April Vine: Taming Lady Lydia by Felicity Brandon

I'm so happy to have Felicity Brandon visiting me again with her melting-hot Regency romance - TAMING LADY LYDIA!

Author comments on book:

Taming Lady Lydia is the most sensual and potent romance I have ever penned. Lord Markham is the Regency hero I always fantasised about... He’s a strict authoritarian with a loving, tender heart.

Author synopsis:
When her father, Earl Franklin dies unexpectedly, eighteen-year-old Lady Lydia is sent to live with her guardian, the unknown and enigmatic Lord Thomas Markham. Initially eager to leave her new home, Lydia is indignant at her guardian’s firm and protective behaviour, but everything changes that first night when she accidentally discovers something shocking about life at Markham Hall…

Now, in spite of his rules and expectations, the young and indulged Lydia finds herself inexplicably drawn to her guardian. Lord Markham it seems, is a gentleman who will finally provide the firm hand she has always needed, and Lydia begins to crave his discipline, desiring him to take her over his knee and deliver a sound spanking.

With their affections for one another growing, Thomas and Lydia seem set for a bright future if only events would stop conspiring to tarnish their happiness. Can their burgeoning romance survive the scrutiny of Thomas’ mother, the Countess, and the interference of their peers? And can Lydia learn to live by Her Lordship’s governance, and find the happily ever after they so desire?

When eighteen-year-old Lady Lydia Franklin becomes the ward of Lord Thomas Markham after her father’s death, she quickly discovers that the wealthy, handsome gentleman believes in strict discipline for wayward young women. Her penchant for naughtiness soon earns her a sound spanking, but despite his willingness to punish her as often and as shamefully as he feels it necessary, Thomas’ firm-handed correction leaves Lydia helplessly aroused.

Though he is charged with ensuring that Lydia’s innocence is preserved, Thomas cannot help but notice her body’s response to his stern chastisement. It isn’t long before she is lying naked across his lap as she is spanked thoroughly and then brought to a blushing climax, and over the coming days he sets about teaching her what it means to surrender herself completely to a dominant man.

Being taken in Thomas’ arms proves more pleasurable than Lydia ever dreamed, and she finds herself imagining a future as his wife rather than his ward, but the dark rumors about his past are hard to ignore. When he asks for her hand she agrees to be his bride, but once the wedding is over will the bond between them hold firm or will it all end in scandal and heartbreak?

Publisher’s Note: Taming Lady Lydia includes spankings and sexual scenes. If such material offends you, please don’t buy this book.

“What just transpired between us, Thomas?” I ask, dreamily.

He chuckles lightly at my question. “I think you know, my love,” he says, kissing the top of my forehead.

“Well, yes,” I admit. “Yet it was more than that, wasn’t it? It felt more…?”

“I think each time we love each other it feels a little more?” He offers the explanation whilst leaning on his right elbow, looking down upon me.

I consider his words, but find that they do not sufficiently explain the breadth of what I feel. “I think it was the crop…” I confess, burying myself into his chest as the admission leaves my lips.

“Yes,” he breaths into my hair. “You did seem to enjoy it more this time?”

I sigh, the sound resonating deeply within me. “It is wondrous – and awful – all at the same time?” I risk a glance up to his face, as I offer my account.

“I will never deliver more than you can handle,” he promises.

I swallow at his sensual expression. “I know,” I whisper.

“It seems,” he says, drawing himself down so that we are now eye to eye. “That you are more and more relishing my darkness, Lydia?”

“I relish every part of you,” I reply, but then seeing his expression I stop. “Yes, I think you are right,” I affirm.

He kisses me once more, the act a sensual connection between us. “The more I push you in that dark direction, the more you respond, my love,” he says, his eyes boring into me.

“The more you push me there,” I correct him. “The more you make the mundane seem unpalatable.”

The last thing I remember is the sinful look on his face as I slip finally into a satiated slumber.