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Chapter One
1819: London
Lady Annabelle Porter loved nothing more than to be with her family in their London home at Fenmoor House. The London townhouse had been purchased by their father many years ago. It had always been a busy hub whenever the London Season came around. Which was exactly what her younger sister, Hazel, and her older brother, Simon, were discussing at that very moment.
Standing at the tall window of the drawing room on the first floor, Anabelle looked down. She observed the bustle of Grosvenor Square while listening to her sister’s chatter. For a moment, her mind wandered, thinking of all the handsome gentlemen they met when they were in London. A pleasurable heat tingled between her legs, and she smiled to herself; yes, there was fun to be had in the London Season.
“I cannot help it, but I still miss Papa,” Hazel said in earnest.
“Shhh…Hazel, let us not dwell on that,” Anabelle hushed her. “It is now our second Season without Father. I am sure that we will all do fine. We do not need to be reminded of such things when we are in London to have fun.”
Simon said nothing. He might never let his guard slip to show his true emotions in front of his sisters, but Anabelle knew that he missed their father too. He’d inherited the earldom upon his father’s death, and it had all happened on his twenty-ninth birthday; a birthday none of them would ever forget.
Their father had been thrown from a horse in a riding accident, on a hunting trip to celebrate his son’s birthday. The groundsmen had managed to get him back home, but alas, his injuries had been too severe, and he had passed not long after.
But that was behind them now, and the family had managed to move on from their long grieving process. They were a close-knit family, and for that, Anabelle was thankful. It was her Aunt Miranda and her older brother who’d helped the girls pull through. But the worst of it was that poor Simon had always blamed himself because it had happened on his birthday outing, but no one else blamed him.
The last couple of years had been hard for Simon, taking up the responsibilities of the earldom. He’d played his role as the Earl of Severnton very well indeed and taken it on with much pride. He was even making decisions as the head of the household now. Simon had declared that their younger sister would attend her coming out ball this year. He’d stated that it had been delayed long enough after the death of their father.
For Anabelle, though, she’d had her coming out the year before they lost their father. She, too, had been eighteen years of age, the same age as her sister now. A slither of a memory formed in her mind, of passionate kisses and seeing a man’s genitals for the first time in her life. The image caused her to hiccup, and she gave out a little cough, excusing herself.
“I am so very excited this year, Sister,” Hazel said as she came to stand by her side, disturbing her thoughts. “What are you watching out there, Anabelle? Is there a fine gentleman down there that you have your eye on?”
Anabelle laughed. “No, silly. I am enjoying all the hustle and bustle of London after being wintered up in the countryside.”
“Yes, I do too. Only this year, I will be the centre of attention,” Hazel sang out. She went to dance around the room as if she were dancing at a ball with a phantom partner.
“Ah, so you do intend on considering a suitor this year, then?” Simon asked, looking pleased that his youngest sister was taking her coming out seriously. “Could it be that Anabelle might also consider following your lead?”
“Absolutely not!” Anabelle snapped, watching as Hazel froze mid-way in her faux dance. “This year is Hazel’s turn, and besides, I am too old to be considering courtship.”
“But, Sister, you are only twenty-one. That is not old by any means,” Hazel piped up. “And I would be honoured if we courted together. We could find a pair of brothers,” she giggled, before continuing with her solo dance.
“That would be unacceptable, my dear.” Aunt Miranda had decided it was time to put her views forward. “Though I do agree with Simon that it is time for you to put yourself out there, if only a little bit, Anabelle. You really should consider finding yourself a husband before your brother is forced to find one for you.”
Anabelle glanced over at her aunt who had always dressed in dark clothing ever since Father had died. She’d been his only sister and had come to stay with them when he passed. For some reason, she was still with them. Anabelle supposed it was because they’d been left without any parents, and it caused her to ponder over their mother.
Neither of the girls had much recollection of their mother, as she had died after the birth of Hazel. She’d caught a terrible infection after the birth and had passed away not long after Hazel had been born. Simon could recall distant memories of her, but he didn’t like to talk about it as he’d found it a difficult time in his life.
“Tea is poured, for those who want it,” Aunt Miranda said, placing the flowery China teapot back onto the tray.
Anabelle was pleased that no one seemed to have noticed that she hadn’t answered Aunt Miranda’s statement about finding a husband. As far as Anabelle was concerned, one heartbreak in a lifetime was enough. After the betrayal of the man who had been courting her the year of her coming out, she’d sworn that she’d never fall in love again. It had been a heart-breaking experience and not one she wished to live through a second time. He might have shown her a thing or two as they’d explored one another’s bodies, but the man had turned out to be a two-timing—
“We must go shopping to find a special ballgown for Hazel this year,” Anabelle suggested, pushing the image of her lover from her mind.
