by Dawn Brower
FIND ME LOVE
SCANDAL MEETS LOVE TWO
Dawn Brower
MONARCHAL GLENN PRESS
Contents
Author’s Note
Acknowledgments
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Dawn Brower
Sneak Peek: A Gypsy’s Christmas Kiss
Prologue
About the Author
Books by Dawn Brower
Thank You
Logo
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Find Me Love Copyright © 2018 Dawn Brower
Cover art by Victoria Miller
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.
This book is for everyone that believes in love and hope to one day find it. Sometimes you just have to have faith, and sometimes it has been there all along. Keep believing and someday love may find you.
Author’s Note
This is the second book in a series that I am writing with Amanda Mariel. It’s actually surprising we haven’t worked on something together much sooner as we have done so much together already. I hope you all enjoy each book and continue to read as this series develops. Keep reading for an excerpt to Lulia’s story releasing this December: A Gypsy’s Christmas Kiss.
Acknowledgments
As always thanks to my cover artist, Victoria Miller. You are fabulous as always. Also thanks to Elizabeth Evans—you make writing fun. Thank you for helping me and reading all my rough drafts.
Special thanks to Amanda Mariel for working with me. It is nice to work with someone who will always be a part of my life. It’s been fun and I look forward to finishing this new series with you.
Prologue
Norfolk, England 1806
The early summer sun shone brightly in the afternoon sky. Big white fluffy clouds floated across the blue horizon. All signs pointed to a wonderful day of enjoyment and Lady Diana Thomas hoped the weather held to ensure that. Her father was the Earl of Bristol and along with the Earl of Northesk hosted a fair in the town between their two estates. For a brief time there was a worry that the fair wouldn’t happen as scheduled. The Earl of Northesk died suddenly and his son grieved the loss; however, he insisted that the villagers not be disappointed. Lord Bristol had agreed to take on the bulk of the preparations to free the new earl from the task. What that really meant was that Diana had more to deal with. She didn’t mind though. The fair continued to be something she loved and would always hold dear.
The annual event could be traced back several generations and everyone in the surrounding area looked forward to it. Through the years the fair changed with the times. New things were added and improvements were made. This year there would be a different take on a Shakespearean play. Diana couldn’t wait to see how it all unfolded. The gypsies hired to handle some of the games and other entertainments came back every year too. She had come to know many of them by name and considered them friends of a sort.
Diana wandered through all the displays making sure that everything was ready to go. The villagers were already starting to arrive and soon the gentry would follow. It was one of the only days that every class mingled and didn’t think anything of it. They were all part of the community and it was meant to be a day for amusement.
“Lady Diana,” a male called to her.
She turned toward the sound and frowned. Luther Wright, the new Earl of Northesk stood behind her. What was he doing at the fair? Her father had made it clear he didn’t expect the lord to attend. The earls hosted it but they didn’t participate much in the actual activities. They made an appearance and stayed for an hour or so, then went back to their respective estates. However, in this one instance, no one thought the Earl of Northesk would come at all.
“My Lord,” she said and quickly curtsied. “How may I be of assistance?”
He frowned and waved a hand at the fair. “I don’t remember it being this—extensive.”
They had added a few booths and built a temporary stage for some of the shows. She didn’t understand why he appeared so confused by it all. There were perhaps a few extra entertainments added. Nothing that should perplex him… “The fair is how I’ve always remembered it.” Diana chose to act as if she didn’t understand what he meant. “I don’t recall you attending in the past few years. Were you not traveling?”
Last she understood he’d left Oxford and traveled to Italy for a year. He’d only returned recently. Diana didn’t recall him being so—handsome. His dark locks curled around his ears and neck and shined brightly under the sun’s harsh rays. His green eyes were the color of jade and appeared almost as hard as the stone.
He sighed and then rubbed his hands over his face. “You’re not incorrect. I did choose to travel. Something I regret now that I’ve lost time I could have had with my father if I had known…”
Drat. He had to go and make her feel bad. “I apologize. It was rude of me to remind you of your loss.”
“No,” he said with a shake of his head. “The fault is mine. I shouldn’t have come here.”
Lord Northesk turned and headed in the opposite direction of the fair. Diana sighed and considered what she should do next. The new earl had been her neighbor for as long as she could remember. Her parents had made no secret they hoped she would catch his notice at some point. They hoped that she would marry him and remain close. It would be quite the coup if that were to occur. Diana had other ideas for her future though. She wasn’t entirely sure she wanted to marry, and she didn’t show any signs that she’d grow into a great beauty either way. Her blonde hair was drab and her blue eyes were so pale that they didn’t inspire anyone to write poetry about them. This was her sixteenth summer and soon she’d have her come out in London. She had little hope that a gentleman would offer for her. She had a decent dowry and connections, but little else. This lord wouldn’t even be able to properly court her until his mourning period ended—not that it mattered much. Lord Northesk wasn’t for her and never would be. She would probably end up being a wallflower, and then afterward a spinster. A fate she’d accepted already and decided not to fight. She had other qualities to offer society and she’d make her life using those. Maybe one day she’d be a lady’s companion or have enough funds to travel the world much as Lord Northesk had.
