Calliope and the Viscount

By Aubrey McKnight

Eschewing the rules of stuffy English society, Calliope Bellingham is out to win the right for women to vote, but what she wins is the heart of a friend, nobleman, confidant and lover.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Boroughs Publishing Group
• Release date: Jul 24, 2014
• ISBN: 9781941260319

Book preview

CALLIOPE AND THE VISCOUNT

A Ladies of the Abberly Theater Romance

Aubrey McKnight

Copyright 2014 Kimberly Cannon

Smashwords Edition

CALLIOPE AND THE VISCOUNT

Eschewing the rules of stuffy English society, Calliope Bellingham is out to win the right for women to vote, but what she wins is the heart of a friend, nobleman, confidant and lover.

CALLIOPE AND THE VISCOUNT

A Ladies of the Abberly Theater Romance

Aubrey McKnight

www.BOROUGHSPUBLISHINGGROUP.com

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, business establishments or persons, living or dead, is coincidental. Boroughs Publishing Group does not have any control over and does not assume responsibility for author or third-party websites, blogs or critiques or their content.

CALLIOPE AND THE VISCOUNT

Copyright © 2014 Kimberly Cannon

All rights reserved. Unless specifically noted, no part of this publication may be reproduced, scanned, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of Boroughs Publishing Group. The scanning, uploading and distribution of this book via the Internet or by any other means without the permission of Boroughs Publishing Group is illegal and punishable by law. Participation in the piracy of copyrighted materials violates the author’s rights.

Digital edition created by Maureen Cutajar

www.gopublished.com

ISBN 978-1-941260-31-9

CONTENTS

Title Page

Copyright

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Epilogue

Author Bio

CALLIOPE AND THE VISCOUNT

Chapter One

Abberly Theater, London

April 13, 1893

The audience applauded as the last notes of a tune subsided and the strains of a new one began. Then Jamie Renshaw watched as his sister-in-law, Madelyn, lovely as always, sang a ballad about love lost and won and lost again. He knew the story well….

He felt a nudge at his shoulder and turned to find his brother sliding into the empty seat beside him. Fair warning, Will whispered, a hint of laughter lacing his voice. Madelyn and Iphigenia are matchmaking again.

Jamie rolled his eyes and sighed. No, absolutely not. The gentleman seated in front of him turned to scowl, so he lowered his voice before continuing, I don’t care which woman they’ve found who is ‘perfect’ for me this time, make it clear to them I am not in the market and to stop with this confounded need to see me paired off.

I’ve tried, brother, but you know how those two are when they get together. They swoop down like a pair of vultures and it’s—Will shuddered—not a pretty sight when they finish picking the bones. You may wade into that and issue ultimatums if you like, but not me. I value my skin too much.

Jamie crossed his arms over his chest and sat back. Very well. I shall inform them after the show.

Will patted his brother’s shoulder and sank farther down in the seat. I shall remember you at your memorial as a kind and wonderful brother.

Jamie said nothing. He wanted to punch that crooked grin off Will’s face for the remainder of the performance, but both men kept their own counsel—save the occasional glance and chuckle from Will. Good thing Jamie was not one to make a scene or he’d have followed through on his desire to offer some fraternal discipline of the physical variety.

After the concert ended, they stood, offered quick nods to those seated around them, and Jamie made haste toward the exit. Before he could slink completely through the door, however, Will clutched his arm and hauled him back inside.

Oh, no. You don’t get away that easily. He began to tow Jamie toward the backstage area. Let’s get this over with, and then you can tell them your grand plans for avoiding any further machinations.

Rather than garner the attention of all those leaving the theater by arguing, Jamie followed his brother upstream like