Defying a Duke: Regency Heroes, #1

By Anjannette Conner

Rebelling against her overprotective brothers, a headstrong American heiress travels to London in search of the adventure of a lifetime and an everlasting love, never imagining that she's walking into the middle of a deadly political plot. Caine Wakefield, the future Duke of Somerset, rescues the exquisitely beautiful Jordan Montgomery from her would-be abductors and reluctantly assumes the role of protector. Despite her immediate attraction to her newfound hero, Jordan balks at being under yet another man's control, just as she bristles at being Caine's unwanted responsibility. As Caine works to unravel the mystery of Jordan's missing British relatives and her connection to a plot against England's Prince Regent, he fights an overwhelming attraction to the feisty blonde minx that leaves him wondering how he will protect his own heart.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Anjannette Conner
• Release date: Jun 17, 2016
• ISBN: 9781533794543

Anjannette Conner

Freelance editor and author Anjannette Conner lives in Texas with two of her four children and several adorable cats. She is also the proud "Gramms" of four equally adorable grandchildren. Blessed with a serious love of reading, she fell in love with the historical romance genre many years ago when her grandmother gave her some romance novels to read. When she decided to pursue her lifelong dream of writing, it was an easy decision to focus on the historical romance genre, and Mystery Lady and Defying a Duke are her first efforts. Free time is a rare gift, but when she manages to take time off, she loves spending it in Arkansas with her grandchildren, children, parents, and the grandmother who started it all.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Boston, Massachusetts—1821         

Enough was enough! She really couldn't stand another minute of their interference. How much was she supposed to endure? Of course, they loved her, and she loved them, too, but there were limits. She was almost twenty, for heaven's sake, old enough to know her own mind and make some decisions on her own. If she didn't make a stand, she would become a dried-up spinster before she ever had a chance to get to know an interesting man. The incident at the Birmingham's party last night was the final straw. She couldn't believe the nerve of the big oafs.

Miss Jordan, your brothers are waiting for you in the library. Nellie, her personal maid, interrupted her agitated pacing, effectively halting her furious litany with herself. It was better to save her anger for them anyway. She squared her shoulders with determination.

They must be feeling awfully brave this morning, Jordan said more than a bit sarcastically. I'm afraid my mood hasn't improved much yet. She certainly looked forward to taking it out on her brothers. I suppose all three of them are in there?

When Nellie nodded, Jordan didn't even try to stop the small smile that escaped. They did like to present a united front when she was upset. It was almost hard to believe they were three grown men, rather large, formidable ones, too. Her smile, however, disappeared as she headed for the door. It was past time to let them know what she thought of their atrocious behavior of the previous night.

Jordan didn't see the head that peeked around the library door as she descended the staircase. Christopher quickly ducked his blonde head back inside and smiled at the other two men gathered there, anxiously awaiting the arrival of their sister.

Here comes the hellion now. You men better run for your lives. His emerald eyes sparkled with amusement. Always the one to charge ahead and get the most enjoyment out of life, Christopher wouldn't have missed the impending drama for the world. As a non-active participant in what happened, he could sit back and enjoy the fireworks without worrying about Jordan's anger falling on him. The previous night's explosion had served as great entertainment for many of the guests, and the follow-up scene was almost certain to surpass it in magnitude.

Oh, for God's sake! She's just a woman! We're certainly not afraid of her! Zane's green eyes flashed angrily as he nervously ran his fingers through thick, black hair, effectively contradicting his words with the telling gesture. His behavior the previous night had definitely been a little out of line, but his intentions when it came to his sister were always completely pure. All the brothers coddled Jordan, but they unanimously agreed she would not get her way on this subject.

All three heads turned as Jordan abruptly entered the room. As usual, she stunned them into silence with her exquisite beauty. She was petite with thick platinum blonde hair that reached her waist and absolutely gorgeous emerald eyes. The problem was the brothers certainly weren't the only men awed by her beauty. Men everywhere stopped and stared when they saw her for the first time. Jordan typically found it amusing and ignored it, but her three brothers found it incredibly infuriating. To make matters worse, it wasn't just her face that attracted men. Despite her petite form, she had filled out substantially in all the right places, much to her family's chagrin. In fact, more than one brother angrily eyed the amount of skin exposed above her peach neckline as soon as she walked in the door.

