Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
Eighteen months into a delicate ménage à trois relationship, Lucerne, Viscount Marlinscar is feeling the strain. He's engaged in a constant tug o' war as both his lovers compete to win his affections. Only, Lucerne's not so eager to choose. Matter of fact, he's beginning to wonder if he's not the one that's being left out, considering the effort Vaughan and Bella pour into tormenting one another.

When the three lovers attend a society music recital, jealousy again rears its head, which convinces Lucerne that it's time to take matters into his own hands. The decision doesn't go down at all well, particularly with Vaughan, who shows his displeasure by dishing out erotic punishments to both Lucerne and Bella. However, the tug o'war isn't over until there's a winner, that is, unless the lovers can put aside their differences and decide that all three can have the passion and satisfaction they derive only from each other, no matter which one of them is in the middle!

M/F/M Menage; Historical
Novella (18, 918 words)

Scandalous Seductions Series Reading
A Gentleman's Wager
Indiscretions
Phantasmagoria
Three Times the Scandal
Her Husband's Lover

99 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 25, 2011

235 people are currently reading
431 people want to read

About the author

Madelynne Ellis

79 books403 followers
Madelynne Ellis is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of over 50 erotic romance novels.

Madelynne lives in the UK, not far from the Welsh border with her partner, family, & assorted pets. She is currently sipping rapidly cooling decaf coffee, listening to loud music, & indulging her obsession for tattooed bad boys.

Amazon
Facebook
Readers Group

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
81 (23%)
4 stars
72 (21%)
3 stars
110 (32%)
2 stars
59 (17%)
1 star
17 (5%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
Profile Image for Mariana.
725 reviews83 followers
June 10, 2019
This was an entertaining and erotic novella. I found the relationship dynamic unusual. There is one hero in the middle, and the other two (H and h) are in love with him but in clear competition for his affection with each other. I liked it well enough to download another book by this author.
Profile Image for Isabeau Delaunay.
324 reviews4 followers
February 16, 2021
I really liked this short novella because it showed some lesser-seen ménage dynamics. Even though I didn't rate the first book, A Gentleman's Wager, very highly, I gave this one a shot because it was free and I don't regret it.

The story picks up a while after Bella, Lucerne and Vaughan have left the countryside where they met and have been shacking up together in London. Despite time together as a trio, Lucerne is still the main focus of both Bella's and Vaughan's attentions - they're both quite fiery and stubborn, and compete to have Lucerne's sole focus. In this story, Lucerne gets a bit tired of it all, and "takes the night off," leaving Bella and Vaughan to explore their own feelings for each other. On his return, there's a question of whether this threesome relationship works at all, and the story ends with a bit of a shift in the dynamic between them, and it's hopeful.

We are treated to chapters from each of the characters' perspectives, which is nice, and helpful to clarify their emotional states and intentions at crucial moments. What I found fascinating is that Ellis dares to show a bit of a lopsided ménage, where the feelings are not equal across the triangle and while the sex is satisfying (and hot!) you get the sense that this thing might still fly off the handle. So the story doesn't end on a cliffhanger as such, but the desire to see where that wobbly dynamic goes is a great impetus to keep reading, which I intend to do.
Profile Image for Artemiz.
933 reviews32 followers
November 17, 2014
Since Gentleman's Wager finished so suddenly and Bella's, Vaughan's and Lucerne's story is so interesting I just had to keep reading.

Indiscretions is about the three of them, after they have lived in London together already for more than a year and half, but they still have not found their happy together. Lucerne is in a middle of Bella's and Vaughan's constant fighting, since neither of them does not want to really share Lucerne with the other or want to admit that they can't let the "not wanted" party go. So when one night Lucerne leaves those two on their own, they still try to hide their real feelings for each other, but they end up in each others arms anyway. And when Lucerne returns they will do their best to find the happy middle that will satisfy all of them.

It's just a novella, so into just so many pages are compressed together hot MM, FM and MFM sex scenes. It could be too much, but if you not expecting more and if you can see the story behind the heaving and thrusting bodies then its a good story.
Profile Image for Monique.
1,108 reviews377 followers
May 7, 2012
Don't normally like historical fiction, however this was very entertaining!!!!!! and well written. Vaughan is one very naughty aristocrat;0

I will be taking a look to see what other books are available from ms Ellis.



16 reviews
May 22, 2019
Brilliant!

It's great to see the characters still enjoying themselves! Brilliant writing! I loved the first book (a gentleman's wager) and it's one of my favourites. Great story, can't wait to read the rest.
Profile Image for Robin.
1,176 reviews14 followers
March 20, 2021
Holy hotness Batman, this book was so steamy; I needed a cool towel. I love historical romance and I love erotica, this novella mingled the two deliciously.
Profile Image for Christine Galletly.
1,125 reviews5 followers
September 15, 2022
I really enjoyed this story!

I thought that it had a really good storyline that was very additive

The book was written with a flair for the daring

The characters were really well developed and had strong personalities

It was a romantic and sexy read and I thoroughly enjoyed it

It is 5 stars from me for this one, very highly recommended!
Profile Image for Ren.
694 reviews7 followers
May 25, 2015
I wish I could give 4.5 stars for this as I really did enjoy it, but it falls just short of the perfect 5.

I think the main reason is although very relevant to learning more about the three main characters in A Gentleman's Wager (and later in Phantasmagoria), the story as such doesn't go very far. Which is kind of the point, but it frustrated me a little bit. I think I'm just greedy and wanted more.

