“You are terribly kind,” said Miss Livingstone. Her gratitude appeared to have brought her to the verge of tears. “I have no idea what I would have done with him.”
Tony’s heart was touched again. “I think it only right that you should have the honor of christening the poor little fellow.” He looked to where Miss Braithwaite’s large tortoise was waddling into the room. “Meet Henry Five.”
Miss Livingstone’s eyes grew round. The reptile was followed by the diminutive, gray-ringleted Miss Susannah Braithwaite, a woman who had always secretly terrified him with her intelligence.
He introduced the two women.
“Poor little fellow,” Miss Braithwaite said, taking the dog from Miss Livingstone. “You have brought him to the right place. He needs food, a bath, and some bandages, if I am not mistaken.”
“How will he get along with your tortoise?” asked Miss Livingstone.
“They will become accustomed to one another in time.” She held the dog up in front of her and studied him. “Now, what is your name, sir?”
“I think he should be called Nathan Hale,” Miss Livingstone said and then blushed ferociously. “I forget I am in England now.”
Intrigued, Tony said, “Please tell us about Nathan Hale.”
She raised her chin, a twinkle in her eye. “He was an American patriot. I doubt that you have ever heard of him. Like this poor little dog, he sought liberty.”
Tony said, “Suitable for what I think is at least partly Scottish terrier. But you can’t go about calling the poor brute a given name and a surname. You will have to shorten it.”
“Very well,” she said, looking him in the eye. “He shall be Mr. Hale. He is incognito in England, but when he returns with me to America, his full identity shall be known.” Turning to the ladies, she asked, “Shall you feel anxious, housing a fiery American patriot?”
Miss Braithwaite laughed. “For now, he has a sweet nature. I will let you know if I see any signs of sedition against the British Empire. Now I will take him into the scullery and get him some bread and milk to start with. It was good to meet you, Miss Livingstone. Another day, we shall have to have a longer visit.”
The woman left the room with her charge. Tony, no longer worrying about being saddled with a puppy, turned to Lady Clarice and began talking about his mother.
After settling that the woman should call on Lady Strangeways, their hostess turned to Miss Livingstone.
“Unless my ears deceive me, my dear, you are from the American South. Whatever can have brought you to England in the middle of a war?”
Trust Lady Clarice to get right to the point!
“It is a long story, my lady. I shall be visiting Lord and Lady Ogletree for some time. His lordship is my grandfather’s brother.”
Hmm. An evasive answer, Tony thought. Had she been orphaned? If so, how had she managed to get to England through the blockade? And how did she feel, fetching up in the enemy’s country? With the naming of her dog, he detected she was not one of those American ladies who had come to England prior to recent hostilities seeking a title. She was of Republican sympathies and bound to retain her own identity and citizenship.
At that moment, he noticed the giant tortoise eyeing his Hessian boots. The pet had a special fondness for them, having lived for many years in the household of the Duke of Devonshire.
Lady Clarice nodded. “Lord Ogletree is a lovely man. He gives very generously to our charities, though he does not come to London often.”
“Charities?” asked Miss Livingstone.
“Sukey and I feel very strongly that the best way to help the poor is to teach them to read. We have several plans in the works, but they will take money to put them in play. We stage several benefits during the Season to raise funds.
There is to be a balloon ascension on Saturday. In fact, Tony dear, do you not have a balloon in the race?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Oh!” exclaimed Miss Livingstone. “A balloon ascension! I have never been to one. How thrilling!”
“Our committee is selling tea and cakes,” said Lady Clarice. “Would you like to join us, dear?”
“I would love to,” Miss Livingston said. “What a good idea.”
Henry Five had Tony’s boots in his sights, he was certain. Tony rose and walked to the mantel. “Shall I call for you that morning?” he asked. “We will be up very early filling the balloons, but the ascension is not scheduled to begin until eleven o’clock.”
“That would be lovely. I shall have to convince my aunt to accompany me, however.” Miss Livingstone gave a little cry and looked at the watch pinned to her bodice. She rose hastily. “I must be on my way home! I am certain my aunt’s nap is over and she is wondering where I am. I wouldn’t like to worry her.”
