Lady Victoria's Mistake (The Archer Family Regency Romances Book 7) Read online

  He cast Stirling an incredulous look. “You’ve been to my residence?”

  “Yes. Your staff are rather worried about you. They haven’t seen you in three days.”

  Robert shook his head, bemused. He crossed to the fire, then began stripping his lean frame. Stirling ordered the tub removed and the floor mopped. Robert shucked his sodden attire.

  After toweling dry, he took up his robe. His original intention had been to dress, but weariness had settled. What was the point in dressing, after all? Once he heard Stirling out and sent him on his way, Robert could return to drinking just as easily in a private room in his robe as he could in the public room, dressed.

  He belted his robe closed, plopped into an armchair and propped his feet on the nearby stool. He watched with little interest as servants gathered his wet garments, sopped up the last of the water and disappeared. The chair was near the fire, the warmth lulling. His eyes closed.

  “Now, about that favor.”

  Robert forced his lids open to find Stirling seated on the other side of the fireplace. “The answer is no,” Robert muttered.

  “All I require is for you to attend three balls.”

  “Balls? With dancing?” Robert scowled. “With ladies?”

  “That is generally the way of balls.” Stirling rested his elbows on the arms of the chair and steepled his fingers before him.

  “Can’t. I’ve sworn off women. For good. No more.” Robert shook his head, then regretted the movement as the room bounced. “I will not be jilted a third time, and certainly not again in Scotland. I’m leaving.”

  “Oh?” Stirling raised an eyebrow. “Headed back to London, are you?”

  Robert looked away from those perceptive eyes. He could never go back to London. Every inch of the city reminded him of Cinthia. “Maybe the Continent. Perhaps even France.”

  “France? Do you intend to get yourself shot?”

  Robert shrugged. “At least in France, when a man is jilted, he can drown his sorrow in cognac.”

  Stirling watched him over his steepled fingers.

  Robert resisted an urge to squirm under that gaze. “Or I could hang about Edinburgh for a time. I’ve nothing against Scotland, just women.”

  With a sigh, Stirling brought his hands to the chair arms. “Miss Thomas did the right thing, breaking it off with you.”

  Robert went rigid. “What did you say?”

  “Kitty Thomas did the right thing when she broke your engagement.”

  Anger coiled inside Robert.

  “Anyone can see you’re still in love with Cinthia.”

  Robert’s anger disappeared like summer rain. Cinthia. The real reason he’d come to Scotland. For two years, they’d been engaged. In London, they were the toast of the Ton. Every dance, the theater, the park. Always together. Blissfully happy as they waited for her father to return from his government appointment in India so they could wed.

  Then Lord Ailbeart had come along, with Scottish title. He enticed her with his lineage. Whispering that she was meant to be a member of the peerage, Lady Cinthia, Viscountess Dunreid. Not simply Missus Banbrook.

  Fool that he was, Robert hadn’t been worried. He’d believed in her. Believed in their love. Not until the morning he’d called round and learned she’d left for Scotland did he have any idea Viscount Dunreid had succeeded in his conquest.

  He passed a hand over his eyes, weary. “What are you after, Stirling? I’ve heard rumors of your new game, matchmaking.” He eyed the other man. “I’m not looking for another woman to propose to. Twice was enough.”

  Stirling leaned back in his chair, his expression too innocent to be so. “The last thing I want to do is get some poor girl’s hopes up with an introduction to you. Until you get over Viscountess Dunreid, you aren’t fit for any woman.” He shook his head. “No, I simply need you to help a certain young Miss stave off an aggressive gentleman long enough to find herself a good husband.”

  Robert frowned. “Stave off? She doesn’t want to marry this gentleman? At least she’s smart enough to realize as much.”

  “Aye, she seems an intelligent sort, but I believe the key issue is the offer of the gentleman in question. He wants her, but he has no intention of making her his wife.”

  So, a cad up to no good and apt to tarnish a young lady’s reputation. “I see. She’s in need of protection, then, not one of your quick weddings.” He scrutinized Stirling. “Why don’t you do help the girl?”

  “I could, I suppose, but I wouldn’t want to deprive you of the honor, or the amusement. Anyone can see you’re in need of a bit of distraction.”

  Robert supposed there was some truth in that. Still, “Escorting some young Miss to dances doesn’t sound particularly amusing.” It sounded painful.

  A sly grin formed on Stirling’s face. “Oh, I daresay escorting this young Miss is just what you need. That, and a bit of revenge.” He leaned forward in his chair. “You see, Banbrook, Dunreid wants the young lady for his mistress. You, my friend, are going to save her.”

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  Other Titles by Amy Corwin

  The Archer Family Regency Romance Series

  The Archer Family series are traditional Regency romances spiced with a mystery.

  While these books do not need to be read in order, the list below presents them in the series order.

  The Necklace (Prequel to the series)

  The Unwanted Heiress

  A Lady in Hiding

  The Earl’s Masquerade

  A Stolen Rose

  En Garde, My Love

  Love Across the Pond

  Regency Romantic Mysteries

  Regency Romantic Mysteries are sweet Regency romances with a touch of mystery. While they are stand-alone novels, they all take place in the late Regency/early Victorian period and have a similar “feel” to them.

  All She Loves

  Wreck and Ruin

  About the Author

  Amy Corwin is a charter member of the Romance Writers of America and recently joined Mystery Writers of America. She writes historical and cozy mysteries with a touch of romance, as well as paranormal romances. To be truthful, most of her books include a bit of murder and mayhem since she discovered that killing off at least one character is a highly effective way to make the remaining ones toe the plot line.

  Her books include the historical mysteries, Regency romances, paranormal romances and mysteries.

  Join her and discover that every good mystery has a touch of romance.

  Connect with Me Online

  Website: http://www.amycorwin.com

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