• Home
  • M C Beaton
  • The Scandalous Marriage (The Dukes and Desires Series Book 7) Page 3

The Scandalous Marriage (The Dukes and Desires Series Book 7) Read online

Page 3


  Peregrine’s face uncreased, but he still clutched Lucy’s hand tightly. “With her?” he demanded.

  “Her name is Miss Lucy Bliss, and I am sure Miss Bliss does not want to be saddled with a whining brat.” Peregrine’s face began to fold up again and Lucy said, “I was going to see the jewels in any case. Come along, Peregrine, but you really must not cry to get what you want, you know. The Tower is full of brave soldiers, and what on earth will they think of you? Why, they will think, that is not a boy at all, but a girl.”

  Peregrine threw her a horrified look and then squared his small shoulders, released her hand, and strutted ahead with what he obviously thought was a martial air. The duke looked amused. He held out his arm to Lucy. “Shall we accompany the brat, Miss Bliss? We do not want him to run away again.”

  Lucy gingerly placed her hand on his arm and they moved ahead, Feathers and the footman following on behind. “Is… is Peregrine yours?” whispered Lucy.

  “No, Miss Bliss. As far as I am aware, I do not have children. What a naughty mind you do have! Fie, for shame. Do you remember Mr. Rufus Graham?”

  Lucy nodded.

  “Peregrine is his godson. In a weak moment I offered to entertain him and have been regretting it bitterly ever since. Do you usually ask gentlemen about their by-blows?”

  Lucy stumbled in her embarrassment, and he put a strong arm about her waist to support her, and the feel of that arm caused all sorts of new and strange sensations in her body. She quickly disengaged herself as Peregrine shouted, “Hurry up!”

  Peregrine was enchanted by the jewels, and Lucy, watching the duke holding the boy up to get a better view, wondered at his tolerance, for she was beginning to understand that Peregrine was sadly spoilt.

  They then went together out into the sunshine. “Wannanice,” said Peregrine, dancing up and down.

  “What did he say?” asked Lucy.

  “Translated,” said the duke, “it means he wants an ice. No, Peregrine. Home.”

  The child turned quite purple in the face with rage, and Lucy stared in amazement as Peregrine leapt up and down and shrieked in a piercing voice.

  “Stop!” shouted Lucy. “Just stop this minute, young man. You are a disgrace to the gentlemen of England. Look at the soldiers laughing at you. There is nothing more tedious than the tantrums of a spoilt brat. Stop it, I say.”

  Peregrine stopped in midshriek and stood looking up at her in comical bewilderment. “Much better,” said Lucy. “Now you will go home quietly to your mama, and you will behave yourself. Do you understand me?”

  Peregrine hung his head, and his straw topper fell off, revealing a thatch of auburn curls. Lucy retrieved the topper and put it firmly on his head. “Now, quick march.”

  “I am deeply indebted to you,” said the duke with a smile that seemed to turn Lucy’s bones to water. “Perhaps we shall meet again.”

  “That I doubt very much,” said Lucy. “Good day to you. Come, Feathers; come, John.”

  The duke watched her walk away and experienced a tinge of regret. Lucy was wearing a simple morning gown, high at the neck and with long sleeves. On her head was a wide-brimmed hat, untrimmed, shadowing her face. She moved lightly and with grace. He felt a pang of pity for her, quickly dismissed. The resolute Lucy Bliss, he thought, was in her way more than a match for her mother.

  Peregrine, unusually subdued, clutched the duke’s hand as they walked into the main courtyard. Miss Lucy Bliss was standing by her carriage addressing her two servants, and her voice reached the duke’s ears very clearly.

  “Now, remember,” Lucy was saying severely, “we did not meet the Duke of Wardshire, for if Mama knew of the encounter, she would use it to try to coerce him into calling. Think what a disaster for poor Belinda if he married her! With any luck, we will never see him again. In fact, I hope I never see him again.”

  Oh, she does, does she? thought the duke crossly. He thought about that remark as he delivered Peregrine home. He thought about it as he walked to his club. And then he decided that Miss Lucy Bliss needed to be taught a lesson. He would call once, just for the sheer hell of irritating her, and would appear interested in Belinda. Then let Lucy Bliss try to cope with that!

  Mrs. Bliss was in high alt. She had secured vouchers for Almack’s Assembly Rooms for both daughters. This she had done by calling on one of the formidable patronesses, Mrs. Drummond Burrell, when that lady had the headache. Mrs. Bliss was unsnubbable. She had talked and talked, saying there was no need to send the vouchers through the post, she would just take them with her, and the patroness ended up giving them to her, just to get rid of that hammering voice.