Tony read alarm in her face. Was she afraid of her aunt or just concerned as a normal guest might be? “Of course. Let us leave at once before Henry Five takes a slice out of my boots. My valet would skin me alive!”
“We will be setting up at ten on Saturday,” Lady Clarice told Miss Livingstone.
“I shall be there, if possible,” the young lady said with a smile.
After they had taken leave of their hostess and Miss Livingstone had thanked her graciously for adopting Mr. Hale, her maid joined them.
“Half Moon Street isn’t far from here, is it?” Miss Livingstone asked Tony. “Sarah and I can walk home.”
“It isn’t far, but I will see you to your door,” he said. As he took her arm in his, he felt a dart of energy course through him at their attachment. He did not know whether to be alarmed or pleased at the evidence of his feelings. It had been a while since he had felt such an attraction, and this was so sudden. There was too much he did not know about the lady.
The walk to Shipley House was short, and she promised to be waiting for him on Saturday just before ten o’clock. When they said farewell, her eyes were filled with gratitude.
“Thank you so much for coming to my aid today. And for introducing me to those lovely ladies. Now I must get inside before my aunt sends a constable looking for me!”
What an extraordinary woman! But he was safe from any temptation to indulge in his attraction. With her talk of taking the dog with her to America, it was clear she had no intention of staying in England. However, he couldn’t help but be curious about her. She was the most unusual lady he had ever met.
Upon his arrival home, Tony went to the library where the afternoon post was waiting for him. The letter on top caused his heart to lurch.
Pamela.
He could not imagine why she was writing to him. After staring at the missive for a moment, heart pounding, he ripped it savagely into four pieces, which he tossed on the fire, then went in to tea.
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Other Books by G.G. Vandagriff
REGENCY ROMANCES
Lord Grenville’s Choice
"Prolific author G.G. Vandagriff creates a world full of intrigue, suspense, and romance that fans of the Regency Period will adore. Vandagriff writes in a style reminiscent of Georgette Heyer."--Deseret News.
Alexander Lambeth, 5th Earl of Grenville, only had eyes for the fair Lady Elizabeth during his first London Season. Unfortunately, Elizabeth’s father brokered her marriage to another. Fancying himself broken-hearted, Alex consented to a loveless union with Lady Felicity, daughter of wealthy Lord Morecombe.
Five years into his marriage, his first love is widowed, and Alex’s wife seems to believe he will waste no time making Lady Elizabeth his mistress. As Felicity chooses to live apart from him, a surprisingly difficult choice is thrust upon Alex. Whom does he truly desire—the ethereal Eliza
beth or the maddening Felicity?
Lord John’s Dilemma
When Lord John returns from the Battle of Waterloo nursing a serious wound and a case of melancholia, he is hopeful of beginning a happier phase in his life. Living with a wife and family,in his native Lincolnshire would soothe his soul. His sights are set on the lovely Miss Lindsay, his country neighbor’s daughter. But to his mystification, he keeps getting distracted by her family’s governess—a little dab of a thing who is not at all what she seems. What is her secret?
His determination to solve the mystery of Miss Haverley begins to seriously undermine his interest in Miss Lindsay, who is confident he is about to offer for her. In the face of this, how can he pursue his interest in the family governess? Not only must he solve this dilemma, but he must discover what the petite woman is hiding.
When Miss Haverley begs him to resist satisfying his curiosity because such a course could bring her harm, his dilemma doubles. His enchantment turns to worry. He is more determined than ever to rescue her from whatever demons she is trying to escape, for Miss Haverley alone seems to have the power to stir him to passion and hope for a new life.
Lord Basingstoke’s Downfall
When Lord Basingstoke reluctantly attends the engagement ball of his former commanding officer, he is definitely not looking for romance. His childhood sweetheart broke his heart for good when she married another while he was serving on the Peninsula, and now that he is home he must see to putting a dilapidated estate in order.
