it would be. His uncle Gideon had been fastidiously house-proud, and the sprawling manor with gardens to match inspired awe in even the most disinterested of people. 

“Good Lord,” William declared, taking in the view. “It’s not quite your apartment in Grosvenor Square, is it?”

“No,” Maxim muttered. “It’s so much better than that.”

William nodded, the horses slowing as they absorbed the enormity of what was happening. “She’s a beauty; there’s no denying that. I wonder what awaits you inside.”

Indeed. 

He had mused on it since hearing the news of Gideon’s death. He’d inherited the title, yes, along with the wealth and the investments that came with it. What he hadn’t expected, though, was that he would become legal guardian to the three young people under Gideon’s charge—not his own children, but those of a friend who had died many years earlier. Maxim would become their third guardian in such a short lifetime. 

“Do you know much about them?” William asked, as if reading his mind.

“Not a lot, I must admit.”

They’d stopped just at the top of the hill as if by silent consent. In the distance, Maxim could make out a busy gardener toiling away at the soil. Gideon’s legacy would live on through many hands, he realized, and he was grateful for that. It deserved to live on; he’d been a good man—honest, reliable, hardworking. 

Maxim found himself excited about his new life and curious to meet his new charges. He hadn’t thought much of fatherhood, nor even marriage. It seemed such a heavy burden when compared to the way he had amused himself until now, with loose women and loose morals. Yet, here, it seemed he had a ready-made family, and that idea had warmed his heart. As he looked at the estate that was now in his name alone, he knew it was time to step into his uncle’s shoes and become the man he knew he could be, not the rake he had been. 

“There are three of them,” he explained. “That much I know. The eldest, I believe, is named Theo, and he has been running the estate until now. I have no idea how old he is, though, nor why he was not handed the title himself. Perhaps Uncle Gideon didn’t think him worthy of becoming heir.”

“Ah, there’s nothing quite like a mystery to keep the mind alert,” William teased. “What of the other two?” 

“Girls, I believe, and not quite of age.”

“That’s good.” William let out a laugh. “If they’re so young, you won’t be tempted to get yourself embroiled in another scandal. I know what you’re like when there’s a pretty face around.”

“All right,” Maxim said, affronted. “I thought we’d agreed not to talk about it.”

William laughed again. “No, dear friend, you agreed to not talk about it. I agreed to no such thing!”

“Then agree now,” Maxim commanded. 

“Why, no, I won’t. Where would the fun in that be?” He snorted, shaking his head. “Either way, I’d wager you’re going to have your hands full over the coming months.”

Maxim threw William a wry smile. “I’m rather inclined to agree with you. Come on, let’s go find out!”

With that, he cantered down the hill and into his new home. 

***

Maxim leaped off his horse before she had come to a complete stop and handed the reins to the waiting stable boy. 

“See to it that she’s watered and give her a sugar lump, will you? She’s been a good girl, getting me this far without complaint.”

“Aye, my lord,” the stable boy nodded, though he hadn’t yet raised his head enough to meet Maxim’s eyes. 

The boy was anxious, Maxim realized, and he smiled to himself, thinking of how comfortable all the servants would feel in the coming months, once they’d gotten used to the new way of things. He was certain they would all like him. After all, what was there not to like? Everyone liked Maxim Steele. He was the man every lady wanted and half the men wanted, too!

He watched as his precious mare was guided away, tired but seemingly content, when he felt a gentle slap on his back. He jumped and swung around to William. William said nothing, but he nodded in the direction of the grand entrance. 

A set of six stone steps fronted the double doors. They narrowed as they went up, and at either side was a curved balustrade made of Bath stone. He was assaulted by memories of climbing on them as a carefree child, his mother running behind him and telling him to get down. 

William cleared his throat and again indicated the door. When Maxim finally paid heed, he found three young women. Each stood perfectly straight, shoulders back, head high, and each had dressed meticulously. The younger two seemed to buzz with excited happiness, even if Maxim detected a few nerves in there, too. But the older one intrigued him the most. She looked cold and stern. As welcoming parties went, she did not present the most welcoming of fronts! 

He was surprised, then, by the visceral reaction he had at seeing her. Austere though she may have looked, she had an eternal beauty about her, with thick black hair and skin so white it could have been marble. In her strength, she was almost handsome, but her eyes shone with intelligence and wit, and he suspected her pretty mouth held a clever word or two. His lips fell open as he admired her, and he found himself drawn to her in that same way he had been drawn to those women who had gotten him into trouble before.