  Society soon got to hear of Mrs. Bliss’s triumph and could hardly believe it. But through the grapevine they knew the duke was in town and had not called on the Bliss household. And had not Mrs. Tommy Watkins heard Mr. Rufus Graham talk about Mrs. Bliss’s visit to Sarsey, and had he not said that the duke had been horrified by Mrs. Bliss? So, stunned as they were by Mrs. Bliss’s success with the Almack’s vouchers, they nonetheless waited gleefully for her downfall.

  The fact that the duke was in town and had not called was beginning to irritate Mrs. Bliss, although she did not discuss the matter with her daughters. She sent the duke letters telling him that Belinda was pining for him; she sent him presents of hothouse grapes and chocolates, just as if he were ill, and the duke sent them back. The first ball of the Season was looming perilously close. It was at Lord Harby’s in St. James’s Square. Everyone knew Wardshire had accepted an invitation to that ball. Mrs. Bliss knew her hopes would be ruined if he cut her in front of everyone.

  She was just wondering whether to manufacture an illness to prevent her going when her butler came in with an embossed card on a silver tray. Mrs. Bliss picked it up wearily. She was starting to say crossly that she was not up to seeing anyone when the Duke of Wardshire’s name in curly script seemed to shriek up at her. She clutched her heart and gasped. “Oh, my stars! Fan me, ye winds! Belinda! Get Feathers. Finest gown. Pink sprig with the four flounces. Quick! Quick! Show His Grace up.”

  As the duke was standing patiently in the hall and listening with an amused ear to all the frantic bustle abovestairs, a small gray man emerged from a room leading onto the hall and gave him a bow.

  “Mr. Bliss at your service,” said the gray man.

  “And Wardshire, at yours,” said the duke, returning the bow.

  “Wardshire!” exclaimed Mr. Bliss in ludicrous dismay. “Oh, dear! Oh, dear!” He backed into the room whence he had come, and then there was a click as Mr. Bliss locked himself in.

  The butler appeared, and the duke followed him upstairs to a drawing room on the first floor. He was served with wine and told that the ladies would join him presently. So the duke sipped his wine and listened with relish to the continuing sounds of panic which were filtering down from abovestairs.

  At last Mrs. Bliss appeared, shepherding Belinda before her. Behind them came Lucy, her wide eyes meeting those of the duke with a message of appeal. He knew she did not want him to mention that meeting at the Tower, and fought down a malicious desire not to oblige her.

  “Your Grace!” Mrs. Bliss advanced on him as he rose to his feet. “We are honored. Girls. Make your curtsies.”

  “I heard you were in London,” said the duke smoothly, “and am come to pay my respects,” just as if he had never received any of those gifts or letters from Mrs. Bliss.

  “Charmed,” fluttered Mrs. Bliss. “Belinda, do but fetch your portfolio of watercolors to show His Grace.”

  Belinda found her voice. “I am not the artist of the family. Lucy is.”

  “Such modesty!” trilled Mrs. Bliss. The duke eyed Belinda speculatively as she went to fetch her portfolio. She was indeed a vastly pretty girl and appeared to have a sweet nature. But even with a more bearable mother, he could not consider her as a possible bride. She was barely out of the schoolroom. As Mrs. Bliss talked on, about the weather, about fashions, and about social tittle-
tattle, he turned his attention to Lucy. She had not curled her hair the night before and it was almost straight, fine as a baby’s, silver-fair, giving her an elfin appearance. He found himself intrigued by the strength of character he suspected lay under that fey exterior. Belinda shyly brought forward her drawings. He glanced through them. They were neat watercolors, fairly well executed, nothing out of the common way. But he praised them lavishly, feeling that if he did not, then Mrs. Bliss might make her younger daughter’s life a misery by inflicting long and tedious art lessons on her. Belinda thanked him and took the portfolio away and then came back with another. “These are Lucy’s,” she said. “I think them very fine.”

  Ignoring Mrs. Bliss’s protests that he could not possibly want to see Lucy’s “little scribblings,” the duke opened the portfolio. They were very good indeed and not at all like the drawings and watercolors of a young society lady. At the top were a few conventional watercolors that he immediately felt sure Lucy had done to please her mother. Underneath them he came across some powerful sketches in India ink: an ostler flirting with a serving girl, a child with a hoop, an old beggar, and at the bottom, one that made him draw in a sharp breath. “I will take this to the light,” he said, and walked over to the window while Lucy, flushed and miserable, stared after him in an agony of embarrassment.

