Lord
Sebastian’s Secret, book
three of my Duke’s Sons series, was released January 3. Sebastian is a favorite
of mine, and I was happy to see some reviewers agree. RT Books Reviews called the book “a delightfully funny romance
filled with sensuality, compassion and love.” Night Owl Reviews said, “I adored each and every character in this
story as everyone practically jumps right off the page. … I loved that this
story had so many delightful twists and turns and that it left me with a
gigantic smile on my face. I just know this is one I will reread again and
again.”
One of Sebastian’s most
endearing traits, to me, is his delight at having won a clever woman for
his bride. Here’s what he has to say about that:
“It seems you’re getting a strong-minded
wife,” Randolph said.
“What?” Sebastian looked up. Randolph was
examining him curiously. Had he given himself away somehow?
“Do you mind?”
“Mind what?” As he often did, he’d missed
something. He had no idea what his brother was talking about.
“That Georgina is, um, such a spirited
debater.”
“Of course not.” Sebastian was surprised
at the question. “Why should I?”
“Well, I suppose because she’s likely to
turn her skills on you at some point. And a woman who can outtalk a Stane
is…well, rather formidable.”
The word skills
made Sebastian think of something quite different. An intensely tactile memory
flashed through him, of Georgina’s legs wrapped around his ribs as they kissed.
He turned away from his brother to hide a flush. “If she does, I expect I’ll
have deserved it. She’s far cleverer than I.”
Randolph blinked. “You…ah…you noticed?”
He coughed. “That is, do you think so?”
Sebastian snorted. “I wager everyone
thinks so.”
“Yes, but… I mean, no.”
“Did you think I was too stupid to
realize it?” he asked bitterly.
“I do not
think you stupid.”
But Sebastian had no patience, in this
moment, for kindly meant lies. “Why shouldn’t Georgina speak her mind?” he
asked, returning to his brother’s original question. “Imagine what Mama would
have done if someone had forbidden her marriage.”
“That’s rather difficult to picture. Papa
is a duke, after all.”
“Something else she wanted then.”
Randolph considered this for several
moments. “Ah. I see what you mean. A different style, of course, but equally
forceful.”
“Exactly.” In fact, Sebastian admired
Georgina’s strength of mind immensely. He’d said so, hadn’t he?
Silence fell. Sebastian didn’t really
notice. He was pondering the unfairness of life. He should be happy right now.
As far as anyone else knew, all the unexpected obstacles had been cleared from
his path. But, oh no, he’d had to create more of his own. He kicked the ottoman
again.
“What’s the matter then?” Randolph said.
“Nothing. You should go along and…do something
else.”
“I want to help you, to mend matters.”
“So your job’s done then.”
“But the thing is, Sebastian, you don’t
seem to think so.”
Evading his brother’s steady gaze,
Sebastian tried for a light tone, and thought he achieved a remarkable result under
the circumstances. “I’m tip-top, Randolph.”
“Good.”
And still his brother didn’t go. “There’s
no need to hang about watching me as if I was a raree-show.”
Sebastian is definitely worth
watching. I hope you’ll give him a look.
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