Praise for The Naked Gentleman
“Hilarity reigns as a queen of love and laughter crafts another “naked” book designed to keep you smiling. This delicious romance blends MacKenzie’s hallmark humor with a cast of unforgettable characters.” —Kathe Robin, Romantic Times
“What a great series! Funny, spicy, and romantic.” —Jane Bowers, Romance Reviews Today
Praise for The Naked Earl
“Naked, noble, and irresistible—who could resist one of Sally MacKenzie’s heroes?” —Eloisa James, New York Times bestselling author
“Providing plenty of heat and hilarity, MacKenzie has great fun shepherding this boisterous party toward its happy ending; readers will be glad they RSVPed.” —Publishers Weekly
“The latest in MacKenzie’s delectably sensual Naked historical Regencies series has plenty of sexy sizzle and charming wit.” —Booklist
Praise for The Naked Marquis
“The Naked Marquis is an endearing confection of sweetness and sensuality, the romance equivalent of chocolate cake…every page is an irresistible delight!” —Lisa Kleypas, New York Times bestselling author
“With a delightfully quirky cast of characters and heated bedroom encounters, MacKenzie’s latest Naked novel delivers a humorous, sprightly romance.” —Romantic Times
“The Naked Marquis is a delicious indulgence. Treat yourself!” —Once Upon a Romance
Praise for The Naked Duke
“MacKenzie sets a merry dance in motion in this enjoyable Regency romp.” —Booklist
“This is a funny, delightful debut by a talented writer who knows how to blend passion, humor and the essence of the Regency period into a satisfying tale.” —Romantic Times
“Debut author Sally MacKenzie has penned a marvelously witty novel…. Readers who enjoy a large dose of humor will love The Naked Duke. The characters are charming, and the pace is quick. It is the perfect book for a cozy winter retreat.” —A Romance Review
EVER SO LIGHTLY
He silenced her with his fingertips. Lord Dawson removed his glove; his skin was warm and slightly rough as he stilled her lips and then slowly traced their outline.
What was he doing? Why did her lips feel suddenly swollen? Grace parted them slightly.
His lips touched hers as lightly as his fingers had. The briefest brush and then brush again…
Also by Sally MacKenzie
THE NAKED DUKE
THE NAKED MARQUIS
THE NAKED EARL
THE NAKED GENTLEMAN
“The Naked Laird”
(novella from LORDS OF DESIRE)
Published by Zebra Books
The Naked Baron
SALLY MACKENZIE
ZEBRA BOOKS
Kensington Publishing Corp.
http://www.kensingtonbooks.com
This one’s for my agent, Jessica Faust,
and my editor, Hilary Sares
And, as always, for Kevin
contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 1
Lady Grace Belmont stepped through the wide double doors into the Duke of Alvord’s ballroom.
Dear God.
She froze on the small landing. Hundreds of candles lit hundreds of faces—and she’d swear every single face was turned toward her. Men in precisely fitted black coats and snowy white cravats raised their quizzing glasses. Brilliantly-gowned women, plumes bobbing, fans shielding their lips, tittered and whispered.
Dear, dear God. She couldn’t escape fast enough—except she couldn’t escape at all. A gaggle of elderly women blocked the stairs.
Blast! Grace swallowed and clenched her hands. She tried to take a deep breath, but the air was too thick with the scent of candle wax, perfume, and infrequently washed bodies. Black dots swam before her eyes. Was she going to swoon? That would be an even more entertaining spectacle for the duke’s guests—the Amazon from Devon, all five feet nine inches and eleven stone of her, collapsing into an ignominious heap—a very large ignominious heap—on the ballroom floor. What a lovely way to begin her first—and last—London Season.
“Isn’t it splendid?”
“What?” Grace looked down at her petite, ethereally beautiful aunt, Lady Oxbury.
“The ballroom, the guests…isn’t it all splendid?” Aunt Kate almost glowed with pleasure. “It reminds me of my own come-out. The room is much the same, but the gentlemen then all wore lace and velvet, of course. They were as colorful as—perhaps more colorful than—the ladies.” She sighed, smiling wistfully. “I was completely enchanted.”
Enchanted? Enchantment was not one of the emotions swirling through Grace’s gut at the moment. Nausea—well, nausea was not precisely an emotion. Terror, mortification, self-consciousness, anger…there was a lively stew brewing inside her, but enchantment was not one of the ingredients—it wasn’t even one of the seasonings.
“You were only seventeen,” Grace said, “and lovely. I am twenty-five and large.”
“Grace!” Aunt Kate frowned at her. “Don’t say that. You are quite regal.”
“Regal.” How Grace detested that word! It was uttered kindly by tiny women like her aunt, women who made her feel like a female Gargantua simply by standing next to her. Unless one were actually of royal lineage, regal was merely a synonym for large.
“Yes, regal. You are very striking. Don’t you see how the gentlemen are admiring you?”
They were certainly admiring one specific part of her. “They are staring, Aunt Kate. That is not the same thing at all.”
“Nonsense. They are all struck by your beauty.” Aunt Kate smiled, but the curve of her lips looked strained. “However, if you keep scowling like that, you will scare them all off.”
One can only hope. “Aunt, can’t you see where all those quizzing glances are directed? Those men aren’t studying my expression; they are examining my bos—”