  The picture portrayed Belinda holding hands with the Duke of Wardshire. Tears were running down Belinda’s half-averted face. The duke, although correct in morning dress, sported a neat pair of horns and a tail. Before them stood a large and triumphant Mrs. Bliss, her chubby arms raised in a blessing. Behind the duke and Belinda stood Mr. Bliss, reading a book. It was captioned: “A Mother’s Blessing.”

  The duke swung round. Lucy clasped her hands in supplication, her large eyes wide with fright.

  “You seem vastly interested in that picture of Lucy’s,” said Mrs. Bliss. “Let me see it, Your Grace.”

  “’Tis nothing but a little watercolor, but it pleases me,” said the duke. He rolled it up. “May I have it, Miss Bliss?”

  “By all means,” said Lucy faintly, frightened to protest.

  “Well, there’s no denying Lucy is the clever one of the family,” said Mrs. Bliss. “Too much intelligence by half. A sad disadvantage, and the gentlemen never like it. Will you be at the Harbys’ ball?”

  “Yes,” said the duke.

  “How nice for Belinda,” commented Mrs. Bliss complacently.

  He wished he had not come. He bowed slightly without replying and made toward the door.

  “Never say you are leaving us so soon!” Mrs. Bliss almost looked as if she were going to bar his way.

  “I am afraid I must.”

  “Then we shall see you at the ball. Belinda dances like an angel.” Again that brief bow and then he was gone.

  He was angry, thought Lucy. He’ll never forgive me. She wanted to shout at Belinda for having shown her paintings, but poor Belinda had not seen that last painting, so she could hardly be blamed.

  When she finally managed to speak to Belinda alone, Belinda listened to Lucy tell of that picture and then began to giggle helplessly.

  “It is not funny,” said Lucy. “He was furious. Mark my words, he took it away so that he could destroy it at the first opportunity. Why are you laughing?”

  “Don’t you see?” Belinda mopped her eyes. “I was quite cast down when I heard he had called, for I feared he might want me after all. But now he has seen my dear sister’s portrayal of him as the devil, he will have nothing more to do with either of us.”

  Lucy gave a reluctant grin. “Why is it you, the younger sister, have such common sense? You have the right of it. Good-bye forever, dear Duke of Wardshire!”

  “You what?” exclaimed Mr. Graham.

  The duke stretched out his long legs toward the fire. “You heard. I called on La Bliss.”

  “What were you about to encourage that pretentious mushroom?”

  “A whim, and I was well punished for it.”

  “I am sure you were. Did she deafen you with her vulgar, hectoring voice?”

  “I expected that. No, it was not that, dear Rufus, which was the punishment. Rather it was the artistic efforts of Miss Lucy Bliss.”

  “The plain one.”

  “I would hardly describe her as plain. Her looks are less obvious than those of her sister.” He reached down beside his chair and lifted up Lucy’s drawing, carefully unrolled it, and handed it to Mr. Graham.

  “The minx!” he gasped. “But you must admit it is very good. She has you to the life.”

  “Complete with horns and tail?”

  “You can hardly blame her for that,” said Mr. Graham reasonably. “After all, you have spent years in fostering your vile reputation. What are you going to do with it? Burn it?”

  The duke took the drawing from him and looked down at it thoughtfully. “I think I shall frame it. It amuses me.”

  “There’s one thing for sure,” said Mr. Graham. “The Bliss girls don’t want you. A new experience for you.” He gave a little cough and, throwing the duke a sideways look, said airily, “You will never guess who I met in the park.”

  “Now, how could I? I cannot read minds.”

  “Lady Fortescue.”

  The duke rolled up Lucy’s drawing with careful fingers.

  “Indeed,” he said in a colorless voice.

  “Yes, indeed, and she asked after you most particularly.”

  “I am sure she did,” said the duke dryly. “Dukes are very interesting people, are they not? Much more interesting than mere army captains.”

  “Meaning had you been a duke at the time you proposed, she would have accepted you?”

  “Of course.”

  “You may be wrong. Look at the Bliss sisters.”

  “No, you may look at the Bliss sisters if you wish. I have done more than enough to encourage the horrible Mrs. Bliss. I intend to give her the cut direct at Harby’s ball.”

  “Hardly fair.” Mr. Graham pursed his lips. “I mean it’s all your own fault for encouraging the woman in the first place. Don’t dance with her girls. Give her a common nod; that will be enough. Now I must go. A pressing game of cards awaits me.”

  When his friend had left, the duke sat for a few moments. Then he rose and collected his hat and stick from the hall and made his way out to make a call. He did not need to ask where she lived. He had found that out as soon as he had reached London.

