He chuckled. “I thought you might like the promise of chocolate in your drink.”
“It’s perfect on a chilly day when one’s sitting in front of the fire,” she replied as she settled into the chair.
Arthur put his arms around Aaron’s neck and put his head on Aaron’s shoulder.
Selena frowned and put her arms around Aaron’s neck, too. “I was here first,” she told her brother.
Arthur only clung to him harder, and since Selena’s response was to do the same, Aaron had trouble holding onto the book. It fell out of his lap and landed on the floor.
Kitty didn’t hide her amusement. “I don’t know what you’re going to do when the third one comes along.”
Aaron’s eyebrows rose in interest. “Are we expecting another?”
“No, not at the moment, but I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before we do.” Then she offered him a suggestive wink that she often used when she was in the mood to make love to him that evening.
“You keep that up, and you’ll get your wish,” he warned her.
Since the children weren’t paying attention to her, she allowed him to see a good amount of cleavage as she bent to pick up a cup from the tray. Then she offered him another wink and sat in the chair.
He groaned. “This evening suddenly seems like it’s a long way off.”
She grinned then sipped her drink.
“I’m not tired,” Selena said as she continued to fight Arthur for more room on Aaron’s lap. “I don’t want this evening to come yet.”
Kitty laughed and picked Selena up. “It’s Arthur’s turn. You’ve had your father all to yourself for the past two hours.”
Arthur smiled in satisfaction.
Aaron loosened the boy’s grip so he wouldn’t choke him. “You’re stronger than you look.” Holding his son, he leaned forward and retrieved the book.
“Which story are you reading?” Kitty asked as Selena settled next to her.
“It’s about a boy and a bean that doesn’t exist,” Selena replied.
“It’s called ‘The Story of Jack Spriggins and the Enchanted Bean’,” Aaron clarified.
“That’s a fun one,” Kitty set the cup on the small table. “How are you liking it so far?” she asked Selena.
“I liked it better when I thought the beans were real,” Selena replied.
“They’re real in here.” Kitty tapped the girl’s heart. “And that’s what matters. That’s what makes stories so much fun.”
“Exactly,” Aaron agreed. “Your mother is right. The magic of stories is that anything can happen. Here. Take a blanket. I don’t want you two to get chilly.”
He retrieved an extra blanket that was draped on the back of his chair and held it out to Kitty. Kitty accepted it and wrapped it around her and Selena. Selena settled on Kitty’s lap and waited for him to continue.
Never in a million years would he have thought marriage could be like this. Everything was perfect. His heart swelled with more joy than he thought possible for a person to have. Smiling, he turned the book to the page where he had left off then continued reading the story.
Don’t miss all of the books in this series:
Breaking the Rules (Book 1)
They say a proper lady follows the rules. She lets the gentleman take the lead. She obeys her chaperone. She is soft spoken and careful in everything she says and does. She doesn’t intrude into a gentleman’s business. And she most certainly doesn’t become the object of scandal.
Miss Lilly Lowell has been careful to follow the rules all of her life. But the rules aren’t helping her now when she needs it most. She made the terrible mistake of spurning Mr. Morris’ attention, and now he’s looking for someone else to marry. Determined to get him back, she hatches a plan to make him fall in love with her again. And doing so will require her to start breaking some rules.
Hurt by Miss Lowell’s rejection, Mr. Roger Morris is seeking out another lady to court. But after endless social engagements, it starts to become clear to him that no one can take her place. Whether he likes it or not, he is doomed to love her. She is the perfect lady for him. But the last thing he wants to do is give in, especially when she creates a scandal that forces him to marry her.
This might just be a match made in hell. Or maybe, quite possibly, heaven…as long as Lilly can figure out a way to make things right.
Nobody’s Fool (Book 2)
Miss Emilia Stewart’s life faces immediate ruin. Her friend made a little slip of the tongue, and now Lord Valentine thinks Emilia’s in love with him.
