The Baron and the Peasant Bride Series by Sandra Ross

MALE POWER PLAY – JUS PRIMAE NOCTIS WHEN THE BARON INVOKES HIS RIGHT TO THE BRIDE'S FIRST NIGHT... It was late in medieval France when young and lovely peasant girl Alaina Duvre goes to marry a rich, old man her father has arranged for her for the promise of a hefty bride-price. Unfortunately, the groom turns out to be a very disagreeable person, and her wedding day would have been the most miserable day of her life if the Baron has not passed by with his knights... moreMALE POWER PLAY – JUS PRIMAE NOCTIS WHEN THE BARON INVOKES HIS RIGHT TO THE BRIDE'S FIRST NIGHT... It was late in medieval France when young and lovely peasant girl Alaina Duvre goes to marry a rich, old man her father has arranged for her for the promise of a hefty bride-price. Unfortunately, the groom turns out to be a very disagreeable person, and her wedding day would have been the most miserable day of her life if the Baron has not passed by with his knights. Witnessing her misery and seeing how cruel the groom is to her, the handsome and virile Lord Laurent Fabian Deschamps invoked his right to her first night to give the vineyard owner a lesson, and then rode off to his chateau with her. Innocent Alaina is about to receive a most significant lesson, too – how to be loved by a man; for Laurent is an experienced lover and he knew how to seduce a woman into submission. Having inkling about how her life will be when she is brought back to her abusive, old husband, will she think the lessons a fortunate event? Or will they be the worst things that can ever happen because she knows they will never be repeated again? WARNING: erotic description of love scenes in the story... for mature readers only. EXCERPT “WHAT IS GOING on here, Puis-je savoir?” she heard the Baron asked her father, who now looked as pale as vinegar. But his hasty explanations could not make up for the vehemence and righteous anger of the “wronged” Elliot. Her father looked very insignificant in his peasant church clothes as he stood beside the more opulently clothed Elliot, who cut him off even when he wasn’t even finished. “They duped me! They were all into it all along! This is quite humiliating! I have paid a price and I get a plain peasant wife in return. This is a disgrace to my honor and they are the ones who did it, my Lord!” “And what of you, ma bichette? Can you tell me what happened?” She hadn’t known he had addressed her until her mother shook her again. Alaina looked up at the Baron without comprehension. He was asking her, a woman, about a matter that only men in the family would discuss. Was this a test? If she would open her mouth, would she be put to the guillotine for daring to speak to the Baron against her groom? The Baron gave her a look that she could not dare believe as pity before he looked down at Elliot again. This time, his eyes were cold. How they could turn from warm to cold that easily or quickly confused her. She would not cross a man’s path when his eyes looked like that. “Clearly, your bride is terrified. I arrived watching you shouting at her and if she hadn’t been shielded by her father, you would have hit her. I believe you do not treasure your new wife as befits her station and that you need a lesson about how to treat your woman right.... As lord of the manor and governor over your estate, I am invoking jus primae noctis, my right to your bride’s first night.” Do you want to know what happens next? Download SNATCHED BY THE BARON now, the first book to the series THE BARON AND THE PEASANT BRIDE. Next Book: Bounty Under the Table - The Baron and the Peasant Bride 2! less

MALE POWER PLAY – JUS PRIMAE NOCTIS WHEN THE BARON INVOKES HIS RIGHT TO THE BRIDE'S FIRST NIGHT... On the first part of the series, the Baron, Laurent Fabian Deschamps, claimed his right to a simple peasant girl, Alaina Duvre's first night. He witnessed her husband's cruelty and wanted to give him a lesson. But now they have arrived at his château and she was about to go out to dinner in the hall with him... moreMALE POWER PLAY – JUS PRIMAE NOCTIS WHEN THE BARON INVOKES HIS RIGHT TO THE BRIDE'S FIRST NIGHT... On the first part of the series, the Baron, Laurent Fabian Deschamps, claimed his right to a simple peasant girl, Alaina Duvre's first night. He witnessed her husband's cruelty and wanted to give him a lesson. But now they have arrived at his