Her Majesty’s Scoundrels

by Christy Carlyle

  He looked at his grown children and realized he was no longer a young man. But since he’d met Alyssa, he felt far younger than his two and fifty years. He looked down the length of the table and smiled.

  He doubted any bride was more beautiful, although he thought perhaps each of the male members of his family would argue with his assertion. That hardly mattered. He considered himself the most fortunate man on earth.

  He couldn’t reconcile how he’d been blessed. The journey he and Alyssa had traveled to get here had been difficult at times, and filled with its share of turmoil. But through it all, she’d shown him that finding love again was possible.

  He was happy. Truly happy. She was the perfect woman to make his life complete.

  As if his eldest son and heir realized what his father was thinking, Gideon, Marquess of Sheffield, stood and raised his glass.

  “To Father and his bride, the Duke and Duchess of Townsend.”

  The men at the table stood and, together with the women who remained seated, lifted their glasses, and drank a toast to the Duke and Duchess of Townsend.

  Lord Sheffield remained standing after the men returned to their seats. “It falls upon me to say a few words for this special occasion.” He turned until he faced the head of the table. “There are several things I could say to you and your bride, Your Grace, but you are already aware of how each of us feels. You already know how happy we are for you. And how eagerly we accept the woman you chose for your duchess. So I am going to say two very important facts we have each been remiss in telling you. I would first of all like to thank you for everything you’ve done for us.”

  A round of heartfelt cheers echoed in the room.

  “Being a father to the four of us was not always easy. The circumstances of our lives didn’t make life easy for you. But through even the darkest days, your inherent strength and your unswerving integrity came to the forefront. You not only survived what you were forced to face, but you mastered every travesty.

  “Each one of us, including yourself, Father, and you, Duchess, found an everlasting love that was cast in scandal. And the choices we were forced to make were oft-times difficult.”

  His oldest son paused and lowered his gaze to where his wife sat beside him. The adoration in their eyes warmed Edward’s heart.

  “Because of you, Father, and the example you set for us, these scandals didn’t destroy us, as they would have weaker individuals. Nor did they tear our family apart. Because you wouldn’t allow it. In our darkest hour, you reminded us all who we were.”

  Gideon turned his head and looked at his brother. “You may not remember Father’s words, Benjamin, but I will never forget them. It was shortly after we discovered the scandal that could have destroyed our family. Father reprimanded us for our doubts and our weakness. He told us not to forget who we were. And you asked him who exactly that was. And he answered, ‘You are…’”

  “‘…my son, Benjamin,’” Benjamin recited with Gideon. “‘You are a Waverley, an heir to the Townsend Dynasty. You seem to have forgotten what that means.’”

  Benjamin rose. “And you continued your lecture with this warning. ‘You seem to want to carry the burden for your mother’s mistakes and I will not allow it. You also seem to have forgotten what being my son requires of you.’”

  Benjamin swallowed several times, and Rachael reached for his hand and held it. “You reminded me that we were not weak like some others are weak. Then I asked you how you could bear to look at me, knowing what my mother had done. And you ordered me to stand in front of you. When I was close enough, you opened your arms and gathered me to you. And you called me your son. Your son. You told me that you loved me more than life itself. That I was a blessing when my mother gave me to you, and that I was more of a blessing that day than ever before. Then you told me that you loved me, and always would.”

  Edward let his tear-clouded gaze move around the table. To his right, sat his son and heir, Gideon Waverley, Marquess of Sheffield and his brilliant Lady Eve. Next was his eldest daughter, Lady Winnifred and her courageous Nick.

  His wife’s daughter Lady Elizabeth sat at the end of the table, and across from her was her intended, Joshua Winslow.

  Next to Joshua sat Edward’s youngest daughter Lady Anne and her husband, the Earl of Montroy.

  And finally, on Edward’s left, Lord Benjamin sat with his lovely Lady Rachael.