  He marched up the steps of a slim town house in Manchester Square and knocked at the door and then presented his card to the butler, who retreated up the stairs with it, telling him to wait. The duke wondered what she would look like after all these years. The butler came hurrying back. “Pray follow me, Your Grace. Lady Fortescue will be delighted to receive you.”

  He mounted the narrow staircase and then paused at the entrance to the drawing room. Clarinda Fortescue ran to meet him, both hands out-stretched. His kissed both her hands and allowed her to lead him to a sofa in front of the fire. She had not changed, he thought bleakly. Her hair was still as black and glossy as his own. Her eyes, Slav eyes, he used to call them, were as blue as ever, with that intriguing black ring around the iris. Her figure was a trifle fuller, but she was elegantly gowned, and the whiteness of her skin did not even betray one wrinkle.

  He leaned back slightly and surveyed her. “So,” he said, “you decided not to wait for me.”

  “I tried so hard to,” she said in a low voice. “Oh, if only you knew. But Papa and Mama were so stern. They forced me to marry Fortescue.”

  He fought against the old spell of her attraction. He remembered her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bellingham, as rather a quiet, timid couple who let their beautiful daughter do pretty much what she wanted. But what he wanted now, he realized, was revenge. He intended to make Clarinda fall in love with him and pay her back for some of the pain she had caused him.

  “And was your marriage not happy?”

  She took out a little wisp of lace-edged cam
bric and dabbed her eyes. “I was so unhappy,” she whispered. “All the time, I thought of you.”

  He took her hand and smiled down at her. “Well, I am back and we are both free. Do you go to Harby’s ball?”

  “Oh, yes. Will you dance with me?”

  “Of course. I shall be the most envied man there.”

  She gave him a glinting sideways glance and murmured, “All the gossips will have it that you are set on courting some provincial chit just out of the schoolroom.”

  “I assume by that they mean Belinda Bliss. No, my dear, much too young for me. But I must not stay long. Your reputation…”

  “My reputation will not be harmed,” she said. “All must know how I have pined for you.”

  She modestly bent her head and so escaped seeing the flash of cynicism in the duke’s eyes.

  “Nonetheless, we must not give the gossips any fuel.” He released her hand, rose, and bowed before her.

  “When will I see you again?” she asked.

  “At the Harbys’ ball.”

  She pouted. “Not before then?”

  “I am afraid I have much to attend to. But I shall count the hours.”

  He felt slightly ashamed of himself as he walked away. It was all such an easy game when one was a duke. Except if your name happens to be Lucy Bliss, mocked a voice in his head, and he strode off round the square as if to walk away from it.

  As soon as he had disappeared around the corner of the square, Lady Fortescue turned from the window and ran to a looking glass and patted her curls. “I shall have him,” she told her reflection. “I shall be a duchess!”

  How fortunate it had been, she thought, that old Lord Fortescue had died so conveniently. Now she was free. She dimly remembered her parents’ protests when she had announced she meant to marry that elderly lord. But Fortescue had been rich and he had a title, and she had had a mind to be “my lady.” But she had worked for it. What a dismal old satyr he had turned out to be. But she brightened; the duke was a virile, handsome man, much more handsome than the young captain she had turned down all those years ago. Besides, his wickedness was exciting. Lady Fortescue then went to her bedchamber and summoned her maid. There was no time to have a new ballgown made. But what she chose from what she had must dazzle the duke.

 

