On a Wild Night (Cynster Series) by Stephanie Laurens

From Barnes & Noble

Stephanie Laurens's books have shown the Cynster men to be wealthy, attractive -- and elusive when it comes to matrimony. Their lovely, headstrong cousins, Amanda and Amelia, are clearly their equals. They're beginning their sixth social season and seem to be no closer than ever to accepting any of their numerous suitors. Indeed, the young beauties are obviously unimpressed with the quality of bachelors available in the venues approved for proper young ladies. That being the case, they've decided it's time to search less respectable locales. Wild Amanda begins among the gaming clubs and salons that are the domain of dangerous men, hoping to find one with spirit and passion and honor to match her own. There she encounters the mysterious Earl of Dexter, who seems content to dwell forever in the shadows of a former scandal. Drawn to the bright flame of Amanda's spirit, the handsome earl agrees to be her guide on four secret adventures that soon bring to light a wild and wonderful love.

From the Publisher

The first of two sensational love stories featuring the twin Cynster sisters--one wild and one wicked--in Regency England. Amanda Cynster is bored with the current crop of suitors and is determined to take matters into her own hands. Heading to a place where no respectable lady should be, she panics and is unexpectedly rescued by the Earl of Dexter--who makes it clear to Amanda he's willing to educate her in the art of love.

Publishers Weekly

Veteran romance author Laurens adds to her early 19th-century Cynster family saga with this highly sensual tale featuring 23-year-old Amanda Cynster, cousin of the six former rogues who starred in Laurens's earlier entries (The Promise in a Kiss, etc.). After six years on the marriage mart, Amanda and her twin, Amelia, despairing of ever finding the right mate, have decided to broaden their search. While browsing for prospects in a notorious gaming hell, Amanda encounters Martin Fulbridge, fifth earl of Dexter. Banished from England by his father for a murder he didn't commit, Martin eschews London's elite circles and has been living abroad for the past 10 years. Nevertheless, he finds himself playing the part of Amanda's protector as she flits from one disreputable venue to another in a spurious quest for adventure. Inevitably, Amanda is "compromised," but she's unwilling to settle for anything less than a marriage based on love. The solving of the 10-year old murder mystery, though hasty, doesn't detract from the primary players and their witty repartee, but newcomers to the series may be put off by Amanda's anachronistic behavior (she has sex with Martin out of wedlock and frequently goes about without a chaperone). Still, readers will relish Laurens's spunky heroine and sizzling love scenes. (Apr. 2) Forecast: Avon is billing this book and its sequel (On a Wicked Dawn), which will be released only a month later, as Laurens's most sensual titles ever, and if that declaration doesn't move units, print advertising in Redbook and the Romantic Times will. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Product Details

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Table of Contents

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Chapter Four

"Exciting enough?"

The words reached her on a whisper; no cynicism came with them -- he seemed as appreciative as she.

She drew in a breath -- the air was cooler, sweeter than any she'd ever tasted. "It's... strange." She glanced at him. "Come -- let's walk a little way."

His brows rose but he stood, stepped past her and jumped down. He gave her his hands, helped her down the steps, then, enclosing one of her hands in a firm grasp, he surveyed the silvered sward. "Which way?"

"There." She pointed across the expanse before them to a pinetum.

Dexter called a command to the groom, then, her hand still locked in his, they set out.

It had been years since she'd walked hand-in-hand. She found it unexpectedly enjoyable, leaving her freer than if she'd taken his arm. Yet when her boot slipped in a dip, he pulled her up, steadied her easily. She laughed and smiled her thanks, resettled the luxurious wrap,, then let him take her hand and they walked on.

Behind them, the carriage drive dwindled. The sense of being alone, the sole living beings in the quiet landscape, grew with every step. The consciousness of being -isolated, one male, one female, burgeoned; there was no other living creature to distract or deflect their senses.

The magic that hung in the moonlit air was a drug.Amanda felt giddy by the time they were nearing the pines. She was aware Dexter was watching her; his thoughts were impossible to guess.

How did he see her? As an obligation, a young lady he felthonor-bound to protect? Or as a lady with whom he was happy to be walking handfasted through the moonlight?

She didn't know which, but she was determined to find out.

The pines were grouped to create a grove with a path winding through it; she glanced at Dexter. "Can we go in?"

His eyes met hers. "If you wish."

She led the way, gazing about her as they moved into the trees' shadows. The path led to a clearing where the interested could pause and admire the individual trees. She did so. The trees hid the moon; the clearing was lit only by diffused light, even softer, less substantial, than moonlight.

Sliding her fingers from Dexter's, she adjusted the silken wrap. She paused, eyes on the trees, senses alive to the subtle promise, the elusive whisper on the night air. She turned to him. His gaze shifted from the trees to her. She hesitated for only a heartbeat, then stepped closer. Lifted one hand to his shoulder, stretched up and set her lips to his.

He didn't immediately react, then he stirred; his hands locked about her waist and anchored her in the same instant his lips firmed. He returned her caress, then his tongue touched her lips and she parted them. He surged in.

Their lips clung, their tongues twined, caressed, made artful promises. His fingers flexed against her spine, sinking deeper, as if to hold her where she was, her feet firmly on the ground.. Preserving the small but definite distance between their bodies, when all she wanted was to close it.

He drew back from the kiss, lifted his head, but seemed incapable of lifting it far. His eyes searched hers. "What are you seeking?"

She slid her fingers to his nape. "I told you -- excitement. You told me I could find it here." In your arms. With her eyes, she dared him to misunderstand as, ignoring the pressure of his hands at her waist, she stepped closer. Her pelisse brushed his coat. She held his gaze, darkly shadowed, and prayed she struck the right note -- one of blatant challenge. "Show me, then." Her gaze fell to his lips. "I want to know -- I want to feel it."

Stretching up, she kissed him again; this time he met her from the start. Their lips melded, tongues tangled... then, as if she'd succeeded in getting him to open some door, the muscles of his arms unlocked. His fingers eased from her waist; his hands slid over, then under the slipping silk wrap. Slowly, deliberately, he drew her to him.

The contact, body to body, was a shock -- a delicious one. The sheer strength now caging her would have had her resisting had it been any other man. Instead, she sank against him, inwardly smiled as his arms tightened and his hands shifted over her back. Gloried in the contrasts -- her slenderness against his large body, the fineness of her bones against the heaviness of his. Her body reacted; she felt his react to her -- felt her pulses leap. Sensed his need to seize. Was grateful that he didn't.

He felt like iron beneath his clothes -- hot, resilient -- male. Her breasts, flush against his coat, started to ache; her palms itched. Sliding her hand into his hair, she tumbled the thick locks, as heavy and silken as the wrap, over and through her fingers. Her other hand rested on his chest; she would have sent it wandering but he distracted her.

Drew her deep into the kiss, caught her wits, captured her senses with a sudden flare of sensual heat. With the sudden unmasking of desire, his and hers, the temptation of an unfamiliar need.