Cynthia stared back at him, large green eyes narrowed in scepticism. ‘If I give up the gun, what will I have to protect me from your advances?’

      Absolutely nothing. She blinked at him, as though she had heard his thoughts, and her mouth puckered, ready to be kissed.

      ‘Is it really necessary to keep me at a distance? You must understand that if I remain as you wish your honour will be compromised. When we are discovered, as we well might be, I shall be forced to marry you.’

      She nodded vigorously. ‘That was precisely what I hoped,’ she said.

      That was most unexpected. But it certainly saved him time in wooing. ‘Your methods for seeking my offer are rather unorthodox,’ he said. ‘I will not hold them against you, should we marry. I am not opposed to the institution itself, and I am willing to entertain the proposition that there be a union between us. But I will not allow the woman I marry to bring a pistol into the bedroom.’

      ‘Perfectly understandable,’ she agreed. But she showed no sign of relinquishing her weapon.

      About the Author

      CHRISTINE MERRILL lives on a farm in Wisconsin, USA, with her husband, two sons, and too many pets—all of whom would like her to get off the computer so they can check their e-mail. She has worked by turns in theatre costuming, where she was paid to play with period ballgowns, and as a librarian, where she spent the day surrounded by books. Writing historical romance combines her love of good stories and fancy dress with her ability to stare out of the window and make stuff up.

       Previous novels by Christine Merrill:

      THE INCONVENIENT DUCHESS

      AN UNLADYLIKE OFFER

      A WICKED LIAISON

      MISS WINTHORPE’S ELOPEMENT

      THE MISTLETOE WAGER

       (part of A Yuletide Invitation)

      DANGEROUS LORD, INNOCENT GOVERNESS

PAYING THE VIRGIN’S PRICE*

      TAKEN BY THE WICKED RAKE*

      MASTER OF PENLOWEN

       (part of Halloween Temptations)

LADY FOLBROKE’S DELICIOUS DECEPTION†

      LADY DRUSILLA’S ROAD TO RUIN†

      LADY PRISCILLA’S SHAMEFUL SECRET†

      A REGENCY CHRISTMAS CAROL

       (part of One Snowy Regency Christmas)

*Regency Silk & Scandal mini-series

†Ladies in Disgrace trilogy

      And in Mills & Boon^® Historical Undone! eBooks:

      SEDUCING A STRANGER

      TAMING HER GYPSY LOVER

      VIRGIN UNWRAPPED

       Did you know that some of these novels are also available as eBooks?

       Visit www.millsandboon.co.uk

       AUTHOR NOTE

      Writing a story featuring an actor is so much fun, and it gives me a chance to share with you some theatre history research that did not make it into the book.

      The stage in Jack’s day was raked, with the front being lower than the back. Going upstage was actually like walking uphill. Scenery included a painted backdrop and flat wooden wing-pieces painted to match. These gave the audience an illusion of depth, and left actors with places to enter and exit on both sides of the stage. At the front of the stage footlights, or floats, rested in a trough of water to prevent accidental fires should a candle tip over, and they could be lowered below the stage when not in use.

      The theatre’s chandeliers had to be raised and lowered as well—but never during the performance. Once the candles were lit the house lights were always up, which made it easy for the audience to watch each other as they watched the play. As they are now, the cheap seats were in the upper balcony or gallery. If the audience there was unhappy, they booed by hitting their boots on a loose ‘kicking board’ in front of their seat.

      And, as there are now, there were theatrical superstitions. Green has always been an unlucky colour for a costume. Not only is it unfavourable to most complexions, it was supposedly the colour Molière was wearing when he died on stage in 1673.

      Happy reading. And ‘break a leg’!

      Two Wrongs

      Make a Marriage

      Christine Merrill

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      To Ray-Ray, Betty, Les, Judy, Jana, and Rose. Encore.

      Chapter One

      Kidnapped! Dishonoured! Forced to marry one’s abductor to avoid the scandal!

      It was almost too perfect. Jack Briggs could hardly contain his glee, though this was not the moment to reveal it. The plans he’d set in motion at the beginning of the London Season were coming together, suddenly, unexpectedly, and in a way almost too perfect for words. He would have a rich and well-born wife and he’d have her months ahead of schedule.

      Miss Cynthia Banester was not the woman he’d expected to catch. There had been no time to lay the groundwork for a less inauspicious campaign for her hand. But she was gentle born, wealthy and more than middling pretty. Jack might go so far as to call her beautiful, for the ginger hair and full figure were very much to his personal taste. She was certainly desirable.

      But more importantly, she was everything that the Earl of Spayne had requested Jack bring to his family by marrying. Of course, Jack had expected to present his choice to the peer for approval before making an offer. This impromptu abduction had changed everything. Now that weapons had been drawn, there could be no turning back. He would have her, whether the earl liked her or not.

      The girl smiled at him in a hopeful, rather worried way, as though her own happiness depended on his co-operation, and edged between him and the doorway of the gazebo they shared. ‘I am sorry, Lord Kenton, but I cannot permit you to leave. If you attempt it, I will be forced to shoot you.’

      Jack watched the barrel of the little pistol she held moving in twitching figure eights as she tried to keep it steady. If the gun fired, by accident or with intent, Miss Banester would become the second most beautiful woman to have shot him. But if she did not control her aim, it could prove more damaging than a hurried leap from a courtesan’s boudoir window. At such close range, there was a very real chance she might hit something he wished to keep whole.

      He kept his hands raised, put on his best smile and worked his magic upon her. ‘I would not dream of leaving, my dear. Did I not come willingly to this spot when you requested

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