A Season for Submission by Allegra Grey and Emily Sloan

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Nicholas Blackmore, Viscount Clarendel is in need of a fortune, Amy Sunderland is an heiress in need of protection. It’s a match made in… London, certainly. Hell, possibly. Amy discovers the viscount’s aid comes with a price—she must agree to be his in intimate ways beyond the typical vows of marriage. But anything is better than going home to face her father’s rages. Or so she hopes.

As Nicholas pushes Amy’s boundaries, he finds his new bride is in danger of slipping into his heart as easily as she stepped into his carriage. But can a fortune-hunting sadist convince a wounded dove to trust him? Or will Amy realize she’s traded one sadistic monster for another?

Be Warned: DDLG, BDSM, sex toys, anal sex, spanking

Excerpt:

He found her in the parlor—a frantic angel pacing the faded oriental carpet. Her white sarsenet walking dress with its modest cut and her sensible black half-boots certainly lacked finesse if seduction was her aim. Nicholas paused in the doorway, watching her. She really was very pretty. Her face was oval, with lovely flushed cheeks and full lips she’d evidently been biting. He wanted to bite them, too. Sinking his teeth into her full breasts and flared hips might be fun, too. And the shapely thighs he’d glimpsed last night…

“I don't remember my sister setting up visiting hours today," Nicholas said, endeavoring to sound polite rather than suspicious. Or in desperate need of a fuck.

Her honey-and-coffee eyes lifted to meet his gaze, a strange, strained smile pasted on her face. “I am not here for your sister, Lord Clarendel. I’ve come to speak with you.”

Ah. She’s worried about blackmail. He’d considered playing that game, but with a father like Baron Charles Sunderland, the girl had enough problems. And he’d won rather a lot at the tables recently, so his bills were paid for another month. He could afford to be kind. For now. "If it's about the other evening, I assure you, nothing will pass anyone’s lips. You needn't trouble yourself on that account." 

Her blond head bowed. “I owe you and Lord Markham a great debt of gratitude. Had you not arrived when you did…” She let it hang and hurried on. “But that’s not what I wish to discuss. Rather, I have a proposal that, um, from what I understand, you may very well be interested in.”

“Don’t tell me you’re about to pitch me a railroad in South America—”

“N—no. It’s … I heard it said you’re in want of a wife?”

Nicholas raised a brow. "I believe that is the standard refrain regarding all bachelors. Especially those with a title." 

“Indeed. But in this instance, you’re seeking something specific in your potential bride. A sizable dowry? Inheritance? If the rumors are true, I have what you are looking for.” 

He’d never heard of a chicken walking into a fox’s den and hoisting itself onto the table. There must be a catch. He hesitated, eying her trembling fingers, the white-knuckle grip on her reticule. Ah. That’ll be it. 

He eased the parlor door closed behind him. "I must say that this is a queer speech to hear from a young lady, Miss Sunderland. Especially a very pretty girl barely into her second season. I'd understand well enough if you were five years older and a great deal plainer. So, I assume you are in some distress. Has fear of Darby swayed you toward forfeiting pursuit of the usual flirtations?" 

Her smile vanished, and about five years of her youth vanished with it, leaving a stark, taut look he usually associated with widows of the Terror. “I’m not concerned about Darby.”

"Ah.” Nicholas' brow quirked. "You have my attention, Miss Sunderland. But this has the feel of one of those storied gift horses.” 

“It’s not—” 

“However.” He held up his hand. “I'd rather see the teeth here. If I agree that I am in need of a wife with a fat dowry, I also need to know what else she's bringing to the altar. Especially if she’s carrying an army of Greeks.”

Her face reddened. “I ask for little in return, my lord. You get a wife to manage your household who comes with the required income, and I am free to—” She hesitated, her eyes flicking down as though searching for something. “I won’t be burdensome, my lord. What else do you want from a wife?”

She's even prettier when she's squirming. If she were naked, she'd be irresistible. Nicholas walked toward her slowly, the better to appreciate her nerves. "I want—no, I require—honesty, sincerity, and trust. And you are not being honest with me, Amelia Sunderland. Your beauty isn't made for lies and half-truths." He reached out, touching her chin as he had the last time he'd seen her, and her eyes flared. "Are you with child?" 

“I am not!” she hissed, jerking her head back.

He kept his hold on her chin to grip her jaw. Miss Sunderland stopped fighting, her eyes widening even further as he let his hand slide down, keeping her elegant neck tensed under his palm from shock at the invasion of her person.

“Then explain yourself.” Nicholas breathed the command, already wondering if he cared. The babe could be a girl. He wouldn’t mind shelling out a dowry someday in return for access to Amelia’s today. 

“Very well. If that’s the price—” 

“It is. Explain yourself, madame.”

She gathered herself, visibly trying to ignore his hold on her warm, soft skin and the blush creeping up her neck to her lovely face. How strange she’s not struggling...

“I received several proposals last season. My father refused them all. And this tour will come to naught as well if he stays true to form. Which I expect he will.”

“An overly protective sire? There are easier—” 

“My lord, I cannot continue to live with my father.”

Nicholas kept his hand on her, shifting his palm to her cheek. A gentleman would've let her go. A gentleman wouldn’t have touched her at all, he reminded himself. But she needs a warning.

"Thank you for being honest. Now, I must be the same." He smiled, studying her blushing features—delicate as any porcelain doll—and letting his imagination fix upon her Cupid’s bow lips. His thumb trailed over her cheek, earning a rather promising shiver from his prey. "I will give you a choice, Miss Amelia Sunderland. I can send you to Markham. He's in dire need of a bride and will be an—ah, shall we say easier?—husband to live with. I've one or two other candidates who might suit if he won’t. So do not fear that I’ll abandon you to your plight. But if you stay with me, your life will be significantly more challenging. I'll endeavor to see you well-rewarded for the demands, but it may be a challenge you’d rather avoid." 

She didn’t pull back. Another promising sign. “I … did consider Markham, if we are still being honest.”

"Always, my dear." He let his fingertip graze the curve of her ear. “Why are you not at his club?" 

She closed her eyes and licked her lips. “I—I honestly cannot say, my lord. I … like you?”

His hand slid down, curving along her throat, eliciting yet another distracting shiver, but not a refusal. She hadn’t yet protested at the intimate proximity. "You feel safer with me?” 

“Yes,” she whispered, her cheeks blazing afresh. 

“You might regret that impression." His thumb rubbed against her fluttering pulse point, and she leaned in ever so slightly, setting off all the worst of his instincts. "I suppose I should give us some semblance of propriety, hm?" He bent closer, watching her luminous brown eyes. "Will you be mine, Amelia Sunderland?" He was close enough to hear her faint gasp.

“Y—yes…” 

“Say it,” Nicholas urged. 

“I … I’ll be yours, my lord.”