“Three of them,” William said, leaning in close to whisper. “But where’s the boy?”

Good question. 

Maxim narrowed his eyes, considering his next move, then he trotted up the steps with his warmest smile, his top hat wedged underneath his arm, and bowed to them. The younger two giggled, but the elder—the beauty—merely watched, calm and in control. Even her stare enticed him—it was a challenge if ever he had seen one. 

“Stop it,” she whispered to the younger two. “We’re supposed to be on our best behavior, remember?”

“Good morning, ladies,” he said. “It is a pleasure to meet you all. I am Maxim Steele, your new guardian. You may call me Maxim, since we are to be living together.” 

He offered them a chuckle, hoping to come across as friendly, even lighthearted. He wanted them to know there was no need for formalities, for standing on ceremony—partly because he had never liked such a thing, but partly because he felt it would make them warm to him more quickly. He really did hope they could be friends. But the eldest, wearing a black cotton gown, stepped forward with her hand out to shake as a man might. 

“Lady Theodora Cary,” she said. “And these are my sisters, Ladies Charlotte and Grace.” 

Maxim was taken aback by her boldness, but with a single eyebrow raised, he took her hand and shook it. The flesh of her palm was soft and warm, and he wondered how it would feel upon his chest. And though seemed cold initially, her voice was full of warmth and softness. He could already see there was so much more to her than met the eye, and he was looking forward to discovering more. He wondered it this attitude of hers was a front, a façade for a brighter, happier young lady underneath. 

“Theodora, you say? Is that, by any chance, Theo for short?”

“That’s quite correct.” Her lips were pursed, giving her otherwise beautiful face something of a sour expression, and Maxim had to push his own lips together to stop himself from laughing. That explained why ‘Theo’ had not become Gideon’s heir. 

He looked at her more carefully, not daring to allow his eyes to drift down to her body. It seemed she was determined not to like him, and that made him all the more determined to win her over. He would find a brightness in her that matched the beauty on her exterior, for how beautiful she was. His gaze scanned her face again—pale but somehow full of life, with eyes the depth of the ocean and freckles that danced as she moved. Her lips fascinated him the most, though—thick and plump and deep red. 

How delightful it would be to feel them upon mine. 

He felt himself stir, his loins awakening at the sight of her. Some might think her shrew, but he could see that wasn’t the case. Defensive, maybe; protective, most definitely. She was surreptitious about it, but he could see her eyeing him curiously. She wanted to get to know him, even as she pretended she wanted nothing to do with him. 

“You are not quite what I expected, I must say,” he said finally, his eyes satiated for the time being. 

“I am certain I do not know what you mean, my lord.” She turned her nose up like a determined child, but the cracks in her demeanor were already beginning to show. Her lips almost twitched into a smile. 

Almost.

“Maxim, please. Call me Maxim.”

“Welcome to Winterheath, my lord,” she said, putting emphasis on the formal address. 

Very well. That was a nut he could crack at another time. Maxim merely chuckled and pushed past her to meet her sisters, knowing how it would drive her to distraction. 

“Let me guess,” he said with every ounce of charm he could muster. “You must be Charlotte, and you’re Grace. Am I correct?”

The two girls giggled. 

“Yes, my lord,” the youngest declared. 

“And how old are you, if I may ask?”

“Did the solicitor not tell you any of this?” Theo asked, but he ignored her. The longer he didn’t look at her, the more he could feel her eyes on her. His lack of attention would bother her, and he knew it. It always worked, every single time. 

“I’m eight-and-ten,” Charlotte said. “And Grace is five-and-ten.”

“Ah, beautiful, tender ages. I am looking forward to getting to know you all better. Now, is my aunt home?”

“Lady Kingsbury is in Paris with your cousin, Lady Rosaline, and her fiancé. They are due to return home tomorrow. And if you don’t mind, I would prefer to maintain our formalities, at least for a while. You may have, by chance, become our legal guardian, Earl Kingsbury, but you are still a stranger in our midst.”

Maxim looked at her with surprise, but then, with a smirk on his face, he bowed with great exaggeration. If that was how she wanted to play this game, he would humor her. 

“Whatever you wish, Lady Theodora!” 

She rolled his eyes as he straightened, but even he could see the twinkle of amusement that moved across her expression. Their gaze met and held, stuck on one another for a moment. It was probably not more than a second, but he felt himself tumble into his desire for her, and he heard her beg for it in her silence. His lips fell open, his chest rising and falling quickly, and he knew in that instant he would have her. She knew it, too, though there would be an amusing game to play beforehand. The idea drew him, but he wouldn’t show her that. It was a game he could play equally well—if not better.  

