by Anna Bennett
“Who the devil are you?” Gray demanded. The earl stalked toward Lily and planted his hands on his hips, apparently prepared to defend his bride from any ruffian who dared invade her drawing room.
Lily stepped back, more amused than frightened by his blustering. Her disguise was even better than she’d hoped.
Fiona rushed to Gray’s side and laid a calming hand on his arm. “It’s only Lily. She’s preparing to deliver our column to the Hearsay.”
“Lily?” He backed slowly away and tilted his head to see her face beneath the brim of her cap.
“It is I.” She pointed her toe, made a theatrical bow, then grinned up at him. “Nice to see you, Gray.”
The earl chuckled and dragged a hand through his hair. “Good to know the Hartley sisters are up to their usual tricks. Forgive my outburst. I didn’t realize you were planning on staying here till Fiona mentioned it just now.”
“Oh? Is it a problem?” They’d never treated her as a guest in the past, making it clear she was welcome to drop in whenever she chose.
“Not at all,” Gray assured her, but Lily sensed something was amiss.
Fiona wrung her hands. “Gray just informed me that he’d hoped to surprise me with a belated honeymoon. He wants to whisk me away to Scotland with him … but I’ve already told him it’s out of the question. You and I intended to have a couple of weeks of sisterly bonding, and so we shall.”
Lily pasted on a smile so bright that no one would dream her heart was breaking. “A honeymoon? How romantic! Fi, what’s this nonsense about not going? You absolutely must. I insist that you march upstairs and pack this instant.”
“I’d already instructed her maid to prepare her things.” Gray shot an apologetic smile at Fiona. “But I should have checked with her first.”
“And spoiled the surprise?” Lily interjected. “Never. I know you want to go,” Lily said to her sister, “and I want you to go as well.”
“But you were so looking forward to staying here, and there was a particular matter I wished to discuss.”
Lily waved a dismissive hand. “We shall schedule a visit for another time.” She paused and searched her sister’s face. “Unless the matter is urgent?”
“No.” Fiona worried her lip. “You’re certain you don’t mind?”
“Not at all,” Lily said, impressively convincing.
“What about The Debutante’s Revenge? We’ll need columns for the next two weeks, and Sophie is staying in Cornwall with her aunt. She won’t be able to help.”
“Leave it to me.” Lily strode to the desk, collected Fiona’s sketches, and carefully placed them in her bag. “You’ve already drawn beautiful illustrations. I’ll simply write articles to accompany them. It shan’t be a problem.”
“You see,” Gray said, pressing his lips to the back of Fiona’s hand. “Everything is settled. If we leave now, we can make it to a charming little inn before nightfall.”
Fiona shot Lily an imploring look, so she fought back the tiniest twinge of resentment and smiled widely. “Go,” she said encouragingly.
“Very well.” Fiona threw up her hands. “I confess I can’t resist the idea of a honeymoon.”
“No happy bride in her right mind would,” Lily said. “Off with you now.”
“Will you explain to Papa and Mama where we’ve gone?”
Blast. Until that very moment, Lily had forgotten that her father and stepmother left for Bath a few hours earlier. Mama insisted taking the waters would do wonders for Papa’s weak heart, even though he’d never looked healthier to Lily. She was supposed to inform her sister that their parents would return in two weeks. But if she told Fiona about their excursion now, she’d cancel her honeymoon in a heartbeat. “Of course,” Lily fibbed. “I’ll be sure to let them know where you two newlyweds are headed.”
Fiona wrapped her in a grateful embrace. “I’ll make this up to you,” she vowed.
“Another time,” Lily murmured, willing herself not to cry.
“Can I be honest with you about something?” Fiona asked.
Lily sniffled. “Certainly.”
Grinning, Fiona tweaked the brim of Lily’s hat. “I feel like I’m hugging a chimney sweep.”
“Interesting,” Lily mused. “Perhaps next week’s column shall address the subject of dressing as the opposite sex.”