Vaughan is so desperately in love with Lucerne that he repeatedly tells himself that Bella is in the way, and Bella, herself in love with Lucerne, has to remind herself of just how amazing having both of them is; without Vaughan Lucerne really wouldn't be the man she dreamed of. Lucerne needs both of them, as he can never quite accept his desire for Vaughan and loving Bella provides the air of normalcy he craves in his public life. It's about as complicated as three hearts can get.

The writing is - as ever - exquisite, and the descriptions of the physical side of their love are scorching. Actually, I'm changing my mind. It's a 5. Madelynne Ellis just writes books that are so hot they deserve nothing less.

Profile Image for BookAddict  ✒ La Crimson Femme.
6,943 reviews1,439 followers
February 5, 2012
Delightful and a new author I'm going to have to read. I don't like historical erotic romances. Generally they are terribly done and I feel bored the entire time. This short story I enjoyed because it shows a more realistic side to menage. Most of the menage I read everyone gets into it. There are little to no problems. Sure there are communication issues in all, but there isn't the since a menacing threat of jealousy as there is in this story. This one shows the grittier side of it as Bella and Vaughan fight to be Lucerne's lover.

I can't say that I really liked either Bella or Vaughan. In fact, I don't think I was engaged with any of the three characters. What I did enjoy was their dynamic or lack of dynamic with each other. There doesn't really seem to be love in this triangle. Instead, it is petty jealous and who can top whom. It's a pretty accurate portrayal of what I think a real menage would be like in real life. It isn't all sunshine and roses. Instead, it's ice daggers and thorns.
Profile Image for Tammy.
9,119 reviews49 followers
May 29, 2015
The 2nd book in the Scandalous Seduction series. This sexy short has a wonderful story and some scorching hot sex scenes. Even though this is a quick read, the characters are very complex and the story is fast paced but not rushed, I was hooked from beginning to end. Hot Read!
Profile Image for Elaine.
4,580 reviews91 followers
March 26, 2015
Hot & sexy MMF. An excellent short story. Enjoyed this book.
Profile Image for Joana.
917 reviews23 followers
January 17, 2025
I had picked this up after reading another book from the author, and discovering last year I really like polyam regency novels, and with the light (and wifi) going off at home today, it was the perfect time to fly through this book!!!
I did not know this was the middle book in a series, so you're thrown into these characters, but it's easy to pick up their dynamics, and they're fun!! Very much Lucerne caught in the middle of two people he loves, moving between them, managing both of them... and then Vaughan and Bella are figuring out things together, by arguing and getting under each other's skin.
This is a really fun and light read!!! Not planning to continue the series, but I'll continue to check out the author's book offers.
Profile Image for Maria.
946 reviews2 followers
May 18, 2017
Forbidden love? A ménage of m/m/f. A love of domination for Marquis Vaughan for his lover Viscount Lucerne. For the time period when males in a relationship was taboo we follow the indiscretions of these two lovers and a cover up in their third party Beth. In Indiscretions, we continue to understand Marquis Vaughan and his demands for his lovers, but there is always a but, what happens to them. An enjoyable read and need to continue the series to see where the trios lives will lead.
Profile Image for Jean Stillman.
1,028 reviews12 followers
October 22, 2022
First, I want to say that the book content did not bother me. I wan't offended by the material. What does offend me is when one book of about 500 pages, completed, is ripped apart to get more money from the customers. This book was only 99 pages. This is book two of about five books, all with a continuing story. I hate when writers break up the book to sell it in pieces. So I am done.
Profile Image for Judy.
48 reviews
April 25, 2019
Discreet, but satisfying.

Well written novella of three people in love with the other. Taboo scenes and forbidden sex are the storyline but it has a well developed sense if the characters and how they are drawn to each other. Very good read.
Profile Image for Tamara.
509 reviews4 followers
May 4, 2019
The relationship dynamic between Lucerne, Bella, and Vaughan are always a fascinating and enthralling read. This book was quite a bit shorter than the others I’ve read of the series, but the tension between the characters was well worth it.
517 reviews
August 30, 2019
Heady and consuming

Such a scandalous story of three lovers! This is the first deliciously captivating historical menage a trois for me and it was an absolute delight. This author does an exquisite job of hooking and keeping you breathless and poised for more!
Profile Image for Megan.
306 reviews11 followers
April 21, 2022
Erotic Novella

I enjoyed reading this as erotica but the characters didn't really capture me. It's not their first book, but I didn't feel like there was a very good chemistry between all 3. Maybe if I had read the first one I'd understand better.
12 reviews
October 22, 2025
This erotic novella was definitely spicy! The novella had a perfect blend of smut and storyline. Some of the banter definitely made me blush while some made me laugh. I'm curious as to what happens next with this lovable throuple!
Profile Image for Sally Hannoush.
1,883 reviews27 followers
July 10, 2019
Eh

I thought this book was ok. I enjoy steamy books but this felt like overkill. I wanted more depth. It wasn’t bad. Just not to my liking. A quick one sitting read.
Profile Image for AGMaynard.
985 reviews4 followers
Read
October 18, 2021
A grumpy triad of generally unappealing lovers. A freebie, tho, and a brief distraction.
Profile Image for Kristy.
96 reviews
January 23, 2022
Meh. Lots of sex, very little story. If reading it in the series I imagine it might be more enjoyable but I only read this one.
Profile Image for Adélie.
339 reviews
July 19, 2024
I loved this short in between story linking the first and third book! Love is messy! And I’m here for it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.