When a Rogue Falls
Page 58
“If you insist.” She took a bite of the sausage on his plate. “Oh, that’s excellent. Have someone bring me a plate, please.”
He chuckled and went to get her some food.
Charlotte sat beside her, her plate barely filled, too.
“You can’t claim it’s nerves that makes you not hungry.”
“Oh, no, it’s not. I’ll nibble during the day. It’s much more fun to watch the people. I’m not often in the company of so many dukes and duchesses.”
“Maybe we should find you one.”
“Don’t be silly. I’m clearly in no rush to marry, and there’s no one I care for above all others, like you did Markham.”
In spite of her friend’s words, Mattie noticed Charlotte watching Thornton approach their table, only to exhale when he sat at another table. A realization struck her, making her laugh. “I should warn you, Charlotte. Lord Markham and I were witnesses to Lavinia and Ringley’s wedding and look where we are now! You and Thornton, as witnesses today, might find yourselves engaged before the summer ends.”
Charlotte laughed and blushed. She clearly had stronger feelings for Thornton than she would admit.
Markham returned, setting a plate in front of Mattie. “What’s this about an engagement?”
Mattie watched Charlotte’s eyes widen as she shook her head. Turning to her husband, Mattie said, “Of nothing. Just gossip I won’t bore you with.”
“That’s a habit I could grow to like, should you care to continue it.”
“Gossiping?”
“No.” His eyes twinkled. “Not boring me with it.”
She shoved his arm and laughed with him. The she rested her head on his shoulder. “I don’t deserve to be this happy.”
He kissed the top of her head. “You deserve every moment of it, and I make it my job to see you are always so.”
“I love you, dear man, and I intend to share my joy with you the rest of our days.”
“May they be many and long.” Markham bent to place his lips on hers, and for once, Mattie didn’t care who saw it. Let everyone spread word that she and her husband were in love for the rest of their lives.
About the Author
Aileen Fish is a multi-published author under several pen names, with stories ranging from historical to paranormal, or both, and heat levels from sweet to scorching. She is also an avid quilter and auto racing fan who finds there aren't enough hours in a day/week/lifetime to stay up with her "to do" list. There is always another quilt or story begging to steal away attention from the others. When she has a spare moment, she enjoys spending time with her two daughters and their families.
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Stay up to date with book releases at her website http://aileenfish.com or on Facebook
Do you like your romance steamier? Check out http://arithatcher.com!
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Finally, if you have a bit of time, I hope you’ll consider leaving a review. Your opinions can help readers find books that are the right fit for them and are always very much appreciated.
Other Books by Aileen Fish
Excerpts and buy links are available at http://aileenfish.com
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Regency Romance Novellas
A Bride for Christmas
The Mistletoe Mishap
The Viscount’s Sweet Temptation
Her Secondhand Duke
Chasing Lord Mystery
His Heart for Christmas
The Duke Who Loved Her
Once Bitten
Earl of Basingstoke (Crossover with My Sweet Scoundrel and Bridgethorpe Brides)
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My Sweet Scoundrel Series (Regency)
The Rake Takes a Wife
Kissed by a Scoundrel
That Miscreant Marquess
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Regency Tales Series
Masquerading as a Miss
Rescuing Lord Ravenscliffe
His Elusive Nightingale
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The Bridgethorpe Brides Series (Regency)
His Impassioned Proposal
The Incorrigible Mr. Lumley
Charming the Vicar’s Daughter
Her Impetuous Rakehell
Captivated by the Wallflower
One Last Season
Captain Lumley’s Angel
Betting on the Duke
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Love’s Promises series (Victorian America)
The Lieutenant’s Promise
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Anthologies
A Christmas Courtship
Regency Christmas novellas: The Viscount’s Sweet Temptation, A Bride for Christmas, and The Mistletoe Mishap.
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A Summons from the Duke of Danby
The Duke of Danby summons his unmarried children home for Christmas with an ultimatum. Marry, or he’ll choose a spouse for each one. Include The Viscount’s Sweet Temptation.
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The Duke’s Christmas Summons
The Duke of Danby is at it again, only now he’s working on his grandnieces and nephews. Includes A Marquess for Christmas.
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Charmed at Christmas
Seven Regency Romance novellas: A Bride for Christmas, The Mistletoe Mishap, The Viscount’s Sweet Temptation, Chasing Lord Mystery, A Marquess for Christmas, His Unsuspecting Heart, and His Heart for Christmas.
