by Dawn Brower
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Also by Dawn Brower
Broken Pearl
Deadly Benevolence
A Wallflower’s Christmas Kiss
A Gypsy’s Christmas Kiss
Snowflake Kisses
Diamonds Don’t Cry
Kindred Lies
* * *
Begin Again
There You’ll Be
Better as a Memory
Won’t Let Go
* * *
Enduring Legacy
The Legacy’s Origin
Charming Her Rogue
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Scandal Meets Love
Love Only Me (Amanda Mariel)
Find Me Love (Dawn Brower)
If It’s Love (Amanda Mariel)
Odds of Love (Dawn Brower)
Believe In Love (Amanda Mariel)
Chance of Love (Dawn Brower)
Love and Holly (Amanda Mariel)
Love and Mistletoe (Dawn Brower
* * *
Bluestockings Defying Rogues
When An Earl Turns Wicked
A Lady Hoyden’s Secret
One Wicked Kiss
Earl In Trouble
All the Ladies Love Coventry
One Less Scandalous Earl
Confessions of a Hellion
Coming Soon
The Vixen in Red
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Marsden Descendants
Rebellious Angel
Tempting An American Princess
How to Kiss a Debutante
Loving an America Spy
* * *
Marsden Romances
A Flawed Jewel
A Crystal Angel
A Treasured Lily
A Sanguine Gem
A Hidden Ruby
A Discarded Pearl
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Novak Springs
Cowgirl Fever
Dirty Proof
Unbridled Pursuit
Sensual Games
Christmas Temptation
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Linked Across Time
Saved by My Blackguard
Searching for My Rogue
Seduction of My Rake
Surrendering to My Spy
Spellbound by My Charmer
Stolen by My Knave
Separated from My Love
Scheming with My Duke
Secluded with My Hellion
Coming Soon
Secrets of My Beloved
Spying on My Scoundrel
Shocked by My Vixen
* * *
Heart’s Intent
One Heart to Give
Unveiled Hearts
Heart of the Moment
Kiss My Heart Goodbye
Heart in Waiting
* * *
Broken Curses
The Enchanted Princess
The Bespelled Knight
The Magical Hunt
* * *
Ever Beloved
Forever My Earl
Always My Viscount
Infinitely My Marquess
EternallyMyDuke
* * *
Kismet Bay
Once Upon a Christmas
New Year Revelation
All Things Valentine
Luck At First Sight
Endless Summer Days
A Witch’s Charm
All Out of Gratitude
Christmas Ever After
Afterword
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Excerpt: Spying on My Scoundrel
Linked Across Time 13
Dawn Brower
Chapter 1
Summer 1835
Lady Hyacinth Barrington would much rather be home at Havenwood, but instead she stared out the window of the carriage her family was traveling in. They were headed to Weston Manor for a house party that her mother thought would be good for Hyacinth and her brother, Elijah. None of them liked leaving home, but at least the house party wasn’t supposed to be longer than a fortnight. Then they could return home and enjoy the rest of summer unencumbered. That is if their mother didn’t accept any more invitations for them.
“How much longer do we have to be in the carriage?” Elijah nearly whined the question out. Hyacinth couldn’t blame him—though for a boy on the cusp of manhood at ten and six he sure acted like a spoiled child. She wanted to escape the phaeton too, but she refused to act undignified. It seemed as if they’d been traveling forever.
“Not much longer,” their mother answered.
“Is Uncle Killian attending this party too?” Elijah asked. He ran his fingers through his unruly brown hair making his locks stick out even more at odd angles.
Elijah hero-worshipped their uncle. He followed him around as much as Uncle Killian allowed, which was far more than Hyacinth ever would. She found her brother irritating and would hate it if he went everywhere with her. Another reason she hated the idea of this house party.
“Uncle Killian is not going to attend,” their mother, Odessa, the Countess of Havenwood, answered Elijah. She brushed a stray lock of her dark hair behind her ear. It must have come unpinned when an unruly breeze whipped through the carriage earlier. “I do believe Scarlett will be there with your Aunt Aubriella.”
Hyacinth wrinkled her nose. She liked her cousin, but there was something odd about her. Scarlett could be a little cryptic at times. She would say the strangest things that Hyacinth didn’t fully understand. Aunt Aubriella was like that too. It was almost as if they didn’t belong, but of course they did. They were family.
“You didn’t mention they were going to attend the house party,” Hyacinth said. “Why are they not traveling with us?”
What reason could her mother have had to keep that information to herself? Hyacinth stared at her and waited for her to speak, but her mother remained silent. She refused to let it go though. Hyacinth was not going to forget about it anytime soon.
A manor house came into view, and they all turned their attention to it. “Is that Weston?” Elijah asked.
“I believe it is,” their mother answered him.
It was a large estate set near large cliffs that dipped down to the ocean below. Hyacinth was intrigued. She’d never been to this part of the country, and while she’d never admit it aloud, she was eager to explore the beach below the cliffs. She’d heard there were caves that led down to the shore. When she had a chance, she’d see for herself if they existed. First, she’d have to make sure Elijah wasn’t trailing after her. She wouldn’t be responsible for him.
