Hero: Royce Van Cleef, Earl of Tewkbury

Heroine: Lady Laurel Summons

Setting: London, England 1813

Summary

Book Description:

For Royce Van Cleef, earl of Tewkbury, marriage is a very simple matter. Rather than waste time and effort courting, one must make the intended bride become the pursuer. When his friends scoff, he proposes to put his theory to test by winning Lady Laurel Simmons. She is beautiful, well-bred, and sharp-tongued - an exceptional challenge for any man. But Lady Laurel catches wind of Royce's foul scheme. Annoyed beyond words- a rare state for her- she decides to best him at his game. Before the season is over, she vows, Royce will be the one chasing after her. Now enthralled with ploy and counterploy, Royce and Laurel are making and breaking the rules with wild abandon - until neither can admit the game has become heartbreakingly real...

The storyline of this novel is hilarious! Royce brags to his companions that he can find a bride as simple as snapping his fingers, and he even allows his friends to pick a lady. They end up choosing Lady Laurel. Royce initially thinks that he has his whole persuading with Laurel all under control, until abruptly everything  turns around on him, and he's absolutely clueless why. Laurel, discovering the truth and keeping it to herself, she goes by means to make Royce delirious. Hehehehe.  

Excerpt from Ms. Malvey's A Merry Chase

Her words trailed off when she caught sight of a man standing directly across from her on the dance floor and, something deep inside of her uncoiled as if she'd been waiting for this man to reveal himself to her.

Laurel's breath caught in her throat. "Oh my," she whispered breathlessly. Pressing a hand against her chest, she trued to steady herself, to remind herself that he was a stranger, yet her racing heart refused to calm. As if he could read her thoughts, the corner of his moth tipped upward.

His intense gaze never faltered from her as he began to move across the room, uncaring of the couples weaving around the dance floor, unswerving in his path. The fluttering inside of her increased at his blatant disregard for the rules of polite society, but Laurel tried to squelch it.

Lifting her chin, she awaited his arrival.

Finally, he was standing before her, offering her his hand without greeting or introduction.

Instantly, Laurel was intrigued. Here she'd been expecting an introduction or a charming flirtatious remark, yet he'd given her neither. As she watched him, his mouth turned further upward, creating a small, seductive smile upon his handsome face.

His audacity tempted Laurel, making her wish she could accept his dare and place her hand in his outstretched one. Time seemed frozen as she waited for him to speak, to move, to drop his hand to his side. Instead, he remained silent, seemingly unaware of the attention his behavior was drawing.

Glancing about the room, Laurel saw how people looked at them, laughing at her apparent refusal to accept his hand. Chagrined, she returned her attention to the confident man standing before her.

Slowly, she placed her hand into his, accepting the bold invitation.

His smile spread into a broad grin as he twirled her into his arms and out onto the dance floor. The room spun about for Laurel as she clung to his shoulder, caught up in the moment. Though the urge to speak tempted her, Laurel remained silent, unwilling to disrupt the magic that flowed between them.

As she whirled about the room in the arms of a stranger, Laurel had never felt so unrestrained, so...wild. The challenge in his smiling gaze made her ache to throw caution to the wind, to shake free from the fetters of her past and allow this man, this wild, impetuous man, to shape her future.

Much to her disappointment the music died all too soon; she could have lived within that one magical moment forever. Escorting her back to Harriet, the man bowed to her, pressing a kiss to the back of her gloved hand.

As he straightened, Laurel couldn't resist saying, "I don't believe we've been introduced."

Smiling down at her, the gentleman held his tongue. Dismayed, Laurel tried again. "Might I learn your name?"

"Perhaps in good time," he murmured, his voice low and melodious, before he turned on his heel and walked back across the room, fading into the crowd of people gathered there.

For a moment, Laurel could do no more than stare after him, too shocked to respond.

Turning toward Harriet, Laurel asked. "Do you know who that gentleman is?"

Shocked widened Harriet's eyes. "You danced with a gentleman without even knowing his name?"

"Quite scandalous of me, wasn't it?" Laurel replied with a grin, still feeling the sweep of excitement. "Please answer the question. Do you know him?"

"Yes, I recognize him, " Harriet acknowledged. "I was introduced to him earlier in the season."

 "Please Harriet." Laurel needed to know his name.

"You charming new suitor is none other than the Earl of Tewsbury, Royce Van Cleef."

       Read A MERRY CHASE to find out what happens...(excerpt pg.16-18)

Quotes:

" 'Ah, but if I am the most persistent, I can easily wait out the other suitors.' His gaze burned with intensity. 'I'll persevere and in the end, when all the other gentlemen have given up, I'll claim you for my prize.' Lifting her chin, Laurel met his challenge. 'That will be your downfall, my lord, for I am no man's prize to claim. When and if I settle upon someone to marry, it shall be my choice and mine alone.' She waved her hand airily. 'So you see, you would be far better off settling upon some other lady to court.' Royce drew her in closer. 'I've settled upon you.' "