Coming May 2013 will see Richard Craven and Madeline Knight's story come to light. Add to your TBR on Goodreads...

Invitation to Passion

Consummate rake, Richard Craven, has his heartbroken when the woman he loves is forced into an arranged marriage to a violent brute. To make matters worse, circumstances force him to marry Madeline Knight—a woman he views more like a sister-only for fate to play the cruellest of tricks. Shortly after his wedding his former lover is widowed, and Richard learns she could be pregnant with his child.

Madeline Knight thought she was doing the right thing when she saved Richard Craven from his lover's irate husband. Now her silly schoolgirl crush has left her married to a man who's in love with another woman. Consumed with guilt over trapping Richard, she tries her best to be the perfect wife and win his heart. Failure is not an option. For if she fails she loses everything, she loves him too much not to set him free…

While Richard and Madeline confront the reality of their marriage, Madeline’s life comes under threat. A family enemy is set on revenge. Will Richard learn the truth of his heart, and what is truly precious to him, before the unknown enemy destroys their world?

Read an Excerpt

Chapter One - London, April 1810

Richard James Craven was a dead man. That’s if Charles Hawthorne, the Marquis of Wrentham, found him. Maddy watched the Marquis as he stood at the top of the stairs, surveying the guests in the crowded ballroom below. His presence here at Hascombe Court meant only one thing. He’d come for his wife.

A curse on Richard’s head. Just last week Maddy had begged him to end his affair with the Marquis’s wife. Now she would have to get involved. She hated getting involved. Richard had looked after her welfare for years and she felt obligated to return the favour.

Madeline Knight you are such a liar. She wanted to return the favour.

Maddy blew a curl out of her eyes, and peered through the plants sheltering her from the eyes of the ton. She’d been hiding most of the evening. Rufus had organised this ball for her. She loved her brother, but he’d recently married his one true love, Rheda, and was determined to help his younger sister find the same happiness.

Unfortunately, Madeline’s idea of a suitable husband differed vastly from his. She did not wish to marry into the echelons of Society. Due to her father’s rumoured treason, she’d grown up in seclusion, here at their country estate near Newmarket.

Even though she was the sister of a wealthy Viscount, correction, now Earl, due to the scandal surrounding the Strathmores, she had expected to marry beneath her social standing. A local squire or vicar. She felt perfectly capable of settling into the quiet country life. The strictures and sophistication of the ton frightened her to death.

Besides, at nineteen, she had plenty of time to choose a husband. Now that her brother resided permanently at home, she did not wish to leave his household any time soon.

With growing unease, Maddy watched Lord Wrentham scan the ballroom, then begin to make his way across the crowded floor. Luckily the room was packed. With Rufus succeeding in clearing their late father of treason, and her brother having a second title bestowed on him, Earl of Hascombe, the ton’s interest had been caught. Tonight it seemed all London Society were in attendance.

Her eyes followed the Marquis’s path through the guests. Lord Wrentham was definitely looking for someone, and she was sure it was his beautiful wife, Sara. It was up to Maddy to warn the lovers.

She straightened her shoulders and stepped out into the crush. The music drowned out her determined stride. She circled round until she was able to locate her brother.

“Lord Wrentham has arrived. You should go and greet him. Now would be the perfect opportunity to put the past behind you. He carries at lot of influence in the House of Lords. Lord Wrentham would be a valuable ally.” Not really a lie. Rufus had taken a special interest in the rights of workers, his wife’s influence, and he was chasing the Marquis’s vote on labor law reform.

Her brother kissed her lightly on the cheek. “Don’t think you can distract me by mentioning politics.”

Maddy’s heart stilled. Rufus had no idea that Richard was continuing his affair with Lady Wrentham. “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.”

“I’ve seen you hiding behind the plants. I would have made you stand centre stage, but Rheda told me to leave you alone.”

All the while her brother talked, Maddy guided him ever closer to Wrentham.

“Your wife is, as always, a gem. What is this rush to get me to the altar? I’ve only just got you back in my life. Now you are married, don’t you want me here?” She couldn’t disguise the hurt in her voice. Her brother’s determination to see her quickly wed made her feel as if she was a nuisance, or in his way.

Rufus halted and oblivious to their guests he pulled her close. “Is that what you think?” He hugged her tight. “Never for one moment think I want you to leave my house. If I could, I’d hold onto you forever, but that would be selfish. I just don’t like seeing you stuck here in the country, on your own, like Rheda was. You deserve more.”

