“Hmm. I like the sound of that.”
“Lord Treadway is just going to have to manage without me.”
“He’ll be fine,” Erienne replied.
“I agree,” Collin declared, pushing the sleeves of her gown over her arms to kiss the tops of her breasts.
“Are you going to make love to me in a carriage of all places?” she asked, slightly scandalized.
He arched a brow. “Any objections?”
“None whatsoever,” she said with a laugh. “Carry on, General.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
The wedding took place exactly four weeks later, after the banns had been read in Brighton. Erienne’s parents both attended, even though she’d had strong words with her mother for her deception all those years ago. Her parents were quite willing to accept Collin into their family now that he was a general, a highly valued spy, and an official at the Home Office. Not to mention he was wealthy. He’d set about paying all of the bills for Peter’s surgery; and had even given her father money to perform some much needed restorations to their family home. Derek sent a virtual army of craftsmen to complete the work. Seemed the Hunt boys from the small cottage on the wrong side of town were the pride of Brighton these days.
Little Lady Mary and Lord Ralph were dressed in finery for the wedding, and Lucy hugged both the bride and groom an inordinate amount of times. “I must admit,” she told them after the ceremony, “you two frightened me more than any couple in the history of my matchmaking endeavors.”
“Yes, well, it seems we’re going to be in need of a new governess ... again,” Derek said with a sigh.
Lucy smiled and patted her husband’s arm. “Don’t worry. I kept all the letters from Mrs. Griggs.”
Derek’s brows shot up. “That confident, were you, that these two would get back together?”
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t,” Lucy replied with a nonchalant shrug.
Her arm resting comfortably in Collin’s, Erienne leaned in and confided to her friend, “Your unswayable romantic convictions are nothing short of admirable, dear Lucy.”
“Indeed.” Collin added dryly, but then shared a gentle smile with his bride.
Derek looked less certain. “Very well, Lucy, but next time, can you please find a governess who is already married, or perhaps a nice widow?”
“I can make no promises.” Lucy winked at him.
“Seriously, Lucy, when will you stop matchmaking?” Collin asked.
Lucy tapped a finger against her cheek. “I suppose I’ll die eventually. Perhaps at that time I’ll consider retirement. Until then ... my friend Delilah Montebank has made her debut, and hers shall be the match of the century.”
*
Thank you for reading Mr. Hunt, I Presume. Please page forward to see a complete booklist, an author’s note, my biography, how to contact me, and the first chapter of No Other Duke But You!
Also by Valerie Bowman
Playful Brides
The Unexpected Duchess (Book 1) The Accidental Countess (Book 2) The Unlikely Lady (Book 3) The Irresistible Rogue (Book 4) The Unforgettable Hero (Book 4.5) The Untamed Earl (Book 5)
The Legendary Lord (Book 6) Never Trust a Pirate (Book 7) The Right Kind of Rogue (Book 8) A Duke Like No Other (Book 9) Kiss Me At Christmas (Book 10) Mr. Hunt, I Presume (Book 10.5)
No Other Duke But You (Book 11)
Secret Brides
Secrets of a Wedding Night (Book 1) A Secret Proposal (Book 1.5) Secrets of a Runaway Bride (Book 2) A Secret Affair (Book 2.5) Secrets of a Scandalous Marriage (Book 3) It Happened Under the Mistletoe (Book 3.5)
Author’s Note
Thank you for reading Mr. Hunt, I Presume. I hope you enjoyed Erienne and Collin’s story.
Second-chance romance is my absolute favorite and this little book flew off my fingertips in a week’s time.
I’d love to keep in touch.
Visit my website for information about upcoming books, excerpts, and to sign up for my email newsletter: www.ValerieBowmanBooks.com or at www.ValerieBowmanBooks.com/subscribe.
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Reviews help other readers find books. I appreciate all reviews, whether positive or negative. Thank you so much for considering it!
About the Author
Valerie Bowman grew up in Illinois with six sisters (she’s number seven) an a huge supply of historical romance novels. After a cold and snowy stint earning a degree in English with a minor in history at Smith College, she moved to Florida the first chance she got. Valerie now lives in Jacksonville with her family including her two rascally dogs. When she’s not writing, she keeps busy reading, traveling, or vacillating between watching crazy reality TV and PBS.
Valerie loves to hear from readers. Find her on the web at www.ValerieBowmanBooks.com.
Coming Soon
Look for the next novel in the Playful Brides Series by Valerie Bowman.
No Other Duke But You
Coming May 2019 from St. Martin’s Paperbacks
turn the page to read an excerpt
A Duke Like No Other - Chapter One
London, June 1827
Twenty-two-year-old Lady Delilah Montebank peered around the corner of the servants’ staircase while her friends smuggled a small potted tree, an armload of paper moss, and a set of fake donkey ears down the back steps of her mother’s town house.
“J’adore the donkey ears,” she whispered, glancing over her shoulder to check for witnesses. Her chin brushed against the ruffles of her pink gown. “Shh. We cannot let Mother hear.”
Her friends, Owen Monroe, the Earl of Moreland, Christian Forester, Viscount Berkeley, and Derek Hunt, the Duke of Claringdon, all dutifully slipped out the back door, their arms full, without making a sound.
“Merci beaucoup,” she whispered to Derek, as his boots crunched the gravel on the way to his coach. “Please tell Lucy I’ll see her tomorrow.” She waved at the duke.
Derek inclined his head by way of reply.
Delilah turned and let out a deep breath. She’d been skittish all morning, hoping her mother wouldn’t find her friends smuggling the decorations for the play out of her bedchamber. But Mother hadn’t discovered them. Job well done.
Delilah was about to close the door behind her when a small red squirrel dashed inside. The squirrel took off down the corridor toward the front of the house.
Delilah winced. She may have met this squirrel before. She may have fed it, which meant she may be responsible for its entrance into her home. And if Mother or Cook saw it first, the poor little animal would be doomed.
Delilah hiked up her skirts and took off after the squirrel. The rodent dashed back and forth down the corridor, leaping left and right, heading directly for the front of the house as if he knew the layout. Mother was in the front drawing room receiving visitors. The door to the gold salon was open. She might see the squirrel dash past. Of course, Delilah knew this because she’d thoroughly researched her mother’s whereabouts before telling her friends to proceed with smuggling things out the back door.
The squirrel was already in the foyer by the time Delilah caught up to it. It paused and looked about. Delilah paused too, holding her breath. She stood panting and waiting, her skirts still hiked above her stockinged ankles. Mother’s voice drifted from the salon. Delilah swallowed, her eyes darting to the side.