    Agatha Raisin 31 - Hot to Trot Read onlineAgatha Raisin 31 - Hot to TrotBeatrice Goes to Brighton Read onlineBeatrice Goes to BrightonDeborah Goes to Dover Read onlineDeborah Goes to DoverDown the Hatch Read onlineDown the HatchHot to Trot Read onlineHot to TrotBeating About the Bush Read onlineBeating About the BushDeath of a Policeman Read onlineDeath of a PolicemanEdwardian Murder Mystery 04; Our Lady of Pain emm-4 Read onlineEdwardian Murder Mystery 04; Our Lady of Pain emm-4The Waverly Women Series (3-Book Bundle) Read onlineThe Waverly Women Series (3-Book Bundle)The French Affair (Endearing Young Charms Book 2) Read onlineThe French Affair (Endearing Young Charms Book 2)Death of a Witch hm-25 Read onlineDeath of a Witch hm-25Summer of Discontent Read onlineSummer of DiscontentPenelope Goes to Portsmouth Read onlinePenelope Goes to PortsmouthThe Day the Floods Came ar-12 Read onlineThe Day the Floods Came ar-12The Quiche of Death Read onlineThe Quiche of DeathDeath of a Dentist hm-13 Read onlineDeath of a Dentist hm-13Edwardian Murder Mystery 03; Sick of Shadows emm-3 Read onlineEdwardian Murder Mystery 03; Sick of Shadows emm-3Agatha Raisin The Deadly Dance ar-15 Read onlineAgatha Raisin The Deadly Dance ar-15Agatha Raisin & the Vicious Vet ar-2 Read onlineAgatha Raisin & the Vicious Vet ar-2Lessons in Love (The Regency Intrigue Series Book 3) Read onlineLessons in Love (The Regency Intrigue Series Book 3)Those Endearing Young Charms Read onlineThose Endearing Young CharmsAgatha Raisin and The Wellspring of Death ar-7 Read onlineAgatha Raisin and The Wellspring of Death ar-7Death of a Macho Man hm-12 Read onlineDeath of a Macho Man hm-12Lady Fortescue Steps Out Read onlineLady Fortescue Steps OutThe Wicked Godmother Read onlineThe Wicked GodmotherAgatha Raisin 18 (2007) - Kissing Christmas Goodbye Read onlineAgatha Raisin 18 (2007) - Kissing Christmas GoodbyeAgatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death ar-1 Read onlineAgatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death ar-1Agatha's First Case Read onlineAgatha's First CaseLady Fortescue Steps Out (The Poor Relation Series, Vol. 1) Read onlineLady Fortescue Steps Out (The Poor Relation Series, Vol. 1)There Goes The Bride Read onlineThere Goes The BrideAgatha Raisin and the Terrible Tourist Read onlineAgatha Raisin and the Terrible TouristThe Folly Read onlineThe FollyThe Chocolate Debutante Read onlineThe Chocolate DebutanteHiss and Hers: An Agatha Raisin Mystery Read onlineHiss and Hers: An Agatha Raisin MysteryThe Education of Miss Paterson Read onlineThe Education of Miss PatersonAgatha Raisin Love, Lies and Liquor ar-17 Read onlineAgatha Raisin Love, Lies and Liquor ar-17Molly Read onlineMollyDeath of a Poison Pen hm-20 Read onlineDeath of a Poison Pen hm-20Hamish MacBeth 15 (1999) - Death of an Addict Read onlineHamish MacBeth 15 (1999) - Death of an AddictDeath of a Witch Read onlineDeath of a WitchHamish Macbeth 24 (2008) - Death of a Gentle Lady Read onlineHamish Macbeth 24 (2008) - Death of a Gentle LadyDeath of Yesterday Read onlineDeath of YesterdayMrs. Budley Falls from Grace Read onlineMrs. Budley Falls from GraceThe Daring Debutantes Bundle Read onlineThe Daring Debutantes BundleBusy Body: An Agatha Raisin Mystery Read onlineBusy Body: An Agatha Raisin MysteryPretty Polly Read onlinePretty PollyThe Case of the Curious Curate ar-13 Read onlineThe Case of the Curious Curate ar-13Death of a Travelling Man hm-9 Read onlineDeath of a Travelling Man hm-9Death of a Bore hm-21 Read onlineDeath of a Bore hm-21Rake's Progress: HFTS4 Read onlineRake's Progress: HFTS4Miss Fiona's Fancy (The Royal Ambition Series Book 3) Read onlineMiss Fiona's Fancy (The Royal Ambition Series Book 3)Hamish Macbeth 19 (2003) - Death of a Village Read onlineHamish Macbeth 19 (2003) - Death of a VillageLady Lucy's Lover Read onlineLady Lucy's LoverMilady in Love (The Changing Fortunes