Author’s Note

I began writing this story in 2011. It was envisioned and outlined before I ever penned Naked. Yes, it’s true. I have my composition book with the original notes to prove it. It’s all there in black and white. I treasure that simple book with the handwritten ideas and scribblings about a reluctant Lord of the Realm and a stubborn art conservationist. Of course, it all got put on hold when I found my inspiration for Ethan Blackstone and Brynne Bennett’s story in the Blackstone Affair… but I never forgot about my original characters of Gaby and Ivan. In fact, I placed them smack dab in the middle of my Blackstone world on purpose so I couldn’t forget about them. I wrote their beginnings into the climax at the end of All In so that I’d be forced to tell their story at some point.

Priceless was published six years ago now. It very much pains me to type that number since it was left in a cliffhanger. (I do have a heart in case you were wondering.) If you’re reading this, I want to reach out and thank you from the bottom of my heart for sticking with me for those six long years. I want you to feel my crushing, too-long hug and the sloppy kiss to your cheek right now through whatever device you’re reading these words on. Truly. I don’t even have the words to express my thanks and gratitude for holding on for all that time just to have the chance to read more about my kinky British Lord and his feisty, but wounded Lady as they find their true soulmate in each other.

I assure you they are precisely where you left them six years ago. Like one second for each year you’ve had to wait. So six seconds of time have passed since you last saw them in bed together “talking” about what Ivan would like to have from Gabrielle.

I so love the ability to do magic like that as an author.

It’s a joy for me to be bringing the next part of their love story to you now. Theirs is a very big, romantic story. So much more complex than I ever imagined it when I first started it back in 2011. But then an idea comes along and takes on a life of its own and I have to just let the story take me where it wants to go, surprising even me as I’m writing it. Ivan and Gabrielle’s tale is one of those.

It’s been a delight to be back in their romantic, kinky, sexy world for sure. I hope you feel the same way.

xxoo R

sim·u·la·crum

[sim-yuh-ley-kruh m]

—noun

1. a slight, unreal or superficial likeness or semblance

2. an effigy, image or representation

Prologue

1st May 1862

London

Dearest Augusta,

I hope my letter finds you, my dear, loving niece, in good health and all is well within your family. I am writing to share with you an experience of great inspiration and enlightenment for me. Last month I was pressed upon by my friend Mr. Victor Rampling to accompany him to a dinner party in Warwickshire at a grand estate, hosted by none other than Sir Tristan Mallerton. As you know he is nearing the twilight of his life, but I was graced with his companionship and counsel for the course of a whole evening, which was remarkable in itself, but what I saw and learned that night within his company, so inspired and marked upon my spirit that I shall remember it to the very end of my life.