Historical Romance: The Lords of Love A Wardington Park Prequel Regency Romance

By Eleanor Meyers

 This is a Prequel regency romance novella to "Wardington Park" series - A Historical Romance Book

Before the Duke of Wardington, before marriage, and before the games of marrying off his three sons and their friends, there was simply Lord Martin...

 

There's only one sort for a rogue and that's more rogues.

So… when Martin and his friends spot London's newest and most beautiful lady, competition is struck.

 

Martin intends to use all his charm on Lady Ellen Kay simply to prove who amongst his group fulfills Tirso de Molina's Don Juan.

But there's another lady distracting his mission—an old friend. 

 

Before she became the queen of the season...

 

Lady Abigail Irwin has transformed since she was last seen by the beau monde.

Blossomed into a beauty, she now finds gentlemen willing to take her off the marriage market. While one man in particular seems the most interested, Abigail finds Martin's games to be the most exciting thing to ever happen to her. 

 

But in the end, everyone must make a choice and live with the consequences… 

 

A prequel to "The Wardington Park" universe, The Lords of Love is the novella that will answer many questions about the past. 

 

Who is Levi's mother? 

Why does Abigail reign supreme during the rule of Prince Regent? 

Who was Her Grace, the Duchess of Wardington? The woman whose death led Martin into his depression and back into the debauched life? 

 

If you're wondered the answers to these question, then get read to curl up in bed, a chair, or even a long flight, and brace yourself for Lord Martin...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Eleanor Meyers
• Release date: Sep 2, 2020
• ISBN: 9781536552256

Eleanor Meyers

Eleanor Meyers is a hopeless romantic who believes that one should breathe and live on love. She is especially intrigued by the love tales of the Regency era due to the juxtaposition of tradition and love in a very stylistic fashion. At a young age, she is inspired by the works of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer.  There is a strong romantic appeal about that era and it is Eleanor’s desire that readers will take time to come away with her through her writings and immerse oneself in that time when love was so pure and intense. In Eleanor’s writings, there is a pragmatic display of human’s imperfections; hence characters who may be flawed in certain ways. In the midst of dealing with one’s imperfections, a couple found love, found hope in each other and in God. Eleanor incorporated messages of redemption, forgiveness and sometimes inner deliverances from the bondages that so held a character for so long. It is her belief that no matter how seemingly hopeless one’s situation might be, there will always be hope. They key is to wait and to believe and to hold on. So come away with her and be enthralled in the beautiful Regency era!

Book preview

chapter 1

*   *   *

a note from the author

* * *

To You, My Readers

This book is a prequel to the Wardington Park series, but it is recommended that you read the first two books in the series To Love A Lord of London, and The Regards of A Rogue before reading this one. And while this book is sure to thrill and entertain, it will also answer many questions about the past. 

Who is Levi's mother? 

Why does Abigail reign supreme during the rule of Prince Regent? 

Who was Her Grace, the Duchess of Wardington? The woman whose death led Martin into his depression and back into the debauched life? 

If you're wondered the answers to these question, then get read to curl up in bed, a chair, or even a long flight, and brace yourself for Lord Martin...

* * *

London

April 1789

What would your mother say if she caught you speaking to me this way?

My mother isn’t here. Leaning forward, Martin Dawnton, the Marquess of Clariant, placed a kiss on the lady’s neck and felt her shiver against him. He grinned against her flushed skin before placing another heated kiss.

Clariant. Lady Dudley's hands wrapped around his shoulders tightly. Oh, she cried. You make an old spinster feel so alive.

He chuckled, pulled back, and stared at her. Lady Dudley wasn’t much to look at. Her hair was a dull brown, as were her eyes, and her nose took up much of her face. But her beauty was not his reason for being here on King’s Street in the back of Holland's. Once again, Martin was pleading his case to the Patroness. Seven ladies sat on the board, judging from on high, deciding who could come and go into the exclusive club. To not be received meant you were a social outcast. And your money and rank only went so far at Holland's. What got you in was your good name. At the age of twenty and one, Martin had already earned a very, very poor name, indeed.

