LESSONS IN PLEASURE (Secrets, Volume 13) by Charlotte Featherstone ISBN: 0975451634 Release Date: July 2005 Publisher: Red Sage Publishing Available Now from eRedSage.com! A paragon of womanly virtue has vowed never to yield to the demands of the rake she once loved and lost. Unfortunately, said rake is not willing to take 'no' for an answer. Meet Lily Farrington and Damian Westerham, the Earl of St. Croix, or 'Saint' as he is infamously known. Follow them as Lessons In Pleasures turn into a lifetime of love.

"In Secrets Volume 12, the temperature gets turned up a few notches with a mistaken personal ad, shape-shifters destined to love, a hot regency lord and his lady, as well as a bodyguard protecting his woman. Emotions and flames blaze high in Red Sage's latest foray into the sensual and delightful art of love." 4 ½ Stars- Romantic Times BOOKclub

"The sex is still so hot the pages nearly ignite! Read Secrets Volume 13!"-Romance Reviews

"No secret anymore, this anthology provides readers with some of the hottest, well written romances around. Fans will appreciate this collection as each tale is hot with fabulous protagonists though they run the gamut of sub-genres. Harriet Klausner

" Lessons In Pleasure, Secrets Volume 13, brings together the lush historical detail of England, while effortlessly weaving in the story of this passionate couple..Lessons In Pleasure is bursting with sensuality and passion that will have readers up long into the night." Romance Junkies

"Lessons In Pleasure is a reminder of why I love historical romances so much. This story is beautifully written and full of sinfully wicked delights sure to tantalize.an excellent addition to this anthology." Fallen Angel Review

"Saint," she gasped, then steadied herself. "I'm sorry to disturb you."

Damian reluctantly tore his gaze from her plump thighs and met her face. That guileless, innocent face he'd dreamed of for years. She looked the same as she had that fateful night seven years ago, all innocence and freshness.

"And what would you say if I were to tell you that you are indeed disturbing me."

"I would admonish you for lack of decorum, sir," she lectured, her blue eyes flashing at him with indignation. "It is the Sabbath, after all."

"Ah yes, the Sabbath. Well, my friend and I were just communing together. Would you care to join us?"

Her eyes widened a fraction, and her lip trembled. "That would be like getting into bed with the devil, and I would never, ever allow myself to be consumed by your lascivious tendencies."

"Never, ever, is an awfully long time, wouldn't you say? But as it is, I have no need to worry. I have a willing disciple, you see. She's more than eager to find herself consumed by my particular brand of sin."

"From the smell of you, you've already been consumed. You reek of debauchery and cheap perfume. Your lady is obviously not of the Quality."

"Whether she is of the Quality or not is moot," he said, taking a step toward her, intimidating her with his insolent gaze. "You all look the same with your legs spread, ready for a man."

Oh, he was positively scandalous! Lily took in the sight of him, his whiskered face so close to hers. She could smell the claret on his breath, and the perfume on his skin that was bared to her beneath his open shirt. He brought her against his chest and her hand inadvertently raked over his taut belly, the muscles flinching and tightening beneath her fingers. Desire and jealously flared inside her, confusing her, making her think things she'd refused to think of since she'd been seventeen years old.

"So," he murmured, his lips perilously close to hers. "Why have you come here? I assume it's not to further our explorations."

Her face flushed furiously then. How could he have brought up that bit of business? They had been but youths, discovering their bodies when they explored each other. It had been innocent curiosity, a few meaningless sessions of discovery and that's all, no matter what the rogue said to the contrary.

"Charles Hewitt," she said, trying to ignore the burning desire in his blue eyes while she pushed away from him. "I want you to withdraw your challenge."

He stared at her for minute, before furling his strong, full lips in a frustratingly arrogant half smile. "No."

"His wife is with child. Penelope is beyond herself with worry. For Heaven's sake, Saint, he's going to be a father."

"He should have thought of that before he challenged me."

Lily watched as he poured himself a glass of claret. He motioned to an empty glass, which she refused with a shake of her head. With a shrug he emptied his goblet, then refilled it.

