The Devil to Pay (The Devilish Devalles, Novella #1) Read online

  “Can’t I?” One booted foot moved closer, then the other.

  Her pulse pounded in her ears, roaring to life.

  He closed the final bit of distance between them, tilting her chin up with a finger until she was forced to look into his eyes. “Can’t you?”

  “I…” Was it really, truly love she’d been feeling for Gabe? She knew there was a healthy amount of lust—that much couldn’t be denied after how weak-kneed she’d felt when he kissed her. But love was so much more. So much grander. It couldn’t happen in such a brief acquaintance, could it?

  Still keeping her chin tilted up toward him, he took one of her hands in his free hand, again rubbing his gloved thumb over the sensitive spot on the inside of her wrist. “I’ll admit you perplex me, love. But I’ve never known a riddle I was more keen to solve than the one I discovered when you ripped your sister’s gown to protect me from being compromised. Every moment I spend with you, I find myself more intrigued, more enchanted. I think of you when I’m not with you. I’ve even fabricated reasons to see you. The only answer I can find is that I must love you.”

  With every word from his mouth, she felt the truth settling within her center, grounding her to the earth so she no longer felt like she would float away. He loved her. And she loved him.

  It was a beautiful thing—steadying, like his powerful hands upon her waist, keeping her rooted.

  With Gabe, with his love, she no longer worried about what Papa would say or how Mama would react. It didn’t matter any longer if Samantha tried to rush out and cause her own scandal. The only thing that mattered was that Gabe loved her and she loved him. There was a comfort in that. A peace.

  It was right.

  “What a glowing affirmation,” Miranda drawled, for once teasing him in the same manner as he had so often teased her. She couldn’t have stopped the cheeky grin from taking over her features even if she’d tried, which she didn’t. “I’m a puzzle you seek to solve.”

  Gabe responded with an arched brow and a smirk. At that, she couldn’t possibly contain a full laugh. While she was distracted and amused, he tugged her closer until she nearly fell into his arms, his strong hands settling comfortably on her hips, steadying her. Nothing could steady her breaths or her heartbeat, or slow the rush of blood making her feel lightheaded.

  “I think,” he said softly, “you have every wish to be solved, do you not?”

  Oddly enough, he wasn’t entirely wrong. “Not quite,” she said.

  One corner of his lips turned downward. “No?”

  “No.” Miranda reached both of her arms up to wrap around his neck, exploring the wonder of having her body pressed so scandalously close to his. “I wish to be unraveled.”

  To my dear readers,

  I hope you have enjoyed reading THE DEVIL TO PAY as much as I enjoyed writing it. If you have, would you be so kind as to leave a positive review at the site where you purchased the e-book? Thank you so much!

  All my best,

  Catherine Gayle

  About the Author

  Catherine Gayle has been an avid reader of romance novels (and almost anything else she can legally get her hands on) for as long as she can remember. Her mother might say it started in the womb. When she is not writing or reading, she can often be found buried beneath her sleeping cats or chasing the Nephew Monster.

  Catherine loves to hear from her readers. You can send her an email at [email protected].

  Coming Soon!

  Shelved

  An Old Maids’ Club novel

  Jo loves Duncan.

  Determined to never play second fiddle to anyone for any reason, Josephine Faulkner has been refusing the Earl of Leith’s offers of marriage for well over a decade. But the time to end her ninny-hood, along with her spinsterhood, has come. Sitting with her dear Aunt Rosaline during the lady’s last days helped Jo to see what is important in life. Now she’s London-bound to tell Duncan she’s come to her senses at last.

  Duncan loves Jo.

  As the heir to his father’s marquessate, Duncan has always known the luxury of marrying for love might elude him. He’s taken all the time he can afford trying to change Jo’s mind. Now duty must take precedence over his heart—he needs an heir of his own. He might not love Cassandra Thornhill, but she accepted his proposal and she’s more than merely tolerable. She’s just not Jo.

  Sometimes love is not enough.

  Duncan announces his betrothal on the very night Jo arrives to tell him of her change of heart. Confessing now wouldn’t be fair to anyone, and it wouldn’t matter if she did; he’s far too honorable a gentleman to cry off. But perhaps she could convince Cassandra instead…

  Look for Shelved in 2013.

  Other titles available from

  Catherine Gayle

  LORD ROTHEBY’S INFLUENCE SERIES

  Twice a Rake

  Saving Grace

  Merely a Miss

  Available as e-books at all major e-book retailers, and available in print from Second Wind Publishing

  The Old maids’ club trilogy

  Wallflower

  Pariah

  Available as e-books at all major e-book retailers, and available in print from Second Wind Publishing

  Cardiff siblings trilogy

  Seven Minutes in Devon

  Available in print and e-book formats

  WANTON WIVES

  Erotic, Regency-set short stories

  Of Love and Lust

  One Lonely Night

  A Perfect Pearl

  Leg-Shackled

  Uninhibited

  Available as a collection in print and e-book, and available individually as e-books

  Anthologies

  A Summons From the Castle

  The Betting Season

  A Season to Remember

  Available as e-books