Safe in the Earl's Arms

Safe in the Earl's Arms
Liz Tyner

A DARING ESCAPE AND AN EVEN MORE DARING ATTRACTION!Melina’s discovery of a priceless statue is her one hope of saving her family from ruin – if she can only persuade the Earl of Warrington to grant her safe passage on his ship to London. But Melina knows she’s gone too far when he takes her for a lady of easy virtue!When they are thrown together during the voyage, he shockingly comes to realise his mistake. Now he’s honour-bound to keep her safe. But as she’s thrust into London’s social whirl how long will it be before she discovers his scandalous dark past?

A DARING ESCAPE, AND AN EVEN MORE DARING ATTRACTION!

Melina’s discovery of a priceless statue is her one hope of saving her family from ruin, if she can only persuade the Earl of Warrington to grant her safe passage on his ship to London. But Melina knows she’s gone too far when he takes her for a lady of easy virtue!

Thrown together during the voyage, he shockingly comes to realize his mistake. Now he’s honor-bound to keep her safe. But thrust into London’s social whirl, how long will it take before she discovers his scandalous, dark past?

He reached for the door, but her voice stopped him.

‘Please,’ she said, and touched the bed beside her. ‘The ship shakes so. I don’t want to be alone. I feel better with you near. Here.’

Lightning kept flashing through the glass, giving her a mythical glow. The intensity of her gaze caused him to stare—her eyes were as clear as a harvest moon. He dropped to his knees, landing beside her, entranced by the flickers of lightning on her skin.

He swept his finger over her bottom lip. Now he knew what magic felt like. His skin tingled with anticipation.

AUTHOR NOTE

As a child, I remember seeing a picture of the Venus de Milo. I didn’t understand the archaeological aspect—I only wondered why she didn’t have arms. Much later, while thinking about what story to write, I happened to see something on television about her discovery and began to imagine the Venus lying, waiting to be uncovered.

While researching I discovered that part of one badly damaged arm had once been found, and also a hand believed to be holding an apple. But I found nothing definitive about her other hand except the explanation that the fragments around her might have been another arm. It might have been…but it was so easy for me to believe someone took it!

I hope you enjoy my story and uncovering the magic of this wonderful time!

Safe in the Earl’s Arms

Liz Tyner

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

LIZ TYNER began creating her own stories even before she decided on the lofty goal of reading every fiction book in her high school library. When the school gave her a career assessment they came up blank—they double-checked and still came up blank. Liz took it in her stride because she knew that on the questionnaire she’d ticked an interest in everything but scuba diving. She believed the assessment proved she was perfect for becoming a novelist.

Now she and her husband live on a small acreage where she enjoys strolling her walking trails and wishes the animals she shares the trails with wouldn’t visit her garden and fruit trees. She imagines the wooded areas as similar to the ones in the children’s book Where the Wild Things Are. Her lifestyle is a blend of old and new, and in some ways comparable to how people lived long ago.

Liz is a member of various writing groups, and has worn down the edges of a few keys on her keyboard while working on manuscripts—none of which feature scuba divers.

This is Liz Tyner’s fabulous debut novel for Mills & Boon® Historical Romance!

To Bill, who encourages my dreams and who buys me chocolate.

Contents

Chapter One (#ud7fcdb29-d5d5-501a-a14e-dcfd78a84671)

Chapter Two (#u5846e1a3-49b5-565f-9b99-a8216bec0b4d)

Chapter Three (#ue3fe4d99-e6bd-5504-991b-7a7f62f972d0)

Chapter Four (#ufae045bf-fb84-57cf-ba0d-2ef6ac890008)

Chapter Five (#ucfdbea7c-d2b3-525b-b608-a99b2bc3d6ab)

Chapter Six (#u8a3c5f5d-5170-5202-ae49-e2b15c0c439f)

Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Sixteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Seventeen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eighteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nineteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twenty (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twenty-One (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twenty-Two (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twenty-Three (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twenty-Four (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twenty-Five (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter One

Being wrapped in a shroud of sailing cloth—a shot ball secure at his head and one at his feet—and tossed into the Aegean Sea could only increase Warrington’s spirits. He linked his fingertips together, braced his elbows against the railing and ignored the sting of the wind slapping his hair on to his face.

His brother’s sparring remarks didn’t help.