Interlude with a Baron

by Cerise DeLand

She never wanted to marry again. Not even for love. But he's determined to show her how wrong she can be! After Waterloo, Drayton Worth watched the woman he loved suffer because of his failures. Riddled with guilt he tries to improve Emma Bedlow’s existence, while cursing his never-ending desire for her. Five years later, when he finally has the chance to persuade her to share his life, she declares no man will control her ever again. She desires only an interlude with the charming baron. But Dray is determined to convince her they deserve more. They deserve forever.

187 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 7, 2016

About the author

I love to cook, hate to dust, live to travel and read and write! I've written #1 bestselling Regencies as well as contemporary romances starring SEALs that readers love! Come to my website, read my FREE books and buy my others! Then write to me. Love to hear from readers, especially those who dig my history, my sense of humor and my heroes.

Reviews

[Amy ~ Love At 1st Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because of Drayton Worth’s actions, Emma Bedlow, the woman with whom he fell in love 6 years ago, has suffered a miserable existence. She was sold off by her father and married to a wretched man who not only abused her but was a traitor to his own country.
When Dray encounters Emma again 5 years later, he is determined to persuade her to give their love a second chance. But Emma is no longer the girl she was at 18. She refuses to ever let another man control her. She thinks a brief interlude is all she can hope for but Dray has other plans.
Fans of historical romance will love this book. Not only for the historical detail but for the charming, strong characters. Dray, despite the horrors of his childhood, is a positive and charming man who, because of his love for Emma, has secretly cared for her for years and continues doing so to give her the life she deserves. Likewise, Emma suffered tragedy yet is ready to declare her own power in life. I loved these two characters for their perseverance and hopefulness and found myself reading into the early hours to assure that they got the happily ever after they deserved.

[Toula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical Regency . Taking part of the battle of Waterloo with Prinny .
Hero is Baron Dryton . Heroine is Emma .
Baron Dryton came back from Waterloo and he is rich , he doesn't need to worry about money . He sees that the woman he loved is suffering (Emma) . Emma's husband was a spy he was selling English secrets to the French .
Once he gets back to England he wants to make it up to Emma . So he gives her a house , right next to his , He gives her servants that the lawyer says comes with the house . Dryton also gave his lawyer money to put a side for her . The lawyer says it was her husbands pension.
Emma needs something to do . So Dryton hires her as an accounted . She's having a great time until she notices her staff are tired with circles in under their eyes . Then she starts to question a few .
She doesn't notice that Dryton is living next door . How does Dryton get away with Everything . There are a few suprises in store for both of them

[Christine Woinich · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am enjoying this series. Both the heroes and heroines come from such terrible circumstances yet are able to find their one true love. This story is about Emma and Dray. They knew each other when they were young, Dray even asked for her hand. Due to parental cruelty, it never came about. After years of surviving, they find themselves together. Emma has become independent and wants to stay that way. Despite her history, she wants to live freely and happily. Dray had despaired ever having her as his but made sure that Emma was protected financially, the only way he could. The strength and love of both characters kept me reading. I highly recommend this book.

[Mindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Very Good Story!

Well that’s the last of the Regency Romp series. I loved the characters and storyline so much. Emma had an awful marriage the first time around. Dray loving her from the get go and never losing that love made for a special story. I’m glad all worked out well. On to my new Maddie MacKenna Book!!! 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰💜💜💜💜💜😊😊😊😊😊

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a cute historical romance of a long ago love being reunited.
Emma has had a harsh life, she was abducted, betrayed by her father, as well as emotionally and physically abused by her husband. Is it any surprise she is weary of allowing Dray back into her life even though he was the one man who she has always trusted? Now Emma is a nanny for one of Drays friends daughter. When a "chance" encounter gets them to meet again what will she chose? Run away or stay and fight for the one man she has always wanted?
Dray has had a hard life at the hands of his father and while in the war against France. None of that has really impacted him besides him making sure that anyone he knows will never be terrorized. However when he is given the task of finding out if Emma's husband is a traitor to the crown he is beyond ecstatic to do so but yet is worried about what Emma would think of him. When he meets Emma again and she kind of brushes him off he fears it is because of what he found out about her husband and the residual stink of gossip that now lays on her. What would a man do to finally get the one he has always loved to forgive him?
This was a really cute approximate 100 page historical romance novel. The author is a master at weaving a story so that the emotion and reasons behind everything jump out of the pages. This can be read as a standalone.
P.S there is some sexual content.
~ A book obsessed chicks review team selection

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colonel Drayton Worth feels responsible for Emma Bedlow's awful fate. Seeing as how he was the one who was caught in the garden kissing her when she was 18. When he asked for her hand her Father refused opting to "sell" her to Henri Montroy to pay his gambling debts. Then at the battle of Waterloo Henri was found to be a traitor and was caught carrying troop movements to France to aide the French army. Dray confronts him on the battlefield and they are caught in an explosion causing Henri to lose his legs. In turn causing Emma to have to nurse him for 3 and a half years. So when they meet again after Emma has gone through her mourning Dray is trying to figure out ways to make her life easier and take care of her. He already has been unbeknownst to her. It is what happens after she finds out that makes this story so interesting. Since she never wants to be beholden to another man. Not after her father and Henri mistreated her so. I really enjoyed the history in this book and the way Ms. DeLand was able to weave it through out the book without making it boring.

