A Ravishing Lady For The Rebellious Marquess (Steamy Historical Regency Romance) Read online

  A Ravishing Lady for the Rebellious Marquess

  A Steamy Regency Romance

  Violet Hamers

  Contents

  A Thank You Gift

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Epilogue

  Extended Epilogue

  Preview: Lustful Memoirs of a Bewitching Lady

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Also by Violet Hamers

  About the Author

  A Thank You Gift

  Thanks a lot for purchasing my book. It really means a lot to me, because this is the best way to show me your love.

  As a Thank You gift I have written a full length novel for you called The Duke she Desires. It’s only available to people who have downloaded one of my books and you can get your free copy by tapping this link here.

  Once more, thanks a lot for your love and support.

  With love and appreciation,

  Olivia Bennet

  About the book

  Their forbidden love is the safest place to be…

  Lady Rose Vaughan is the epitome of decorum and good manners.

  Born and raised in a shielded environment, the daughter of the Earl of Somerhold has resigned herself to a life of following orders. Until the day she meets her father's most ardent political rival.

  With his progressive political views, Kenneth Curtis, the Marquess of Walsrock, is the black sheep of the ton. However, his life of being an outcast comes to an abrupt end when he lays eyes upon the ravishing Lady Rose.

  With Rose's father eager to see her wed, and Kenneth's political rivals resolved to see him behind bars, they decide to enlist the help of two unlikely people. Rose's reluctant betrothed and Kenneth's low-born liaison to the public.

  However, past mistakes have a way of returning with a vengeance. With Kenneth's fate hanging by a thread, they realize that they have been harboring a traitor all this time. A traitor thirty years in the making that started with Kenneth's father...

  Chapter One

  Kenneth Curtis, the Marquess of Walsrock, sat in his study pouring over several bound papers. It was about noon and the heat of the day was approaching its peak. The drapes had been pulled aside and the windows opened, resulting in a gentle breeze wafting into the study and keeping the room cool.

  Still, sweat managed to materialize on his forehead and began tracing its way down till it settled on his eyebrows.

  Using the back of his hand, he wiped at his brows, his focus remaining anchored on the papers in front of him. He’d been at the desk since morning when he got back from breakfast and hadn’t moved ever since.

  A quill, ink, and foolscap lay beside his stack of papers ready to take down any notes he had. The foolscap had managed to remain empty even though he’d been at this task for well over three hours.

  I need to find Leonard.

  The thought was barely settled in his mind before he was on his feet and heading out of his study to find his valet.

  Two years older than Kenneth, Leonard Arnold—who was eight-and-twenty years old—wasn’t part of the ton by birth. He was a commoner whose mother had been in the service of the Duke’s family before Kenneth was born.

  Leonard had grown up on the grounds of the manor and when he’d turned eighteen, had also come into the service of the Duke’s family like his mother before him. He was employed as Kenneth’s valet.

  To the outsider, the relationship between them was purely one of a gentleman and his gentleman’s gentleman. In secret, however, both of them had shared a close bond of friendship since their teenage years.

  After searching through the house, he finally found Leonard in his own bedroom, standing over his bed and holding a copy of the Times.

  Kenneth’s evening wear lay stretched out on the bed, an indication that Leonard was previously involved in the task of choosing an evening outfit for him. However, Leonard was currently engrossed in reading and didn’t even hear when he walked in.

  “Well, if you continue to stare at that paper with such intensity, your eyes will eventually bore a hole through them,” Kenneth joked.

  “My Lord!” Leonard exclaimed in jest as he spun around and dropped the paper to his side.

  Even though that was the correct salutation, considering his title as the Marquess of Walsrock, Kenneth had been friends with Leonard long enough to know when the latter addressed him in jest.

  Whenever they were alone, Leonard had always addressed him by his first name, an act Kenneth had grown increasingly comfortable with, even though there was a time long ago when he would have frowned at such apparent disrespect for his peerage.

  The change had originated by mere happenstance on that fateful night, two years ago, and had crystalized over the period since then. Now the same change was responsible for the ideals he was currently propagating through parliament—ideals that Leonard supported wholeheartedly.

  Leonard’s reason was simple. He had mingled so much with the British beau monde all his life and seen how the ton treated him as an inferior member of society. As a result, Leonard despised them.