"You cannot mean to go through with this. You cannot want to kill him."

"It is not up to me to withdraw. I'm afraid you'll have to talk to him."

"I have, damn you, and he won't do it."

He looked her over with his blue gaze, before grinning his rogue's smile. "Well, then, you've come to make a deal with the devil, have you?"

"Yes," she blurted out before shaking her head. "I mean, no."

"Come now, Miss Farrington, you cannot expect to ask such a thing of me without compensation. It just isn't done. They might call me Saint, but I assure you, I have very little of the actual virtues of the sainted."

"You needn't remind me."

"No? You seem to have some misguided notion that I might do you this favor without one in return."

"What do you want of me in exchange for withdrawing from this duel?"

"It will have to be substantial," he said, looking into his glass as he swirled the crimson liquid around the crystal. "My reputation, you know."

"Hang your reputation, sir. You're known far and wide as the devil. Your reputation can take a bit of a blow."

"Is that what you think of me?" He peeked up at her through thick black lashes. "There was a time when you murmured Saint as a benediction, not a blasphemy."

"I was seventeen, and I knew nothing of your wickedness. I'm not here to discuss what was once between us that day in the meadow. I'm here tonight on business that affects the future. A child's future. Tell me what you want for withdrawing from this challenge."

"It is a dilemma," he murmured before sipping his claret. "I'm quite eaten up by dissipation. I'm not sure what sort of payment I could extract from you to assuage my appetite."

"Tell me, and be done with it," she commanded as if she were a martyr waiting to hear the method of her execution.

"I will think about my terms and get back with you. Is that agreeable?"

"No it is not. The duel is at dawn, if you will recall. Tell me what you want."

"What I want, my dearest Lily is for you to go home and await my decision. If I so choose to end this duel, I'll send you word, along with my stipulations."

"And how do I know you'll think on all I've said?"

"You have my word as a gentleman." His eyes darkened and narrowed when she snorted disdainfully. "Perhaps you require my signature in blood, then?"

"Nothing as gruesome as that, my lord."

"Perhaps a drink?"

She nodded, watching as Saint sipped from his glass then offered her a taste from the very spot his lips had just touched. She drank a small portion, refusing to acknowledge the frisson of awareness that snaked through her veins when her lips met the warmth left from his mouth. Swallowing deeply, she went to lick a drop that crept out of the corner of her mouth. With lightening speed, Saint's finger reached out and caught the liquid. He stared at the crimson drop a long while before meeting her gaze and sliding his finger into his mouth. "Our bargain is sealed, Miss Farrington. Run along and await my answer."

Damian couldn't conceal his grin as he watched Lily all but fly from the room. He had the little vixen right where he wanted her. His scheme had been uncomplicated, enjoyable and infinitely successful. Reaching into his desk, he scrawled a few lines then sealed two missives with his signet ring. He looked down at the familiar griffin clutching a sword and smiled. It was all coming together, just as he'd planned. When he'd plotted to get the elusive Lily Farrington back into his life he had counted on her goodness and kindness to see the plan through. And she had not disappointed him. Many things had changed over the years, but one thing had not-Lily Farrington was the same as she ever was, and he was as much ensnared in her coils as he had been seven years ago.

Thanks to Lily's spotless reputation and the fact the citizens of Tunbridge Wells adored her, it had been mere child's play to execute his plan. It had taken only two bold looks at her from his rakish, knowing eyes to have the over-bearing and pompous twit Charles Hewitt, wishing to champion her. One more overt glance and the lingering of his impudent gaze on the tempting mounds of her breasts along with a raised brow was all that was required to have Hewitt confronting him after the church service. He'd been more than pleased to accommodate the fool. As expected, Lily had come to bargain her soul to save another's. How fitting then, that she should come to the devil who had betrayed her seven years before. He had no regrets for what he was about to do. He would willingly take her soul and body in this devil's agreement.

Oh yes, Lily, I've got you exactly where I want you, and I will not take no for an answer this time.