château and she was about to go out to dinner in the hall with him. Bringing with her the experience of her first sexual climax after teaching her a few things on the way, she anticipates about what it will be like for her first night with the Baron. Or will there be a few more lessons to follow before he enacts jus primae noctis – his right to her first night? The truth is, she can't wait. She's also scared. He is giving her a beautiful gift. Will it be the only beautiful thing in her life after this? WARNING: erotic description of love scenes in the story... for mature readers only. EXCERPT He nodded, looking pensive. “And had my father been an unfair lord?” She shook her head. “There had been some late payments, but I think it was because he was mostly absent. But as long as the peasants paid their due, he did not bother us nor took more than our yearly taxes.” “Did he ever ask for a first night from any of the village maidens?” She stared, but he was smiling, and she realized he was not serious about the question. She felt her cheeks coloring. “The Baron jests,” she said as she lowered her gaze to the table. “Call me Laurent. Not my Lord or Baron.” At first, she thought she was mistaken in what she had heard. But when she realized by his expression that she heard him right, she was stunned. “My Lord!” she exclaimed. “But that is improper!” “Not when I say it isn’t.” “B-But why?” He thought for a minute. “I imagine that when I have a wife, I want her to treat me as an equal... someone she will not have to be afraid of. I want you to feel like that. I brought you here to give your husband a lesson and to teach you how it is like when a husband cares for a wife. Do you understand, ma bichette?” She gulped, feeling a wave of bittersweet feelings at the realization that he was aware and was truly giving her a gift. “I understand,” she replied in a soft whisper. “Thank you very much, Laurent.” “Why do you look sad?” She was surprised by the question, but knowing the answer, she tried to hide her face. “I am not really sad, my Lord.” “Look at me, ma bichette.” “Yes, my— Lo-Laurent?” she stammered, correcting herself at the last minute. He stared at her for a moment, not speaking. And then suddenly, he leaned. The distance allowed for his hand to reach for her face. He tilted her chin so their eyes could meet. “Allow me to indulge on an exercise,” he said. “Yes, my L-Laurent.” She was going to say ‘my lord’ again, but the last minute change made it ‘my Laurent’, again. It made her cheeks burn when he smiled at that, too, which meant he knew and was teasing her about it. And then he sighed, lowered his head, and he kissed her open mouth. less

MALE POWER PLAY – JUS PRIMAE NOCTIS WHEN THE BARON INVOKES HIS RIGHT TO THE BRIDE'S FIRST NIGHT... The Baron and the Bride pass dinner and dancing, and now they are on the threshold to the bedchambers. Alaina Duvre is apprehensive but excited, fully knowing her first night as a bride will not be as bad or miserable as she thought for she will be in the Baron’s caring and capable arms. But the Baron surprises her when he gives her the choice to decline... moreMALE POWER PLAY – JUS PRIMAE NOCTIS WHEN THE BARON INVOKES HIS RIGHT TO THE BRIDE'S FIRST NIGHT... The Baron and the Bride pass dinner and dancing, and now they are on the threshold to the bedchambers. Alaina Duvre is apprehensive but excited, fully knowing her first night as a bride will not be as bad or miserable as she thought for she will be in the Baron’s caring and capable arms. But the Baron surprises her when he gives her the choice to decline. He truly only wanted to give her old husband a lesson… but it will be her choice if she wants to give her virginity up for a first night with him. Alaina is undecided. There is no question that she is willing, but she is worried her inexperience will not satisfy the Baron. She declines, and the Baron withdraws... but the heated tension in the night is oppressive, and the call to partake of the feast each other's arms can provide is tempting. Will Alaina change her mind and take a risk in the exciting game of desire happening under the roofs of the Baron's chateau? WARNING: erotic description of love scenes in the story... for mature readers only. EXCERPT “My father arranged the marriage. He is rich, and he can make my life comfortable, my father said. But… I don’t believe that only money can make one happy.” She