  “Up to no good, I see?” Leonard mocked for the second time since Kenneth had entered the bedroom.

  “Well, it might interest you to know that I need your help with matters I will be deliberating over in parliament, matters that would affect the state of affairs in England. Show some respect.” Kenneth snickered with a sarcastic air of superiority, almost certain that he was going to get a laugh from Leonard.

  However, he discovered a stern look had replaced the smile that was initially plastered across Leonard’s face. The change had been so abrupt that Kenneth was startled.

  “Have you seen this?” Leonard said in disgust, slowly lifting the copy of the Times on the desk and stretching it to Kenneth.

  “Of course I haven’t.” Kenneth replied dismissively almost as soon as Leonard’s question had graced his ears. “You very well know that I do not have time for Banbury tales. And like I said, I need your help.”

  “But this is no Banbury tale.” Leonard insisted. “Have a look.”

  Kenneth stretched out his hand and received the paper. A brief precursory glance and he already knew what the news was about. However, he continued to read so as to get the full gist of the news that had made headlines.

  Two weeks prior, the whole of London’s grapevines were agog with news of a Cyprian that had been found murdered in her chambers. All the evidence had suggested that one of her jealous wealthy patrons was responsible. In fact, a couple of names, known to be constant patrons of the ladybird, had been thrown around in high society gossip. Everyone was almost certain they kne
w who was responsible.

  Two weeks later, and the Times was reporting that the murderer had been apprehended. The only problem, however, was that the suspected murderer wasn’t anyone of note nor was it any of the names that had been making the rounds.

  The Bow Street Runners investigating the case had, in fact, apprehended a mere commoner as the murderer, a fact that had somehow incensed Leonard as his accusatory finger remained pointed at the news headline.

  Kenneth was well aware of the reason why Leonard was aggravated at the news, knowing its origin lay in the suspicion that a peer had gotten away with the crime committed.

  “I still don’t see the problem,” Kenneth lied, already knowing fully well what the bone of contention was. “A fallen woman was found murdered and her murderer has been apprehended. What might be the problem?” he said, feigning ignorance.

  “Spare me the sanctimonious ramblings, Kenneth. Really? A mere commoner is being accused of murder and you do not suspect foul play?” Leonard raved.

  “Keep your voice down,” Kenneth whispered.

  He was being cautious not to be heard having this discussion with his valet. Their friendship had to remain a secret. Besides the fact that it was unorthodox, it could also be detrimental to Kenneth’s reputation. The ton simply didn’t mix with commoners.

  “I apologize.” Leonard responded, his voice reducing in intensity.

  “Foul play?” Kenneth remarked. “All right, then. Indulge me, Leonard.” He relented as he walked to the bed and sat at the edge.

  “First off, the accused wasn’t a peer. He most certainly could not afford her services. Therefore, it would have been impossible for him to get close to her or even gain entrance into her chambers,” Leonard argued.

  “Well, his inability to court the ladybird could very well have left him frustrated, thus driving him over the edge and into the realm of committing such a heinous crime. This won’t be the first time that a combination of unbridled lust and frustration succeeded in driving a man over the edge. And we both know that once over the edge, the impossible doesn’t seem so impossible any longer.”

  “Is that your own version of events?” Leonard stammered in shock. Kenneth’s response had obviously caught him by surprise. He’d most likely been expecting Kenneth to agree with him that foul play was involved in the investigation of the Cyprian’s murder but instead, it seemed like he had just heard Kenneth put up a defense for the outcome of the investigation.

  “It isn’t my own version of events, Leonard. I have no version of the event, as I was not there. I have no idea what might have transpired between murder victim and murderer. I am just saying that the commoner being the murderer is still a viable possibility and that the accused might in fact have committed the crime.”

  “This isn’t your law classroom, Kenneth, neither is this parliament. Yes, I do understand that you are a lawyer, but you are not debating in front of a magistrate or with your peers. You very well know that one of your peers is in fact responsible for this and has somehow used his influence to steer the investigation away from himself, so much so that an innocent man has now been blamed for murder. Why are you then making excuses for whoever it is?”

