
THE LADIES
by
Brenda Jernigan
in a single package.
Full of suspense and adventure...
Charming and spiced with passion.

Praise and Accolades
- ROMANTIC TIMES MAGAZINE
- HUNTRESS BOOK REVIEWS
- RENDEZVOUS MAGAZINE
Excerpt
I will—” Elizabeth didn’t finish her sentence.
“My, my. Fancy seeing you here,” Jonathan Hird said to an astounded Elizabeth.
This wasn’t possible! Elizabeth’s mind screamed. Jonathan couldn’t be standing in front of her. Hadn’t his father just told her he’d gone to sail with Lafitte? Maybe she should turn and ask Jeffery if he saw Jonathan, too.
“Lord Jonathan,” Jeffrey said. “It is good to have you home, sir. You remember Lady Elizabeth.”
“Unfortunately,” Jonathan clipped.
Elizabeth promptly shut her mouth. Jonathan stood before her and he looked magnificent. His skin was darkly tanned, swarthy, and his eyes were hard. He’d been good-looking before, but now he was so much more so. He seemed bigger and bolder. He fairly reeked of sensuality.
Keeping his gaze fixed on her, he asked, “What? Nothing to say for yourself?” His voice was cold and exact.
She clenched her jaw to kill the sob in her throat. “I—I was visiting your father,” she finally managed to get out.
Jonathan leaned against the railing and stared at her, taking in her appearance. She looked well and beautiful. There was a glow of innocence and promise, but he knew better than to be suckered in by that. As his gaze traveled downward, he noticed she was breathing heavily. Then his gaze rose to her stubborn chin and those damnable eyes. She flinched and retreated a step.
He wasn’t ready to deal with Elizabeth yet. He’d intended to see his father, get settled in, and get some much-needed sleep since he’d not done so in two days. He hadn’t expected to see her so soon. The problem of Elizabeth would have to come later when he informed her of his mission.
Now he stood face-to-face with her and, of course, the guilt was plainly visible in her eyes. “I hope you didn’t make my father any promises you don’t intend to keep,” Jonathan bit out as he ignored the mocking voice inside him that wondered why.
Elizabeth flinched again. She could sense the barely controlled power coiled in Jonathan’s body. “No, I did not.” She should have realized he’d still be angry, but she didn’t want to face Jonathan at the moment. As she stared at him, she realized, much to her horror, that she still loved him. She had hoped that time would lessen her love, but that wasn’t the case. The love and the hurt were still there.
If possible, he was much more commanding in appearance than he had been when she’d first fallen in love. His shoulders seemed broader, his hair a bit longer. The arrogant line of his jaw told her he wasn’t happy to see her at all.
Elizabeth simply wasn’t prepared, but she had to say something. She swallowed and moistened her lips, forcing herself to settle down. “Your father will be glad that you are home,” she said as she struggled to maintain an even, conciliatory tone. “How long have you been back?”
“I just arrived,” he stated curtly with absolutely no emotion.
This wasn’t her Jonathan. His eyes were cold, and the devilish personality that had always made her laugh was nowhere in sight.
It was gone.
Perhaps it was lost forever. Had she done this to him?
He shifted impatiently and crossed his arms over his chest “Your coloring isn’t good, my dear. One would think you’d seen a ghost.”
Her eyes grew wide as her gaze shifted. “Your arm! You can move it”
“Your observation is correct. I’m not the cripple you left at the altar.”
She felt a nauseating wave of despair. “I never thought of you that way.” Elizabeth’s throat tightened. “I—I must be going.”
“Of course. Running away is your style.”
He might as well have slapped her, but she deserved it. Tears stung her eyes, but she would never let him see them. She lifted her chin, picked up her skirt, and stepped quickly around him. She hurried out into the street, tears blurring her vision. She had to get away from Jonathan. Now!
She never saw it coming.
Giveaway
from November 14 - 21, 2016
The Ladies by Brenda Jernigan eBook, or
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