watched her hands as they laid, quivering and restless, on her lap. “I am happy living in my father’s farm, doing what I can to help out. I believe I will be happier growing old without a husband than being m-married…” She gasped, stunned that she was saying too much of her thoughts and wishes. She looked up at him with wide eyes. “Forgive me, I did not mean to imply that men are—“ “Can be despicable, yes,” he cut in, smiling. “And it is true.” He sighed. “I am happy to be able to give you a day’s respite from your troubles. I hope I can do… more.” “Oh no, Laurent. I do not wish to burden you more. I am very grateful for what you have done and what I have experienced because of you tonight. I never thought I will ever I… I know I will remember this for the rest of my life!” And to her utter embarrassment, she felt tears forming in her eyes. She turned away to hastily hide them. What must he think? Why was she embarrassing herself in front of him? Then she took a deep breath again, and hardened her resolve. “Laurent, I’m… I’m ready. Just tell me what to do and I’ll do it. I—“ “Ready for what?” She looked at him. “What? I mean, I’m ready for my f-first night.” “No, you’re not,” he said, and with conviction, too. “You are not ready. A woman’s virginity is not something to be taken by force. You do not even know me before this day.” She stared at him. “But I thought—I mean. You have been getting me ready. I think that I am.” “Don’t think that I do not want to. In fact…” he paused, then looked down at her lips. And he suddenly had that hungry look on his face that she had first seen when he kissed her this afternoon in the riverbank. She gulped. “You want to kiss me again,” she said abruptly, wanting it so much that she was afraid he would withdraw if she did not say anything. “Oh, yes, ma bichette.” “Then please, kiss me. less

MALE POWER PLAY – JUS PRIMAE NOCTIS WHEN THE BARON INVOKES HIS RIGHT TO THE BRIDE'S FIRST NIGHT... The Baron and the Bride pass dinner and dancing, and now they are on the threshold to the bedchambers. Alaina Duvre is apprehensive but excited, fully knowing her first night as a bride will not be as bad or miserable as she thought for she will be in the Baron’s caring and capable arms. But the Baron surprises her when he gives her the choice to decline... moreMALE POWER PLAY – JUS PRIMAE NOCTIS WHEN THE BARON INVOKES HIS RIGHT TO THE BRIDE'S FIRST NIGHT... The Baron and the Bride pass dinner and dancing, and now they are on the threshold to the bedchambers. Alaina Duvre is apprehensive but excited, fully knowing her first night as a bride will not be as bad or miserable as she thought for she will be in the Baron’s caring and capable arms. But the Baron surprises her when he gives her the choice to decline. He truly only wanted to give her old husband a lesson… but it will be her choice if she wants to give her virginity up for a first night with him. Alaina is undecided. There is no question that she is willing, but she is worried her inexperience will not satisfy the Baron. She declines, and the Baron withdraws... but the heated tension in the night is oppressive, and the call to partake of the feast each other's arms can provide is tempting. Will Alaina change her mind and take a risk in the exciting game of desire happening under the roofs of the Baron's chateau? WARNING: erotic description of love scenes in the story... for mature readers only. EXCERPT “My father arranged the marriage. He is rich, and he can make my life comfortable, my father said. But… I don’t believe that only money can make one happy.” She watched her hands as they laid, quivering and restless, on her lap. “I am happy living in my father’s farm, doing what I can to help out. I believe I will be happier growing old without a husband than being m-married…” She gasped, stunned that she was saying too much of her thoughts and wishes. She looked up at him with wide eyes. “Forgive me, I did not mean to imply that men are—“ “Can be despicable, yes,” he cut in, smiling. “And it is true.” He sighed. “I am happy to be able to give you a day’s respite from your troubles. I hope I can do… more.” “Oh no, Laurent. I do not wish to burden you more. I am very grateful for what you have done and what I have experienced because of you tonight. I never thought I will ever I… I know I will remember this for the rest of my life!” And to her utter embarrassment, she