A Rogue Worth the Risk: A Sweet Regency Historical Romance (The Honorable RoguesŪ) - Softcover

Cameron, Collette; Wager, Wedding

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1955259321 ISBN 13: 9781955259323

Publisher: Blue Rose Romance LLC, 2023

Synopsis

Love favors the bold. But who’s to say the risk is truly worth the reward…

Caspian Graystone, Baron Strathmore, has no plans to wed. He survived the inferno that claimed his entire family, but the scarred, intolerant man he’s become has no need of society or the gossipmongers who think he started the blaze to inherit the barony. That is why he’s shocked when he finds himself drawn to the vivacious and spirited Corinna Brockman. He has no business seeking out her company. But that’s exactly what he does…

Corinna faces spinsterhood and is generally fine with the prospect. She prefers the study of architecture and ancient languages to most traditional pursuits and has no interest in opportunistic suitors who care more for her beauty than her mind. Which is why her sudden interest in Caspian makes no logical sense whatsoever. But, as it turns out, her heart cares not one whit about logic…

Can an avowed bachelor and a spinster find the courage to take a chance on love—and each other? Or will they decide the risk to their hearts isn’t worth a potential happily ever after?
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Secrets, Scandals, and Sigh-worthy, Sweet romance.
You won’t be able to turn the pages fast enough in this class difference Regency sweet and wholesome historical by a USA Today bestselling author to find out what happens to Corinna and Caspian next.

If you enjoy reading opposites attract, reformed rogue, and strong-spirited heroine stories sprinkled with a dab of humor, a dash of suspense, and heartwarming emotion, then you’ll adore Collette Cameron’s tantalizing THE HONORABLE ROGUESŪ series. Buy A ROGUE WORTH THE RISK and settle into your favorite reading nook for a rousing romantic escape into history you can’t put down.

Though this book can easily be read as a stand-alone, most readers prefer to read the series in order.

THE HONORABLE ROGUESŪ SERIES:

1. A Kiss for a Rogue
2. A Bride for a Rogue
3. A Rogue’s Scandalous Wish
4. To Capture a Rogue’s Heart
5. The Rogue and the Wallflower
6. A Rose for a Rogue
7. ’Twas the Rogue Before Christmas
8. A Rogue Worth the Risk

Check out the complete library of Historical, Scottish, and Regency Romance Series by USA Today Bestselling Author COLLETTE CAMERONŪ ~ The home of SWEET-TO-SPICY TIMELESS ROMANCEŪ.

• Chronicles of the Westbrook Brides
• Daughters of Desire (Scandalous Ladies)
• For the Love of an Earl (Wicked Earls’ Club)
• Heart of a Scot
• Highland Heather Romancing a Scot: Castle Brides
• Ladies of Opportunity
• Seductive Scoundrels
• The Culpepper Misses
• The Honorable RoguesŪ

About this title

About the Author

USA Today Bestselling author Collette CameronŪ is renowned for her captivating, humorous, and heartwarming Scottish and Regency historical romance novels. With over 65 published titles, over 1.6 million books sold around the world, and multiple writing awards to her credit, Collette is a well-known author in the world of romance.
 
Readers love her witty and relatable characters including daring rogues, dashing scoundrels, and the strong and spirited heroines who capture their hearts. From the rugged highlands to the refined drawing rooms of Regency England, Collette's novels will transport you to another time and place, where love and adventure are just a page away.
 
Collette's Sweet-to-Spicy Timeless RomancesŪ are the perfect escape for readers looking for romantic escape, poignant inspiration, engaging humor, and entertaining stories.
 
Based in the Pacific Northwest, Collette is surrounded by the lush greenery and rainy skies that inspire her writing. She dreams of one day splitting her time between the Pacific Northwest and Scotland. In the meantime, she indulges in her love of all things cobalt blue, dachshunds, chocolate, and of course, crafting her next romance.
 
Visit [collettecameronbooks dot com] to connect with Collette on social media, download a printable series/book list, join her VIP Reader Group, and subscribe to her newsletter (get a FREE book too).

From the Back Cover

Excerpt - A Rogue Worth the Risk

Essex, England
Nottingshire Court
Home of Lady Pandora Osborne
Middle of January — Evening

I shouldn't have come.

This was a monumental mistake. A sodding, imbecilic, bloody mistake.

Putting two fingers to the jagged scar zigzagging across his left cheek, Caspian Graystone, Baron Strathmore—called the blackhearted baron behind his back and occasionally to his face—paused inside the ballroom's glittering entrance.

Why had he allowed Ronan Brockman and Manchester, Marquess of Sterling, to talk him into attending what was certain to be a week-long, excruciatingly tedious pain in the posterior? Cynicism bent Caspian's mouth upward, and anyone glancing in his direction would recognize him for what he was—a jaded, sardonic skeptic.

Elegantly coiffed ladies draped in sparkling jewels and swathed in silks and satins in every shade of the rainbow twirled around the chalked parquet dance floor with gentlemen attired in the first stare of fashion.