His long fingers locked around the chair arm that the lady sat in. He was leaning over her with probably a good foot of distance between them. Her eyes were glazed over in lust. Her cheeks were flushed... and he’d barely touched her.

It seemed like it took forever for the woman to calm. When she did, she sighed and smiled. You’re Hades in the flesh.

I prefer Zeus.

She narrowed her eyes and grinned. Zeus? I was sure you would say Cupid. Her grin grew, which drastically improved her looks. After all, he’s the god of love.

But this has nothing to do with love. This is about domination, he said, lowering himself and his voice, hovering only an inch from her face. "If one should aim to rule, then he should take everything." On the word ‘take,’ he yanked her chair closer.

Lady Dudley closed her eyes and let out a sound that was both joy and agony. Clariant, she whispered.

Give me my voucher, he commanded, already growing tired of this game.

The lady stiffened. They don’t want you in here. They didn’t need to be explained. She meant the other Patronesses.

Martin sighed. But you do, so where’s my voucher?

Dudley looked away. I—

Perhaps, he paused. I should check under your layers.

Her cheeks flamed as she turned back to him. He’d never gone so far with her. Only ever teasing her until she was ready to faint. But that didn’t mean that Martin wouldn’t. And they both knew he could. On the moral scale, Martin came in very low as of late.

He fell to his knees before her, grinning as his fingers touched the end of her skirts. Shall I remove one layer or two? He paused, so his words would seep in. Definitely two.

Dudley’s breath quickened right before she leaned over toward her desk and presented Martin with the thing he’d come for. Take it and leave.

He didn’t have to be told twice, but threw her a wink before departing. Turning from the offices, he showed his voucher to the doorman.

Your cravat, my lord.

Martin fixed it without looking down. Appearances were everything at Holland's. Once he was done, the doorman moved and allowed him entrance.

Inside, he immediately felt like he was at home. Young and old stood around, laughing and drinking. The music made the air seem alive and the lights overhead cast the world into rich hues of taupe and cerulean.

Martin! He looked up and found his group staring down at him. Frank Eaton was grinning like a cat, his black curly hair falling in front of his striking face, and his pale eyes narrowed. I suppose they’re letting everyone in these days.

The other men around him laughed.

Martin chuckled. And I have you to thank for that, he countered. With you in the door, the standards have obviously lowered.

More laugher fell on him and with a quick turn, he went through a hall, up the flight of steps, and walked over to greet his friends. It was the first night of the season, and everyone was glad for it.

Martin found himself wrapped in a tight hug from Frank before he went over and hugged the other three men.

Lord Cecil Haywood, a handsome tall man with black hair and lavender eyes, looked Martin over after their hug. So, tell me. What did ol’ Dudley force you to do this time?

Martin slipped his hands into his coat pockets and shrugged. A gentleman never tells.

Charles Cartridge rolled his dark eyes and ran a hand though his dark hair before lowering his voice and saying, Good thing you’re not one of them.

Lord James Hatcher, who was ghostly ginger with eyes so pale you’d hardly notice their green, joined in. Definitely not. He’d put on some weight since Martin last saw him. Marriage was the cause. Out of all their friends, James had had the banns read before the rest of them. Martin, however, planned to take his time before joining someone in holy matrimony, because like James had pointed out. He was not a gentleman.

Martin chuckled. I simply told her to hand it over and she did.

That’s it? Charles frowned.

Martin nodded. I might have threatened to search her skirts for it.

His friends laughed. He’d missed them. This. It was the only reason to ever come to London... besides the women, of course.

Frank sucked his teeth as he went back to leaning against the railing. I don’t know why we come here anyway. It’s a marriage market.

Everyone went to peer over the rail and he was right. Men and women mingled, hoping to find a match for one reason or another.

We should go to Swifter’s, Cecil agreed.

There are no women at Swifter's, Martin countered with a grin.

Frank shook his head. I still can’t believe they let you in with the scandal you caused last year. Lady Lilias Temple had to see doctors for weeks once you were through with her.

Martin didn’t look at anyone when he said, I never made the lady any promises. It was the truth,