The animated Lady Leticia Lindsay has just had her heart bruised by a careless suitor and is looking forward to leaving London for her idyllic home in Lincolnshire. When Basingstoke and Lady Leticia meet, they have an odd conversation that leads to a surprising correspondence. Is it possible for two jaded people to fall in love through letters? And will such a tenuous relationship prevail when their previous loves reenter their lives?
Enjoy this classic historical romance by an award-winning author!
>The Duke’s Undoing
Meet the Duke of Ruisdell, the unlikely hero of this traditional Regency Romance, after the manner of Georgette Heyer and Candice Hern.
The duke has just returned wounded from the Napoleonic wars. He is weary, cynical, and very bored. Known as the worst rake in England, he finds he has no interest in upholding that distinction, when his friend, the Marquis of Somerset, proposes a bet: "Five thousand guineas says that seducing Miss Elise Edwards will cure your ennui." Because his friend has just lost a packet to him, he agrees that the bet be posted in White's famous Betting Book.
The following day, while walking in Green Park, he spies a mysterious young woman, veiled, and obviously grieving. A disembodied voice, sounding strangely like that of his late adjutant, informs him, "The jig is up. That is the girl you are going to marry!" He scoffs, but is nevertheless intrigued by something about the slight figure. He even sketches her and asks if he can be of assistance to her. She declines his offer kindly.
At the opera that evening, he is captivated by a beauty across the Opera Hall. He hears the same voice, saying the same thing. The marquis informs him that the woman in question is Miss Elise Edwards. When he meets her, he recognizes her voice as that of the woman in the park. Now she is surrounded by a surfeit of ex-fiance's, one of them dangerously unbalanced. Ruisdell discovers an actual bond between them which renders him honor bound to protect her.
Thus begins a train of unstoppable events--dangerous, humorous, devilish, and amorous--that carry his life along at such a pace that the duke soon knows not whether he is on his head or his heels. And then there is that bet . . .
Enjoy this delicious romance that will carry you back to the Regency period in English history, where manners were dictated by strict rules of fashion. It is the Jane Austen era, populated by gentlemen and ladies of leisure. These books are best enjoyed with a box of chocolates, and are guaranteed to enliven any boredom (ennui) that you may be experiencing!
The Taming of Lady Kate
Lady Kate Derramore and the Marquis of Northbrooke have one thing in common: In order to receive their inheritances, they must marry. Lady Kate, prevented from marrying the man she loves by her father’s will, determines to marry for convenience. With the forthrightness for which she is noted, she sets her sights on Jack—aforesaid Marquis. Jack, meanwhile, has tumbled into love with Kate at their first meeting. All might have gone swimmingly, were it not for his “other life,” the mysterious job that calls him out of town at the most inopportune moments. Unwittingly, he puts Lady Kate’s life in danger, and while attempting to rescue her comes up against her “reins-grabbing” nature. Will he ever be able to master Lady Kate? Will he ever be able to oust another man from her heart? And, despite Kate’s penchant for disaster, will he be able to save her life and his own?
Miss Braithwaite’s Secret
Miss Braithwaite’s Secret is the final novel in the traditional Regency Trilogy: “Three Rogues and Their Ladies.” The Deseret News claims “Vandagriff writes in a style reminiscent of Georgette Heyer. Like Heyer, she centers her novel on witty characters that readers will love.”
In this novel, when Caroline Braithwaite, the Incomparable, leaves her first London Season early, the ton is left wondering why. Home in Wiltshire, she does not confide in her parents or her best friend. However, when the duke of Beverley appears at a house party to which they have both been invited, she is seriously discomposed. So is he. Fresh from a broken engagement, the last thing he wants is to partner a woman he had briefly courted in London – a woman he would have offered for before the fiancée came along. Caro fights her own attraction to the compelling duke. After all, he's already broken her heart once. She is not about to give him a second chance.
