The Promise in a Kiss (Cynster #0.5)
Stephanie Laurens
Rated: 3.63 of 5 stars
3.63
· Steam/Spice level: 4 of 5
Explicit open door [?]
· 46 ratings · 400 pages · Published: 05 Nov 2002

Every girl--even convent-educated ones--dreams of forbidden kisses. So when a man literally falls at Helena's feet as she's walking through the courtyard one moonlit Christmas Eve, the pretty, young comtesse d'Lisle knows he's up to no good. He's clearly a bit dangerous... and obviously caught in the middle of a clandestine rendezvous. Why else would he have risked his neck and jumped out of a window into the snow?
It's wrong, it's outlandish . . . and it's the most utterly romantic gesture she's ever seen. So when the good sisters rush up, demanding to know if she has seen a man on the grounds, Helena ignores the years of strict upbringing that insist she reveal his presence.
To lie would be a sin, but no one can be good all the time.
As a reward for her silence, the stranger takes her in his arms and enticingly, unforgettably kisses her--and then departs, leaving a lingering if unspoken promise of all that might be, should fate decree that they meet again. Although Helena doesn't know it, her wild Englishman is Sebastian Cynster, Duke of St. Ives, a nobleman who will prove to be her destiny.
Seven years later, Helena has been transformed from a pretty schoolgirl to an aristocratic beauty. Her sparkling wit has made her sought after by London's hostesses; her considerable dowry has made winning her hand the aim of many a gentleman . . . but she is deadeningly aware of how boring so many of these gentlemen are.
Her manipulative guardian has unexpectedly allowed her to find a husband of her own choosing, and she has no intention of marrying any man who tries to tame her. There must be someone perfect for her . . . someone who can live up to the promise of that long-ago kiss.
Then, at a ball, fate strikes. Once again, it is the Christmas season, and across the crowded room Helena stands transfixed . . . for there is the man whose kiss she has never forgotten, the man of her memory whom no other has ever been able to supplant. Her wild, mysterious Englishman, Sebastian Cynster, Duke of St. Ives.
One look, and he's determined to reclaim her . . . .
Tagged as:
- historical 6
- bad boys 5
- regency 5
- m-f romance 2
- cruel hero/bully 1
- georgian 1
- height difference 1
- christmas 1
- political/court intrigue 1
- independent heroine 1
- rich heroine 1
- virgin heroine 1
- aristo/royal heroine 1
- alpha male 1
- possessive hero 1
- rich hero 1
- male pov 1
- dual pov 1
- third person pov 1
- slow burn 1
- Add topics
- geography
- europe 1
- british isles 1
- england 1
- france 1
romance tags
The 'Cynster' series
1118 ratings 3.87 ·- Devil's Bride by Stephanie Laurens Book #1
- A Rake's Vow by Stephanie Laurens Book #2
- Scandal's Bride by Stephanie Laurens Book #3
- A Rogue's Proposal by Stephanie Laurens Book #4
- A Secret Love by Stephanie Laurens Book #5
- All About Love by Stephanie Laurens Book #6
- All About Passion by Stephanie Laurens Book #7
- On a Wild Night by Stephanie Laurens Book #8
historical · explicit-open-door · regency · mystery · length-long · suspense · victorian · m-f · virgin heroine · possessive hero · independent heroine
Cynster reading order and complete book list ❯