He turned and darted into the house, calling to her from over his shoulder. 

“Come, then, my lady. Without my aunt here—so sorry, Lady Kingsbury—it is your duty to make the introductions!”

He heard her sigh as she mounted the stairs behind him, and he wondered if she made the same sound when she was pleasured, if the same expulsion of air came from those magnificent lips when fingers probed her. 

They entered the entrance hall, and he forced away the image of her naked and with her head thrown back in delight. The hall was as grand as he remembered, the room as big as his entire kitchen in Grosvenor Square. The floor had been marbled black and white, and the walls were adorned with portraits of his ancestors. From here, he could see several oak doors, and he could just about remember where each of them led, but he was looking forward to rediscovering it all again. 

“Charlotte, Grace,” Lady Theodora said in a matronly manner, “there is tea in the drawing room. Why don’t you take Lord Kingsbury’s little friend here while we meet the staff? We’ll meet you there afterward.”

“Little friend?” Maxim raised his eyebrow again, amused by her attitude. Still, ‘little friend’ would become an amusing moniker for William; the pair loved to tease one another as all best friends did. “This is William Worthy—Mr. Worthy to those who prefer formality—and he is my closest friend in the entire world.”

“I don’t consider myself that little, either,” William muttered. “My father, Earl Weatherhead, had three sons, and alas, I am the third, but as my mother has always assured me, that does not make me any less than my brothers. Though it is a pleasure to make all your acquaintances.”

He laughed at his own quip, then glanced at Lady Charlotte as if to ensure she had found it funny. Maxim stored away that look, thinking to ask William about it as soon as they were alone. 

“He’s training to be a barrister, but he kindly joined me here to help me settle in.”

“How very honorable,” Lady Theodora replied. 

Her lips were tight as her eyes ran up and down the length of him, appraising him. Maxim found himself wishing he were on the receiving end of such a hard and open stare. 

“Now, if you don’t mind,” Lady Theodora said. 

As soon as the three had disappeared into the drawing room, Lady Theodora rapped on the door to the butler’s pantry. He opened it, clearly prepared, and he bowed to Maxim. 

“Mr. Bankes,” she said, always polite, “I’d like to introduce you to the latest Earl of Kingsbury, inheritor of dear Gideon’s title. Lord Kingsbury, this is Horton Bankes, butler of Winterheath for the past thirty-three years and a true marvel. If there is anything you need to know or need assistance with, Bankes is the man to see.”

“Indeed, Mr. Bankes and I have met several times,” Maxim said. “Though I am much changed since our last meeting, and he has not changed at all.”

The butler offered him a weak smile, and Maxim felt his light heart shift a little. He remembered the old man from when he was a child, but he was disappointed if he had hoped for any sort of warm, nostalgic familiarity between the two. He sighed. He had thought coming here would be a fresh start for him, a way for him to reform his ways and become a good man. But perhaps it would take longer than anticipated. 

“Lord Kingsbury,” the butler said, bowing again. “Allow me to show you around the house.” 

---

“Surrendering to the Earl’s Desires” is an Amazon Best-Selling novel, check it out here!

Lady Theodora Cary, harbors a trove of emotions behind her poised exterior. Orphaned at a tender age, the weight of guardianship for her sisters transformed her into a stern protector. Yet, in clandestine moments, her mind wanders to the thrill of horseback rides, the tantalizing touch of a lover, and the elusive promise of true, passionate love. Now, as the winds of change sweep through Winterheath with the arrival of the seductive Maxim Steele, Theo’s guarded heart faces a formidable challenge…

Is love worth the gamble?

At twenty-seven, Maxim Steele, a charismatic rogue in pursuit of redemption, inherits not only an earldom, but also the guardianship of Theo and her sisters. When he lays eyes on the tempting Theo, for her own good, he knows he must fight his relentless desires and stay away. As he navigates Winterheath though, the weight of his scandalous past hangs heavy. Determined to shed his rakish reputation, Maxim faces the challenges of self-reform and family responsibility.

Can he overcome the shadows of his past and win Theo’s fiery heart?

Theo and Maxim find themselves entangled in a sinful dance of emotions and hidden desires. In the shadowy corridors of Winterheath, where love, lust and redemption intertwine, can they weather the storms and find not only solace, but also the sizzling passion they both secretly crave, in each other’s arms?

“Surrendering to the Earl’s Desires” is a historical romance novel of approximately 80,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

Get your copy from Amazon!