Jordan calmly surveyed each of the men. Christopher she passed over without expression. He didn't play an actual part in last night's little drama, except for the fun he had watching the fiasco play out. She flashed an icy look at the responsible party and then turned to Tyler, the middle brother.

This brother she looked at with confusion. She didn't understand why he hadn't stopped her crazy brother last night. The most levelheaded sibling in the family, Tyler had inherited a very dignified air of quiet authority from their father, and Philip Montgomery never would have participated in a scene like the one last night. Tyler even looked just like their father, with the same black hair, blue eyes, and square jawline. He never threw his weight around, but his every action reeked of authority and demanded respect, even though he wasn't the oldest. Zane was a hot head, but if Tyler had tried to stop him, Zane probably would have listened. Instead, Tyler had chosen not to interfere.

I'm surprised you're all so eager to face me this morning after the spectacle Zane made of himself last night. Jordan looked pointedly at the brother in question.

The spectacle I made of myself? Zane fired back. What about your part in it?

And what part was that? She rounded on him instantly. All I did was dance with Brad, and you—

And all he did was stare at your cleavage all night! Zane interrupted with force.

Oh, be quiet, Zane. You're being absolutely ridiculous, as usual. She stabbed her finger into his chest, not even slightly intimidated by his massive size or his anger. You're obviously still upset that I wouldn't change my gown before leaving.

I told you the neckline was too low and would only encourage disreputable advances. I know what I'm talking about. That was exactly the problem, of course. He did know. With jet black hair and emerald green eyes, Zane was the most striking Montgomery brother. Women had thrown themselves at his feet from the time he was a teenager, and he had taken advantage of the opportunity to develop extensive experience. Jordan knew that experience told him exactly what he would be looking at and what he would be thinking when meeting a woman like her.

You are impossible! She glared at him. Just because you're a total rake, you can't assume every man I encounter only wants to take advantage of me.

That's enough! Tyler's uncharacteristically raised voice startled everyone into silence. Don't you think we've gotten a little off the subject? He gave a hard look to the two men and then settled his gaze on Jordan. I don't care what Jordan wears as long as she never sees Birmingham again, he stated with cold finality.

As if he would ever want to see me again after Zane hit him and then threw him in the fountain! she yelled in frustration.

The bastard touched you! Zane yelled back.

He had his hand on my arm escorting me through the garden. Any man in the house would have done the same thing, including any of you, she said rationally.

He planned to kiss you, Jordan. From the way he looked at you all night, I happen to know that's what he intended, Zane added.

So what? Pushed past the point of caution, she bellowed the challenge.

Three shocked faces turned to stare at her in unison. You want to be mauled in a garden? Zane finally said tightly.

Of course not, but a kiss is hardly a mauling, she responded with exasperation. I can take care of myself, you know.

Oh, of course, you can, Zane snapped sarcastically. That's why we're always getting you out of trouble.

You don't get me out of trouble. You interfere, plain and simple, and I won't have it anymore. She stamped her foot in frustration.

You what? Zane advanced on her. Don't you dare—

Leave her alone. Tyler spoke again as he placed himself between Jordan and Zane. I think it might be wise to tell her what we know instead of trying to yell her into submission. He smiled reassuringly as he took her hands in his. Jordan, come sit down, he said softly. She studied him thoughtfully for several seconds before finally sitting with a great deal of frustration.

At the point of actually revealing the problem, Tyler suddenly grew uncomfortable and looked to his brothers for help. Zane instantly lost all his bluster and didn't seem inclined to speak further. Christopher merely shook his head and looked back at Jordan. She tapped her foot impatiently until Tyler finally spoke.

Sweetheart, I'm afraid we made a rather unsavory discovery concerning Brad Birmingham, he began hesitantly. All he got from Jordan in response was a cool stare, minus any hysterics, so he decided to be blunt. He's broke. He came to visit his relatives to escape gambling debts in New Orleans and hopefully find another source of money. Jordan still appeared unmoved, so he continued. You are not going to be that source of money. We did what was necessary for your own good, although I personally would have gone about it in a different manner. He looked pointedly at Zane when he made that remark.

He would have made you miserable, Jordan, Christopher added softly, concerned by her continued silence.