  Tears filled the eyes of every family member gathered around the table, as well as the sniffling sobs of most. Edward had never been so moved as he was at this moment. He’d never been as proud of his family as he was today. To be loved so completely was a blessing beyond anything. To know that what he’d instilled in his children would continue to the next generation filled him with pride.

  To realize that while they ate, the nursery above was crowded with an abundance of grandchildren and heirs who would carry on the Townsend dynasty for generations to come caused his heart to swell in his chest.

  Only one person was absent from today’s gathering. The person who’d played the largest role in his finding Alyssa and allowing him to realize that love was still possible. The woman who’d rescued Joshua and saved his life. Who’d given Joshua’s ring to her sister who worked in the Queen’s kitchen so the Queen would know he was still alive. The woman who’d placed the note in a duke’s carriage so they would know where to find Joshua. The person who’d made everything that had happened possible. That person was the mysterious Maude.

  Even though Edward had searched for her, he’d been unable to find her. He imagined she was long gone from Conner Street. And Edward knew that there were many places the elusive Maude could hide where she would never be found. But at least she’d appeared long enough to allow them to find and rescue Joshua Winslow. And for him to meet and marry the love of his life.

  Edward could not let this moment pass without showing his children how much he loved them.

  He rose, then stepped to his right where his eldest son and heir stood. Gideon had perhaps suffered most. Surviving what his stepmother had done to him gave Gideon an inner strength that few others possessed. When Edward reached him, he opened his arms and Gideon stepped into his embrace. Edward wrapped his arms around Gideon and held him for several long seconds. “I love you, Gideon.”

  “I love you, Father,” Gideon answered.

  When he released his son, he turned to Gideon’s wife and held her. Eve had given Edward back his son. She had saved Gideon from the terrible fate his stepmother had planned for him.

  Edward moved to the next chair where Winnifred stood with her husband. He wrapped his arms around the daughter who’d risked her life to keep the scandal involving her mother from reaching Society’s ears. Tears ran down her cheeks, and Edward brushed them away. “I love you, Winnie,” he whispered before he released her.

  “And I love you, Papa,” she answered.

  He turned to his son-in-law and shook his hand, then moved to the next chair, but not before casting a grateful look into the eyes of the man who had walked into danger with him.

  Lady Elizabeth stood with Joshua Winslow, who’d stepped around the table to stand beside his betrothed. Edward watched the tears stream down Lady Elizabeth’s cheeks. She possessed a courage so like the bravery exhibited by each one of his children when faced with scandals that were not of their making. Edward opened his arms and gathered her to him. “I love you, daughter,” he whispered before releasing her.

  “I love you, Father,” she whispered.

  He turned to Joshua Winslow and shook his hand. The Queen’s ring had been restored to its rightful owner and felt warmly eloquent against his palm. He walked to the opposite end of the table where his bride sat.

  Edward held out his hand and Alyssa rose. “My wife,” he said. “My love.” Alyssa stepped into his embrace and he kissed her. “I love you with all my heart.”

  “As I love you. And always will.”

  With Alyssa at his side, he made his way up the left side
of the table. First to his youngest daughter, Anne, the daughter he’d tried to shield from discovering the scandal because he didn’t think she was strong enough to survive knowing the truth. How wrong he’d been. He should have known none of his children were weak. He brushed a tear from her face, then gathered her in his arms. “I love you, Annie,” he whispered.

  “And I love you, Papa.”

  When he released her, he shook hands with her husband, the Earl of Montroy and clapped him warmly on the shoulder.

  Lastly he moved to where Benjamin stood with his arm around his wife. First, he kissed Rachael’s cheek, then he let his gaze lock with his son’s. He opened his arms and Benjamin stepped into his embrace. “I love you, Benjamin.”

  “And I love you, Father.”

  Then, he turned to let his gaze rest on the gathering around the table. “I will repeat what I said to Benjamin all those months ago.” Edward paused. “Only this time it is meant for all of you.”

  Edward swallowed hard. “I love each and every one of you more than life itself. You were a blessing on the day you were born, and you are more a blessing to me now. I love you today. I will love you tomorrow. And I will love you into eternity.”