Series, Vol. 5) Read onlineMilady in Love (The Changing Fortunes Series, Vol. 5)Colonel Sandhurst to the Rescue Read onlineColonel Sandhurst to the Rescue(17/30 Love, Lies and Liquor Read online(17/30 Love, Lies and LiquorHasty Death Read onlineHasty DeathDeath of a Nurse Read onlineDeath of a NurseDeath of a Scriptwriter hm-14 Read onlineDeath of a Scriptwriter hm-14The Chocolate Debutante (The Royal Ambition Series Book 5) Read onlineThe Chocolate Debutante (The Royal Ambition Series Book 5)Sally Read onlineSallyTilly Read onlineTillyDeath of a Dreamer hm-22 Read onlineDeath of a Dreamer hm-22Miss Davenport's Christmas (The Love and Temptation Series Book 6) Read onlineMiss Davenport's Christmas (The Love and Temptation Series Book 6)Death of a Dreamer Read onlineDeath of a DreamerDuke's Diamonds (Endearing Young Charms Book 1) Read onlineDuke's Diamonds (Endearing Young Charms Book 1)Agatha Raisin and the Christmas Crumble (short story) Read onlineAgatha Raisin and the Christmas Crumble (short story)Agatha Raisin and the Witch of Wyckhadden ar-9 Read onlineAgatha Raisin and the Witch of Wyckhadden ar-9His Lordship's Pleasure (The Regency Intrigue Series Book 5) Read onlineHis Lordship's Pleasure (The Regency Intrigue Series Book 5)The Homecoming Read onlineThe HomecomingHamish Macbeth 02; Death of a Cad hm-2 Read onlineHamish Macbeth 02; Death of a Cad hm-2Agatha Raisin and The Potted Gardener ar-3 Read onlineAgatha Raisin and The Potted Gardener ar-3Death of a Glutton Read onlineDeath of a GluttonHamish Macbeth 02 (1987) - Death of a Cad Read onlineHamish Macbeth 02 (1987) - Death of a CadThe Wicked Godmother: HFTS3 Read onlineThe Wicked Godmother: HFTS3The Glitter and the Gold (Endearing Young Charms Book 7) Read onlineThe Glitter and the Gold (Endearing Young Charms Book 7)The Viscount's Revenge (The Royal Ambition Series Book 4) Read onlineThe Viscount's Revenge (The Royal Ambition Series Book 4)Her Grace's Passion Read onlineHer Grace's PassionHenrietta Read onlineHenriettaAt the Sign of the Golden Pineapple Read onlineAt the Sign of the Golden PineappleThe Blood of an Englishman Read onlineThe Blood of an EnglishmanSomething Borrowed, Someone Dead: An Agatha Raisin Mystery (Agatha Raisin Mysteries) Read onlineSomething Borrowed, Someone Dead: An Agatha Raisin Mystery (Agatha Raisin Mysteries)Emily Goes to Exeter Read onlineEmily Goes to ExeterDeath of a Cad Read onlineDeath of a CadAgatha Raisin and the Wellspring of Death Read onlineAgatha Raisin and the Wellspring of DeathDancing on the Wind (The Regency Intrigue Series Book 8) Read onlineDancing on the Wind (The Regency Intrigue Series Book 8)A Marriage of Inconvenience (Endearing Young Charms Book 5) Read onlineA Marriage of Inconvenience (Endearing Young Charms Book 5)The Ghost and Lady Alice (The Regency Intrigue Series Book 6) Read onlineThe Ghost and Lady Alice (The Regency Intrigue Series Book 6)Hamish Macbeth 04; Death of a Perfect Wife hm-4 Read onlineHamish Macbeth 04; Death of a Perfect Wife hm-4My Dear Duchess Read onlineMy Dear DuchessMrs. Budley Falls From Grace (The Poor Relation Series Book 3) Read onlineMrs. Budley Falls From Grace (The Poor Relation Series Book 3)Agatha Raisin and the Haunted House Read onlineAgatha Raisin and the Haunted HouseThe Education of Miss Patterson (The Love and Temptation Series Book 3) Read onlineThe Education of Miss Patterson (The Love and Temptation Series Book 3)Agatha Raisin and The Walkers of Dembley ar-4 Read onlineAgatha Raisin and The Walkers of Dembley ar-4The Original Miss Honeyford Read onlineThe Original Miss HoneyfordA Spoonful of Poison Read onlineA Spoonful of PoisonHamish Macbeth Omnibus Read onlineHamish Macbeth OmnibusAgatha Raisin and the Busy Body ar-21 Read onlineAgatha Raisin and the Busy Body ar-21Agatha Raisin and the Witch of Wyckhadden Read onlineAgatha Raisin and the Witch of WyckhaddenHamish Macbeth 08 (1993) - Death of a