The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie (Mackenzies & McBrides, #1)

by Jennifer Ashley

Even a lady of unexpected fortune tires of being alone,

Mad as a hatter. Poor chap lived in a private asylum most of his life, and he runs free now only because his brother the duke let him out again.

she liked to laugh that a young widow who’d just come into a good fortune must be, to misquote Jane Austen, in want of a husband.

“I wouldn’t expect love from you. I can’t love you back.”

“I am incapable of love. I will not offer it to you.” Beth wondered what was more heartbreaking, the words themselves or the flat tone of voice with which he delivered them.

“I can play this piece note for note,” Ian said, his breath warm in her ear. “But I cannot capture its soul.”

“A bit of advice, guv. Stick with fancy ladies—Paris has dozens of ’em, as you know. You always know where you are with tarts.”

I can play this piece note for note, he’d said at the opera house. But I cannot capture its soul.

I am a widowed lady, well past the age of innocence. Why should I not kiss a handsome man in a drawing room? A little carnality won’t hurt me.

“Since you seem to like me a little,” she said, “I wonder whether you would be interested . . . in having a liaison with me.” The last words came out in a rush, and Ian’s attention snapped to her. “Have carnal relations, I mean,” Beth continued. “On occasion, when we mutually agree.”

Loving a Mackenzie can tear you to pieces. Be careful, darling.”

“We’re Mackenzies. We don’t get happy endings.”

I’m not a hothouse flower to be sheltered; I know a thing or two of the world.

“Explain to me what loving feels like, Beth. I want to understand.”