The Wedding Wager

The Wedding Wager
Deborah Hale

What had she agreed to? Leonora Freemantle had wagered high stakes that book learning, not birthright, produced a gentleman, but now with the roguish Sergeant Morse Archer under her tutelage, she was no longer sure of the outcome. Would it be polish, passion…or public outrage?If Leonora Freemantle couldn't spruce him up enough to pass muster with the Society swells at Bath, she'd be hastily married off. But not if he could help it, Rifleman Morse Archer vowed, for this beautiful bluestocking with her highbrow ideals and innocent charm was effortlessly teaching him the true language of love…!

“If we must dawdle in the library, let’s make it for a worthwhile purpose.”

Caught off balance, Leonora lurched into his lap. Though part of him would have liked to throttle her, another part thrilled to the sensation of her in his arms. In a deft motion that would have done credit to a trained pickpocket, he plucked the spectacles from her nose and the combs from her hair, tossing them onto the table.

“I’ve worked hard for you this week, Miss Freemantle. I think I deserve a reward.”

He hushed her inarticulate sounds of protest with a forceful application of his lips.

She froze in his embrace, her whole body going temporarily slack. Surrendering before his onslaught. Falling open. Inviting him deeper.

Then, with a shift so sudden it robbed him of breath, Leonora pried herself from his arms and slapped him soundly.

“How dare you, Morse Archer!”

The Wedding Wager

Harlequin Historical #563

Acclaim for Deborah Hale’s recent books

The Bonny Bride

“…high adventure!”

—Romantic Times Magazine

A Gentleman of Substance

“This exceptional Regency-era romance includes all the best aspects of that genre…Deborah Hale has outdone herself…”

—Romantic Times Magazine

“…a nearly flawless plot, well-dimensioned characters, and a flame that will set your heart ablaze with every emotion possible!”

—Affaire de Coeur

My Lord Protector

“Invite yourself to this sweet, sensitive, moving and utterly wonderful tale of love from the heart.”

—Affaire de Coeur

#564 THE MARSHAL AND MRS. O’MALLEY

Julianne MacLean

#565 THE SEA SPRITE

Ruth Langan

#566 THE VIRTUOUS CYPRIAN

Nicola Cornick

The Wedding Wager

Deborah Hale

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

Available from Harlequin Historicals and

DEBORAH HALE

My Lord Protector #452

A Gentleman of Substance #488

The Bonny Bride #503

The Elusive Bride #539

The Wedding Wager #563

For my parents, Ivan and Marion MacDonald,

who taught me so many important lessons,

and for my sons, Brendan and Jamie Hale,

who picked up where they left off.

Contents

Chapter One (#u9b573ca9-69df-5420-91ab-5e416b1dd321)

Chapter Two (#u386a50ce-0387-56c0-b46c-8c0762bdc855)

Chapter Three (#u1e9739e9-607c-5550-8c19-d13ff7fb048b)

Chapter Four (#u130366b2-5b24-5ff1-87f1-ff1613b56f4d)

Chapter Five (#ubf7406d8-4fe4-54f3-b0e8-4001b02a9ff1)

Chapter Six (#u5148eef9-cd70-5cda-8f6b-b9fbd0a55383)