felt tears forming in her eyes. She turned away to hastily hide them. What must he think? Why was she embarrassing herself in front of him? Then she took a deep breath again, and hardened her resolve. “Laurent, I’m… I’m ready. Just tell me what to do and I’ll do it. I—“ “Ready for what?” She looked at him. “What? I mean, I’m ready for my f-first night.” “No, you’re not,” he said, and with conviction, too. “You are not ready. A woman’s virginity is not something to be taken by force. You do not even know me before this day.” She stared at him. “But I thought—I mean. You have been getting me ready. I think that I am.” “Don’t think that I do not want to. In fact…” he paused, then looked down at her lips. And he suddenly had that hungry look on his face that she had first seen when he kissed her this afternoon in the riverbank. She gulped. “You want to kiss me again,” she said abruptly, wanting it so much that she was afraid he would withdraw if she did not say anything. “Oh, yes, ma bichette.” “Then please, kiss me. less

MALE POWER PLAY – JUS PRIMAE NOCTIS WHEN THE BARON INVOKES HIS RIGHT TO THE BRIDE'S FIRST NIGHT... Baron Laurent Fabian Deschamps and Alaina Duvre crossed paths when the Baron rescued her first night from an arranged marriage to a despicable old man. But they start falling in love, and instead of sending her back, Laurent paid for her bride-price and dowry... moreMALE POWER PLAY – JUS PRIMAE NOCTIS WHEN THE BARON INVOKES HIS RIGHT TO THE BRIDE'S FIRST NIGHT... Baron Laurent Fabian Deschamps and Alaina Duvre crossed paths when the Baron rescued her first night from an arranged marriage to a despicable old man. But they start falling in love, and instead of sending her back, Laurent paid for her bride-price and dowry. She knows that to pay him off, she cannot avoid being his mistress, because why will a baron marry a peasant girl? Then the Baron is summoned to attend the duke in his castle and he decides to bring Alaina with him. In the duke’s castle, Alaina is thrown in the middle of a controversy. Her presence with Laurent sparks whispers, especially when talk has started circulating about an announcement of betrothal between him and the beautiful Lady Véronique Moranville, a distant cousin of the duke. The same lady seems to think it an insult that the Baron arrives with a commoner he treats with respect in public, and starts spreading rumors about her before the night of the announcement. Her time in bed with Laurent remains as glorious as ever… but Alaina knows it is about to end and there is nothing she can do to stop it. Unless the Baron knows something he is not telling… WARNING: erotic description of love scenes in the story... for mature readers only. EXCERPT "I missed you last night," Laurent said. His voice was gentle, but the look on his eyes was alert. She smiled up at him. "Didn't you have a good time with the other lords?" "Some of them are close friends, yes. But I still missed you." She sighed. "Well, now we're together. I don't... I can't..." He frowned. "What is it, ma bichette?" "How could you miss me? I am not your betrothed or your wife. I am not important." He was suddenly kissing her again. It was hungry and passionate and she was instantly consumed by it that when he finished, she had melted into him and she was panting, as he was. "You are important, Alaina. You must know." "But... you're going to be married to the Lady Véronique Moranville! They said your aunt and the duke had arranged it." She suddenly gasped. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry, that was presumptuous of me. I have no right to your affairs. I am only your servant." He was grinning. "Do I detect jealousy in your voice, ma bichette?" Her eyes grew wide as she stared at him. "My Lord, of course not! I have no right to get jealous. I am only your mis..." His eyebrows rose. "Mistress. Hmmm. If you believe yourself a mistress, Alaina, then you have a right to tantrums and whatever maladies a woman feels when her position is threatened. Clearly, you have no idea what being a mistress means." She opened her mouth but she had nothing to say. He was right, she did not know anything about what a mistress did or felt. She lowered her eyes. "Will you teach me?" "I will never teach you that!" Do you want to know what happens next? Download THE BARON'S NEW BRIDEnow, the fifth book to the series THE BARON AND THE PEASANT BRIDE. less