The relief flooded through her. She lightly cuffed his shoulder. “I do not intend to marry any time soon, so stop pushing me.” Before Rufus could argue, she added, “There’s Lord Wrentham. Go and bore him with your talk. You can lecture me tomorrow at breakfast.”

She abruptly turned and schooled herself to walk away slowly, and in the opposite direction to the library, where she assumed Richard had taken Sara.

Richard knew every square inch of this house intimately. Over the years he’d spent many nights under this roof. Many nights teasing her. Teaching her. Talking to her.

Blast it all. She’d have to go and warn Richard. Richard was her only true friend, she didn’t wish to see him killed in a duel, or sent fleeing from England for having killed Lord Wrentham.

Once out of sight of the guests, she lifted the hem of her dress and rushed toward the library. Skidding to a halt outside the door, her courage momentarily fled. What would she observe when she opened this door? Was she prepared to see her Richard in the arms of another?

Her Richard! She acknowledged her claim was a monumental fantasy. Richard was her friend. That was all. He still saw her as the thirteen year old girl he’d rescued from the Hawthorne bullies.

Just a friend, she silently scolded herself. Yet Maddy didn’t understand the riotous feelings she’d developed over the last twelve months. Whenever she looked at Richard, her heart beat harder, her stomach knotted, and her body warmed in certain places she was embarrassed to discuss.

A stab of jealousy hit her chest. Madeline secretly hoped Richard was doing nothing more than talking with Lady Wrentham. She knew Richard and his rakish ways, and realised that was unlikely. But a girl could dream.

She dreamed of Richard a lot lately.

She shook her head, cleared her confusing thoughts, and knocked hard on the door. She waited but there was no response. She pressed her ear to the door, but could hear nothing through the thick walnut.

Feeling like a burglar not wanting to be caught, she tentatively opened the door. “Richard, are you there...”

Although there was no response to her greeting, this time she heard the soft, breathy cries of a lady. Sara sounded like she was in pain. What on earth was Richard doing to her?

Not wishing anyone who ventured into the hall to see or hear, she stepped into the room and closed the door rather loudly behind her. Surely this would announce her presence.

The room was dimly lit, but she could make out two people on the settee. They still appeared not to have heard or seen her.

She moved closer. “Ahem,” she tried with an added cough. She knew not to look at the couple, but the quest for knowledge of what went on between a man and woman, overrode all sense of propriety.

She stood mesmerised. Richard had discarded his jacket and waistcoat. They lay thrown behind him on the floor, as if he’d disrobed in a hurry. His shirt was on, much to her disappointment, although Maddy was too scared to acknowledge that thought.

He knelt on the floor, leaning over Sara who lay prone on the settee. Maddy moved closer and gasped her hand flying to her mouth. Sara’s gown lay in folds of silk at her waist, her torso bare. Sara had her hands in Richard’s thick, glossy hair, holding him indecently close. Richard’s mouth appeared to be suckling her breast like a babe.

Maddy tore her gaze away from the erotic sight to look worriedly at the door. The situation was scandalous and Lord Wrentham would have every right to challenge Richard if he entered.

The image of Richard fighting a duel and his subsequent injury or death spurred her on. She gathered her composure, moved closer, and in a loud voice uttered, “I hate to interrupt but-”

Richard barely lifted his head from Sara’s breast. “Go away, brat” he growled.

“Believe me I’d love to but-”

“Christ, not now, Maddy. What the hell are you doing in here?” Richard’s sat back on the balls of his feet, still on his knees at Sara’s feet. Lady Wrentham had no chance to cover herself. Maddy experienced spiteful joy upon seeing Sara’s bosom was not as voluptuous as her own.

Then she looked back at a very angry Richard.

She couldn’t seem to get her lungs to work. Her breath choked in her throat as she soaked in the beauty of the naked expanse of rippling stomach and muscled chest displayed through the flaps of Richard’s open shirt.

He rose to his feet, anger scoring his handsome features. “This better be important or by god I’ll put you over my knee. Do you realise how inappropriate it is for you to be in here.”

Maddy’s temper flared. “Not as inappropriate as seducing another man’s wife.”

Her barb hit its mark. Richard’s fists clenched at his sides, and Sara gave a cry of distress.

Maddy tore her gaze from Richard and looked at Sara. She’d covered herself, drawing her gown back on. Her face was filled with misery and Maddy felt a stab of regret at her words. Sara loved Richard, but had been forced into a marriage with Charles. Maddy did feel genuine pity for her. She knew first-hand what a bully all the Hawthorne’s were. Marriage to Charles would be a nightmare. However, she would not let Sara’s terrible life destroy her friend. Sara should have stood up to her father.

