The Duke’s Embrace: 12 Dukes of Christmas #7 Read online

  But that was only half of the content. Eve now had a team of independent journalists who submitted articles on all aspects of Cressmouth life and news. There were advice columns, birth and wedding columns, a farmer’s almanac, local advertisements… and, of course, the esteemed honor of Resident of the Month, written by Eve herself.

  To her surprise and gratification, there was no need to move to London and become a faceless contributor to an unwieldy daily paper in order to be respected. There was no shame in staying local and supporting her community. Cressmouth was her home, and they needed her here.

  Besides, working for the castle trust afforded her far more freedoms—and a much larger salary—than she would have ever found elsewhere.

  Instead of being an overlooked junior contributor submitting uncredited article after uncredited article due to her gender and limited experience, she was the one everyone came to with their questions and ideas.

  Together, they could make the Gazette the official voice of Cressmouth. They could tell all its stories, and present their village and themselves to the world as the wonderful, complex, tightly-knit family they were.

  “Are you certain it’s not nepotism to choose your betrothed as the first official Resident of the Month?” Bastien asked.

  She grinned and curled into him on the chaise before the fire. “It’s definitely nepotism. I have no regrets. Besides, you’re not my ‘betrothed’ anymore.”

  “Mm, that’s right.” He flipped her onto her back and covered her body with his. “Now that we’re husband and wife, does that mean we need not concern ourselves with propriety anymore?”

  “What in the dickens is ‘propriety?’” She slid her fingers into his hair and pulled him to her.

  “Wait,” he murmured between kisses. “It’s Christmas Eve. Don’t you want your present?”

  She gave him a wicked grin. “Tonight and every night.”

  But the truth was, they’d already been given the best gift they could ever ask for:

  Each other.

  THE END

  What will happen when “deliciously sulky” Lucien le Duc clashes with the irreverent and indomitable Miss Margaret Church?

  Join the fun in The Duke’s Desire, the next romance in the 12 Dukes of Christmas series!

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  Get Yours: Grab The Duke’s Desire here!

  Acknowledgments

  As always, I could not have written this book without the invaluable support of my beta readers and editors. Huge thanks go out to Erica Monroe and Tessa Shapcott. You are the best!

  Lastly, I want to thank the 12 Dukes of Christmas facebook group, my Historical Romance Book Club, and my fabulous street team. Your enthusiasm makes the romance happen.

  Thank you so much!

  Thank You For Reading

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  In order, the 12 Dukes of Christmas:

  Once Upon a Duke (FREE!)

  Kiss of a Duke

  Wish Upon a Duke

  Never Say Duke

  Dukes, Actually

  The Duke’s Bride

  The Duke’s Embrace

  The Duke’s Desire

  Dawn With a Duke

  One Night With a Duke

  Ten Days With a Duke

  Forever Your Duke

  In order, the Rogues to Riches books are:

  Lord of Chance

  Lord of Pleasure

  Lord of Night

  Lord of Temptation

  Lord of Secrets

  Lord of Vice

  In order, the Dukes of War books are:

  The Viscount’s Tempting Minx (FREE!)

  The Earl’s Defiant Wallflower

  The Captain’s Bluestocking Mistress

  The Major’s Faux Fiancée

  The Brigadier’s Runaway Bride

  The Pirate's Tempting Stowaway

  The Duke's Accidental Wife

  In order, the Gothic Love Stories are:

  Too Wicked to Kiss

  Too Sinful to Deny

  Too Tempting to Resist

  Too Wanton to Wed

  In order, the Magic & Mayhem books are:

  Kissed by Magic

  Must Love Magic

  Smitten by Magic

  The Duke’s Desire

  Margaret Church adores two things: life in a village of perennial Yuletide, and the freedoms of being a spinster with no reputation to protect. Oh, very well, three things: She’s harbored a secret tendre for Christmas curmudgeon Lucien le Duc since the moment she first glimpsed him. But the sexy blacksmith won’t give her the time of day, much less a night of torrid passion.

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  Ever since Lucien le Duc was forced to flee his beloved France during the revolution, his all-consuming goal has been to recover not only his lost land and fortune, but also his rightful place among the French aristocracy. He would never be distracted by an English dairy maid’s sultry glances… or her soul-consuming kisses… or the temptation to turn one night into forever…

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  The 12 Dukes of Christmas is a series of heartwarming Regency romps nestled in a picturesque snow-covered village. Twelve delightful romances… and plenty of delicious dukes!

  Get Yours: Grab The Duke’s Desire here!

  About the Author

  Erica Ridley is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of historical romance novels.

  In the new 12 Dukes of Christmas series, enjoy witty, heartwarming Regency romps nestled in a picturesque snow-covered village. After all, nothing heats up a winter night quite like finding oneself in the arms of a duke!

  Her two most popular series, the Dukes of War and Rogues to Riches, feature roguish peers and dashing war heroes who find love amongst the splendor and madness of Regency England.

  When not reading or writing romances, Erica can be found riding camels in Africa, zip-lining through rainforests in Central America, or getting hopelessly lost in the middle of Budapest.

  Let’s be friends! Find Erica on:

  www.EricaRidley.com

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