As the two slowly learn more about one another, they are surprised to find that first impressions have led them astray. While their feelings are growing progressively more intimate, they are plagued by harrowing circumstances which keep them apart and lead to new misunderstandings. How many times will Caro have to forgive Ned, the Duke of Beverley? And will he, at last, be able to prove his love?
Rescuing Rosalind
When frigate Captain Buckingham Kernow-Smith encounters a sprite in a topiary garden going by the name of "Gannymede," he remembers his Shakespeare. Pulling off her stocking cap, he reveals the character of "Rosalind" from As You Like It, played, in this case, by the appealing Fanny Edwards.
Three years pass. The War over, Buck encounters his Rosalind at a ball, where she has developed into a notable beauty. However, her guardian confides to him that she is dancing on the very edge of propriety. Buck, who has been fighting the French since he was twelve, also finds the ton confining and sympathizes with Fanny/Rosalind's plight as a properly reared young lady.
Together, they make a dangerous pair, straddling the line between propriety and scandal, indulging in a masquerade in daylight, riding together in a phaeton race, and laying plans for Fanny/Rosalind to play a role in Covent Garden Theater. Will Buck confide his secrets and overcome his life-long aversion to marriage? Can someone as headstrong and impetuous as Rosalind ever settle for such a union?
Lord Trowbridge’s Angel
When the very bored and very handsome Viscount Trowbridge agrees to escort Miss Sophie Edwards to her first ball, his life is upended. Because a childhood injury left her unable to dance, Sophie is new to the ton and not terribly interested in it. But our heroine has a secret weapon: she has mastered the violin.
The viscount, aka Gorgeous Frank, is unexpectedly and powerfully smitten the first time he hears Sophie perform. Recognizing in her a person more complex and passionate than any ton beauty, he launches a courtship calculated to win her in ways as original as she is.
Sophie is nearly bowled over, but a native disinclination to trust proves a serious challenge, as does Frank’s former mistress. At times, Frank is his own worst enemy. As he wades through a sea of misunderstandings, will his “angel” have the insight to believe that he is a
changed man? Will Sophie avail herself of her sisters’ help, lower the barriers of a lifetime to trust him, and allow herself to fall in love?
HISTORICAL FICTION
The Last Waltz - New Edition
It is December of 1913 in Vienna and Amalia Faulhaber is surrounded by the whirlwind that is the life of a nineteen-year-old socialite. She is comfortable and confident in her wealth, her heritage, and most of all, in her engagement to the Prussian baron, Eberhard von Waldburg. All this comes crashing to a halt the day that her fiance informs her that their engagement is off since he is returning to Prussia to fight in what he is sure will be a glorious war.
Thus begins the tale of a heroine of extraordinary background and resource who develops into a woman who would be extraordinary in any age.
The men in her life--a German officer in World War I, a patriotic Polish doctor, and an Austrian Baron, all shape her, but more remarkably she shapes them. Her utopian socialist uncle has raised her with ideas outside those of the upper classes, imparting to her a more complete picture of the day than possessed by the other men in her life. This quality causes her to champion the Austrian Democratic Experiment and to especially mourn its demise.
The Last Waltz is full of little known history of a land that was, in 1913, the apex of the worlds of science, medicine, art, and music. The speed with which the five-hundred year old empire fell, and the reasons behind that failure carry many warnings for the world we live in today.
Exile
From Whitney-award winning author of the bestselling historical romance The Last Waltz, comes the highly anticipated stand-alone sequel, Exile:
It is 1938, and Austria has just fallen to the Nazis. Amalia von Schoenenburg finds herself widowed and fleeing from the Nazi regime that took her husband's life. Together with her two teenage sons, Amalia relies on her old love, Andrzej, to take her to England where they must deliver a vital message to Mr. Winston Churchill. But Amalia can't deny the past and her long-buried love for Andrzej. As they struggle against Nazi minions across Europe and in England, Amalia's passion for Andrzej revives. But those feelings only compound her grief and guilt, and she must once again choose whether or not to follow her heart or keep it protected forever.
Her Fateful Debut: A Regency Romance (Three Gentlemen of London Book 1) Page 18