She sighed and ran to catch up to the earl. “Don’t go,” she called out.
He stopped and then glanced at her. “Why not?”
Did he really need a reason? She blew out a breath. When did it become her responsibility to make everything all right for him? Probably when her father had given her the task of planning the fair… “You’re hurting and this is probably the last place you want to be, but I think it could be the one you need. This is meant to be a happy day and if you allow yourself to enjoy it you might find some joy even if it’s only for a moment or two.”
“Happiness isn’t something I deserve.”
“Everyone should have a little in their life, my lord—even you. Stay.” She smiled at him. “Your father was a big part of the fair. If it�
��s not for you, then stay for him.”
Maybe he would listen to her and try to find something good at the fair. Either way she did her part and tried to convince him of the wisdom of remaining. In the end it was up to him what he chose to do. She didn’t dare try to discern the inner workings of the male mind.
“I might return later,” he replied. “For now, if you’ll excuse me, I must depart.”
So cold, but she couldn’t really blame him for that. In his place she’d probably react in a similar fashion. Diana couldn’t imagine what it would be like to lose one of her parents. Thankfully, both of them were very much alive. “I hope that you do,” she said. “As long as the weather remains so pleasant the rest of the festivities should go smoothly. Good day, my lord.”
He nodded and then continued to walk away until he reached a horse. Then he slid onto its back and motioned it into a canter. Soon he was a small figure in the distance and then he disappeared completely. Diana turned away from the road that led toward Northesk Castle and returned to the fair. The booths were surrounded by villagers and laugher floated through the air. A small boy was tossing a ball toward a series of buckets and groaned when he failed to get it inside. She wandered over to the area where the stage had been created for the play enactments. A lot of the villagers had gathered around waiting for the first enactment to take place. They didn’t have to wait long before two men with masks strolled out.
The first man shouted out his lines. ‘“I pray thee, good Mercutio, let’s retire. The day is hot, the Capels are abroad, And if we meet we shall not scape a brawl, For now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring.”’ They were performing a scene in Romeo and Juliet.
Diana became even more excited. It was a fight scene and she’d always been interested in fencing. She couldn’t wait to see how it was staged for their entertainment. Soon the Capulets and Montagues would be fighting, with Tybalt dying at the end of it at Romeo’s hand. At least that is how it all happened in the play by Shakespeare. Diana didn’t know if they would change any of it or not. That was part of the fun of the enactments.
More men in masks came on the stage. They said their lines flawlessly until their rapiers were drawn. They were an older style of fencing swords. Diana thought they might use foils, but the rapiers had a different style. Maybe she’d ask later why they chose to use them. The actors were engaged in a heated battle. The rapiers clanged against each other and the dance as deadly as it was beautiful. She was riveted in her spot unable to glance away from it all. One of the men jumped between two of the combatants in an attempt to stop the fight, but it was to no avail. One was hit and fell to the ground in a dramatic fashion.
‘“This day’s black fate on more days doth depend, this but begins the woe others must end.”’
The man on the ground went still and the guy playing Romeo picked up a sword and started fighting with the man who murdered Mercutio. Another wickedly good battle scene commenced with Tybalt dying alongside Mercutio. Diana clapped wildly as the scene ended. She wanted to learn to fence like that—if only her father would find her an instructor willing to teach her. The actors all took off their masks and bowed to the audience.
“Another,” someone shouted.
Diana stared at the actors. She’d assumed they were all men, but that wasn’t the case. There was a woman amongst them. Gorgeous didn’t even begin to describe her. Her body was lean, lithe, and she moved with a fluid grace Diana could never achieve. She had midnight black hair that fell to her waist in a thick braid. How had she failed to notice that? Had it been tucked away during the fight? She had to meet her…
They bowed once more and then exited the stage. They would be back later for another scene and probably a new crowd. Either way Diana would be back to watch, but she had another goal before then. She pushed her way through the crush until she reached the tent where the actors were taking refuge in-between performances.
The woman was about to enter when Diana reached the tent. “Pardon me,” she called out to her. “Do you have a moment?”
