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    Believe in Love: Scandal Meets Love, #5
    Believe in Love: Scandal Meets Love, #5
    Believe in Love: Scandal Meets Love, #5
    Ebook89 pages51 minutesScandal Meets Love

    Believe in Love: Scandal Meets Love, #5

    By Amanda Mariel and Dawn Brower

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    About this ebook

    Brooke Linwood, the unconventional daughter of the Earl of Nottingham, is fiercely independent and determined to live life on her own terms. She finds solace in cherished memories of Drake Kingston, the Duke of Grafton—her childhood confidant and first love. Despite his promise to return for her, Drake vanished from her life, leaving Brooke to doubt the existence of true love.

     

    Now, years later, Drake is back, and the scandalous rumors surrounding their passionate reunion have made Brooke the talk of the ton. Desperate to prove his love and rectify the past, Drake proposes marriage, but Brooke is not convinced. Can she trust the man who abandoned her, or is his offer merely a bid to save her from ruin?

     

    As Brooke grapples with her feelings, Drake is determined to show her that their connection is more than a fleeting childhood romance. He will stop at nothing to win her heart, even if it means challenging the very society that seeks to tear them apart. Amidst whispered gossip and hidden desires, Brooke and Drake must navigate a path from friendship to undeniable love.

     

    In a world where reputation is everything, can Brooke and Drake turn scandal into a love story for the ages? Dive into Believe in Love and discover a tale of passion, redemption, and the timeless power of true love.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBrook Ridge Press
    Release dateJan 21, 2020
    ISBN9781393806011
    Believe in Love: Scandal Meets Love, #5
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    Author

    Amanda Mariel

    USA Today Bestselling, Amazon All Star author Amanda Mariel dreams of days gone by when life moved at a slower pace. She enjoys taking pen to paper and exploring historical time periods through her imagination and the written word. When she is not writing she can be found reading, crocheting, traveling, practicing her photography skills, or spending time with her family.

    Read more from Amanda Mariel

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      Book preview

      Believe in Love - Amanda Mariel

      Believe in Love

      BELIEVE IN LOVE

      AMANDA MARIEL

      CONTENTS

      Prologue

      Chapter 1

      Chapter 2

      Chapter 3

      Chapter 4

      Chapter 5

      Chapter 6

      Chapter 7

      Chapter 8

      Chapter 9

      Chapter 10

      Epilogue

      Excerpt

      Chapter 1

      Also by Amanda Mariel

      About the Author

      Afterword

      This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

      Copyright © 2019 Amanda Mariel

      All rights reserved.

      No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the express written permission of the publisher.

      Published by Brooke Ridge Press

      For my daddy—you will always be in my heart and the first person I think of when horses or gambling are mentioned. You were a true gentleman gambler and the world’s best daddy!

      PROLOGUE

      Lady Brooke Linwood frolicked through a fragrant field of lavender; her skirts held high in her hands. The sun warmed her face while a soft summer breeze kept her from overheating.

      She inhaled a deep breath of summer, then smiled at her grandparents’ neighbor, Drake Kingston, The Marquess of Grafton.

      Don’t be shy, she called across the open space as she twirled. Come dance with me.

      Drake grinned as he strolled toward her, his black hair bouncing in the breeze and green eyes sparkling. I’ve never been shy. He held his arms wide, inviting her to him.

      Brooke laughed as she raced into his embrace. She tipped her head back as he twirled her about before bringing her back to him.

      Things between them were always this way, fun and easy. Drake made her laugh every time they were together. He was her safe haven and provided her an escape from her loneliness.

      How Brooke wished she could stay here forever.

      Alas, she could not. Her mother had abandoned her at her grandparent’s estate for the summer. Neither she nor Father could ever be bothered with Brooke. They were far too busy enjoying their separate lives to fret over the raising of their inconvenient daughter. 

      Soon, Brooke would be sent away to finishing school at Mrs. Emmeline’s School of Education and Decorum for Ladies of Outstanding Quality in Canterbury. She wasn’t even returning home beforehand. 

      It was one more way for her parents to ignore her, and the knowledge stung.

      Not that she cared overmuch about home, but Canterbury… It might as well be a world away from Cumbria. And more importantly, from Drake. 

      Brooke leaned into him, her heart heavy with longing. She nuzzled against his shoulder. I wish I could stay here forever. I’m going to miss you. Miss this.

      Really? Drake asked as he grinned down at her. Don’t you want to see what else is out there? Aren’t you at least a little excited about school? He arched a questioning brow. I’ll miss you, but I won’t forget you.

      Brooke sighed, her heart pounding. We’re only fourteen and fifteen. You’ll forget about me long before we are grown, and I don’t care what’s out there. I’m happy here. She frowned.

      I promise you will find happiness elsewhere. There will be lots of girls at school, and you will make more friends. Drake lifted her from her feet and twirled her in circles. He smiled as he spun her faster, her laughter bursting forth. That’s my girl. He smiled.

      Brooke’s heart filled near to bursting. For the thousandth time this summer, she wondered if she might love him. It was an emotion she had no experience with, other than knowing what love wasn’t.

      It certainly was not parents who did everything possible to avoid their daughter. Love was not loneliness and tears. And it couldn’t possibly be people who cared more for themselves than anyone else.

      Love had to be something more, something like shared laughter, camaraderie, and warm smiles. Something like what she and Drake shared. 

      Brooke tipped her head back, letting the sun warm her face as the surrounding blue sky and lavender field swirled past. Her heart swelled as she met Drake’s gaze.

      Surely love was laughter and lighthearted fun? Love must be two people who enjoyed each other’s company. A boy and a girl who listened to each other and genuinely cared what the other felt. And a fluttering belly and excitement when they saw each other.

      Did Drake’s belly flutter as hers did? He smiled when she came near. And he always made time for her. She hoped that his stomach fluttered, for she was now convinced that he had her heart.

      You look like a great bird with your gown flying out around you and head tipped back, Drake said. A beautiful swan.

      I do not. Brooke laughed harder as he spun her in an up and down arc as though she truly were in flight.

      He set her back on her feet, his hands on her waist steadying her as he gave her a mischievous grin. Laughter looks good on you.

      Then, I shall endeavor to do it more often. Brooke turned and strolled several feet away before glancing over her shoulder to issue a challenge. Catch me if you can. 

      I’ll capture you before you reach the ridge. Drake burst into a full run.

      Never. She raced away,

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