Gray grimaced and dragged a hand down his face. “I beg you to exercise restraint.”
“Restraint has never been Lily’s forte,” Fiona said proudly. “It’s one of the many reasons I adore her.”
Lily laughed. But Fiona’s assessment hit the mark. Ever since they’d attended Miss Haywinkle’s School for Girls, Lily had been known as the pupil most likely to stretch rules. To push boundaries. Unfortunately, her well-meaning but ever-vigilant family kept her wilder side in check.
But the next two weeks afforded a rare opportunity. While her father and stepmother stayed in Bath and her sister and brother-in-law honeymooned in Scotland, Lily would be left to her own devices. Each side of the family assumed she’d be looked after by the other, and Lily would be free.
Free to venture to places where proper young misses dared not go.
Free to mingle with people from other walks of life.
And, best of all, free to experience the passion she’d only written about.
St. Martin’s Paperbacks titles
By Anna Bennett
MY BROWN-EYED EARL
I DARED THE DUKE
THE ROGUE IS BACK IN TOWN
FIRST EARL I SEE TONIGHT
Praise for Anna Bennett’s Wayward Wallflower series:
The Rogue is Back in Town
“Fans of Regency romance authors Eloisa James, Tessa Dare, and Mary Jo Putney will go wild for the final installment of Bennett’s Wayward Wallflowers trilogy.”
—Booklist (starred review)
“Smart and sassy romance … simply a joy!”
—RT Book Reviews (A Top Pick)
“A standout historical romance novel … truly delightful.”
—Romancing the Bookworm
“Bennett’s gift for writing a page-turner of a plot is on full display … a solid Regency story of true love.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Entertaining … [offers] plenty to satisfy Regency fans.”
—Publishers Weekly
I Dared the Duke
“Sharply drawn characters, clever dialogue, simmering sensuality, and a dash of mystery make this well-crafted Regency thoroughly delightful.”
—Library Journal
“Readers will enjoy this sassy Regency take on the classic Beauty and the Beast tale.”
—Booklist
“A captivating page-turner that will become a new favorite among romance enthusiasts!”
—BookPage
“Will truly win readers’ hearts.”
—RT Book Reviews (A Top Pick)
“Bennett brings new life to traditional Regency stories and characters.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Scrumptious … I devoured every word! A hot and wounded hero, a heroine you wish could be your friend in real life, and witty scenes that sparkle with life … The Wayward Wallflowers just keep getting better!”
—Laura Lee Guhrke, New York Times bestselling author
My Brown-Eyed Earl
“Heart, humor, and a hot hero. Everything I look for in a great romance novel!”
—Valerie Bowman
“One bliss-giving read … witty and whimsical.”
—USA Today
“Delightful historical romance.”
—Night Owl Reviews (A Top Pick)
“Heartwarming and joyous … a delightful read.”
—RT Book Reviews
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ANNA BENNETT started swiping romances from her mom’s bookshelf as a teenager and decided that books with balls, dukes, and gowns were the best. So, when she had the chance to spend a semester in London she packed her bags—and
promptly fell in love with the city, its history, and its pubs. She dreamed of writing romance, but somehow ended up a software analyst instead.
Fortunately, a few years and a few careers later, Anna found her way back to writing the stories she loves and won the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart®. She lives in Maryland with her husband and three children, who try valiantly not to roll their eyes whenever she quotes Jane Austen.
Anna loves to hear from readers.
Visit her at www.AnnaBennettAuthor.com, or sign up for email updates here.
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Contents
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Author’s Note
Excerpt: The Duke is But a Dream
St. Martin’s Paperbacks titles By Anna Bennett
Praise for Anna Bennett’s Wayward Wallflower series
About the Author
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
FIRST EARL I SEE TONIGHT
Copyright © 2018 by Anna Bennett.
All rights reserved.
For information address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
eISBN: 9781250199478
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St. Martin’s Paperbacks edition / November 2018
St. Martin’s Paperbacks are published by St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.