The Most Eligible Bride in London Read online

  THE PLEASURE OF A KISS

  She glanced up at him as he looked down at her. Before she had always been fascinated by his eyes, but now she noticed how well-shaped his lips were. His bottom lip was slightly larger than his top lip, but not so much that he appeared as if he was pouting.

  What she really wanted to know was how his lips would feel on her lips. If only she could bring herself to stand on tiptoes and press her mouth to his. But even she was not that bold. There were some things that she must leave to him.

  She felt herself move closer to him, and his arm went around her waist. Then his head bent, and his lips touched hers as if they were a feather brushing gently.

  Henrietta placed her hand on his jacket and slid them over his shoulders and around his neck. Fotherby pulled her closer, tilted his head, and deepened the kiss. Frissons of pleasure speared through her body, and she pressed closer . . .

  Books by Ella Quinn

  The Marriage Game

  THE SEDUCTION OF LADY PHOEBE

  THE SECRET LIFE OF MISS ANNA MARSH

  THE TEMPTATION OF LADY SERENA

  DESIRING LADY CARO

  ENTICING MISS EUGENIE VILLARET

  A KISS FOR LADY MARY

  LADY BERESFORD’S LOVER

  MISS FEATHERTON’S CHRISTMAS PRINCE

  THE MARQUIS SHE’S BEEN WAITING FOR

  The Worthingtons

  THREE WEEKS TO WED

  WHEN A MARQUIS CHOOSES A BRIDE

  IT STARTED WITH A KISS

  THE MARQUIS AND I

  YOU NEVER FORGET YOUR FIRST EARL

  BELIEVE IN ME

  The Lords of London

  THE MOST ELIGIBLE LORD IN LONDON

  THE MOST ELIGIBLE VISCOUNT IN LONDON

  THE MOST ELIGIBLE BRIDE IN LONDON

  Novellas

  MADELEINE’S CHRISTMAS WISH

  THE SECOND TIME AROUND

  I’LL ALWAYS LOVE YOU

  Published by Kensington Publishing Corp.

  The Most ELIGIBLE BRIDE in LONDON

  ELLA QUINN

  ZEBRA BOOKS

  KENSINGTON PUBLISHING CORP.

  www.kensingtonbooks.com

  All copyrighted material within is Attributor Protected.

  Table of Contents

  THE PLEASURE OF A KISS

  Also by

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

  AUTHOR’S NOTES

  ZEBRA BOOKS are published by

  Kensington Publishing Corp.

  119 West 40th Street

  New York, NY 10018

  Copyright © 2022 by Ella Quinn

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

  To the extent that the image or images on the cover of this book depict a person or persons, such person or persons are merely models, and are not intended to portray any character or characters featured in the book.

  If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the Publisher and neither the Author nor the Publisher has received any payment for this “stripped book.”

  Zebra and the Z logo Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.

  ISBN: 978-1-4201-4971-5

  ISBN-13: 978-1-4201-4972-2 (eBook)

  CHAPTER ONE

  Ouse Tower, Bedfordshire

  March 1819

  Padraig, Nathanael, Viscount Fotherby’s Irish Wolfhound, opened one eye and closed it again when the knock came on the study door. Nate glanced up from the planting scheme he’d been reviewing. “Yes, Hulatt, what is it?”

  “Mr. Beamish, the runner you hired, wishes to speak with you. He says it’s urgent.” The tenor of the butler’s voice clearly indicated he disapproved of the visitor. What Hulatt had against the man, Nate didn’t know.

  But why Beamish had come all the way here . . . unless . . . “I’ll see him.”

  “As you wish, my lord.” The door shut behind Hulatt.

  They’d had false starts before, but if Beamish had indeed found the girl, it would all have been worth it.

  Several moments later the door opened again and the runner was shown in. The man was about average height, with straight, medium-brown hair and eyes to match. Someone that no one would particularly notice. He’d been recommended as the best at finding people gone missing, but this had taken much longer than any of them thought it would.

  He stood in front of Nate’s desk. “Please have a seat. I take it that you are certain this time.”

  “Yes, my lord. She is at a workhouse under her own name. There’s no mistake.” The man folded his lips under. “There is also a babe.”

  Nate leaned back in his chair. “I cannot say that is surprising. Which workhouse is she in?”

  “That’s more good news. She went to Whitechapel. It ain’t as bad as some others. Still, I’d fetch her soon if that’s what you’re intending on doing.”

  Beamish was right. Whitechapel wasn’t nearly as bad as St Giles or Seven Dials, nor was it the best of neighborhoods. Nate glanced at the clock. It was already past four in the afternoon. “I take it you plan to spend the night.”

  “Yes, my lord. I have a room at the inn at Ouse Run. I took the mail coach as soon as I confirmed it was her.”

