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Surrendering to the Earl's Desires
Introduction
Lady Theodora Cary, harbors a trove of emotions behind her poised exterior. Orphaned at a tender age, the weight of guardianship for her sisters transformed her into a stern protector. Yet, in clandestine moments, her mind wanders to the thrill of horseback rides, the tantalizing touch of a lover, and the elusive promise of true, passionate love. Now, as the winds of change sweep through Winterheath with the arrival of the seductive Maxim Steele, Theo's guarded heart faces a formidable challenge…
Is love worth the gamble?
At twenty-seven, Maxim Steele, a charismatic rogue in pursuit of redemption, inherits not only an earldom, but also the guardianship of Theo and her sisters. When he lays eyes on the tempting Theo, for her own good, he knows he must fight his relentless desires and stay away. As he navigates Winterheath though, the weight of his scandalous past hangs heavy. Determined to shed his rakish reputation, Maxim faces the challenges of self-reform and family responsibility.
Can he overcome the shadows of his past and win Theo's fiery heart?
Theo and Maxim find themselves entangled in a sinful dance of emotions and hidden desires. In the shadowy corridors of Winterheath, where love, lust and redemption intertwine, can they weather the storms and find not only solace, but also the sizzling passion they both secretly crave, in each other's arms?
Prolgue
“Will this journey ever end?” Theodora moaned. The carriage rattled over the rough thoroughfare, the landscape around them stark and bleak. “I don’t know why I had to come, anyhow.”
“Oh, Theo, really.” Her mother ran her hand across her face, letting her exhaustion out on a sigh. “Do you really have to make the journey even more difficult than it already is?”
“The Earl of Kingsbury is simply bursting at the seams with anticipation at our arrival,” her father, the Earl of Stafford, interjected. “He misses you and your sisters dearly. He hasn’t seen any of you in, what? Six months?”
“Probably more than that,” her mother said. Her lips were pursed, her face pale, and she clasped her hands before her as she stared straight ahead. Traveling had never suited her; she was always fretting, always sick. “But that is hardly the point. Why can’t you be more like your sisters? They are always well-behaved—and not quite so temperamental.”
“Because I am simply not as perfect as they are,” Theo replied, pulling a face of discontent and returning her attention to the passing world.
Lady Theodora Cary, daughter of the Earl of Stafford, had just turned ten-and-four, and she felt as if the entire world was against her. She hated everything—her parents, her sisters, her governess, even the world around her. And to make matters worse, now she was being forced to visit Winterheath, home of her parents’ dear friend, Gideon Steele, the Earl of Kingsbury. She could see her life mapped out in front of her, and she hated that, too.
She pouted as she stared out of the window. The road was uneven, the carriage jolting at every turn, but still, the horses were driven on. Theodora—Theo, to friends and family—hated that, and she hated the way it made a mess of her perfectly coiffed dark brown hair and her carefully arranged muslin gown.
Oh, stop it.
Her attitude irritated even herself, sometimes. She sighed. She had such a temper lately, though she had no idea why. Her maid had told her it was because she was transitioning from a child to a lady, that it was normal for someone of her age to be confused and frustrated with life.
Whatever the son, she hoped it would calm down soon. She didn’t mean to be so snappy with her parents, nor so cruel to her sisters, but the words seemed to just come out of her mouth unintentionally.
She let out another sigh, watching her reflection in the window. On the cusp of womanhood, Theo was yet to come into her full beauty, though hints of it could already be seen. A storm raged in her sea-blue eyes, and freckles danced across the bridge of her nose. She even sported a mole just above her lip—real, not painted on, she’ll have you know—a darkness in contrast to her alabaster skin.
“And you need not pull that face, either,” her father snapped. “Really, Theo. You should consider yourself lucky. So many young ladies would like to be in your position. You’ll find that out for yourself when you debut in society.”
The countess tutted. “That’s four years away, Geraint. I really don’t think we need to talk of that just yet.”
“I may not want to debut in London’s society,” Theo cried, turning to face them again. Why did they think they could control her entire life, just as they had controlled her as a child? “Perhaps I have other ideas about my life.”
Her mother’s laughter filled the carriage, the high pitch of incredulity ringing in Theo’s ears.
“I do not know what is so amusing to you, Mother,” she snapped. “Perhaps I would prefer to spend my days riding and reading.”
She didn’t know what she wanted to do, in truth. But she knew she was full of passion and desire. She wanted to learn things, to see things, to experience things! She didn’t want to become like her mother—a bitter old shrew who did little other than needlepoint.
“You have no idea how real life works, Theo.”
“What does that mean?” she asked, annoyed by her mother’s attempt at mysticism.
“Well, who, dear child, is going to support you financially while you spend your days riding and reading?”
Theo frowned and shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She still didn’t know why she couldn’t support herself financially, though she’d been told often enough it was impossible. She was certainly intelligent enough. She had ideas and dreams, and she had no desire to give herself up to a man simply so he could fund the lifestyle she desired. Why couldn’t she do so herself? It made no sense.
“Why, Father, will continue to do so until I can—”
“Oh, for goodness’ sake.” The earl rolled his eyes as he interrupted her. “We can worry about your marital prospects in a year or two, but for now, can we please concentrate on today’s visit? Kingsbury has been something of a second father to you. I would have thought you would care about seeing him as much as he cares for seeing you.”
A big part of Theo was indeed looking forward to seeing Lord Kingsbury, though she was loath to admit that to her father. She hated to prove him right. Instead, she looked out of the window once more and muttered, “The answer remains the same. I would far rather be riding or reading or some mix of the two.”
“Well, you cannot!” her mother shouted, glaring at her, her travel woes forgotten. “We all have duties in life, Theodora, and this is one of yours.”
“Besides,” her father said, taking the softer approach, as he always did, “it really is a treat, spending a few weeks in Rochester. Such a beautiful part of the country, don’t you agree?”
Theo looked out over the barren land between here and their destination. It was far from beautiful. It was dry and prickly and untended. She knew, of course, that Rochester was not at all like that and Winterheath even less so. The Earl of Kingsbury’s gardens were amongst the most beautiful in the whole of England, but the wasteland they traveled through now helped serve her point.
“I see no beauty,” she muttered.