  Then Edward turned to his bride. “As I promised I would love you.”

  Alyssa stepped into his arms and Edward lowered his head and kissed his bride.

  A roar of cheers and well wishes echoed in his ears.

  Pure joy, pure love cast scandal from the room that night.

  And nothing could have made him happier.

  About the Author

  Laura Landon enjoyed ten years as a high school teacher and nine years making sundaes and malts in her very own ice cream shop, but once she penned her first novel, she closed up shop to spend every free minute writing. Now she enjoys creating her very own heroes and heroines, and making sure they find their happily ever after.

  A vital member of her rural community, Laura directed the town’s Quasquicentennial, organized funding for an exercise center for the town, and serves on the hospital board.

  Laura lives in the Midwest, surrounded by her family and friends. She has written nearly two dozen Victorian historicals, thirteen of which have been published by Prairie Muse Publishing and are selling worldwide in English, one in Japanese, and several in German. Two are Scottish historicals.

  In October 2012, Laura experienced an amazing day when Amazon’s Montlake Romance published not one but three of her newest novels. Two of these have been optioned for publication in Russia and Turkey. Several are also available in German. To date Montlake has published seven of Laura’s Victorian historicals.

  Always beautifully set and with a mysterious twist or bit of suspense, Laura’s books average over a million and a half pages a month read by her loyal readers.

  * * *

  Laura Landon is a Prairie Muse Platinum

  Kindle Press and Amazon Montlake author

  www.lauralandon.com/

  Also by Laura Landon

  Also from Laura Landon

  by Prairie Muse Publishing

  * * *

  SHATTERED DREAMS

  WHEN LOVE IS ENOUGH

  BROKEN PROMISE

  A MATTER OF CHOICE

  MORE THAN WILLING

  NOT MINE TO GIVE

  LOVE UNBIDDEN

  WHERE THE WOMAN BELONGS novella

  THE DARK DUKE

  CAST IN SHADOWS

  CAST IN RUIN

  CAST IN ICE

  SILENT REVENGE

  INTIMATE SURRENDER

  INTIMATE DECEPTION

  THE MOST TO LOSE

  A RISK WORTH TAKING

  BETRAYED BY YOUR KISS

  THE SECRET ROSE

  RANSOMED JEWELS

  JADED MOON

  DARK RUBY

  DECEPTION IN EMERALDS

  The Viscount's Secret

  Anthea Lawson

  Copyright 2017 by Anthea Lawson. All rights reserved. Any resemblance to actual persons or events is strictly coincidental. Please do not copy or share without the author’s permission.

  Never miss a new release – join Anthea’s mailing list today, plus get a free short story when you sign up! http://tinyletter.com/anthealawson

  QUALITY CONTROL: This book has been professionally edited, however, an occasional typo may have slipped through. If you find one, please contact anthea@anthealawson.com so that we may correct it in future editions. Thank you!

  THE VISCOUNT’S SECRET – A Victorian Romance Novella

  Anthony Blake, Viscount Percival, is renowned throughout the ton for his handsome face and foppish ways. Only a select few know that beneath his foolish exterior is a keen intelligence able to ferret out diplomatic secrets for the Crown. Nobody suspects his secret, until he meets a quiet young woman who sees far more than she should…

  Chapter One

  England, March 1848

  Anthony Blake, Viscount Percival, clasped his hands behind him and stared out the tall windows of his drawing room at the rain. Water glossed the budding branches of the trees outside, and the overcast light made the lawn look surprisingly green. In the distance, low hills edged the border of his estate, calling to him. Despite the weather, he’d planned to go riding.

  Now, however, he must hurry back to London.

  “As Her Majesty commands,” he said, turning away from the peaceful view. “I am ever at the queen’s service.”

  No matter that said service was beginning to wear upon him. It was only here, in the privacy of his country estate, he could let the deception drop and be wholly himself.

  The man facing him, his good friend Lord Bradley, gave him a sympathetic look.