This is Lord Valentine of all gentlemen! Not only is he unfashionable and socially inept, but the mere thought of kissing him makes her shudder. What’s worse is that her father has arranged for her to marry him. Being a lady with no say in her future has never been more unfair!
She is, however, determined to overcome this cruel fate.
There’s still a chance to protect her future, and keep her sanity intact. All she has to do is become the most repulsive and unattractive wife possible. Then Lord Valentine will insist they live separate lives, and she’ll be spared the most unpleasant aspect of marriage–actually being in the same room with her husband. All she needs is a little ingenuity and help from her friends to make the plan work.
This romantic comedy takes a fun look at one wife’s dream of discouraging her husband from falling in love with her.
A Deceptive Wager (Marriage by Design Series: Book 3)
Miss Kitty Farrow is under no illusion that her guardian cares anything about her, but when she finds out he wagered her in a gentleman’s bet. Not only has her choice in picking her own husband been taken away from her, but the earl her guardian is going to have her marry hates the very idea of having a wife at all.
Aaron Henry, Earl of Northton, doesn’t trust ladies. Any of them. From a young age, his mother taught him that all a lady is good for is an heir. If they’re sweet, it’s only to trick the gentleman into doing what they want, and once they get it, they’re on to the next gentleman. So when he discovers the money he expected to win in a wager turns out to be the dowry of his future bride, he wants nothing to do with his future bride.
But whether Kitty or Aaron want the marriage or not, it’s going to happen. And heaven help anyone who tries try to make the marriage a love match.
Marriage by Scandal Series
If you haven’t read the romances I’ve done for Lord Roderick, Lord Edon, Mr. Christopher Robinson, or Lord Clement yet, they are all featured in this series.
The Earl’s Inconvenient Wife (Book 1): Nathaniel Buford, Earl of Roderick, doesn’t want a wife, but his brother died, passing on the title of earl to him. Now he is bound by duty to get an heir. Unfortunately, to get the heir, he must find a wife. As luck would have it, he gets caught in a scandalous situation not of his doing, and the next thing he knows, he’s married...and to a lady whose family is reported to desire money above all else.
A Most Unsuitable Earl (Book 2): Lord Edon has done everything he can to avoid marriage, including building a reputation as London’s most notorious rake. His scheming mother, however, is so determined that he’ll find a good lady to marry, she’ll stop at nothing to find him one. And the lady she finally picks happens to be London’s most notorious wallflower, the ever-so-boring Lady Catherine.
His Reluctant Lady (Book 3): From the moment Mister Robinson meets Lady Richfield, he knows they are destined to be together. But it may take the threat of a scandal to convince the reluctant widow that marriage can be the most sensually and emotionally satisfying experience she’ll ever have.
The Earl’s Scandalous Wife (Book 4): Lord Clement, who others refer to as “the earl who can’t find a wife,” is about to find that scandals aren’t so bad when a lady kisses him at a ball.
Upcoming Regency Series!
Introducing the Marriage by Necessity Series:
A Perilous Marriage (Book 1): Poor Miss Tumilson finds her husband dead before she can consummate her
More books will be added in the future!
