The Fall of a Saint. Christine Merrill

      

       ‘To be the acknowledged bastard of a duke would open many doors. But—’

      He broke off.

      There was the hesitation again, and proof that she was right not to trust him. She braced herself for whatever might come after.

      ‘But would it not be better to be my heir?’

      She could not help a single unladylike bark of laughter at the idea. Then she composed herself again and gave him a sarcastic smile, pretending to ponder. ‘Would it be better to be a duke than a bastard son? Next you will be asking me if it is better to be a duchess than a governess.’

      The room fell silent.

      ‘That is precisely what I am asking.’

       Don't miss this sensational Regency duet from Christine Merrill

       THE SINNER AND THE SAINT

       Brothers separated at birth, brought together by scandal

      From the birth of a secret to the death of a lie, two brothers have been torn apart. While the Duke behaves like a saint, the Doctor believes himself a sinner. And only a scandal can bring them back together.

       THE GREATEST OF SINS Already available

       THE FALL OF A SAINT March 2014

      The Fall

      of a Saint

      Christine Merrill

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      MILLS & BOON

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      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) TWO WRONGS MAKE A MARRIAGE THE GREATEST OF SINS**

*Regency Silk & Scandal mini-series †Ladies in Disgrace trilogy ** The Sinner and the Saint duet

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

      SEDUCING A STRANGER

       TAMING HER GYPSY LOVER* VIRGIN UNWRAPPED TO UNDO A LADY

       Did you know that some of these novels are also available as eBooks? Visit www.millsandboon.co.uk

      AUTHOR NOTE

      After you read this book, you will all ask the same question: What is Wow Wow sauce, and what does it taste like?

      It was actually one of the hot recipes of 1817, published in The Cook's Oracle, by Dr William Kitchiner. My heroine would be disappointed to learn that there is no evidence he was a real doctor. But he was famous for his dinner parties and his cooking.

      Here is the recipe for Wow Wow Sauce:

      Chop some Parsley leaves very finely, quarter two or three pickled Cucumbers, or Walnuts, and divide them into small squares, and set them by ready; put into a saucepan a bit of Butter as big as an egg; when it is melted stir to it a tablespoonful of fine Flour, and about half a pint of the Broth in which the Beef was boiled; add a tablespoonful of Vinegar, the like quantity of Mushroom Catsup, or Port Wine, or both, and a tea-spoonful of made Mustard; let it simmer together till it is as thick as you wish it, put in the Parsley and Pickles to get warm, and pour it over the Beef—or rather send it up in a Sauce tureen.

      I recommend going light on the pickles and thinking of a really small egg when adding the butter, as those were the only things I could taste. I found it rather bland. But Kitchiner recommends a variety of additions, including shallots, capers and horseradish, for those who think it is ‘not sufficiently piquant’.

      DEDICATION

      To George Bloczynski,

      who gave me my sense of humour.

      Contents

       Chapter One

       Chapter Two

       Chapter Three

       Chapter Four

       Chapter Five

       Chapter Six

       Chapter Seven

       Chapter Eight

       Chapter Nine