“I’m sorry, Sara, that was unkind-”

“Damn right. This is none of your business.”

For the first time in her life Richard looked at her with something close to hate. She swallowed back tears.

“Charles is here. He’s looking for Sara. He thinks she’s with you. And of course he’s right,” she couldn’t help adding.

Richard swore and Sara jumped to her feet. “He can’t find me with you. He’ll kill me.” Sara stood quaking, looking helplessly at Richard for help.

This time it was Maddy who clenched her fists. Once again Sara’s only concern was for herself.

“I won’t let him hurt you,” Richard vowed.

Maddy didn’t see how Richard could ever promise that—unless--unless he killed Charles. Oh, no. Killed Charles. He’d do it--for Sara.

Maddy’s insides went cold, and at that precise moment, she hated Sara more than she had ever hated anyone or anything.

She simply would not let Richard throw his life away on a selfish woman. Sara had been too weak and stupid to trust in love. Richard had offered to elope with her, to marry her and save her from Charles, but instead the woman had preferred to honor her father’s dictate, and then decide to carry on an affair with Richard, placing her purportedly one true love in danger.

Maddy would never have been so selfish. Sara should have called off the affair as soon as she married. She’d made her choice. Sara should honor the vows she made with Wrentham.

Richard moved to the door and cracked it open. “Christ, its Wrentham walking this way.”

Sara’s face turned ashen and Maddy instantly comprehended the peril the two lovers were in.

“I have a plan. Sara can slip through the secret door to the study, and then make her way down the west corridor back to the ballroom. It will appear as if she’s never been here. I’ll pretend your assignation is with me.”

Richard’s face reddened. “I don’t think that’s wise...” Sara let out a wail at his refusal.

“We don’t have any other choice.” Maddy clapped her hands. “Quickly, we don’t have time for dramatics.”

Richard finally nodded and hurried Sara to the bookcase. He pulled the secret lever and the wall of books slid back revealing a narrow corridor. He kissed Sara and pushed her gently inside. “Go. Tidy yourself and make your way back to the ballroom. We can't be seen together. I'll wait here and send word later.”

The false wall of books slid back into place, leaving the library filled with thwarted silence. Richard ran a hand through his hair.

Maddy whispered, “You can thank me later.”

“I ought to wring your bloody neck for risking your reputation on this stupid stint. I could take Wrentham.”

“Oh, yes. That would be the perfect answer. Kill Wrentham and be hung for murder. Then who would protect Sara?”

“Bloody hell. What a mess,” the anger in his voice gone, replaced with sadness.

No sooner had Richard walked back to stand at Maddy’s side, than the door crashed open. Lord Wrentham stood in the door way a towering mass of wrath.

Richard, his clothes still in disarray, moved to stand in front of her, shielding her from Wrentham’s view.

“Get your hands off my wife.” Charles’s bellow shook the room. The music in the ballroom was all that saved them from having the entire household hear his allegation.

Wrentham wasn’t stupid. She would have to play the part of Richard’s paramour if this rouse was to be believed.

Madeline reached around Richard’s body and placed her hand on his bare chest. She pulled her gown off her shoulders, exposing more of her bosom than was decent.

However, she had not expected the feminine gasp that accompanied her manoeuvre. Her sister-in-law was with Lord Wrentham. She peered around Richard’s wide shoulders and tried to catch Rheda’s eye.

“Richard, how could you. Rufus will kill you.” Rheda’s anguished cry saw Maddy drop her hand from Richard’s heated skin. Rheda recognised the ring she’d given to Maddy yesterday as a gift.

There was no point hiding. Maddy stepped out from behind Richard, but she couldn’t explain the situation without putting Richard’s life in danger.

“Not content to bed other men’s wives, it appears you’ve lowered yourself further. Have you no honor? Now you’ve taken to bedding friend’s sisters.” Lord Wrentham turned to Rheda. “I apologies for exposing Mr. Craven’s salaciousness. I’d love to stay and watch your husband kill him, but I need to find my wife.”

Maddy put her hand on Richard’s back willing him to hold his tongue. She could feel the muscles beneath knot with fury.

Just when she’d thought the situation couldn’t get worse, she heard a voice that made her senses scream flee.

“Rheda, Lord Wrentham, what are you doing in the library?”

Rufus.