  “Is she in good health?” That would determine how soon they could bring her home. If she’d agree to come.

  “She’s skinny.” Beamish didn’t beat around the bush. “And she won’t put on any flesh there.”

  “Thank you. Mr. Odell might wish to speak with you after I tell him we’ve found her.” Odell’s eldest son was to have married Miss Bywater, but he died before the ceremony could take place. Then she had disappeared. When her parents refused to discuss her, he’d come to Nate asking for assistance in finding her.

  “I’ll keep an eye out for him.” The runner stood. “I hired a carriage in Bedford and plan on catching the mail back to London.”

  “I might be able to provide your transportation. It won’t be as fast.”

  “Thank you, my lord, but I need to get back as soon as possible.” The man bowed. “Let me know if I can be of further assistance.”

  “I will. Thank you.”

  Hulatt, hovering in the corridor, saw Mr. Beamish out, then returned to the study. “I took the liberty of sending for Mr. Odell.”

  “Thank you. It appears that I’ll be going to Town tomorrow. Please let the coachman know.” Nate glanced around the room that had at first been his prison, but for a few years now was his refuge. The trim, shelves, and cabinets were all dark, almost black, ash. A year after he had been sent back to the country, he’d had the blue walls covered with cream-colored silk, with curtains to match. It had given the study a lighter feel.

  He rose from the chair. “Do you know if my mother is here?”

  “She is in her parlor, my lord.”

  Nate nodded. “Thank you.” Once his butler left, he opened the door to his secretary’s office. “I’m traveling to Town in the morning. Please have anything I need to work on ready to go, and make arrangements for all the correspondence to be sent to Fotherby House. You will follow me as soon as you are ready. Bring Padraig as well.”

  “As you wish, my lord.” If Chetwin was surprised, he didn’t show it. Then again, one of the reasons Nate had hired him when he’d had to retire the old secretary was his unflappable nature and good sense.

  He closed the door. He didn’t wish to go to the metropolis at all, but needs must. Miss Bywater must be dealt with, and it was time he retook his place in the Lords and in Polite Society. In addition to that, he was approaching his twenty-ninth birthday, and it was past time he found a wife. That decision would make his mother happy, but he dreaded returning to the bosom of the ton.

  He took his time tracing the familiar way to the hall and up the stairs to his mother’s parlor. Before knocking on the door, he took a breath. Once he had committed to this plan of action, she wouldn’t le
t him reverse course. Nor did he need to. Among his duties and responsibilities was marrying and filling his nursery.

  “Come.” His mother placed her open book on her lap, glanced at him, and smiled. “What a pleasant surprise. I did not expect to see you until dinner.”

  He stepped forward and bussed the cheek she offered. “We have found Miss Bywater. I depart for Town tomorrow.” Her sharp turquoise eyes, eyes the same color as his, searched his face. “I shall remain for the Season.”

  She nodded in approval. “I am glad you are finally ready. Four years is long enough.”

  “It is, but you and I both know it was necessary.” Remembering himself then and looking at himself now, Nate was amazed at how much he’d changed. How much he had needed to change. “When will you leave?”

  “In a few days.” She put her book on the small, round cherry table next to her chaise. “I shall plan several entertainments this Season. Possibly even a ball.”

  Surmising that this was for his benefit, Nate inclined his head. “Very well. I’ll take the traveling coach, but will send it back for you.”

  “Thank you. I might want to purchase my own coach this Season.” It was clear she hoped he’d marry.

  “We have plenty of time to discuss that later. I should go back downstairs. I expect Mr. Odell to arrive shortly.”

  “I shall see you at dinner.”

  “Until then.”

  He reached his study shortly before his butler came to announce Odell. The older man appeared to be on tenterhooks, but one could hardly blame him. When Nate waved Odell to take a seat, he took the same chair the runner had occupied. “I take it we’re sure it’s her?”

  “Yes. She is at the Whitechapel workhouse under her own name.” Hulatt brought a tea tray and Nate poured. “We should depart early tomorrow morning. I have horses posted along the Great North Road to London.” He handed a cup to Mr. Odell. “The runner said she was very thin. I propose we bring my older traveling coach so that you can ride back in that.”

  “No need, my lord. We have our own coach. If you’ll permit me to travel with you, my coach can follow with my wife.”

  Nate smiled to himself. The man was a gentleman farmer, thus not gentry, and would not allow himself to be any more beholden to Nate than he had to. “If that will suit you better. There is one other thing.” Mr. Odell glanced up. “There is a child. I do not know the state of its health.”

  Odell’s lips pressed together. “I can’t say I’m surprised. If the good Lord hadn’t taken my son so soon, they would’ve been wed before he died. We’ll take them both and be glad for it. The babe is the only thing left of my boy.”

  “Meet me here at sunrise.” The faster they reached London, the safer Miss Bywater would be.