A Book Obsessed Chicks Review Team Selection

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A scrumptious romance; uplifted by its warmth & empowered by resilience!

So marvellously put together!
A tale rooted in instantaneous love and connection that was so cruelly ripped away and thought forever lost by grasping betrayal and covetous greed. Until hope finally re-emerges.
Resulting, in such a compellingly well written, second chance at love, romance.
Enriched with historical details, swift and fluid in its quick witted delivery and interwoven with a delightfully endearing charm, humour, sensual intimacy and a tender sweetness that threads beneath the torment and hooks you in.
Displaying a fragile vulnerability and uncertainity too, so heartachingly rooted in abuse, that sensitively and wonderfully sprouts a need in Emma, our heroine, to be respected for her newfound strength and resilience. Making for such pleasurable reading, as we see her grow and blossom in assertiveness as she makes great strides to gain back control of her own life and strike out at a happy future on her own terms. While Dray, our hero, so besotted in his love for Emma, grasps so desperately at a chance to finally make her his own. Despite, being riddled with guilt for her past torments, he fights wholeheartedly to win a future with the one woman he hasn't been able to forget. No longer needed to cocoon her from a far as he attempted to cast a protective watchful shield over her adversity.

Cerise never fails to produce characters that are so rich in depth and so full with intimate and relatable intrigues. Its always a pleasure to become embroiled in, tantalised by and swept away by her stories. And INTERLUDE WITH A BARON is a superb representation of these qualities. Just loved it!

[Elaine Mitrovich · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Beautiful Romance

Drayton-Baron Landsdowne has been in love with the beautiful Em Bedlow since they first met when she was 18 and he was 25. He asked her father for her hand in marriage and was rudely rejected. Her father a despicable man, sold his daughter to a French nobleman in return for his gambling debts to be paid from his daughter 's dowry. Em was kidnapped and raped by the Frenchman and forced to marry him all according to plan set by her father. The Napoleonic wars come into play and right before the Battle of Waterloo Drayton meets the miserable and married Em at a soiree given in honor of the Duke of Wellington. He has a conversation with Em and notices bruises on her and he has words with her husband. Drayton has been gathering evidence against him as a French spy. A the Battle Drayton catches him in the act of given information to one o f Napoleon 's captains. At that moment the captain is killed and Henri is horribly maimed. Five years pass and Drayton becomes very wealthy in various successful ,we and has three mistresses that he is bored with and dismissed them. He meets Em at a house party and she is a widow. She has had a very difficult life and now relishes her freedom and independence. Their love for each other is still very strong. Once again Cerise DeLand has written a beautiful romance with a delightful lady and an unforgettable swoon-worthy hero.

[Linda J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

As others have mentioned this is a story of second chance at love.

What the h endures at such a young age is heart breaking. She is in love with the H and they hope to marry. She is sold by her father to a man who tells him lies. He kidnaps our h, rapes her in the cruelest way. If that isn't enough he beats her too. Many elements that could be trigger's. These are told mostly in flashbacks.

I loved the H and his reason to protect the innocent do to his childhood. I enjoyed how the author unraveled the story for us. Does the H do things he shouldn't for the h, yes? But, his reasons are always to make life easier for the h. The h was finding her own way as an adult and I understood why that was important to her. She didn't know who she was since she married by force so young.

There is lovemaking, outside of marriage, heat level maybe 3.5 out of 5. Described a couple times.

My only complainant is the epilogue. I wanted it further out so we know if she could give the H an heir.

There is suspense, twists, intrigue, romance comes slowly because of trust issues with the h, HEA, and some spice. No cheating and no cliffhanger. (ljb)

[Reading-for-life (Angela Sanford) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A second chance of love!

Emma Bedlow had found the love of her life, Drayton Worth but her father refused to allow them to marry. Emma's father forces her into a loveless marriage with a suspected traitor that will go to any lengths to get what he wants. Six years later, Drayton finds Emma at the home of a friend, during a dinner party. Working as a governess for the young daughter, Emma is shocked to see Drayton and tried to push him further away. Will Emma give love a second chance.or will she hold onto past hurts? Will Drayton finally wed the only woman that has his heart? Author Cerise DeLand continues to mesmerize me with her romantic and intriguing stories!

[Shelby Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have patience

Having endured ten years, he still wanted her. Her father refused his off of marriage then, instead he sold her to a evil man that abused her both physically and mentally for years! Having lost both legs in the war she cared for until his death. Then her life began.

[Linda Brugger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unusual Situation Makes Pleasant Reading

The Star crossed lovers have a lo Lng history and, for awhile, an impossible future. Then the hero with good intentions makes the HEA more difficult. Since we readers are in on the secret, a wry smile may sit on our lips as we turn the pages.