“Mother,” Hyacinth said. “About Aunt Aubriella and Scarlett…”
“They will join us later this week,” her mother interrupted. “There was an emergency at Kingsbridge, and they couldn’t travel with us.”
Hyacinth narrowed her gaze. She still believed her mother was holding something back, but she’d let it go. “All right.”
Their carriage turned down the long drive and headed toward the front entrance of Weston Manor. Hyacinth stared toward the cliffs. Three young gentlemen were walking together toward the edge. Two were identical twins, Christian Kendall, the Marquess of Blackthorn, and the heir to the Weston dukedom; and Lord Nicholas Kendall, the spare. Hyacinth couldn’t be certain, but she assumed the other gentleman with them was their younger cousin, Rhys Rossington, the Earl of Carrick, and heir to the Marquess of Seabrook. Where the twins had dark hair, the young earl had golden blond hair that gleamed in the sunlight. Hyacinth wanted a closer look at him. There was something about him that drew her notice.
She sighed. Hyacinth had turned ten a
nd four a couple weeks ago. Her birthday celebration had been wonderful. Her father believed in cherishing every moment, and special occasions such as birthdays would always be treasured the most. It was one of the reasons she adored her father. She couldn’t imagine not having him in her life, and she hoped she wouldn’t have to for many years to come. She really wished he had come with them on this trip.
Still, there could be interesting things to discover. Maybe she should follow the twins and the earl around. They would surely know the best places on the estate, and boys always went where they were not supposed to. Those were the places Hyacinth wanted to uncover. The secret areas... She wanted something exciting and maybe a little dangerous to help her forget that her father had stayed home and she had to suffer at a house party for a whole fortnight.
The carriage came to a stop in front of the house. “Finally,” Elijah exclaimed. “I thought we’d never arrive. The ride down the drive felt as if it took an eternity.”
Hyacinth rolled her eyes. Her brother could be so dramatic. “Then its good that we have finally reached the end.”
The phaeton came to a stop in front of the house. A footman opened the door and helped their mother out. Hyacinth followed after her, and Elijah leaped from the carriage before anyone could prevent him. He ran up the stairs and into the house.
“Elijah, wait,” her mother called out, but it was to no avail. Elijah was gone.
“He probably went to the kitchen to beg for something to eat,” Hyacinth said.
“He doesn’t know where the kitchen is,” her mother said exasperated.
“He’ll find it,” Hyacinth replied. “His stomach will lead the way.”
Her brother’s dramatics far outweighed the amount of food he consumed. They walked into the manor and were greeted by the Duchess of Weston, then showed to their room. Hyacinth had wanted to explore the cliffs, but now that they’d arrived, she was suddenly tired. So instead of finding the twins and the earl, she decided to take a nap. Maybe later she could find them. If she was lucky, they’d willing allow her to tag along with them. Either way, she fully intended to go wherever they went. Whether they liked it or not.
***
Later than night…
Rhys stared at the entrance to the caves. Weston Manor was his home away from home. He loved visiting his cousins. It also gave him her time to herself, without constantly him annoying her. Charlotte always wanted to trail after him. Unfortunately, she was also visiting during this trip. Lucky for him though his cousin, Elizabeth, had Charlotte’s attention. For now, she would trail after her and leave Rhys to explore the caves on his own.
“Where are you going?”
He closed his eyes and groaned. Rhys thought he’d slipped away unnoticed. He should have paid more attention. Of course, Lady Hyacinth Barrington had followed him out to the cliffs. If there was a female even more annoying than his sister, it was her.
“Isn’t there someone else you can bother?” Impatience flooded his voice as he addressed her. “Go away.”
Rhys didn’t bother to glance back at her. It would give her permission to continue with him as he walked into the caves. He hoped she didn’t consider coming in after him, but with Lady Hyacinth, predicting what she might do often proved difficult. There was a chance he’d made a wrong calculation. He prayed he hadn’t as he moved farther into the cavern. If he hoped to be as good a spy as his father, Dominic, the Marquess of Seabrook, he had to practice his sneaking around skills. So far they were abysmal…
He stopped a moment to allow his eyesight to adjust to the darkness. Rhys could have brought a candle or a lantern, but had decided against it. A good spy didn’t use anything to light their path. That would make them easier to spot, and for the bad people to catch them. He wanted to be the best, and he would.
“Ouch,” Lady Hyacinth muttered as she ran into him. “Why did you stop?”
Rhys cursed under his breath. “Why are you still here? I told you to go.”
“You’re not my father or any male relation I am required to at least pretend to listen to.” She jutted her chin out. He could barely make out her features in the dark, but that defiant gesture was unmistakable. “I want to see the caves. It has nothing to do with you.”
He had a difficult time believing her. “Is that so?” Rhys lifted a mocking brow. He doubted she could see it, but it was more a reflex than anything. “Then you don’t mind me leaving you to fend for yourself then.”