  “But how are you so certain that the explanation you are putting forth is in fact what has occurred? You are well aware that what you are saying is a mere speculation at this point, are you not? I do not know who this person is that you speak of, neither am I trying to make an excuse for said entity simply because he is my peer. I’m only maintaining that you shouldn’t pass your opinions for facts.”

  “Blimey!” Leonard swore as he smacked his forehead with his hand in frustration. “For all your tolerance and ideals that you propagate in a bid to benefit the commoner, you sure still rise up in defense of your lot every time,” he accused.

  A silence settled between them.

  Kenneth didn’t lack a response to Leonard’s statement. He was simply thinking on how best to manage Leonard’s dissatisfaction, without seeming to defend the actions of his peers, or the outcome of this particular investigation. He himself already had his misgivings about the whole situation.

  He already figured out what might have happened but Leonard was too far at the other end of the spectrum for him to be admitting out loud that he also had doubts.

  “You think I’m being biased with regards to this matter?” he queried.

  “Yes!” Leonard exclaimed bluntly.

  “And you are convinced that there has been some tampering with this case.”

  “Most certainly. The accused is in no way responsible for this murder,” Leonard responded yet again.

  “Fine! I’ll look into the facts of the case for myself and see what I can do about it.” Kenneth responded simply, his aim being to calm Leonard down and steer the conversation away from this topic.

  His response seemed to have calmed Leonard a bit, with the stern look slowly dissipating from his face as his muscles relaxed.

  “So…you need my help?” Leonard said, remembering Kenneth’s earlier remarks, with a smug look plastered on his face.

  “You little imp,” Kenneth fired back with a light chuckle.

  “Oh, but I can definitely be of help. How may I be of service, My Lord?” Leonard retorted as he retrieved the newspaper from Kenneth and proceeded to tuck it under his arm.

  They both shared a laugh as Kenneth proceeded to hint to Leonard what he needed.

  It was a brief rendezvous, but Kenneth returned to the study with a little bit more clarity. Leonard had returned with him even though they had both remained silent as they walked through the house and back to the study. Kenneth had entered and walked straight to his seat while Leonard had proceeded to shut the door behind them.

  They’d barely settled in to continue their discussion in private when a slight rasp was heard at the door.

  The door opened as the butler walked in and announced the arrival of the Duke, Kenneth’s father. The Duke simply walked in and stood in front of Kenneth while clearing his throat. “I do not need an introduction in my own manor,” the Duke announced, his voice laden with authority.

  Leonard spun on his feet instantly as he turned to address Kenneth’s father.

  “Your Grace!” Leonard blurted out in reverence.

  “Father.” Kenneth remarked as he stood up slowly in acknowledgement of his father’s presence.

  There was a brief silence in which the Duke appraised Leonard.

  “I would like a moment with my son? I want to speak to him in private,” the Duke addressed Leonard.

  “As you wish, Your Grace!” Leonard responded as he bowed and turned to walk out of the study.

  Kenneth caught his glance as he looked back briefly before exiting through the doorway and he knew his friend didn’t like the fact that he had been dismissed off-hand. The butler also exited the study after Leonard and shut the door, leaving the two alone.

  Leonard hadn’t had a choice on being dismissed, however. Even though he was chummy with Kenneth, the Duke was a different matter altogether. As much as Kenneth didn’t care for formalities being sustained when they were alone, the status quo had to be maintained whenever the Duke was involved. He knew that and Leonard knew that.

  As soon as the door shut, the Duke turned to face Kenneth.

  “Why do you continue to entertain such liaisons with commoners, son? Are you not aware that continued familiarity breeds contempt?”

  Kenneth exhaled in frustration as a heavy sigh escaped his lips. He had engaged in such conversations with his father in the past and was not about to have another session where he had to defend his right and decision to conduct his affairs in whatever manner he deemed fit. He respected his father but they certainly didn’t see eye to eye on most issues, half of the time.

  “Father, surely you must have a matter of grave importance which you wish to share with me,” he replied courteously, changing the topic.

  The Duke exhaled and proceeded to take the bait.

&n
bsp; “Yes, I do. The Lady Somerholm is having a ball in a fortnight.”

  “I am aware, Father. But since when did balls and routs become of such importance to you?” Kenneth joked lightly.

  “Well, are you going to honor the invitation?” the Duke continued, ignoring Kenneth’s attempt at humor.