Tyler moved to sit beside her and took her hands in his once again. In general, his disposition was much gentler than his brothers, and he frequently stood between the other two and his sister when she inevitably upset them. His protective instincts rose to the surface as he studied her pale features. This was not like his sister. He gave the other two men a dark look.

Jordan simply sat and stared. For once, she was too furious to speak. Her brothers were all idiots. She couldn't understand how her wonderful parents had managed to produce the three total imbeciles. No wonder they hadn't stopped trying to have a daughter. The male offspring obviously possessed mental defects. The three men stared at her now with concern. Knowing them, they probably feared her tiny feminine brain had snapped. Well, she would be happy to set the record straight on that count.

You are all total idiots. She spoke so softly they almost missed the insult.

What did you—wait just a damn minute! Zane was the first to recover.

No, you wait! And be quiet while you're at it! All of you! Three huge men backed up simultaneously as she launched herself off the sofa in their direction. You really don't get it, do you? This is not about the worthiness of some man. This is about your constant interference in my life. She paced the room furiously. Do you really think I'm so dimwitted that I would fall madly in love with a man I've encountered a total of three times?

Well, of course not, Christopher bravely replied. No one is implying you're in love with the man.

So you're merely implying that I'm stupid enough to believe myself in love and ready to marry him, even though I couldn't have real feelings for him? Sarcasm dripped from every word. Not liking the way she turned that around on him, Christopher cautiously backed up another step.

Now, Jordan, we didn't say that either, Tyler said soothingly. You just appeared to be enjoying his company, and we didn't want anything developing further.

She stopped pacing long enough to stare at him, hands on hips, in frustration. I don't suppose it ever occurred to any of you that you could have simply told me about him at some other time instead of humiliating me in front of dozens of people. Waiting until the evening was over for some privacy wouldn't have hurt anything, she snapped.

My friend filled me in on the details of what Birmingham was up to when I bumped into him at the party. I had to handle the situation, Zane said defensively.

You could have waited. I'm not a child, and I'm not stupid. I'm perfectly capable of listening to information and making a responsible choice. I wouldn't have been interested in furthering an acquaintance with a notorious gambler, no matter how dimwitted you obviously think I am. She was past frustration and quickly approaching dejection. How could they think so little of her?

Well, hell, Jordan. I'm sorry, Tyler said softly.

Don't start apologizing to her. She is not seeing him again, Zane interrupted.

Back off! She doesn't want to see him. You heard her yourself. Tyler cast a warning look in Zane's direction.

That's what she says, Zane snapped. I happen to know our sister very well, and what she says and what she does aren't always the same thing.

She wouldn't lie about this. I happen to agree that we misjudged her by not trusting her to make the correct choice when presented with the facts. Tyler took a menacing step in Zane's direction, daring him to disagree.

If she says she doesn't want him, then she doesn't want him. Christopher moved to stand beside Tyler.

She's a woman, Zane muttered. She doesn't know what she wants.

That very masculine opinion summed it up completely in Jordan's mind. They would never change. They would always treat her like she was incapable of intelligent thought because she was a female and their baby sister. Even Tyler hadn't initially trusted her ability to make the right choice. With a deep sigh of regret, she ignored the chaos and moved to the door.

I'm going upstairs now. Her softly spoken words abruptly halted the heated argument between the men as they turned to look at her once again.

You understand that we're serious about this? Tyler asked sternly.

Of course. I won't be seeing him again, she conceded.

We mean it, Jordan. Zane moved to block the door.

And so do I. She pulled his head down to kiss him lightly on the cheek before sailing through the door. Three of the most feared men in the entire region breathed sighs of relief as she exited.

Jordan rolled her eyes heavenward as she headed up the stairs, leaving the men to congratulate themselves for masterfully handling the tricky situation. Her thoughts raced as she entered her room, pulled back the pale blue bed coverings, and threw herself onto the downy softness. She would never marry or have a life of her own if she remained in Boston with her brothers. One or more of them had already rejected every available man in the area. Despite friendships and ongoing business relationships with many of the men, the brothers simply didn't believe that any of them measured up to their standards for her.

She dreamed of finding the type of magical love shared by her parents, but she obviously needed to get away from the city and her brothers to find it. Of course, that was virtually impossible. They never let her go anywhere alone. A devilish gleam entered her eyes. On the other hand, they couldn't prevent her departure if they knew nothing about it.

