Table Of ContentTable of Contents
Title Page
Praise
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Author’s Note
SHADY LADY
Prologue - April 1817: Brinsley Hall, Oxfordshire
Chapter 1
About the Author
Also by Elizabeth Thornton
Copyright Page
Lavish praise for the books of ELIZABETH
THORNTON
THE PERFECT PRINCESS
“Winning . . . lots of action and a very neat twist . . .”
—Booklist
“A joy to read!”
—Romantic Times
“Steamy sex scenes, fiery repartee and strong characters set this romantic
intrigue apart from the usual Regency fare.”
— Publishers Weekly
PRINCESS CHARMING
“Delightfully entertaining”
—Philadelphia Inquirer
“Ms. Thornton excels at writing a steamy, passionate tale of love and Princess
Charming gives you all that and more in this fast-paced historical romantic
suspense.”
—Romantic Times
STRANGERS AT DAWN
“An out-of-the-ordinary murder mystery set in the early 1800s with lots of
“An out-of-the-ordinary murder mystery set in the early 1800s with lots of
suspects and a lovely romance.”
—The Dallas Morning News
“Thornton has been a long-time favorite thanks to her well-told tales of intrigue
peppered with sizzling romance and Strangers at Dawn is among the best.”
—The Oakland Press
“With her talent as a superb storyteller, Elizabeth Thornton skillfully blends
suspense, murder, and a powerful love story into a jewel of a book.”
—Romantic Times
WHISPER HIS NAME
“Thornton creates appealing characters and cleverly weaves in familiar Regency
settings and customs.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Ms. Thornton has delivered. This is a terrific book from cover to cover. The
dynamic plot and characters will thrill and delight. Bravo!”
—Rendezvous
“Thornton scribes another terrific tale that sub-genre fans will take immense
pleasure reading. The action-packed story line is a thrill a page without
scrimping on a warm romance. Very Highly Recommended.”
—Harriet Klausner
YOU ONLY LOVE TWICE
“This book is an absolute joy to read. I loved every minute of it! We are given
humor, a murderer, sensuality, scintillating dialogue, and characters to cheer for.
humor, a murderer, sensuality, scintillating dialogue, and characters to cheer for.
What more could you want?”
—Rendezvous
“If you love mystery, murder, and mayhem along with your romance, then You
Only Love Twice will be your cup of tea.”
— Romantic Times
THE BRIDE’S BODYGUARD
“Cleverly plotted intrigue.”
—Publishers Weekly
“This witty Regency romance/mystery will keep you up all night.”
— The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“A rich, satisfying blend of suspense and passion.”
—Brazosport Facts
More praise for ELIZABETH THORNTON
“Elizabeth gives you delicious stories filled with mystery, sensual romance, and
dynamite characters. I have been reading this woman’s wonderful stories for
years and years. I hope she never stops writing.”
—The Belles and Beaux of Romance
“Fast-paced and full of surprises, Thornton’s latest novel is an exciting story of
romance, mystery, and adventure . . . a complex plot that exuberantly carries the
reader. Thornton’s firm control of her plot, her graceful prose, and her witty
dialogue make Dangerous to Kiss a pleasure to read.”
—Publishers Weekly on Dangerous to Kiss
He looked into her face, trying to gauge her feelings. “Look at me!” he said
fiercely, and he cupped her chin to bring her eyes up to meet his. She seemed
fragile, and that surprised him.
Her gloved fingers splayed over his chest. “No,” she whispered.
His lips curved. “What are you saying no to?”
What was in his eyes; the way her heart jarred; the sudden realization that she
wasn’t as immune to him as she thought she was.
His hand moved to her neck, his fingers tightened. She knew she should pull
back. Instead, she lifted her face to him. His lips were warm, tasting, not taking.
She felt her mouth opening to the gentle pressure of his. She couldn’t think,
didn’t want to think.
Prologue
London, October 1816
The body was still warm. Officer Rankin turned up his coat collar to protect his
neck from the drizzle that was beginning to turn to sleet. Not only was the
weather wretched, but Hyde Park at night gave him the shudders.
He went down on his haunches and held his lantern high to get a better look.
In his long career, he’d investigated many murders, but he’d never seen anything
like this. The victim was roped to the trunk of a tall oak and had fallen forward
at the instant of death so that the ropes sagged with his weight. He’d been shot at
close range behind his left ear, and his neckcloth was soaked with blood.
Rankin looked up and beckoned to his assistant, a new recruit to the Bow
Street Office, who looked as though he might be sick. This was Willis’s first
night on the job, and Rankin was wishing that they’d been called out to a
housebreaking and not a murder.
After a slight hesitation, Willis sank down beside his superior and stared
fixedly at the murdered man. Behind them, crowding a little closer for a better
view, were the night watch and the elegant young gentleman who had raised the
alarm.
“Nasty,” said the night watch. He wasn’t squeamish about sudden death. As a
veteran of the Spanish Campaign, he had seen much worse than this.
Rankin said nothing. In his mind’s eye, he was trying to see how the murder
was done. The victim was on his knees, bound at the ankles, with his hands tied
behind his back. There were no obvious signs of a struggle, but it was hard to tell
in that Stygian darkness. His chin was sunk on his chest, and it was impossible
to see if there were other injuries on his face—bruises, broken bones—without
raising his head. Mindful of Willis’s squeamishness, Rankin decided to leave