“Oh yes, but I will need more than one new dress, Sister,” Hazel stated as she sat down to take refreshments. “I will get many invitations after the coming-out ball. I want to show off my curves and push up my bustline.”
“Ahem! That is enough detail, thank you, Hazel. You will have extra in your allowance for dresses, but do not be too extravagant,” Marcus warned his younger sister. “Whereas you, Anabelle, should spend more. You should also listen to Aunt Miranda’s advice. Or I will marry you off to some dreadful old baron who lives in the backwoods of the countryside.”
“You would not dare,” Anabelle challenged, but she knew that her brother’s sense of humour was only meant to tease her. “Besides, this year we must give Hazel our full attention. I, for one, will be scrutinising potentially suitable gentlemen and making some suggestions.”
“Oh do, Anabelle. I know you will choose only the most handsome ones for me,” Hazel said, joy ringing in her voice. “And, of course, he must be kind and like horses, but most of all, he must love me. I do not wish to live with a man who does not adore me.”
“Fear not, Sister. If we leave Anabelle in charge of it, she will find you a good man,” Simon assured her. He approached the low table to pick up a cup and saucer, but he didn’t sit down. “If I was to choose, well…I would only want the wealthiest of men, and that would most likely mean the oldest.”
“No, no, Brother!” Hazel called out, always taking her brother seriously. “Please, I do not do that to me. You know that I do not wish to marry an older man.”
“Take no notice of Simon. He teases you, Sister,” Anabelle said, unfazed by her brother’s threats. They all knew that Simon would never wish them to be unhappy.
Sitting back to relax on the couch, Anabelle put her empty China cup and saucer back on the low table. She listened to her sister chattering on about how she would dance all night long at every ball and have such fun. How she would love to wear a different gown for each ball, and how her dance card would be full, with a list of handsome dance partners. It was the babble of a young woman, and Anabelle recalled how she had once been the same.
That was until Lord James Hughes, the second son of the Earl of Rochester, betrayed her. But he had been most deliciously handsome, and he’d shown her how to explore the female regions between her legs. How to pleasure herself and how to pleasure him too.
Hazel’s voice was now only in the peripheral background of her mind. She was thinking of Lord James, who’d boasted a fine head of dark, curly hair, the same as hers. When she was in love with him, she’d thought how curly-haired their children would be. He’d courted her in the year of her coming out, and even now, she remembered how blue his eyes were, and his skin so smooth on such a fine, handsome face. She was young and in love, and they’d even spoken of an engagement. Anabelle envisaged some wonderful, passionate moments spent in his bed.
And then, he’d betrayed her. Running off to the Americas with an older woman, some Dowager Countess she’d never even heard of.
Shaking her head to rid herself of his image, Hazel’s voice returned to her ears. Perhaps one day, she might marry, but it would only be for the sake of convenience. That was all she required now, contentment; she was no longer seeking love.
Instead, she wanted to make sure that her sister was never treated that way. Anabelle was determined to find Hazel the perfect match. Her sister was going to have a wonderful life, with children and wealth. Anabelle herself would be the aunt who helped her sister to raise children. Much like her own kindly Aunt Miranda, who had slotted back into their lives so very easily. Now that she thought of it, she was very fond of Aunt Miranda. Their aunt was a widow who still had lots of love in her heart, and she gave her all to the children of her older brother.
Anabelle glanced over at her aunt and could see how closely she listened to the rantings of her younger sister. Aunt Miranda was patient, yet still firm in her resolve. She would not be taken in by fools, but she had a soft spot for her brother’s children. It looked like Aunt Miranda had come to stay for good because she had so much love for them.
Yes, I wish to be like you, Aunt Miranda, Anabelle convinced herself.
“Aunt Miranda,” she said, interrupting her sister’s chatter.
“Yes, dear,” her aunt replied, turning to look at her.
“I do believe that it is time you brought out some of your more colourful gowns to wear,” Anabelle suggested. “Summer is in the air, and we are in London. Let us all try and put the gloominess of winter behind us.”
“Oh yes, Aunt Miranda, what a good idea. Do let me go through your wardrobe and assist you,” Hazel chirped up. “I love to choose pretty dresses.”
Aunt Miranda didn’t have a chance to reply when there was a light tapping on the drawing-room door. It was the butler, Grisham, who entered the room.
