Euphemia Fortescue ran away from an arranged marriage ten years ago, and since, she has suffered the whims and trials of false friends and twisted lords. But since becoming a housemaid for Harcourt Sinclair, she has found some semblance of peace and purpose.
Harcourt Sinclair has been planning his revenge for twenty years against those peers of society who took everything from him. But his single-mindedness will cost him, unless he can learn to trust his least expected saviour…
Both live in the shadows, and know all too well the cruelty of those in power. The darkness in their hearts means they can never love – doesn’t it?
A tale of redemption, adventure, secrets, desire, and love in Regency London.
Harcourt brings alllll the swoon and then some!
Keep reading to see the full Love Note!
To the rarest creature I have ever encountered,
It seems, as time passes, my penchant for sentimentality grows. Once, not so long ago, I might have laughed at such a fellow who would take to writing sweet notes d’amour for no other reason than that the fancy should take him. And now, see what you have made of me my darling Fortescue, for here I find myself with the urge to put pen to paper; I find myself needing to write the words which fill my heart.
Yes, my heart, Fortescue, that piece of me which I so long imagined dead, cold, shrivelled beyond repair. And now, see, see how it beats for you, in time with your own.
I watched you, this evening, as you donned once again your other self, and played those fools who came to beat the indomitable legend that you have become. How beautiful you were, how fierce, and how tempting indeed. I believe, as I watched you, your eyes shining bright in the candlelight, that I fell in love with you again; as I seem to do every day.
Even now, as you lay asleep beside me, so peaceful, so lovely, I find myself wondering what I have done in my wretched life to deserve such a gift as you; my twin soul, my everything.
Not in a thousand years, could I ever share as much as I wish I could with you. Not in a thousand years could I memorize the infinity of your smiles, or shades of your eyes. I wish we had a millennia, my darling creature, to live our lives together, to make up for the time we lost in pain and suffering.
And then, I remember Fortescue, that no matter how I wish it to be, sadly, we are but mortals, and we have but one life.
But oh, what a life we have had; shall have. Together, always. Free, together, as ourselves. And perhaps, we shall live a thousand lives, for every day with you is a lifetime, one that I cherish, and remember.
I do not know when you will find this note, my darling creature, for I have decided to hide it away. Know, when you do, that nothing has changed. If anything, I only love you more.
Yours a thousand times,
H.
Lotte R. James spent most of her life in a windowless office crunching numbers and dreaming up stories of love and adventure.
Finally she took the big leap and is currently working on her third romance novel, along with feature scripts and and exciting fantasy novel.
When she’s not scribbling on tiny pieces of paper, she’s off wandering the countryside for inspiration, nestling in a coffee house, or snuggled with her two cats, Blackie and Rosa.