“I don’t,” she replied defiantly.
“Good,” he said and left her alone to continue his journey. Hopefully, without her trailing behind him… Something told him he wouldn’t be so lucky. Nothing about this excursion had gone right and he didn’t expect it to. Though, to be fair, a good spy should be able to compromise and think fast when needed. Nothing ever went how it was supposed to. That was a fact of life.
He finally reached the end of the cavern and stepped out on to the beach. Moonlight streamed over the water as the waves crashed to the shore. He took a deep breath and savored the moment. He’d made it. No light to guide him, and save for Lady Hyacinth, without incident. Rhys turned toward the entrance to the cave and frowned. She should have come out to the beach already. He sighed. She was probably stuck somewhere, and he would have to go in and save her. Damn her. Why couldn’t she be a normal lady and stay at the manor?
Rhys moved back toward the cavern, and as he was about to step inside, she came tumbling out, knocking him to the ground with her landing on top of him. He struggled to breathe and his chest hurt. “I hate you,” he wheezed out. He wrapped his arms around her instinctively to protect her from injury.
“You’re a bloody arse,” she said. Hyacinth struggled against him and shoved her elbow into his side. It made him groan from the pain she inflicted. “Let me go.”
“Sweetness,” he said gruffly, “no one is holding you, least of all me.”
He was only six and ten. A mere two years her senior, and he shouldn’t like anything about her, but he did. He would never admit aloud how pretty he thought her. One day she’d grow into a true beauty. Now though, she was a thorn in his side, his chest to be more precise, and he had to ensure she made it back to the manor unscathed. His family would have his head if anything happened to her. He should have marched her back immediately, but he hadn’t wanted to give up on his goals.
“I hate you too,” she told him and pushed herself upward.
He groaned as she used him to vault upward. Pain shot through him again. “Glad we can agree on something,” he mumbled. “Now that we settled that, we can climb back up and head back to the manor.”
She didn’t give him a response. There were a few noises, and she may have muttered something under her breath, but it was nonsensical. He really didn’t care. Rhys rubbed his chest and came to his feet. He followed behind her as she entered the cavern again. As they moved in silence, he couldn’t help being grateful he didn’t have to interact with her much. They rarely crossed paths, and he didn’t foresee that changing in the future.
They finally reached the top and exited the cave. Lady Hyacinth stomped away from him in a fury. He shook his head and ambled behind her. At least he could be assured she would make it back inside the manor safely. After that, he could go in search of his cousins, Christian and Nicholas. They would probably be in the game room. That is if his father and uncle were not in there. Either way, he would be free of Lady Hyacinth and her histrionics.
She stomped inside and he breathed a sigh of relief. He went in the opposite direction and decided to enter through the garden. Rhys whistled as he walked. All in all, it hadn’t been a bad night. He might be able to do this spy business after all.
Chapter 2
Ten years later…
Hyacinth stared at the soft pink silk of her gown and frowned. She wasn’t certain she liked the shade, but there were not many colors allowed for unmarried ladies to select from. Pink was one of the more favorable choices. She’d prefer red. A dark, str
iking, bold cherry gown... One day she’d have one. She’d make sure of it. Hyacinth sighed and stood. She crossed her bedchamber and pulled the door open and found her cousin, Scarlett practically bouncing down the hallway.
“Hy.” Scarlett stopped in front of her, and she patted Hyacinth’s arm. “Did you hear?”
Scarlett could be high-spirited at times. A hellion on a good day, something more defiant any other time… She had her mother’s red-hair, albeit a couple shades darker, and her father’s temper. Lady Scarlett Lynwood had gumption to spare. She read anything and everything, had strange ideas, and didn’t have any issue telling the ton exactly what she thought of them. Hyacinth blamed Aunt Aubriella, Scarlett’s mother, for that. It could be embarrassing in Scarlett’s company at times , but she was family and Hyacinth didn’t abandon someone she cared about.
“What should I have heard?” Scarlett wasn’t wearing white or even a soft shade of pink. She was only half a year older than her. How did she get permission to wear dark green?
“Isn’t it exciting?” It would be better if they could talk in private. Scarlett’s propensity for odd speeches and borderline fortunetelling could be taken the wrong way. They should go downstairs or even back into Hyacinth’s bedchamber, but sometimes it was too difficult to corral Scarlett. “A prince is visiting,” she squealed out the words.
That actually gained Hyacinth’s attention. An actual prince was coming to England? She turned her attention to Scarlett. “Are you certain?” She had to uncover all the pertinent details. If she could somehow catch this prince’s notice, and perhaps his ardor, then she could be a princess. She always wanted to be a princess. Well, actually, she wanted to be a duchess. That would never be enough now though. Not since Lady Elizabeth Kendall married the Duke of Whitewood and became a duchess herself. She wanted to have a loftier title than her. Lady Elizabeth had always acted superior, and it vexed Hyacinth to no end. She loathed Lady Elizabeth, and it would be splendid if she could hold herself higher than her in society.