Antonia’s Bargain
At A Glance
On Sale July 25, 2008 (Print) /
anuary 10, 2007 (eBook)
Ellora’s Cave
Historical Erotic Romance
ISBN-10: 1419956604
ISBN-13: 978-1419956607
eISBN 9781419908989
This books has been released in print together with Eden’s Pleasure under the title PLEASURABLE BARGAINS.
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Ms. Pearce wrote a perfect book and I cannot wait to read another!
5 Stars, Just Erotic Romance Reviews
This book is the stand-alone sequel to EDEN’S PLEASURE.
Since the suicide of his first wife, Gideon has avoided emotional interactions with women in favor of less emotionally draining liaisons with men. When he unmasks “Anthony” Maxwell and finds he is, in fact, Antonia, he is still sexually intrigued enough to want to bed her.
A reluctant heiress, Antonia knows she has to marry but she intends to do it on her own terms—her wealth in return for a husband-free bed. Gideon offers to help her infiltrate the world of the ton dressed as a man so she can see her potential suitors in their natural habitat. In return, she agrees to allow him to teach her every trick in his sexual repertoire as long as he doesn’t take her virginity.
Her fear of marriage and pregnancy is a puzzling barrier that Gideon, despite his exceptional skills, finds difficult to penetrate. As they become more scandalously intimate, he has to decide whether to help Antonia face her fears or walk away from the only woman he believes he could ever love.
Note: Contains multiple scenes of male and female same-sex erotic interaction.
Read an Excerpt
“Who is that?”
Lord Gideon Harcourt studied the young gentleman who stood by the fireplace in the salon of Madame Desiree’s House of Pleasure. The man’s gaze remained fixed on the fireplace as if he was oblivious or impervious to the riotous pursuit of sexual gratification going on around him.
Madame Desiree shrugged. “I’m not sure of his name. I believe he came in with Lady Jane Mellows.” She pursed her lips. “He does seem a mite uncomfortable and he looks rather young. Do you think I should send him home?”
“With his tail between his legs?”
Gideon smiled at Madame Desiree. For a woman who ran a house unsurpassed for the level of erotic fantasies offered for the amusement of the rich, she was remarkably sentimental. He kissed her hand.
“Don’t worry, cherie, I will take care of him for you.”
She laughed and rapped his knuckles with her fan. “Be nice, Gideon.”
He winked at her. “When am I ever anything but?”
To the young man’s left, two women played a game of cards, which involved the loser removing items of clothing. Shrieks of laughter wafted over to Gideon as one of the ladies tore off a stocking and flung it straight toward the fire.
He concealed a smile as he reached his prey. It took him but a moment to untangle the hapless youth from the still warm silk stocking that landed on his face. The young man gave him a relieved grin.
“Thanks for your help, sir. For a moment I feared I had gone blind.”
“There are far better ways to go blind, my dear boy, particularly here.” Gideon gestured at the crowded room. “Is this your first visit to Madame Desiree’s?”
“Indeed it is.” The youth tugged at his badly tied cravat. “Is it that obvious?”
Gideon guided him toward the buffet table. “To a man as experienced as I am, yes.” He handed him a glass of champagne. “Am I permitted to know your name?”
A flash of guilt crossed the boy’s pleasant features. “Of course, sir, I am Anthony, erm, Smith.”
Gideon raised an eyebrow. “It’s remarkable how many of the patrons of this elegant and discreet establishment go by the name of Smith. You must meet a lot of relatives.” He bowed. “I’m Harcourt. Lord Gideon Harcourt.”
Anthony studied him with wide gray eyes. They reminded Gideon of a deep lake on a calm day. How old was the boy? A shiver of heightened awareness coursed down his spine. Anthony’s skin was as smooth as the finest porcelain. Gideon’s fingers itched to trace the curve of his high cheekbones.
“Did you come here by yourself tonight?”
He gestured to a chair and took the one opposite. Anthony crossed one long leg over the other and finished off the champagne. “No, my lord. I came with a connection of mine.” He leaned forward, the flush on his cheeks rising. “In truth, I didn’t know quite what I was letting myself in for.”
Around them swelled the intimate sounds of subdued music, foreplay and lovemaking. The unmistakable scent of arousal mingled with candle wax and heated, perfumed bodies. Gideon paused to admire the tangle of limbs on the couch to his left where three women and a single man seemed to be convulsing in simultaneous orgasm.
He’d had the dubious pleasure of fornicating with two of the women earlier in the evening. One of them was a duchess, the other her sister. He had good reason to know their sexual appetites were voracious. Not that he intended to bed them again. He rarely found anything interesting enough in a partner of either sex to warrant a repeat performance. He noticed that Anthony kept his gaze on the badly polished toecaps of his boots.
An unwilling laugh shook through him. Had he ever been that naĂŻve?
What the Critics Say
Kate Pearce has taken regency romance to a higher level with ANTONIA’S BARGAIN and I have to applaud her ability to explore taboo subjects while writing a novel of worth and ANTONIA’S BARGAIN is a novel of worth. I loved it.
Kate Pearce brings the Regency period to vivid life and makes readers privy to young men’s and women’s secret exploits. Make no mistake, this is not your tame Regency romance, ANTONIA’S BARGAIN is explicit in content and is not for those who like “one foot on the floor” so to speak.
4.5 Blue Ribbons, Romance Junkies
This sexy, provocative tale captures the imagination. The rich description of the Regency period and its mores is mesmerizing. The protagonists are fascinating in their quest to hide their vulnerability from the other. But the plot is predictable. Readers will delight in the scorching love scenes, yet are advised that this book also contains a few same-sex scenes and a threesome.
3 Stars, Romantic Times BOOKreviews
Ms. Pearce wrote a perfect book and I cannot wait to read another!
5 Stars, Just Erotic Romance Reviews
Readers are encouraged to add ANTONIA’S BARGAIN by Kate Pearce to their reading list. This creative and highly passionate romance is sure to be enjoyed by all.
4 Hearts, The Romance Studio