by Dawn Brower
Dash had no idea what he’d done to catch the attention of the infamous Lady of Whispers, but he was one of her favorites—and he hated it. Not everything she wrote about him was bad, but most of it showed him in an unfavorable light. He’d made a lot of mistakes in his wild days. The first one had been with Lady Helena.
He’d dismissed her as unimportant when he never should have. She was his closest friend’s sister, and he had treated her abominably. Some might say he’d done her a favor by paying her any attention at all; nonetheless, it didn’t detract from his attitude toward her. Something Lady X commented on more than once. It wasn’t just Lady Helena, but any lady of his acquaintance. If Lady X didn’t like it, she had no problem writing every scathing detail in her weekly scandal sheet.
Now that he hoped to marry, no lady took him seriously. They all kept him at a distance and didn’t believe his intentions to be true. So, if he could make things up to Lady Helena, the first woman Lady X declared he’d been rude to, he hoped that he could in turn change the gossip queen’s mind about him. He wasn’t that same man he’d been five years ago. He had to grow up fast and make some hard decisions about his life.
Lady Helena wasn’t making things easy for him. He couldn’t really blame her. Why should she? He’d been the worst sort of rude toward her for many years. He’d had a premier role in the very first issue of Whispers from Lady X, and the lady of whispers hadn’t pulled any punches.
Sadly, it hadn’t been the beginning of his attitude toward Lady Helena. He’d dismissed her regularly and without much consideration. Why should he care about her just because he was friends with Lord Darcy? That had been his thinking at the time, and now he realized how erroneous it was.
It had been stupid of him to think he could rush in and demand she dance with him as if he had the right. He had none where she was concerned. He’d have to play things smarter if he hoped to win her over. He didn’t want to marry her, just befriend her. Once Lady X realized he’d changed, surely he’d see his name in her scandal sheet less often. He’d prefer he didn’t see it at all, but that was unlikely. Everyone in the ton had been a subject of her scandal sheet at one time. He graced the pages more often than most.
He rushed down the hall toward the ladies’ retiring room. Lady Helena should leave soon—he hoped. Giggles echoed throughout as two ladies stepped out. “Can you believe it,” one said in a loud whisper. “How scandalous.”
Dash was afraid to find out what they were talking about. He prayed Lady Helena hadn’t been discussing his actions earlier, though avoiding anyone finding out would be impossible. The ballroom had been filled with some of the biggest gossips in the ton. They’d be happily spreading around Lady Helena’s dismissal of him.
“I wouldn’t mind becoming more acquainted with him,” another said. “Who knew a Bow Street runner could be so—charming.”
Well—that was interesting. At least he knew they weren’t referring to him. He’d never been a runner and didn’t actually know any of them personally. The ladies moved away from the door, not seeing him standing in a nearby corner. He was glad for that, as he had no inclination to justify his reasons for lingering near the ladies’ retiring room. How ever would he explain that if the wrong person caught him lurking around outside it? This plan was a disaster in the making.
The door creaked open after several moments. There were no giggles to follow this time. The lady who stepped outside was the one he’d been not so patiently waiting for. He breathed a sigh of relief and fell in step behind her as she headed back toward the ballroom.
“Lady Helena,” he leaned down and whispered in her ear.
She gasped loudly and brought her hand up to her chest. “Lord Dashville, really. I never would have taken you for the sort to sneak up on ladies unannounced.”
“Hardly that,” he replied dryly. “I did make myself known.”
She spun on her heels and faced him. “Not in any normal manner. Why are you skulking around here? Were you hoping to ambush me?”
There was some truth to her assumption, but he’d never admit to it. “Of course not. It’s pure happenstance.”
She rolled her eyes in an unladylike manner. “Please. Don’t take me for a fool. Why are you here?”
“I would like to make amends,” he admitted. “If you’re willing to allow me to.”
“Well, you’re going about it all wrong.” She sighed. “I’m afraid it’s a little too late to change things now. I don’t know why you even want to. What’s done is done, and there is no fixing what is wrong between us.”
He didn’t believe that. There had to be hope or why bother? “Don’t you believe in second chances?”
She remained silent for several heartbeats, then chewed on her lip as she stared up at him. He looked at her as if seeing her for the first time. She was utterly adorable, and he couldn’t believe he’d never seen it before. Her blonde hair was a mixture of spun gold and sunshine. She had it piled up in an artful coiffure with tiny strands curling around her face. Her lips were full, pink, and delectable. She nibbled her teeth on them, plumping them out further. The blue-violet of her eyes sparkled in the candlelight. She was—lovely. He forgot what they’d been discussing by being so entranced by her.
“I do,” she replied, pulling him from his thoughts. “But you, my lord, have had more than two as it is. I fear I can’t spare you anymore.”
With those words, she spun on her heels and headed away from him. He had a new mission though and let her go without pursuing her further. Forget about friendship—he wanted her as his bride. He would not fail in this as he had everything else. He’d learn all he could about her and form a plan that would work.
She had so much fire inside of her. How had he never really noticed her before? Lady Helena was far more intelligent than he’d ever given her credit for. Truthfully, he’d overlooked her more often than not. He was a blind fool, but at least he recognized himself for what he was. Lady X had awakened him to so many possibilities, and perhaps, if he ever met her, he’d thank her for that. He’d been forced to reconsider a lot of his actions because of the scandal sheet, and now he finally figured out what he wanted from life. He wanted a woman who would challenge him. One who wouldn’t be afraid to tell him the truth or even “no” from time to time—more importantly, he wanted one he could love and who might even feel the same for him. Lady Helena met all of those requirements. He could love her if she let him, and maybe, if he was lucky enough, she’d feel the same about him.
“Helena,” he tested out the sound of her name aloud, and he liked it. In his mind, and hopefully out loud, he’d use it alone henceforth. Dash smiled. Things were starting to look up—finally. He couldn’t wait to court Helena. It was going to be quite interesting…
About The Author
Dawn Brower holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a Master of Arts in Education, and a Master of Arts in Liberal Arts with concentrations in Literature, History, and Sociology. She works as a substitute teacher and enjoys the flexibility it gives her to concentrate on her other endeavors.
Growing up she was the only girl out of six children. She is a single mother of two teenage boys; there is never a dull moment in her life. Reading books is her favorite hobby. While she loves all genres she focuses most of her writing on historical and contemporary romance.
There are always stories inside her head; she just never thought she could make them come to life. That creativity has finally found an outlet.
For more information visit her website at: http://www.authordawnbrower.com/
Also by Dawn Brower
Broken Pearl
Deadly Benevolence
A Wallflower’s Christmas Kiss
A Gypsy’s Christmas Kiss
Snowflake Kisses
Begin Again
There You’ll Be
Better as a Memory
Won’t Let Go
Enduring Legacy
The Legacy’s Origin
Charming He
r Rogue
Scandal Meets Love
Love Only Me (Amanda Mariel)
Find Me Love (Dawn Brower)
Bluestockings Defying Rogues
Earl of Harrington
A Lady Hoyden’s Secret
Marsden Descendants
Rebellious Angel
Marsden Romances
A Flawed Jewel
A Crystal Angel
A Treasured Lily
A Sanguine Gem
A Hidden Ruby
A Discarded Pearl
Novak Springs
Cowgirl Fever
Dirty Proof
Unbridled Pursuit
Sensual Games
Christmas Temptation
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
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