When Seducing a Duke is Kathryn Smith‘s return to historical romance and it is wonderful.  I admit her last historical romance was one of my favorites and I have mourned her turn to the dark side, even though she is one of the few authors who writes historical paranormals I enjoy.  So when I found out she was ‘returning’ to us,  I was beyond excited.

When Seducing a Duke is a twist on the guarding/ward theme – sort of – in a way.  *g*  I have read it, loved it, and we are delighted to share an excerpt of it with you.  You can also find another taste here as well.

Greyden Kane, Duke of Ryeton and Rose Danvers have known each other for years. They’re not quite friends, not at all family and neither of them has admitted their longing for one another. Rose has come to London to find a husband, but before she weds there’s one thing she has to do. She has to seduce the duke. However, Grey thinks he’s the one doing the seducing when he spies the masked beauty at Saint’s Row. He has no idea who she is, but he know who he wants her to be. Imagine his surprise when he finally discovers that his newest lover is also his most enduring obsession.

Enchant. Tempt. Entice. Beguile. Just a few things a woman must do when seducing a duke . . .

WHEN SEDUCING A DUKE by Kathryn Smith – Sept 29^th from Avon Romance

He held out his gloved hand. “I would like very much to dance with you, my lady.”

There was no hesitation as she slid her silk-clad fingers over his. “I would not dream of denying you, my lord.”

A thrill of anticipation raced down Grey’s spine as he led her onto the dance floor, the other dancers swallowing them into their ebb and flow.

Denial? No, there would be no more of that tonight.

When he offered his hand, she took it. There was the slightest tremor to her long, delicate fingers as his own closed around them. He led her onto the dance floor where they joined the other couples doing a more seductive version of the waltz than most ballrooms ever witnessed. It gave him a convenient excuse to hold her just as close. The corseted swell of her ribs rose and fell with her breathing beneath the flesh of his palm. He made her nervous – the rapid rise and fall of her spectacular breasts was proof of that, as was her inability to raise her gaze to his.

A little anticipation was a good thing, but he did not want her afraid of him. He wanted her as eager for him as he was for her.

“Shall we converse?” he asked.

She looked up, giving him a glimpse of dark, sparkling eyes behind her frilly mask. “On what topic, sir?” Her voice sent a delicious shiver down his spine. It was deeper than Rose’s, and a little breathy, but close enough that his body reacted with such enthusiasm he thought he might embarrass himself by arching a massive erection right here on the dance floor.

“Whatever suits you,” he practically growled. “I will be content to watch your lovely lips move.”

Her eye lashes fluttered, clearly she was not used to flattery, or even flirtation. She really was perfect. “You flatter me. Perhaps I have little conversational skills. I should hate to bore you.”

He shook his head. “I find you fascinating.”

Her head tilted and a slightly mocking smile curved that gorgeous mouth.  “Sir, you barely know me.”

Grey pulled her closer. His thigh brushed her hip. It was like bumping up against a hot stove, so great was the shock to his anatomy. “In my heart we are the most intimate of friends.”

She opened her mouth – probably to protest — but he robbed her of the words by claiming her lips with his own. In the middle of the ballroom, he let her mouth scorch his, tasted her with his tongue. Hot and wet, his assault ignited a fire in them both. He could feel her body’s answering arousal as she pressed her sweet self against him.  She brought her tongue to his as she dug her fingers into his shoulder, clutched at the hand he had wrapped around hers. She tasted of champagne and warmth, and her lips were every bit as delectable as he suspected they would be. He wasn’t aggressive in his pursuit, but she could have no questions as to his intentions.

Hell, no one within a mile radius could have doubts as to his intentions!

When he finally lifted his head, breaking the kiss, she stared at him, her eyes slightly glazed behind the mask. She licked her lips, and Grey knew with a strange, sensual certainty that she was savoring the taste of him.

“Let us not play games, love,” he murmured, his mouth still very close to hers. “The moment I saw you I rushed down here to claim you before any other man could try.”

“You did?” She sounded genuinely surprised – and delighted.

Grey bit back a groan and managed a grin instead. He let go of her hand, and reaching inside his coat pocket, withdrew the key Vienne La Rieux had given him. He raised the filigreed metal for her inspection before gently inserting it between her breasts. She gasped as the cool metal touched her skin, went completely still as his fingers settled on the warm swells. Her skin was like silk; smooth and fragile. He wanted to run his tongue over the delicate blue veins barely visible beneath the surface, taste the salt in the valley between.

But here was not the place.

“It’s for a private suite,” he explained. “Shall I meet you there, or will you break my heart and refuse me?”

In the space of a few agonizing heartbeats, he waited. Then, her fingers closed over the ones that lingered upon her breast. “I could never live with the guilt of knowing I had broken your heart, sir.”

©2009 Kathryn Smith

Doesn’t it sound Fab?  If you haven’t already, go check out Kathryn’s Duck Chat.