Pretentious popinjays and conceited coxcombs, the lot.

Nay, not all of the fellows.

According to Brockman, a few other sensible chaps made the coveted guest list, though how Brockman came by that exclusive information was anyone's guess. The Earls of Hythe, Bixley, and Barington, as well as Viscounts Harcourt, Silverton, and the Duke of Sedgewick were expected. Whether the lords chose to subject themselves to this gratuitous torment or not, however...

They were the only thing that kept Caspian from turning on his heel and sequestering himself for the evening in the study or library with a bottle of prime scotch. Mayhap not a bottle, but a dram or two.

In truth, the notion tempted greatly.

Though an aristocrat by birthright, Caspian didn't belong here—didn't belong amongst le beau monde. The ton had made that perfectly clear six years ago. Regardless, he'd made his friends a promise, and if nothing else—despite the smudges upon his dented reputation—Caspian was a man of his word.

In point of fact, just appearing tonight would suffice as the fulfillment of his pledge to attend the house party. No need to torture himself and stay more than a day or two.

Besides, he preferred to monitor Thirkwick Park's reconstruction progress himself. He'd far rather be there laying bricks, hoisting lumber, nailing flooring, or performing any number of other tasks required to rebuild the once-magnificent manor that had sustained grievous fire damage.

The very inferno Caspian had escaped by diving through an upper-story window—hence his scarred face and arm. The blaze had also taken the lives of his entire family: father, brother, pregnant sister-in-law, and demented stepmother, Florinda. Caspian would go to his grave convinced Florinda had set the fire in one of her frequent and ever more irrational frenzies.

With pure determination, he took a firm grip on his memory and veered his disquieting musings from that fateful night. With bored disinterest, he surveyed the festive tableau before him. The merest pinch of a headache throbbed behind his eyes as it inevitably did when he entertained recollections of the deadly conflagration that had left him alone in the world.

The fire that had also left Caspian a pariah to Society.

In an effort to ease the aggravating ache prodding his skull, Caspian rubbed the bridge of his nose. He stopped as two ladies passed, their eyes widening in recognition, before they dipped their graying heads together. The feathers in their silk turbans battled for dominance in a comical duel as the women broke into frenetic whispers.

Indulging the wicked urge to take them down a peg, Caspian gave them a devilish wink and skewed his mouth into a mocking grin. He knew full well that his scar pulled his mouth into a cockeyed, rather macabre grimace. More than one child had broken into frightened cries when he'd smiled at them.

So he'd stopped doing so.

He might be a monster in appearance but wasn't so in character. Unless one counted cynicism and taciturnity as character flaws.

Clutching one another's arms in alarm, the be-ribboned and be-ruffled dames practically fell over each other in their haste to put distance between him and them. It would serve the biddies right if they toppled, ample bosoms over even ampler bums, onto the dance floor.

Though he was loath to admit it, the encounter bothered Caspian more than it ought. Hadn't his pride been bludgeoned enough? Why put himself through this farce?

He searched the teeming ballroom for a single friend. He hadn't many left, truth be told. Merely a handful of loyal men who valued character over rumors. Friendship over titillating tattle. Who believed him and not the embellished gossip still circulating certain elite drawing rooms.

To be perfectly honest, the invitation to attend Lady Pandora Osborne's house party had taken him aback. They didn't travel in the same social circles, although she had been a close friend of his mother's many long years ago.

Perhaps pity or a misguided sense of obligation had spurred her to include Caspian. A perverted sense of curiosity or anticipation his presence would liven up an otherwise predictable gathering weren't farfetched motivations either.

In retrospect, the latter two were the more likely possibilities.

Barely suppressing a peeved sigh, Caspian pulled his watch from his pocket.

Not even ten of the clock yet.

Where was Brockman? Sterling?

Had they deserted him this early on?

Caspian skimmed his gaze across the crowd again. Hundreds of candles in the crystal chandeliers cast an ethereal glow onto the guests, creating a fairytale-like atmosphere.

Fairytale?

Balderdash and twaddle.

He'd put aside fanciful childish notions twenty years ago. When his invalid mother had died, and Father had married Florinda—the unbalanced mistress he'd unabashedly flaunted—less than a fortnight later.

There wasn't anything magical or mystical about the people gathered at Lady Osborne's ostentatious manor house. With few exceptions, the guests were shopping the Marriage Mart, hunting matrimonial prey, or intent on engaging in a clandestine assignation—perchance more than one naughty tryst.

A derisive snort escaped Caspian.

Heaven save him from such obvious machinations.

The bachelor's life suited him very well.

Very well, indeed, thank you.

He felt no pressing need to sire an heir—no need at all, in point of fact. As the second son, that task wasn't ever to have been his responsibility. Which was why—even as the barony's heir—he'd never entertained notions of marching down the aisle and voluntarily relinquishing his freedom for matrimonial imprisonment.

"Ah, there you are, Strathmore."

A sharp swat to his arm brought his attention to the formidable lady attired in black whose silent approach he'd missed.

