BY ELIZABETH ELLEN CARTER
The Lyon Sleeps Tonight
A LYON’S DEN CONNECTED WORLD NOVELLA
Love is just a whim away…
Enter the world of the most notorious gambling den in London, where matches are made unusually. Welcome to the world of THE LYON’S DEN: The Black Widow of Whitehall Connected World, where the underground of Regency London thrives… and loves.
Free-spirited Opal Jones and straight-laced Peter Ravenshaw are childhood friends growing up in India, away from the structured mores of English society. But all good things must come to an end. The friends are sent to England and go their separate ways.
Years pass but not Opal’s love for Peter. Opal is determined to get her man, but she will need the help of Lady Dove-Lyon, the most notorious matchmaker in London.
The Lyon’s Den will host a most unusual game: He who can stay awake the longest, wins the hand of the fair Miss Opal Jones. Peter is horrified that his beautiful, headstrong friend would give herself away on a game of chance, not realizing that Opal already holds all the cards.
Excerpt
“How long do you intend this charade to continue, Opal?” hissed Peter quietly.
She gasped, even though she knew full well he had already recognized her behind the mask, the paint, and the fine costume.
This was a side of him she had never seen before, intense and focused, most unlike her easygoing childhood friend. He approached her step by step, like a tiger she had once seen stalking its prey.
Now they stood no more than an arm’s length apart. He could pull her into his arms right now. She was shocked to realize how much she wanted him to do just that.
“Are you sure this is something you want?” he said softly.
“Are you asking me if I’m chicken-hearted?”
She took a step forward, close enough that if she deeply inhaled, the bodice of her gown would brush against his jacket. She could smell his scent, warm and earthy with a hint of spice. She could feel the gravity between them. The way he searched her face told her everything she needed to know. He wanted her.
“I’m all in,” he said and slowly slid his arm around her waist to pull her to him. The feel of their bodies together was delicious. He did not ease his grip, showing her he was in control.
He leaned forward to whisper in her ear. Desire hit her like a thunderbolt.
“Is there nothing I can do to dissuade you to giving yourself away on a turn of the card?”
Yes! But she had to remain firm in her resolve.
“No, there is not.”