You can join my email list to be notified as soon as these books come out by going to this link:
https://ruthannnordinauthorblog.com/sign-up-for-email-list/
All Books by Ruth Ann Nordin
(Chronological Order)
Regencies
Marriage by Scandal Series
The Earl’s Inconvenient Wife
A Most Unsuitable Earl
His Reluctant Lady
The Earl’s Scandalous Wife
Marriage by Design Series
Breaking the Rules
Nobody’s Fool
A Deceptive Wager
Standalone Regency
Her Counterfeit Husband (happens during A Most Unsuitable Earl)
Marriage by Deceit Series
The Earl’s Secret Bargain
Love Lessons With the Duke
Ruined by the Earl
The Earl’s Stolen Bride
Marriage by Arrangement Series
His Wicked Lady
Her Devilish Marquess
The Earl’s Wallflower Bride
Marriage by Bargain Series
The Viscount’s Runaway Bride
The Rake’s Vow
Taming The Viscountess
If It Takes A Scandal
Marriage by Fate Series
The Reclusive Earl
Married In Haste
Make Believe Bride
The Perfect Duke
Kidnapping the Viscount
Marriage by Fairytale Series
The Marriage Contract
One Enchanted Evening
The Wedding Pact
Fairest of Them All
The Duke’s Secluded Bride
Marriage by Necessity Series
A Perilous Marriage – coming soon
Historical Western Romances
Pioneer Series
Wagon Trail Bride
The Marriage Agreement
Groom For Hire
Forced Into Marriage
Nebraska Series
Her Heart’s Desire
A Bride for Tom
A Husband for Margaret
Eye of the Beholder
The Wrong Husband
Shotgun Groom
To Have and To Hold
Forever Yours
His Redeeming Bride
Isaac’s Decision
Misled Mail Order Brides Series
The Bride Price
The Rejected Groom
The Perfect Wife
The Imperfect Husband
Husbands for the Larson Sisters
Nelly’s Mail Order Husband
Perfectly Matched – coming soon
Suitable for Marriage – coming soon
Wyoming Series
The Outlaw’s Bride
The Rancher’s Bride
The Fugitive’s Bride
Chance at Love Series
The Convenient Mail Order Bride
The Mistaken Mail Order Bride
The Accidental Mail Order Bride
The Bargain Mail Order Bride
Nebraska Prairie Series
The Purchased Bride
The Bride’s Choice
Interview for a Wife – coming soon
South Dakota Series
Loving Eliza
Bid for a Bride
Bride of Second Chances
Montana Collection
Mitch’s Win
Boaz’s Wager
Patty’s Gamble
Shane’s Deal
Native American Romance Series
Restoring Hope
A Chance In Time
Brave Beginnings
Bound by Honor, Bound by Love
An Unlikely Place for Love
The Cold Wife
An Inconvenient Marriage
Romancing Adrienne
Standalone Historical Western Romances
Falling In Love With Her Husband
Kent Ashton’s Backstory
Catching Kent
His Convenient Wife
Meant To Be
The Mail Order Bride’s Deception
Contemporary Romances
Omaha Series
With This Ring, I Thee Dread
What Nathan Wants
Just Good Friends
Across the Stars Series
Suddenly a Bride
Runaway Bride
His Abducted Bride
Standalone Contemporaries
Substitute Bride
Thrillers
Return of the Aliens (Christian End-Times Novel)
Late One Night (flash fiction)
The Very True Legends of Ol’ Man Wickleberry and his Demise - Ink Slingers’ Anthology
Fantasies
Enchanted Galaxy Series
A Royal Engagement
Royal Hearts
The Royal Pursuit
Royal Heiress
Nonfiction
Writing Tips Series
11 Tips for New Writers
The Emotionally Engaging Character
Writing for Passion
Where To Find Ruth
There are several ways you can find me! I’ll list them below, and you can pick the one that most interests you.
My Monthly Blog (https://ruthannnordinnewsletter.com/) Once a month, I’ll give updates on books I’m working on, and I will include new release information.
My Author Blog (https://ruthannnordinauthorblog.com/) For anyone who would like to read my ramblings about books I’m working on, updates I’m making to books (such as new covers for boxsets), trivia about past books, and what my thoughts are in the writing and publishing world, this is the blog for you.
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/authorruthnordin) I focus on my books or anything related to the author community. Facebook has been after authors for promoting themselves all the time, but that is how I’m using this site since I don’t want to get tangled up in the political drama over there. From time to time, I might throw in a cute and funny picture.
Email List (https://ruthannnordinauthorblog.com/sign-up-for-email-list/) If you want to receive an email only when I have a new book out, this is a good option. I never spam. MailChimp holds your emails, not me. I value people’s privacy and time.