Decimus and the Wary Widow

Emily Larkin

Mar 2023 · Pryor Cousins Book 2 · Emily Larkin

About this ebook

When a devil-may-care rake rescues a frosty young widow from highwaymen, their lives become deliciously entangled.

Decimus Pryor is one of London’s most notable rakes. He saunters through life, trysting with young widows and making people laugh. But rumors have spread that his skills in the bedroom are overrated. The young widows are laughing at him, not with him, and slamming shut the doors to their boudoirs.

Eloïse Fortrose, widow of the late Viscount Fortrose, has always spurned Decimus’s advances, but when he rescues her from highwaymen, she discovers that there’s a lot more to this Casanova than meets the eye.

What better way to heat up the chilly autumn nights than to indulge in a brief liaison? They’ll frolic between the sheets, laugh a little, restore Decimus’s standing as a rake, then go their separate ways.

Eloïse doesn’t believe in love and neither does Decimus . . . but love is coming for them both, whether they want it to or not.

This Regency romance contains one dashing rake, one beautiful young widow, three hapless highwaymen, a master of disguise, and a sprinkling of magic.

Length: Full-length novel of 77 000 words

Sensuality level: A Regency romance with steamy love scenes

“Utterly full to the brim with joy. This book is a love letter to joie de vivre.”

~ BookSprout Reviewer

“Another wonderfully brilliant book. Larkin’s imagination is one of my favorite things on this earth.”

~ BookSprout Reviewer

Q & A with the author

How would you describe this series?

It's Regency England with passion, adventure, humor, romance—and a dash of magic. 

Hang on. Did you say magic?

I did. But don't worry—the books are first and foremost historical romances. Only a few characters have magic, and it’s a deep, dark secret, and no one else knows.

But … do magic and Regency England go together?

Definitely! Many years ago I read Sorcery and Cecelia (or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot) by Patricia Wrede and Caroline Stevermer, and totally loved it. Ever since then I’ve thought that Regency England and magic go very well together.

How would you describe your writing?

Several reviewers have likened my writing to Georgette Heyer, which is the hugest compliment ever. I adore Georgette Heyer! She’s why I write historical romance, and I reread her books over and over. (If you’ve not read The Grand Sophy, please do so!) I’ve also had readers compare my writing to Courtney Milan and Mary Balogh, which are also massive compliments.

What order should I read the series in?

Each book, whether a novel or novella, can be read as a standalone.

Ratings and reviews

A very delightful read. After the highwayman attack, I especially enjoyed the scene of the play fortress attack and when Decimus visits his family for his confession and to obtain his mother's advice. Decimus doesn't think he can fall in love, but his relationship with his family is full of love and he is generous of his time with young Phillip. I adored the secondary characters, Ella's cohabitants, whose example shows Ella there could be more in a relationship. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I am loving this series by Emily Larkin. How the “gift” is used is just a small part of the story. Background of the characters are fully explained and adds to the storyline greatly. Of course the ending is always great!. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

About the author

Emily Larkin is the USA Today-bestselling author of the Baleful Godmother historical romance series, a series that readers are calling “vastly entertaining,” and “ridiculously wonderful.”

Emily writes historical romances as Emily Larkin and fantasy novels as Emily Gee. She has won multiple awards in New Zealand and Australia and has been a finalist in the Romance Writers of America RITA award, as well as the National Readers’ Choice, Booksellers Best, and Sir Julius Vogel awards.

When not reading or writing, Emily can be found hiking—preferably somewhere off the beaten track.