[Lisa Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Best Is There At The End

This was an excellent book about a love that never died even when they were separated by unjust acts against them. There was drama, action, suspense and a romance of untold love. You will not want to stop reading. Enjoy!

[Rozzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know that I am reading these out of order since I started with masquerade with a marquess which is book three in the series and this is book four. Each of these little novellas from Ms. Cerise DeLand can totally stand alone without having to start at the beginning to understand the story. I am finding out that minor characters that help the major character are now married and settled in the story since I jumped around in the series but eventually I am going to read them all and in order. Most of the time I don’t mind the strict reading order of a series and the disjointed feel of reading like this since I read by whatever strikes my fancy. Unfortunately this book I spent a lot of the time wondering what was going on. I regretted my decision to read this as a standalone and not in order because I spent the day trying to figure out the motivations of the protagonists. I did want to read this book since it was book four and maybe things would make some sense not only was it the last book in the series but I also remember the male protagonist in masquerade and did like him then again I was only introduced to him.
Drayton “Dray” Worth Baron Lord Lansdowne while at the Duchess of Richmond’s ball in 1815 has been in love with Emma Bedlow now Emma Montroy despite her being married off by her father to Henri Montroy. Dray can’t really stand Henri’s treatment of Emma. Several years later in 1820 Dray attends another social function where he accidently meets Emma in the maze. She is no longer Emma Montroy but is now a widow and Emma Bedlow again. Dray can’t help but feel the same feelings for Emma that he felt in the beginning. Emma remembers Dray too and wants to move on with her life so she tells Dray what she plans to do and he helps her find a house in London but soon his helping her becomes so much more there are secrets that Dray also keeps from Emma. Emma wants her independence from all men but she can’t avoid her feelings for Dray also what about the secrets he hides from her.
As I stated before I really liked Dray in the last book. Yes there was more to him and he seemed more fully developed in this book than the last book. At times though I didn’t really understand him; why he offers the house to Emma especially since in a roundabout way he owns it which wasn’t really clear to me and then I wondered if it was where he kept one of his past previous mistresses. I’m not saying I don’t approve of mistresses but putting his current love Emma in a house that his previous mistress lived in was a little bit distasteful for me so there was that. Also in a sense he wanted to control Emma they set a wedding date and then boom they get married. I kept wondering where the rest of the story was and maybe I read it too quickly which I am not a fast reader anyway. Emma also annoyed me she leads Dray on a merry little chase and goes along with him, toying with his feelings then acting all surprised when she learns his secrets when she should have told him her penchant for playing with his feelings and using him because she enjoyed his bed sport. Did I really like the story well in actuality I did enjoy it but I just kind of wish Ms. DeLand would of wrote this book as a full length novel as opposed to a novella because there seemed to be many things missing. That’s not to say that I won’t read the rest in the series despite my feelings on this book. I feel Ms. DeLand is a good writer with some intriguing storylines, plot twists and great characters. I would definitely read more no matter what Ms. DeLand writes and I will have to go back and read book one and two in the series now.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dray wants to fix the past and make the present and future better for Emma. She just wants to forget the past and remain obscure to the ton. But Dray will have her as his wife.

I enjoyed these two characters. Both have a shared past that has left scars. Both have their thoughts about a future together. They don't agree but somehow they manage to have what both want. I like that Emma was not a pushover. Her past has made her stronger and she is not afraid to show that strength. Dray feels guilt for his role in her past and will do anything for her forgiveness and to have her as his wife. When Dray's actions from the past come to light during the present, I thought is was marvelous that he accepted Emma's reading of it and did not force himself upon her to make her change her actions. I liked that he respected her to allow her the freedom to choose her actions.

The is a fun read. As Dray is trying to keep Emma from finding out about his past and present actions, I chuckled at his solutions. I felt as though I was watching a play that was a comedy of errors and at any moment the whole farce would come down. It took Emma a little while to connect the dots but when she did she spoke up and called Dray on the carpet for it. I was delighted as I read this story.

I could not help but fall in love with these two, delightful as they were. I'm sorry to see the Regency Romp series end.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sorrow. Honor. Deceit. Redemption. Second Chances. This book has it all. Drayton regrets his actions and how they affected the love of his life, Emma. Dray wants to make things right (unfortunately he uses deceit-not in a bad way because he just wants to help Emma) but Emma does not want decisions made for her. Emma has been oppressed for so long all she wants to do is make her own choices. I love that Emma was not looking for pity and was strong. Dray was so in love with Emma and realized that to keep her in his life he had to change. Second chances...theirs is a sweet and tender love. Lovely story.

I was gifted a copy from the author for an honest review.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is great second chance first love story. Dray and Emma had their hearts broken when Emmas father would not let them marry, then Emma got abducted and forced to marry a man she hated. Years later she becomes a widow, so he decides to marry her. But she's not interested in having another man telling her what to do. Dray sets out to win her over, but she makes it very hard. I loved the storyline, I do think that they were a little too polite to each other though, I never got the sense that they were one.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love everything around the time of the Battle of Waterloo. This story was really good. Love the H and h and the HEA. 2nd reading - still loving it! 4☆