Lady Polly Part 53

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MILLS BOON Next Month's Romance t.i.tles Each month you can choose from a wide variety of romance novels from Mills & Boon . Below are the new t.i.tles to look out for next month from the Presents. " and Enchanted "

series.

A RELUCTANT MISTRESS THE MARRIAGE RESOLUTION THE FINAL SEDUCTION THE.

REVENGE AFFAIR THE HIRED HUSBAND THE MILLIONAIRE AFFAIR THE BABY.

VERDICT.

THE IMPATIENT GROOM.

Robyn Donald Penny Jordan Sharon Kendricfc Susan Napier Kate Walker Sophie Weston Cathy Williams Sara Wood

THE DADDY DILEMMA AND MOTHER MAKES THREE TO CLAIM A WIFE THE BABY.

WISH.

MARRYING A MILLIONAIRE THE HUSBAND CAMPAIGN TEMPTING A TYc.o.o.n.

MAIL-ORDER.

MARRIAGE.

Kate Den ton Liz Fielding Susan Fox Myra Mackenzie Laura Martin Barbara McMahon Leigh Michaels Margaret Way On sale from 1st October 1999 Hi Available at most branches of WH Smith, Tesco, Asda, Martins, Borders, Easons, Volume One James Thin and most good paperback book shops Lord Henry made a slight, dismissive gesture.

"What could a rake wish for from a lady on a providentially empty terrace?"

Understanding came to Polly at the very last moment. She had once quite ached for Lord Henry to kiss her as long as it had been in a completely undemanding fas.h.i.+on. Some chaste but impa.s.sioned salutation had been the height of her aspirations.

This kiss might have been impa.s.sioned, but in no way could it be described as chaste. Lord Henry brought her into sudden, shocking contact with his body.

His mouth captured hers with the ruthless skill of the expert, parting her lips so that her gasp was lost.

Nicola Cornick is pa.s.sionate about many things: her country cottage and its garden, her two small cats, her husband and her writing, though not necessarily in that order! She has always been fascinated by history, both as her chosen subject at university and subsequently as an engrossing hobby.

She works as a university administrator and finds her writing the perfect antidote to the demands of life in a busy office.

Recent t.i.tles by the same author:

THE LARKS WOOD INHERITANCE THE VIRTUOUS CYPRIAN.

LADY POLLY.

Nicola Co mickdypolly

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First published in Great Britain 1999 Harlequin Mills & Boon Limited, Eton House, 18-24 Paradise Road, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1SR Nicola Co mick 1999 ISBN 0 263 81796 2 Set in Times Roman lOVi on 12 pt.

04-9909-74372 CI Printed and bound in Great Britain by Caledonian Book Manufacturing Ltd, Glasgow Prologue QnyQ 1812 You're a d.a.m.ned fool.

Henry! " Simon Verey leant on the table and addressed his friend in tones that would have led Henry March night to call him out under any other circ.u.mstances.

"Leave it a few weeks--a month, even--for everyone to lose interest in Miss Jacques's vicious rum ours! If you go to Lady Paulersbury's rout tonight, they'll make mincemeat of you!"

Lord Henry's only response was a rather lopsided grin as he tilted his head to consider the intricate folds of his violet cravat in the mirror.

"The Napoleon," he mused.

"Rather a neat style, don't you think, Simon?

Languis.h.i.+ng and romantic, as is appropriate for this evening! Do you think that it will bring me the luck of the French? " "In love or in war?" Verey asked drily.

Lord Henry's only reply was another smile.

"I regret that I cannot take your advice, Simon," he continued.

"I must see Lady Polly Sea grave tonight.

I am hoping that I may still persuade her to consent to be my wife. "

Verey's lips tightened. He had seen that reckless look in his friend's grey eyes before and knew it promised trouble. There was something both tense and watchful about Lord Henry's elegantly clad form, some element held under the barest control. And Verey understood his desperation, but he thought Henry had miscalculated.

"They'll never let you near her," he prophesied grimly.

"Good G.o.d, the whole Town thinks that you have tried to debauch Miss Jacques, then proposed marriage to Lady Polly for her fortune only a day later!

You'll be ripped to pieces. Henry!"

Lord Henry shrugged.

"Lady Polly would never believe such a thing of me, Simon. I know she would have accepted my suit had the Earl not refused to countenance it!"

Verey shook his head. What madness could have possessed Lord Henry to ask the starchy old Earl of Sea grave for his daughter's hand in marriage whilst such un savoury, albeit untrue, rum ours were being circulated? He must have known that the Earl was so high in the instep that he would never sanction a match between his only daughter and a man who had been branded a philanderer and deceiver.

With its usual appet.i.te for scandal. Society had been quick to seize upon the accusations of Miss Sally Jacques that Henry March night had promised her marriage and then attempted to seduce her. Verey knew that Miss Jacques was the daughter of a Cit who had attempted to establish herself amongst the ton and whose disappointment at being unable to bring Henry up to scratch had led to this ill-considered revenge.