Up close she didn’t seem to be much older than Diana. Maybe three or four years but not much more than that. Her hair seemed darker up close and her eyes were a violet shade similar to the sky before a storm. “I’m busy,” the girl said rather rudely.
“And my father is paying your wages for today. You can spare me a minute of your time.” She’d use whatever advantage she had to gain the gypsy’s attention.
“Little girl,” the girl said in an accent similar to many of the gypsies she’d met over the years. She narrowed her gaze into tiny slits. Disdain dripped from her voice as she spoke. “You should learn when to be demanding and when it is best to turn and walk away.”
“This is not one of those times to give up,” Diana insisted. She’d beg if it helped, but she hoped it wouldn’t go that far. “Please may I have a moment of your time?”
The girl sighed and then nodded. “What does her highness require?”
“I’m not…” Diana shook her head. It didn’t matter what she thought of her as long as the gypsy helped her in the end. “What is your name?”
She lifted a brow. “That is all you wish to know?”
“No,” Diana replied. If she had her way they’d know a lot more about each other when everything was said and done. “But it’s polite to know who one is speaking with. I am Lady Diana. My father is the Earl of Bristol.”
“Ah,” she said noncommittally. “Lady Di the county’s princess. I’ve heard of you.”
Diana was starting to dislike her, but she shook that away. The gypsy girl had something she craved and she’d bury her own pride to get it. She stared at her not backing down from her disdain.
Finally, she replied with her name. “I am Lulia Vasile.”
“It’s nice to meet you Miss Vasile,” Diana replied congenially. “Now that the introductions are out of the way how do you feel about teaching me to fence?”
The girl’s laughter enveloped Diana. She continued to laugh for what seemed like forever. Then she stopped and wiped tears from the corner of her eyes. “You mean it don’t you. Little one, fencing isn’t for you.”
She lifted her chin up mulishly. “I can learn if I have a teacher. If I wanted to I could learn anything.”
Lulia shook her head. “Very well. After the fair is complete come and see me. We will discuss the possibility. I need rest now.”
With those words Lulia went into the tent. Diana remained confident she’d have a fencing teacher at last. The gypsy would teach her and then she’d be able to learn other things as well. Diana thirsted for knowledge and she had a feeling Lulia would be able to teach her more than fencing. The possibility of marriage had been forgotten and an entirely different life presented itself to her. It was a good thing she’d decided to give up on domestic bliss. She would not beg for love, and she certainly didn’t think it would ever find her. This was much better and more tangible then some mythical feeling.
Luther didn’t make it far before he decided to turn around to head back to the fair. As much as he hated to admit it Lady Diana had been correct. The fair would give him some respite from the grief he carried with him and it would honor his father’s wishes.
Lady Diana had grown up in the years he’d been away. She was still a little girl in his eyes, and she would remain so. He was five years her senior and he couldn’t shake the brat that had tagged behind him over the years. At least she’d grown up enough to realize that she couldn’t always have her way. She’d been polite and encouraging earlier. He could respect that. What he didn’t want was to marry her—even if it had been his father’s last wish. Luther didn’t want to marry out of duty, at least not yet. He might consider the possibility many years in the future. His heart was too heavy for any thought of matrimony.
He reached the edge of the fair and found a post to tie his horse to. There was a young boy standing nearby to keep an eye on the animals. He tossed a shilling at him and said, “Make sure no one bo
thers him.” Luther gestured toward the horse.
“Yes, milord.”
With his horse secured, Luther wandered deep into the fair. A group of actors were on the stage in a fencing battle. It appeared to be at the end of it. The crowd gathered around watching in awe as the actors parried back and forth. The rapiers were real and the clang of metal echoed over the constant thrum of the spectators. Luther was as enthralled as the villagers. The actors had skill with rapiers and must have had excellent teachers. He’d studied fencing with some of the best instructors and he wasn’t sure he could keep up with them himself.
At the end of the battle the crowd erupted in applause. Luther’s mouth fell open as they unmasked themselves and took their bow. How had a woman been able to fence with such skill? He didn’t believe it possible, and yet it had been. He wanted to meet her, but wasn’t sure it was a wise move. It might encourage the gypsy to embrace a more informal relationship. His father hadn’t believed they should mix socially with the hired help—even at the fair.
Luther headed toward a tent set up near the stage for the actors. He caught a glimpse of blonde hair and frowned. Why was Lady Diana heading to the tent? She shouldn’t be near the gypsies. If he needed a reason to seek out the gypsy, Diana just gave him one. The lady gypsy stopped outside of the tent and Diana caught up to her. They were discussing something, but he couldn’t hear it. After a moment the gypsy went in the tent and Diana wandered away with a huge smile on her face. Luther changed his trajectory and went toward Diana.
