THE ART OF TEMPTATION
Lauren Royal
Author's Cut Edition
Novelty Press
THE ART OF TEMPTATION by Lauren Royal - Author's Cut Edition
Published by Novelty Books, a division of Novelty Publishers, LLC, 848 N. Rainbow Blvd, Suite 4390, Las Vegas NV 89107
Originally published in paperback by Penguin Putnam Inc.
COPYRIGHT © Lauren Royal 2007, 2012
ISBN 978-1-938907-12-8
8th Edition, March 2015
Cover by Kimberly Killion
Book Design by Typesetter For Mac
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be used or reproduced or transmitted in any manner whatsoever, electronically, in print, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of both Lauren Royal and Novelty Books, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Authors work months or years on their books and need to feed their families, just like you do. This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Learn more about the author and her books at LaurenRoyal.com.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page
Copyright Page
Book Description
More Chase Family Books
A Message from Lauren...
Dedication
Prologue: On a damp Tuesday shortly after he turned eighteen, life as Sean Delaney had known it...
1: "We want to see the Rosetta Stone," two feminine voices chorused.
2: "I have a problem," Hamilton announced without preamble when Sean...
3: If only she could find a real man who looked like this...
4: Lady Stafford and Lord Cavanaugh's wedding was a modest affair...
5: Few people were strolling in Green Park this Thursday evening.
6: The homes on the east and west sides of Berkeley Square...
7: Griffin spent all of Friday morning seated across from Rachael...
8: "You're not going to stay up till all hours again, are you?"
9: Lady Partridge lived in a small mansion at the edge of Mayfair.
10: Lord Lincolnshire held up a hand, interrupting...
11: Shortly after noon on Monday, Sean paced outside the gate...
12: "Nephew?" "Hmm?" "I wish to see your studio today."
13: Corinna stood before her easel in Berkeley Square the next day...
14: "You look grand indeed in that dress," Sean murmured...
15: Yesterday's discovery that John Hamilton was really...
16: "I wonder why Corinna's so nervous," Rachael said to her sisters...
17: Upon arriving at Lincolnshire House the next afternoon, Corinna...
18: "Thank you," Sean said simply as he walked Corinna toward the door later.
19: Early Monday evening at Lincolnshire House, Corinna...
20: Five minutes later, after Corinna departed...
21: "A lovely first vintage."
22: Very handsome gentleman," Juliana commented...
23: "Griffin," Rachael said. "What are you doing here?"
24: The Billingsgates had a rather impressive art collection...
25: Sean had decided that the day he'd brought Lincolnshire to Hamilton's studio...
26: "How does Lord Lincolnshire fare today?" Sean asked...
27: As was customary, the furniture in Aunt Frances's Hanover Square home...
28: Hanover Square, Tuesday 13 May. My dear cousin...
29: Finally the day of the reception dawned.
30: The earl's health was failing fast.
31: Holy Hannah. Corinna had to forcibly close her mouth.
32: Her grandfather was here somewhere.
33: "How shall we work this?" Setting his large case full of art supplies on the table, Sean...
34: The next day, Lincolnshire perked up.
35: "Oh, Aunt Frances, she's beautiful."
36: They met in the afternoon this time, so Sean didn't bother lighting any candles.
37: Corinna couldn't sketch. She could only stare.
38: Corinna had never painted so fast in her life.
39: Berkeley Square, Saturday 17 May. My dear cousin...
40: "I saw her here earlier," Rachael said...
41: "Did you not sleep well?" Dierdre asked solicitously when Sean...
42: As the clock on the mantel struck ten on Sunday night, Corinna...
43: Sean didn't slam into the breakfast room Monday morning.
44: Half an hour later, Griffin found himself on Lady Avonleigh's doorstep again.
45: "I don't know where to begin, Lady Avonleigh."
46: Corinna paced the foyer, watching the clock tick...
47: In the wee hours, the earl died.
48: Excitement still simmered in Corinna on Tuesday...
49: An earl's funeral bore little resemblance to the simple ceremonies...
50: "Corinna," Sean said when she walked in.
51: As Friday afternoon slid into evening, Corinna stood alone...
52: "Can I not just be sad over the loss of Lord Lincolnshire?"
53: Griffin had kissed Rachael in his study.
54: The atmosphere in Hampstead was very thick that Friday evening.
55: "You're late," Juliana said when Griffin arrived...
56: When Sean arrived in Queen Street on Monday at noon...
57: Still holding Corinna's hand, Sean walked with her...
58: A short time later, Griffin found himself seated on a sofa in his drawing room...
59: The Great Room, which housed the Summer Exhibition...
60: "Well," Griffin said. "That's it." Upstairs in the Berkeley Square town house...
Thank You!
Bonus Material
Author's Note
Books by Lauren Royal
Regency Chase Family Tree
Excerpt from AMETHYST
Contest
About the Author
Acknowledgments
Jewels of Historical Romance
Contact Information
BOOK DESCRIPTION
London, 1817
Sean Delaney has no shortage of female admirers, but all he wants is a divorce—for his sister, that is. Too bad her rotter of a husband, reclusive oil painter John Hamilton, won't consent unless Sean agrees to help him pull off a major deception. With his sister's happiness on the line, Sean has no choice. But he won't be able to do it alone…
Though Lady Corinna Chase is more interested in pursuing her art than finding a husband, she can't help but take notice of the handsome Irishman who's moved in next door. When it soon becomes evident that her new neighbor isn't who he says he is, rather than expose him, she finds herself drawn into the hoax. As collaboration grows into admiration, and temptation breeds desire, Corinna faces a difficult choice: Will she abandon her artistic ambitions, or give up the man she's come to love?
Meanwhile, Corinna's brother Griffin is helping their alluring cousin Rachael find her father. Thank goodness they're cousins, because Rachael