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Once Upon a Happenstance
The three Regency Tales novellas: Masquerading as a Miss,
Rescuing Lord Ravenscliffe, and His Elusive Nightingale
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Contemporary Romance
Anthologies
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The Small-Town Sweethearts Series
The Cowgirl and the Geek
Christmas in White Oak
Hope
Marni
Warming the Cowboy’s Heart
Rescuing the Cowboy’s Heart
Cruising into Christmas
Almost Christmas in Connecticut
Soaring into His Heart
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Young Adult
Cat’s Rule (In the anthology Wild at Heart Volume II)
Outcast (Apocalyptia Book One)
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Paranormal
The Lives of Jon McCracken
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Children’s Picture Book
My Cousin has a Broken Heart (all proceeds are donated to the American Heart Association through Reid's Roundup)
Adeline
USA Today Bestselling Author
Praise for Christina McKnight’s Novels
THE THIEF STEALS HER EARL
"When I started reading this book I could not put it down...it caused another book-hangover for me. I wanted to see how things would go when the truth of Judith came out and how Simon was going to handle it...loved it."-Sissy's Book Review
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"Jude and Cart's story is such a delight! So refreshing to see the hero shy, socially awkward and not super wealthy. I love it...This was definitely one of the best books I've read this summer." -Reviews from a Thrifty Mom
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FORGOTTEN NO MORE
"This author has made me love historical romance again."
-TwinsieTalk Book Reviews
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HIDDEN NO MORE
"The storyline was really good, the writing was great. So smooth and engaging, I was able to zip right through the story, it flowed so well. I love finding new to me authors and with this wonderfully written story by Ms. McKnight I've found a new historical romance author."-Bound by Books
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CHRISTMAS EVER MORE
"Christmas Ever More was a wonderfully written festive novella full of hope, renewal, love, and new beginnings. If you're a fan of Christina's Lady Forsaken series, this is a must. Even if you aren't caught up, this stands well enough on its own to be a lovely addition to your holiday reading list."-Literal Addiction
Books By Christina McKnight
The Disappearance of Lady Edith
The Misfortune of Lady Lucianna
The Misadventures of Lady Ophelia
Lady Archer’s Creed Series
Theodora
Georgina
Adeline
Josephine
Craven House Series
The Thief Steals Her Earl
The Mistress Enchants Her Marquis
A Lady Forsaken Series
Shunned No More
Forgotten No More
Scorned Ever More
Christmas Ever More
Hidden No More
Standalone Titles
The Siege of Lady Aloria
A Kiss At Christmastide
For The Love Of A Widow
Bedded Under The Christmastide Moon
Bound By The Christmastide Moon
lady archer’s creed
Book Three
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Copyright © 2017 by Christina McKnight
Cover Image by Period Images
Cover Design by Sweet n’ Spicy Designs
All rights reserved.
ISBN-10: 1-945089-25-3 (Paperback)
ISBN-13: 978-1-945089-25-1 (Paperback)
ISBN-10: 1-945089-24-5 (Electronic Book)
ISBN-13: 978-1-945089-24-4 (Electronic Book)
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La Loma Elite Publishing
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the author, addressed “Attention: Permissions Coordinator,” at the address below.
Christina@christinamcknight.com
For Erica
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You are the beauty to my inner beast!
Acknowledgments
There are so many people who support my passion for writing. Here are a few I am blessed to call friend: Marc McGuire, Lauren Stewart, Erica Monroe, Amanda Mariel, Debbie Haston, Angie Stanton, Theresa Baer, Ava Stone, Roxanne Stellmacher, Laura Cummings, Dawn Borbon, Suzi Parker, Jennifer Vella, Brandi Johnson, and Latisha Kahn. Thank you all for accepting me for, well, me.
A very special thank you to my editor, Chelle Olson with Literally Addicted to Detail, your skill and professionalism surpass all that I expected. Chelle Olson can be contracted by email at literallyaddictedtodetail@yahoo.com.
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Also, a special thank you to historical and developmental editor, Scott Moreland.
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And to my proofreader, Anja, thank you for embarking on yet another journey with me.
Cover design and wraparound cover design credit to Sweet ‘N Spicy Designs.
Finally, thank you for supporting indie authors.
Prologue
Canterbury, England
February, 1818
MISS ADELINE PRICE, eldest daughter of Viscount Melton, stared at the half-dozen trunks and traveling bags she’d demanded make the journey with her to Canterbury. The coachman had haphazardly tossed them from the mail coach to the frozen, damp dirt at the end of the long drive.
“You cannot think to shove me from the carriage and discard me here.” Adeline stomped her boot-clad foot and turned her sharp stare on the driver. Her light brown curls tumbled over her shoulder at her sudden movement. “I will write to my father and have you drawn and quartered the moment you arrive back in London.”
“I have work ta do, miss,” the driver scuffed. “And I not be paid enough ta deal with the likes of ye spoiled London chits. I don’t be find’n me pay as a nursemaid.”