  “Percy,” he said, using Anthony’s nickname from when they were at Oxford together, “I know it’s not what you would choose, but you’re so damnably good at what you do.”

  “Alas.” Anthony let a wry note creep into his voice. “Curse my pretty face. Very well. I’ll come back with you to Town.”

  It wasn’t as though he had a choice. He’d pledged his life to queen and country nearly a decade ago, and still served wholeheartedly.

  Too bad he hadn’t foreseen what, exactly, that service would require.

  Bradley nodded. “The situation on the Continent is growing increasingly unstable. The Crown fears that tensions between Austria and Sardinia are coming to a boiling point, and could plunge the whole of Central Europe into war. Although we expect their ambassadors to behave themselves on English soil, there are rumors afoot.”

  “Considering the parties in question, I’m not surprised. And so, I get to leap into the cauldron.” Anthony rang for his butler. “Give my servants an hour to pack, and we’ll be off. In the meantime, we can have a quick lunch and you can brief me on the situation.”

  “The Crown would like you to concentrate on the Austrians. Count Dietrichstein’s wife has a roving eye, and the count is… indulgent.”

  “And he’s happy not to have to squire his wife about to various functions,” Anthony said. “I hear he’s a bit of a recluse, while she loves a good party.”

  His friend gave him a keen look. “Indeed. Clearly you haven’t been entirely cut off for the past month, Percy.”

  “We can’t be idle in our line of work. You know that as well as I.”

  Anthony glanced once more out the window. He had to admit that, despite his touch of weariness, he did enjoy the games of intrigue and deception.

  “Come,” he said, turning away from the view. “Let’s see what the servants have laid out for lunch.”

  Miss Irenna Brunner trailed her Aunt Sophie, the flamboyant Countess Dietrichstein, as she traversed the ballroom. Although Aunt Sophie was supposedly there as Irenna’s chaperone, it often felt rather the reverse. Irenna’s aunt flirted shamelessly with all the gentlemen—the more handsome, the better—despite being a good decade older than most of the young bucks.

  They humored her, of course. She was still a striking woman, with a strong laugh an
d a taste for expensive jewelry. A pity Fritz, her husband, neglected her so, but Sophie had never been one to sit idly by and bemoan her fate.

  “Come, Wren,” Sophie said, taking Irenna by the arm. “We must meet that extraordinarily good looking gentleman conversing with our hostess. My, what a figure of a man. Perhaps he will make an excellent husband for you.”

  “I find that doubtful,” Irenna said, rather dryly.

  So far, all of Aunt Sophie’s attempts to snag a husband for her drab niece had proved unsuccessful, much to Irenna’s relief. She’d learned last year to distrust gentlemen—especially the handsome ones—and a painful lesson that had been, too.

  To escape the shame and the gossip, Irenna’s mother had sent her to her aunt in London. Sadly, Irenna thought, there was no leaving behind the inexorable fact that she was completely unremarkable. Her nickname suited her all too well, for she was as plain and ordinary as a wren.

  The man Aunt Sophie was dragging her over to meet, however, was a veritable peacock of a fellow. He was quite handsome, with hair the glossy black of a raven’s wing and piercing blue eyes. His dark blue coat clung to his broad shoulders, and he was impeccably dressed. Overdressed, perhaps. The lace edging his cravat, the diamond pin adorning his cobalt brocade waistcoat, and the sapphire rings on his fingers suggested he was a bit of a dandy, if not an outright popinjay.

  Just the sort of fellow her aunt delighted in. And the type Irenna planned to steer well clear of, whenever possible.

  Their hostess turned to them with a smile as they drew near. “Countess Dietrichstein, do allow me to introduce Lord Anthony Blake, Viscount Percival, lately returned to Town.”

  “My lady.” The viscount made a sweeping bow, the lace at his cuffs fluttering, then took the countess’s gloved hand and pressed a kiss upon it. “I am delighted to make your acquaintance. Tales of your beauty are not exaggerated, I declare.”