With that captivating thought in mind, Jordan relaxed for the first time in hours. She closed her eyes and let her mind drift back to the previous night. She saw Zane hitting Brad and cringed, but then she remembered the splash and Brad's expression when Zane threw him into the fountain. A small smile touched the corners of her mouth. Brad was definitely a bit pompous and overbearing. A soft giggle escaped. He had certainly looked ridiculous sprawled in the fountain with water streaming down his face. Another giggle escaped.

It wasn't funny. How could her brothers have behaved so boorishly? Then she remembered the obviously dishonorable intentions Brad had apparently had for her from the moment they met. She didn't even try to contain her giggles any longer. It was definitely funny.

Chapter 2

London, England—1821

Just shoot me and put me out of my misery, Caine Wakefield muttered. I never should have agreed to my father's insane demands.

Nathan Hampton slapped his friend heartily on the back. Cheer up! he replied with deliberately false exuberance. He only demanded you give it a try for a few, short months. It will all be over soon.

That's easy for you to say, Caine said belligerently. You don't— He abruptly stopped and looked at his friend apologetically.

Nathan gave him a wry look. I'm sure you're not about to remind me that I don't have a father to harass me into finding someone to marry.

Sorry, Caine said. I'm very irritated, and that was thoughtless.

Nathan merely shrugged. I have to say, this might be the one time that it works in my favor to not be subjected to the demands of parents and a family.

You have Gabby, Caine pointed out with a chuckle. Your sister can certainly be demanding, but I don't think your marital status is high on her list of priorities.

Not so far, Nathan agreed. But she will eventually marry, and then I have no doubt that she will start harassing me about my future.

Then you better enjoy your freedom while you can, Caine said dryly.

Oh, she won't succeed, Nathan said with confidence. I will never marry, but it will undoubtedly take an annoying amount of time to convince her of that.

But look at all the lovely ladies, just waiting for a chance to catch your eye, Caine said with a mocking look around the ballroom. Don't tell me you're not completely enchanted and ready to throw away your future at the first skillful flutter of eyelashes.

Don't be an ass, Nathan drawled. I did you a favor by showing up to keep you company. I refuse to actually get trapped in a conversation with one of these fake creatures.

Caine whistled softly at his friend's harsh assessment. I agree that the ladies mostly seem to bat their eyelashes and simper without really saying anything of substance, but that's a little harsh, even for you.

Nathan shrugged nonchalantly. I suppose we could liven things up by approaching a couple of the young ladies, just to send their chaperones into a panic. It might break the monotony.

Speak for yourself, Caine said with a chuckle. I don't dabble in the seduction of innocent young debutantes, and I'm a future duke. I'm a bloody good catch—unfortunately. I'm sure the chaperones would love to see me show an interest, he said dryly.

Yes, well, I'm already a duke, and I have never seduced anyone who didn't want to be seduced, Nathan responded with a devilish grin.

A rake through and through, Caine said, and one guaranteed to keep all but the boldest of young ladies away. Their chaperones wouldn't dream of letting them get too close.

Nathan gave him an exaggerated look of indignation. So I'm just a tool to make sure all the marriage-hungry ladies leave you alone? Nathan asked with a laugh. I think I'm offended.

You'll get over it, Caine assured him.

Good luck when your father finds out you're deliberately scaring all the young ladies away, Nathan taunted with a grin. He paused to give his friend a thoughtful look. On the other hand, maybe you're going about this in the wrong way. If you were to indulge in a bit more debauchery, then I'm sure the ladies would quickly remove you from their potential husband lists, he said with a wicked grin.

Don't tempt me, Caine muttered. Unfortunately, the title comes to me, and I do have to eventually marry—someday. His expression clearly conveyed his dislike of the idea.

Suit yourself, Nathan said. Don't say I didn't try to help.

Nathan, I never imagined that you would be here this evening, a sultry voice interrupted.

Nathan and Caine both turned in surprise. Clarissa, Nathan responded with a smile. I'm merely keeping an old friend company. His gray eyes appreciatively took in the daring cut of her vivid blue gown. You look stunning this evening.

Thank you. And you look dashing, as always, she replied, giving him the same suggestive once-over.

Caine, have you met Lady Clarissa Newton? Nathan asked.

Caine shook