Glutton Read onlineHamish Macbeth 08 (1993) - Death of a GluttonDeath of a Gentle Lady hm-24 Read onlineDeath of a Gentle Lady hm-24Ms. Davenport's Christmas Read onlineMs. Davenport's ChristmasAgatha Raisin Kissing Christmas Goodbye ar-18 Read onlineAgatha Raisin Kissing Christmas Goodbye ar-18Lady Anne's Deception Read onlineLady Anne's DeceptionAgatha Raisin The Perfect Paragon ar-16 Read onlineAgatha Raisin The Perfect Paragon ar-16Edwardian Murder Mystery 02; Hasty Death emm-2 Read onlineEdwardian Murder Mystery 02; Hasty Death emm-2The Constant Companion Read onlineThe Constant CompanionHamish Macbeth 14 (1999) - Death of a Scriptwriter Read onlineHamish Macbeth 14 (1999) - Death of a ScriptwriterGinny Read onlineGinnyHamish Macbeth 10 (1994) - Death of a Charming Man Read onlineHamish Macbeth 10 (1994) - Death of a Charming ManHamish Macbeth 03; Death of an Outsider hm-3 Read onlineHamish Macbeth 03; Death of an Outsider hm-3The Love from Hell ar-11 Read onlineThe Love from Hell ar-11The Scandalous Lady Wright (The Regency Intrigue Series Book 4) Read onlineThe Scandalous Lady Wright (The Regency Intrigue Series Book 4)Hamish Macbeth 17 (2001) - Death of a Dustman Read onlineHamish Macbeth 17 (2001) - Death of a DustmanHamish Macbeth 13 (1997) - Death of a Dentist Read onlineHamish Macbeth 13 (1997) - Death of a DentistThe Paper Princess (The Royal Ambition Series Book 7) Read onlineThe Paper Princess (The Royal Ambition Series Book 7)Rainbird's Revenge: HFTS6 Read onlineRainbird's Revenge: HFTS6The Perfect Gentleman (The Love and Temptation Series Book 7) Read onlineThe Perfect Gentleman (The Love and Temptation Series Book 7)Sir Philip's Folly (The Poor Relation Series Book 4) Read onlineSir Philip's Folly (The Poor Relation Series Book 4)The Witches' Tree--An Agatha Raisin Mystery Read onlineThe Witches' Tree--An Agatha Raisin MysteryDeath of an Outsider Read onlineDeath of an OutsiderHamish MacBeth 03 (1988) - Death of an Outsider Read onlineHamish MacBeth 03 (1988) - Death of an OutsiderAgatha Raisin and the Perfect Paragon Read onlineAgatha Raisin and the Perfect ParagonDeath of a Chimney Sweep Read onlineDeath of a Chimney SweepThe Dreadful Debutante (The Royal Ambition Series Book 1) Read onlineThe Dreadful Debutante (The Royal Ambition Series Book 1)Something Borrowed, Someone Dead Read onlineSomething Borrowed, Someone DeadAgatha Raisin and The Murderous Marriage ar-5 Read onlineAgatha Raisin and The Murderous Marriage ar-5The Highland Countess Read onlineThe Highland CountessDeath of a Chimney Sweep hm-1 Read onlineDeath of a Chimney Sweep hm-1The Skeleton in the Closet Read onlineThe Skeleton in the ClosetSusie Read onlineSusieAgatha Raisin and Kissing Christmas Goodbye Read onlineAgatha Raisin and Kissing Christmas GoodbyeRegency Gold (The Regency Intrigue Series Book 2) Read onlineRegency Gold (The Regency Intrigue Series Book 2)The Marquis Takes a Bride Read onlineThe Marquis Takes a BrideHamish Macbeth 16 (1999) - A Highland Christmas Read onlineHamish Macbeth 16 (1999) - A Highland ChristmasDeath of a Liar Read onlineDeath of a LiarHamish Macbeth 01; Death of a Gossip hm-1 Read onlineHamish Macbeth 01; Death of a Gossip hm-1Love and Lady Lovelace (The Changing Fortunes Series, Vol. 8) Read onlineLove and Lady Lovelace (The Changing Fortunes Series, Vol. 8)Death of an Honest Man Read onlineDeath of an Honest ManThe Desirable Duchess Read onlineThe Desirable DuchessDeception (Daughters of Mannerling 3) Read onlineDeception (Daughters of Mannerling 3)A Highland Christmas hm-16 Read onlineA Highland Christmas hm-16Polly Read onlinePollyThe Savage Marquess Read onlineThe Savage MarquessAgatha Raisin 03 (1994) - The Potted Gardener Read onlineAgatha Raisin 03 (1994) - The Potted GardenerPushing Up Daisies Read onlinePushing Up DaisiesDeath Of An Addict Read onlineDeath Of An AddictBanishment (Daughters of Mannerling 1) Read onlineBanishment (Daughters of Mannerling 1)Amaryllis Read onlineAmaryllisHamish MacBeth 06 (1991) - Death of a Snob Read onlineHamish MacBeth 06 (1991) - Death of a SnobThe Paper Princess Read onlineThe Paper PrincessHamish Macbeth 06; Death of a Snob hm-6 Read onlineHamish Macbeth 06; Death of a Snob hm-6The Dreadful Debutante Read onlineThe Dreadful DebutanteAgatha Raisin and the Fairies of Fryfam Read onlineAgatha Raisin and the Fairies of FryfamHamish Macbeth 22 (2006) - Death of a Dreamer Read onlineHamish Macbeth 22 (2006) - Death of a DreamerDishing the Dirt Read onlineDishing the DirtMinerva Read onlineMinervaDeath of a Nag hm-11 Read onlineDeath of a Nag hm-11Hamish Macbeth 18 (2002) - Death of a Celebrity Read onlineHamish Macbeth 18 (2002) - Death of a CelebrityQuadrille (The Love and Temptation Series Book 5) Read onlineQuadrille (The Love and Temptation Series Book 5)Death of a Glutton hm-8 Read onlineDeath of a Glutton hm-8The Westerby Sisters (Changing Fortunes Series) Read onlineThe Westerby Sisters (Changing Fortunes Series)The Scandalous Marriage (The Dukes and Desires Series Book 7) Read onlineThe Scandalous Marriage (The Dukes and Desires Series Book 7)The Adventuress: HFTS5 Read onlineThe Adventuress: HFTS5Death of a Valentine Read onlineDeath of a ValentineDeath of a Nag Read onlineDeath of a NagDeath of a Dustman hm-17 Read onlineDeath of a Dustman hm-17Hamish Macbeth 09 (1993) - Death of a Travelling Man Read onlineHamish Macbeth 09 (1993) - Death of a Travelling ManThe Loves of Lord Granton (The Changing Fortunes Series, Vol. 2) Read onlineThe Loves of Lord Granton (The Changing Fortunes Series, Vol. 2)Agatha Raisin and a Spoonful of Poison ar-19 Read onlineAgatha Raisin and a Spoonful of Poison ar-19To Dream of Love Read onlineTo Dream of LoveAgatha Raisin 04 (1995) - The Walkers of Dembley Read onlineAgatha Raisin 04 (1995) - The Walkers of DembleyHamish MacBeth 01 (1985) - Death of a Gossip Read onlineHamish MacBeth 01 (1985) - Death of a GossipDeath of a Maid hm-23 Read onlineDeath of a Maid hm-23Belinda Goes to Bath Read onlineBelinda Goes to BathDeath of a Kingfisher Read onlineDeath of a KingfisherDeath of a Charming Man hm-10 Read onlineDeath of a Charming Man hm-10Death of a Prankster hm-7 Read onlineDeath of a Prankster hm-7The Miser of Mayfair: HFTS1 Read onlineThe Miser of Mayfair: HFTS1Hamish Macbeth 05; Death of a Hussy hm-5 Read onlineHamish Macbeth 05; Death of a Hussy hm-5A Governess of Distinction (Endearing Young Charms Book 6) Read onlineA Governess of Distinction (Endearing Young Charms Book 6)The Westerby Inheritance Read onlineThe Westerby InheritanceDeath of a Hussy Read onlineDeath of a HussyHamish MacBeth 07 (1998) - Death of a Prankster Read onlineHamish MacBeth 07 (1998) - Death of a PranksterHamish Macbeth 20 (2004) - Death of a Poison Pen Read onlineHamish Macbeth 20 (2004) - Death of a Poison PenMiss Tonks Turns to Crime Read onlineMiss Tonks Turns to CrimeEdwardian Murder Mystery 01; Snobbery with Violence emm-1 Read onlineEdwardian Murder Mystery 01; Snobbery with Violence emm-1Agatha Raisin and the Wizard of Evesham Read onlineAgatha Raisin and the Wizard of EveshamHamish Macbeth 12 (1996) - Death of a Macho Man Read onlineHamish Macbeth 12 (1996) - Death of a Macho ManYvonne Goes to York Read onlineYvonne Goes to YorkA Highland Christmas Read onlineA Highland ChristmasSweet Masquerade (The Love and Temptation Series Book 4) Read onlineSweet Masquerade (The Love and Temptation Series Book 4)Agatha Raisin and the Witch of Wykhadden Read onlineAgatha Raisin and the Witch of WykhaddenThe Dead Ringer Read onlineThe Dead RingerAgatha Raisin 05 (1996) - The Murderous Marriage Read onlineAgatha Raisin 05 (1996) - The Murderous MarriageAgatha Raisin 07 (1998) - The Wellspring of Death Read onlineAgatha Raisin 07 (1998) - The Wellspring of DeathAgatha Raisin: As the Pig Turns ar-22 Read onlineAgatha Raisin: As the Pig Turns ar-22