“A letter has arrived, my lord,” Grisham announced with a bow of his head. “My apologies, as it appears to have arrived yesterday. I was unaware of it because one of the stewards answered the door while I was otherwise engaged.”
“Not to worry, Grisham, thank you,” Simon said, taking the letter and opening its seal because he didn’t recognise it.
Grisham left the room, and all eyes were on Simon as everyone was curious about the letter. They weren’t expecting any invitations yet, they’d only just arrived in London, so who could the letter be from?
“Do you have a secret admirer, Brother?” Anabelle dared to ask, breaking the silence.
“Good Lord,” Simon said, raising his brows as if the letter had shocked him. “No, Sister. It is nothing of the sort. It is from an old friend of mine who I knew at Eton. I knew that he’d been abroad because I heard along the grapevine, but he’s now returned to England.”
“Who is it, Brother? Do tell?” Hazel asked, leaping up and going to peek over his shoulder at the letter. “It is a gentleman with fine writing. I can see that much.”
“Anabelle, you may remember him. It is the Duke of Wellton’s son, Lord Marcus Cameron. Do you recall him?” Simon asked, waving the piece of paper her way.
“Hmmm…vaguely,” Anabelle replied, squinting her eyes as she thought of her brother’s old friends from Oxford.
“He left England without giving any of his friends the slightest warning,” Simon explained. “I had all but forgotten about him. He has been so quiet over the years.”
“That was not a very nice thing to do to one’s friends,” Hazel affirmed. “Why did he do such a thing?”
“It was all over some sort of disagreement with his father, as I recall. None of us ever got to know what it was about,” Simon replied, walking over to the window as if he may see his friend outdoors.
“Oh dear,” Aunt Miranda joined in the conversation. “I have heard that the Duke of Wellton is quite ill, poor man. Perhaps his son has come to claim his inheritance.”
“No, no, he was a decent sort of chap. Quiet and undemanding, as I recall. I doubt that is the reason for his return, but most likely to visit his ill father,” Simon replied, staying by the window.
“Is he to visit us, Brother? How exciting if he is,” Hazel sang out, joining her brother by the window.
“He doesn’t say in the letter, but I will call on him,” Simon said absentmindedly. “I want to help him to find his footing again, seeing as he has been abroad all this time.”
“I do not think I wish to meet him,” Hazel said, now looking a little forlorn. “I cannot bear the thought of anyone else losing their father.”
“Well, girls,” Aunt Miranda called out as she stood up. “I think that it is time we turned in for the night. It has been a long day, and we need to conserve our energy for all the shopping trips to come.”
The girls nodded their agreement, and in truth, Anabelle was feeling very tired.
“Good night, Brother,” Hazel called out as she followed her aunt through the door.
“Sleep well, Sisters,” Simon called back, but he remained in the drawing room, no doubt wanting a quick brandy before bed.
“Daring Kisses of a Marquess” is an Amazon Best-Selling novel, check it out here!
In the wake of a heart-wrenching betrayal, Lady Anabelle Porter is haunted by the echoes of her shattered trust and the void left by her late father. Resigned to a loveless life, she plans her sister’s debut, determined to ensure her happiness, even as her own heart remains in ruins. As the ton prepares for the upcoming ball, Anabelle sets her sights on a seductive Lord, ready to play the role of matchmaker. If only she knew that this very same captivating man would ignite a forbidden desire within her…
Will she succumb to temptation and dare to pursue the Lord destined for her sister?
As his sense of duty tugs him away from his self-imposed exile, Lord Marcus Cameron decides to return to England. Drawn back into the world he left behind, with a heart untouched by love, he unexpectedly crosses paths with the alluring Anabelle and is instantly ensnared by her beguiling presence. Intrigued by her fiery spirit, he becomes determined to earn her trust and break down her heart’s walls.
Will Marcus teach her wounded heart how to beat again?
Lost in a tempest of desire and resilience, Anabelle and Marcus are swept away by a passion that grows too potent to deny. However, an intricate web of deceit unfurls in the shadows, threatening to unravel everything they have fought so hard to attain. Will they find the strength to overcome the malicious schemes and seize their sizzling romance, or will their burning connection be forever entangled in the darkness of deception?
“Daring Kisses of a Marquess” is a historical romance novel of approximately 80,000 words. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after.
OFFER: A BRAND NEW SERIES AND 2 FREEBIES FOR YOU!
Grab my new series, "Lust and Longing of the Ton", and get 2 FREE novels as a gift! Have a look here!
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