title: Simply Wicked
author: Riley, Lisa G.
description: Cassie Edwards is the only child of parents who were murdered when she was young, and she’s spent most of her life grieving their loss. The murderer has not been caught and re-enters her life angrier and with definite plans for her. And she has no idea who it is. At twenty-two, she's determined to live life out loud and an aspiring actress, has moved to London after graduating Yale. While at Yale, she'd roomed with Esme, younger sister to British CEO, Tony Carleton, the man Cassie believes is meant for her if only he'd learn to go with his gut.
  Cassie's a bit spoiled (courtesy of a doting uncle), daring, determined and headstrong. She wants two things in life: Tony Carleton and her career. Tony’s the oldest son of a British Lord and Lady. He works hard and is trying to prove himself capable of running the company that's been in his family for generations. He’s circumspect (but not stuffy), responsible, headstrong and determined – especially to NOT get involved with a "bloody chit" who’s fourteen years his junior. No matter how attractive, stimulating and fascinating he finds her. It wouldn’t be right...would it?
  Simply Wicked Excerpt
  © 2008/2014 by Lisa G. Riley
   “I'm in love,” Cassie said with a sad sigh. She ducked her head when Tony suddenly raised his to look at her from across the dinner table.
  “That’s wonderful,” Lady Carleton said.
   “Yes, it should be, but he’s avoiding me.”
  “I’m sorry to say it, darling, but perhaps your fellow doesn’t feel as deeply for you as you do him.”
  “He’s fighting it. He feels that I’m too young for him.” Cassie ignored Esme’s stifled snort of laughter and continued, “He’s being stubborn. We have a good rapport, we’re on the same wavelength on so many issues and our attraction burns really strong. I just know that we’d have a great relationship if he’d give us a chance. But, I’ve been here for two months and he’s won't even see me.”
  “So you knew him before moving here? Is he English?”
  “Oh, yes, he’s a very proper Englishman. It’s one of the things I adore about him, that and his intelligence, wit and gorgeous appearance.” Again, Cassie ignored Esme’s snort, which managed to sound both disbelieving and snide. She also ignored Tony’s hot gaze, which warned her to knock it off. “What do you think, Lady C.?  Should age matter?”
  “I don't think so, no. It’s hard to find love and when one does, the little things shouldn’t matter all that much.”
  “That’s just how I feel,” Cassie replied passionately.  “But he won’t listen to reason.”
   “How much older is he, dear?”
   “Only fourteen years,” Cassie said forlornly. “I didn’t know love could hurt so much.”
  “Oh, I am sorry,” Lady C. said. “Perhaps your young man will come ‘round to your way of thinking.”
  “Yes,” Lord Carleton agreed. “Perhaps he’ll at least give it a chance. Do we know him? Who is he?”
   “Tony,” Cassie said.
  Not making the connection, Lady C. took a sip of coffee before saying, “What about Tony?”
   “I’m in love with him.”
  Lady C’s head jerked up to look from Tony to Cassidy, and back again to repeat the process. “Surely you’re joking?”
  “Oh, I'm so not," Cassie promised.
  Lady C. stared at her in stunned silence for a long moment. “Why, whatever for, dear?”
  Into the deafening quiet came Esme’s raucous laughter and from Tony in a disgusted tone, “Thanks for that ringing endorsement."
  “I didn’t mean,” Lady C. began, before snapping, after a particularly loud guffaw from Esme, “Do be quiet!”
  “To answer, I’m in love because he’s wonderful. And the attraction is explosive —”
  Tony interrupted with a screech of his chair. He stood. As she’d spoken, Cassie's face had taken on a look of deep passion and her voice had gone husky. Next she’d be blurting out that they’d nearly made love. Walking around to her side of the table, he pulled out her chair. “Come on!"
         “But Tony,” Cassie protested.
  “No buts! Excuse us,” he said over his shoulder as he ushered her from the room while his family looked