“Is there another party going on in here?” Another woman’s voice joined the conversation. She stood unseen in the corridor. Maddy didn’t recognise the voice but she sounded elderly.

Silence greeted the newcomers.

Maddy took a step back. She watched Rufus understand the scene in front of him and in dismay saw his face turn purple with rage. “Maddy,” he yelled and everything that followed became a blur.

She heard Rheda scream, “Rufus no,” and Richard put his hands out and state, “Let me explain.”

Her brother did not wait for any explanation. He let out a string of curses before he launched himself on Richard, tackling him to the ground and nearly knocking Maddy off her feet.

“I’ll kill you, you bastard.”

Wrentham laughed and added, “If you do, I’ll owe you my thanks,” before turning and walking back toward the ballroom.

Rheda looked at Maddy over the men slugging it out on the floor, and shook her head. “I’ll get Anthony.” And she too dashed off, leaving Maddy facing a very grim and disapproving Lady Horsham, the absolute ruler of the ton.

“While I approve wholeheartedly of your choice in men, Madeline Knight , I do not condone your methods of getting him to the altar.” With that she turned on her heels and left Maddy alone with two men, where it looked as though one was trying to kill the other. As she loved them both, she didn’t know what to do. She tried to pull Rufus off Richard, as he laid shielding himself and not fighting back.

Thankfully, Anthony, Richard’s twin brother, and Rufus’s friend, Lord Stephen Warrington, arrived to separate them. It took both men to hold Rufus back.

Richard, his lip split, stood breathing heavily. “How could you even think I’d touch Maddy? She’s the sister I’ve never had.”

“How! Look at you. You were alone in the room with her. Half undressed with your shirt hanging open. What the hell was I to think?”

“But you didn’t think, did you,” Richard spat the words out. “You simply accused.”

Anthony’s wife, Melissa, followed Rheda into the room and closed the door. She calmly said, “Can you please keep your voices down? We do not need the rest of the guests to hear.”

Rheda looked toward Maddy. “I’m sure Richard has a very good explanation as to his behaviour.”

“He better or I swear to god I’ll kill him.” Even Maddy was shocked at the violence in her brother’s voice.

She stamped her foot. She’d had enough of all this male bravado. A duel was exactly why she’d risked this scene in the first place. She hadn’t saved Richard from Wrentham, to have him fight a duel with her brother.

“Stop it. Just stop it. This situation is my fault, not Richards. I was the one who butted my nose in. Richard was here with Lady Wrentham. I interrupted their liaison. I knew Lord Wrentham was looking for his wife.”

Rufus looked somewhat mollified but still said, “I ought to beat you senseless for exposing Maddy to your rakish behaviour.”

Rheda cleared her throat. “I hate to add fuel to the fire but we have more to worry about. Lady Horsham saw them. Together. Alone in this room, and Richard was in a state of undress.”

Melissa nodded. “There will be consequences,” and she smiled at her husband. Anthony gazed back at her adoringly.

“My wife’s correct.” Anthony’s mouth tried not to grin. “It would appear you are about to get your just rewards, brother dear. Turn about. You saw to it that I thoroughly compromised Melissa, for which I thank you every day. And here, I didn’t have to do a thing. You managed to compromise a lady all by yourself.”

Maddy frowned. Compromised? “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m sure we can explain the situation to Lady Horsham. Richard didn’t touch me.”

Rheda and Melissa looked at each other and then back to Maddy. A shiver ran through her upon noting the sympathy in their eyes.

Melissa walked over and took Maddy’s hand. “Why don’t we ladies leave? I’m sure the men have things to discuss.”

Maddy looked at Richard in silent appeal, but he would not look her in the eye. Before she could protest, the ladies led her from the room.

“We should go back to the ballroom. The men will take care of the arrangements.” Melissa, at only a few years older than Maddy, seemed years older in experience. “You must be brave and hold your head up. Brazen out the situation.”

“Brave? Situation? Surely Lady Horsham is not spiteful enough to gossip if we explain why I was in the room.”

“Lord Wrentham also saw you. He will have told half the ton by now. He’s wanted to destroy Richard ever since he learned Sara is still in love with him.”

Maddy began to shake and bile stuck in her throat.

Rheda was correct, and as soon as they entered the ballroom, Maddy knew her fate was sealed. Her worst nightmare was playing out in front of her. Scandal. Every eye in the ton was upon her. They could not hide the superior knowing smiles and malicious sneers.

Maddy felt light headed and she gripped Rheda’s arm for support.

“Oh, my God. What have I done?”