His daunting hostess.

"I didn't believe you'd actually come." Lady Pandora Osborne, Pansy to her closest friends, scraped a probing gaze over him through her lorgnette. "Although Sterling assured me you would."

"My lady." Caspian dutifully bent into a bow. "A delight."

Though the silver curls artfully arranged upon her noble head scarcely reached Caspian's shoulders, Lady Osborne was a force to be reckoned with. A veritable dervish when she put her mind to something. Her ladyship was also the ton's most prestigious unofficial matchmaker and was renowned for her brilliant matches.

From the Inside Flap

Discover the enchanting world of Collette Cameron's Regency and Scottish Highlander romances! Explore her complete library today and see what's coming next from this USA Today bestselling author.

CHRONICLES OF THE WESTBROOK BRIDES
Unconventional characters, thrilling intrigue, and heart-pounding suspense weave together with soul-stirring romance as scandalous rogues and spirited women defy society's rules to find their soulmates and become the unforgettable Westbrook Brides!

· Midnight Christmas Waltz
· Mission at Midnight
· The Midnight Marques
· Holly, Mistletoe, and Midnight Snow
· The Wallflower's Midnight Waltz
· Minuet at Midnight
· Kiss a Rake at Midnight
· Unmasked at Midnight
· Memories Made at Midnight
· Once Upon a Midnight Dream

DUKES COME CALLING (SEDUCTIVE SCOUNDRELS)
Indulge in these captivating, emotion-laden and quick-read historical Regency romances sure to warm your heart and put a smile on your face.

· A Diamond for a Duke
· Only a Duke Would Dare
· A December with a Duke
· What Would a Duke Do?
· Wooed by a Wicked Duke
· Duchess of His Heart
· Never Dance with a Duke
· Wedding Her Christmas Duke
· The Debutante and the Duke
· Loved by a Dangerous Duke
· How to Win a Duke's Heart
· When a Duke Desires a Lass
· My Dearest Duke

FOR THE LOVE OF AN EARL
Enthralling Regency adventures brimming with intrigue, lovable scoundrels, strong heroines, and unforgettable, sigh-worthy romance.

· Earl of Wainthorpe
· Earl of Scarborough
· Earl of Keyworth
· Earl of Renshaw

HIGHLAND HEATHER ROMANCING A SCOT: CASTLE BRIDES
Pamper yourself with Scottish Regency historical romances packed with intrigue, smoldering passion, and page-turning surprises.

· Heart of a Highlander
· The Viscount's Vow
· The Highlander's Heiress
· The Earl's Enticement
· Triumph and Treasure
· Virtue and Valor
· Heartbreak and Honor
· Scandal's Splendor
· Passion and Plunder
· Wishes and Wonder
· A Yuletide Highlander

HEART OF A SCOT
Indulge in these captivating, emotion-laden, spicy Highlander suspense romances sure to warm your heart and put a smile on your face.

· To Love a Highland Laird
· To Redeem a Highland Rake
· To Seduce a Highland Scoundrel
· To Woo a Highland Warrior
· To Enchant a Highland Earl
· To Defy a Highland Duke
· To Marry a Highland Marauder
· To Bargain with a Highland Buccaneer
· A Christmas Kiss for a Highlander

LADIES OF OPPORTUNITY
Unconventional heroines dare to rewrite society's rulebook, taming roguish hearts and sparking love stories full of daring adventures, swoon-worthy intrigue, and a dash of irresistible mischief.

· The Wallflower's Wild Wager
· The Spinster's Secret Stake
· Better Not Bet a Bluestocking ~ Coming Soon!
· When You wager a Widow ~ Coming Soon!

SECRETS OF SCANDALOUS LADIES
Read these engaging, sweet romances featuring loveable rogues, scandalous secrets, a pinch of mystery, and a dash of humor for page-turning reads you won't soon forget.

· A Lady's Scandalous Kiss
· No Lady for the Lord
· Love Lessons for the Lady
· His One and Only Lady
· Never a Proper Lady
· Lady Tempts a Rogue

THE CULPEPPER MISSES
Read the Culpepper sisters saga for page-turning, humorous, and satisfying historical Regency romance romps you can't forget. Giggles guaranteed.

· The Earl and the Spinster
· The Marquis and the Vixen
· The Lord and the Wallflower
· The Buccaneer and the Bluestocking
· The Lieutenant and the Lady

THE HONORABLE ROGUESŪ
Are you ready for rousing, emotional, and romantic historical Regency romance quick-read capers you won't want to put down?

· A Kiss for a Rogue
· A Bride for a Rogue
· A Rogue's Scandalous Wish
· To Capture a Rogue's Heart
· The Rogue and the Wallflower
· A Rose for a Rogue
· 'Twas the Rogue Before Christmas
· A Rogue Worth the Risk

Edition details

• Publisher: Blue Rose Romance LLC
• Publication date: 2023
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1955259321
• ISBN 13: 9781955259323
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 138