  The man rose with more energy than he’d had when he’d come in. “That I will.”

  Nate came out from behind his desk and offered his hand, which Mr. Odell took and shook heartily. “I’m glad we found her.”

  “And we’re more than glad for your help.” Although Odell didn’t smile, his eyes held a spark of hope. “Good country air and food will see them both right.”

  “Will you tell Bywater?” The families had been cordial at one time.

  “I can’t think of a good reason why I should.” Odell’s jaw jutted out belligerently. “In fact, if Emily will let me, I’ll adopt her. Change her name to Odell. Her and the child both. That’s what my son would have wanted.”

  “Yes. I’m convinced you are correct.” From attempting to persuade the local vicar to marry the couple even though the last banns had not been read to obtaining a special license, which they had been denied due to their status, the family had tried everything to see the couple wed before John Odell died. “Until tomorrow.”

  “Thank you again, my lord.”

  Nate saw him to the front door. A light rain had begun to fall, and he hoped it wouldn’t go on for long. “Give your wife my greetings, and hurry home before you become too wet.”

  “I’ll do that.” Odell waved his arm. “No need to worry about me. I’ll be fine.”

  Nate watched his neighbor leave the room. Offering to find the girl had been only one of his steps to redemption, and he was glad he’d done it. He did not even want to imagine what Miss Bywater’s life and that of her child would be like if they had not been found.

  * * *

  The next morning dawned cold but clear. That in itself was a blessing insomuch as it meant the roads wouldn’t be mired in mud. Padraig followed Nate to the door. “I’m sorry, boy, but you can’t come this time.” He rubbed the wiry fur on the dog’s head. “I’ll see you in a few days.” Mr. and Mrs. Odell were waiting for him when Nate stepped outside. “I would have been happy to offer you tea.”

  “Don’t I know it, my lord,” Mrs. Odell, a plump, good-hearted woman said. “But we’ve broken our fast, and I packed a flask of tea. You two get on your way, and I’ll follow. I don’t know how far behind you I’ll be, us not having bloodstock like yours, but if you tell me where to meet you, I’ll be there as soon as I can be.”

  She’d most likely fall a good distance behind them. But the carriage appeared to be well sprung, and if the horses weren’t matched bays, they were still sweet-goers. “Go to Fotherby House on Grosvenor Street. We’ll meet you there.” Nate wished he could offer a change of cattle at the posting inns, but because only his mother had been making the journey, he wasn’t sure there was more than one team at each stop. “Let’s be off.” He bowed to Mrs. Odell. “If you allow, I’ll arrange for your changes when we stop. It will be faster that way.”

  “Now that I’ll accept.” Her green eyes sparkled with happiness. “The sooner we get there and fetch our girl and the babe, the happier I’ll be.”

  He said a brief prayer that both the woman and the child were in good health and able to make the trip home. It was only then that a thought occurred to him. “I’m an idiot. I must send my coach back for my mother. There is no reason you should take yours when you can ride back in mine.”

  Mrs. Odell shook her head. “Thank you for the offer. But if Emily or the child are doing poorly, we might have to take a few days more to return.”

  “It was just a thought.” It was frustrating to want to do more and not be allowed to.

  “And a good one.” Mrs. Odell smiled. “I’ll say farewell now. Have a good journey.”

  “You too.” He climbed into his traveling carriage. Mr. Odell kissed his wife and joined Nate. They followed the Odell coach out of the drive to the main road, but quickly overtook it.

  The sun was still up, but low in the sky when they approached the workhouse that afternoon. They’d made good time to the metropolis, stopping only for changes. Nate had had his cook pack sufficient food in a large basket so they didn’t have to waste time halting to eat.

  “I’ll tell you, my lord, I never could abide London. It’s the smell.” Odell watched out the window as they pulled up in front of the long brick building.

  Well, this wasn’t the most salubrious area of Town. Still, the degradation of White chapel surprised Nate. And he was certain most people wouldn’t want to be walking around here at night.

  The coach door opened and a footman let the steps down. “Do you want me to come in with you? Just until they allow you to see her? I have no idea what the protocol is.”

  The older man frowned. “That might be a good idea. I suppose they won’t deny a peer much of anything.”

  “No, I believe you are correct.” As sad a state of affairs that was, at least Nate would be able to speed things along. “As soon as you’re with her, I’ll come back out here and wait.”

  Odell inclined his head. “Thank you.”

  The soot-covered building stretched down the street in both directions, with one arched entrance in the middle. Men, women, and children were held in a queue waiting to be admitted to the single entrance. There was a time when Nate would not have thought anything of walking straight in ahead of everyone else, but the last four years had humbled him. Still, he was a peer of the realm and had some rights. He slid a look at his companion. Dressed in his good wool jacket and breeches, Odell would still no doubt be made to wait in a queue.