“The nerve of—“ Her words cut off when the man climbed up to his seat and took the reins, calling to his horses and leaving Adeline in the dust, dirty from the muck kicked up by the departing coach. “Bloody, swag-bellied bull!”
Taking a step closer to her worldly possessions—everything she called hers had been hastily packed and delivered, with her in tow, to the mailing post in London—Adeline sank onto her archaic trunk. The cold evening air slowly wormed its way through the thick wool of her cloak, seeping all the way to her undergarments as a shiver overtook her. She clamped her jaw tight to keep her teeth from chattering.
“A pox upon you, Alistair,” she seethed at the empty, rolling hills surrounding her. It was her brother’s fault she’d been shipped away from home under the guise of education. Adelaide and Amelia, her younger sisters, hadn’t been cast out of London for a proper education. No, it was only Adeline who’d been sent away to an all-girls boarding school in the wilds of Kent. “Damnation and hellfire.”
Hellfire actually sounded vastly more appealing than perishing due to the cold of night.
Adeline narrowed her glare on the decaying structure nestled between a large grove of birch trees at the far end of the long drive. It seemed an eternity away—and never would Adeline accomplish the task of hauling her trunks the entire distance.
The urge to scream, to stomp her foot and punch something consumed her. If her brother were present, she would throw her handbag at his face; though she was well aware that her young age put her at a severe disadvantage physically.
Bloody, contemptible imp.
At only twelve, Adeline had either said or thought every vile utterance she’d stocked her memory with from years surrounded by four brothers.
She scrutinized the old building, propping her chin on her bent knees, noting the front door opening and two people coming toward her. As they drew closer, it was clear one was a servant dressed in livery garb. The other was a tall woman with her brown hair tied severely at the nape of her neck and outfitted in a black gown a decade older than was fashionable. She appeared to have some authority here.
For the briefest of moments, Adeline contemplated giving up; going along with her brother’s plan for her…but then the woman’s narrowed eyes traveled from Adeline’s head to her filthy gown to her muddied boots as if Adeline were naught but a vagrant, a child not belonging to this fancy, highbrowed school of learning. Adeline stiffened with resolve.
The aching in her body only intensified when she stood to greet the pair. Spending over a day in a mail coach was exhausting, to say the least. However, she refused to admit that she’d been dumped alongside the edge of the road, her possessions unceremoniously thrown from the boot, without even enough coin to secure a more civilized mode of conveyance to Miss Emmeline’s School of Education and Decorum for Ladies of Outstanding Quality. Not an inch of Adeline felt of outstanding quality, and there was certainly no chance of the pair approaching her being convinced of such from her untidy appearance.
The older woman stopped before Adeline, her stare remaining on her no doubt dirt-streaked face, but giving a tight smile and motioning for the servant to collect the many trunks loitering at the end of the drive.
“You must be Miss Adeline Price.” The woman’s tone gave no indication whether she was pleased to see Adeline or burdened by her less than proper arrival. “I am Miss Emmeline, headmistress here at the school. Do follow me.”
The woman did not wait for Adeline’s reply, nor did Adeline verbalize the redundancy of the headmistress’ words. The first was much in line with her home in London—no one ever waited for her response. Yet, Adeline holding her tongue was not something she was accustomed to. No matter the occasion, she relished being heard—perhaps there was a valid reason for her exile to Canterbury.
Adeline followed the woman, leaving the servant behind to collect her things.
The wide double doors remained open, and the headmistress led Adeline inside, not pausing to allow Adeline time to remove her cloak but instead continuing down a long hall, torches lighting the way. Adeline’s boots echoed loudly as they progressed d
own the corridor, her cloak and skirts swooshing around her legs as she struggled to keep pace with Miss Emmeline.
Adeline was prepared to demand the woman set a more leisurely pace when she pivoted sharply and entered a large room, gesturing once again for her newest pupil to follow. The room was in severe need of renovations—or possibly a deep scrubbing—and Adeline feared the walls would crumble around her if she ventured inside.
“We do not have all night, Miss Adeline,” the headmistress huffed, sinking into the chair behind her desk. “Either have a seat or return to the roadside and await your white knight to come and make everything better.”
She was unaware leaving was an option. Glancing over her shoulder and down the hall, she watched the servant lug her first trunk out of the cold and set it none too gently inside the entrance, far too small and cramped to be considered a foyer.
With a deep sigh, Adeline entered the room and stood behind the chair across from Miss Emmeline’s large table that served as her desk, its legs crooked and its surface appearing as if one need only set a feather upon it for the table to crash to the ground. It was no wonder she’d never gained the esteemed status as a Mrs, for her cold demeanor would likely scare off any suitor who might fancy her appearance—which Adeline was not reluctant to admit needed far more work than her monotone voice and rigid posture.