Enticed by Lady Elianna: Fabled Love, #3

By Amanda Mariel

Amidst a world of hidden secrets and societal constraints, the unexpected bond between a resilient woman trapped in servitude and a determined lord with a thirst for truth becomes their only salvation in this captivating Regency-era romance.

 

In the wake of profound loss…

 

Lady Elianna's world crumbled with her father's passing, thrusting her into the clutches of her conniving cousin's family. In servitude, she wore countless hats, from lady's maid to scullery worker, silently enduring. Then, a glimmer of hope arrives in the form of Lord Sinclair, who stirs dormant dreams within her weary heart.

 

A resolute gentleman on a mission…

 

A chance encounter in Hyde Park leaves Lord Sinclair captivated by Elianna's enigmatic aura. Certain that she harbors mysteries, he embarks on a quest to unveil her hidden truths. When an invitation to a lavish country house party emerges from Elianna's company, he seizes the opportunity, longing to unravel the enchanting mystery she embodies.

 

In the face of unforeseen destinies…

 

As Elianna strives to shield her secrets, passions ignite, and Lord Sinclair becomes an unwavering seeker of her concealed past. A pivotal night alters their course, thrusting her secrets into the unforgiving light and compelling decisive action. Could their love be the force that conquers her haunting history?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brook Ridge Press
• Release date: Jun 14, 2017
• ISBN: 9781540193216

Amanda Mariel

USA Today Bestselling, Amazon All Star author Amanda Mariel dreams of days gone by when life moved at a slower pace. She enjoys taking pen to paper and exploring historical time periods through her imagination and the written word. When she is not writing she can be found reading, crocheting, traveling, practicing her photography skills, or spending time with her family.

Book preview

Enticed by Lady Elianna

ENTICED BY LADY ELIANNA

FABLED LOVE BOOK 3

AMANDA MARIEL

CONTENTS

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Epilogue

Excerpt

Prologue

Chapter 1

About the Author

Also by Amanda Mariel

Afterword

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Copyright © 2016 Amanda Mariel

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the express written permission of the publisher.

Published by Brook Ridge Press

For Brian, you are my happily ever after, my heart and soul. Thank you for showing me that true love does exist.

PROLOGUE

England, 1812

A carriage is coming, Lady Elianna’s maid called into the parlor.

Elianna swallowed past the lump in her throat. Her distant cousin, the seventh Earl of Berkly must be arriving. She prayed the new earl would prove to be a kind man, for if not…she shuddered, refusing to continue with that particular line of thought. She had enough to contend with as it were.

Her heart remained heavy from the death of her father. He had been buried less than a sennight and now this stranger was arriving to claim all that had belonged to him. It pained her to watch her family home, all that her father had worked for, be handed off to a relation she had never been acquainted with. All the same, there was nothing she could do to change the situation.

She positioned her mourning veil over her face before going to stand in the grand foyer of her family’s Kent country home. Smoothing her skirts, she could not help but acknowledge how the black gown and accessories matched her mood. If the earl saw fit, he could demand her removed from the estate—tossed into the streets with nowhere to turn. She pushed back her rising panic. This was no time to give over to her fears. She gave a slight nod to the butler signaling him to allow her cousin entrance.

The butler opened the heavy oak door and a tall man with sable hair walked hastily into the foyer before coming to a stop in front of her. She met his hazel eyes through the fabric of her veil, then dropped into a curtsy.

You must be Elianna, the man said, his voice flat.

A chill trickled down her spine at his address. He had failed to use her proper title. She squared her shoulders, hoping the oversight had been unintentional. Welcome, my lord. I am, indeed, Lady Elianna.

He smirked. It is a pleasure to meet you, cousin.

Likewise, my lord. Before I leave you to get settled in, is there anything I can do for you? she offered.

Two liveried men crossed the foyer carrying a large trunk. No doubt they headed toward Father’s chamber with the new earl’s things. Tears pricked at her eyes but she did not allow them to fall. Looking back would serve her no purpose. Father was gone and he would never be back. Dwelling on what used to be would only bring her more heartache. She simply must accept the new earl and make him as welcome as she possibly could. The alternative of being tossed from her home with nothing demanded she remain polite—accommodating.

That will not be necessary. However, I would like an audience with you. Once I have had a chance to freshen up, that is.

Yes, my lord.

He took a step toward the staircase. Wait for me in the office, Elianna. Without awaiting her reply or acknowledgment, he took his leave.

She pressed her hands against her skirt in an effort to stop them from shaking. He seemed pleasant enough; perhaps all would be well. Still, the way he refused to address her as lady made her uneasy. Why would one ignore propriety in such a way? Perhaps the familial tie between them or the fact that he inherited everything and knew she was completely dependent on his generosity made him believe he had the right to address her informally.

Elianna strolled toward the office in no particular hurry to arrive. It would take Lord Berkly a good deal of time to wash away the travel dust and change into fresh clothing. She swallowed hard as tears threatened once more. Lord Berkly was her father, not this stranger. It seemed disrespectful for her to address another by her father’s title. How would she ever adjust to her new situation?

She entered the office and went to stand by Father’s—no, her cousin’s—desk. Could she ever get used to someone else having Father’s title and properties? With her hip propped on the edge of the desk, she gazed at the pictures lining the mantle over the hearth. Mama and herself in gilded frames and a picture of her with her parents sat prominently staring back at her. She closed her eyes against the onslaught of grief threatening to consume her. Soon, the pictures would likely be replaced by ones of her cousin’s family.

Have a seat.

She snapped her eyes open at the interruption. That was rather quick, she said, as she straightened before crossing to a high back chair.

Lord Berkly could not have done more than change his coat and wash his face. She’d expected to have more time to gather her courage and emotions.

With long, confident strides, he walked to the desk before lowering himself into Father’s chair and then propped his elbows on the polished mahogany surface as though the desk had always belonged to him.

Elianna swallowed back her protests over his casual treatment of her father’s things. All of her father’s belongings were now her cousin’s to do with as he pleased. She met the man’s gaze, offering a weak, but she hoped cordial smile.

Your father did not see fit to make provisions for you. He leaned forward, his cold stare holding hers. That leaves your future in my hands.

Elianna nodded, pushing back the trepidation tickling the back of her mind. I fear that is correct, my lord.

Father had passed away rather unexpectedly on his way home from a business matter. He’d been in good health and still young at thirty-six, a heart ailment, according to the local physician. Father had little reason to suspect his demise. Though after Mama’s untimely death, she supposed he should have considered what might happen to her upon his own passing.

I’d thought to send you to a convent. He looked her over, disdain marring his features.

Her stomach turned as she fought to hold her posture. A convent? How could he think to send her to such a place? She was a lady, an earl’s daughter. She deserved the right to find a husband—to live her life. My lord⁠—

However…He waved a hand through the air dismissing her words. My wife, Lady Berkly, has persuaded me to give you a choice in your fate.

Much to Elianna’s dismay, her eyes rounded betraying her surprise. Perhaps she and his wife would become friends. In all of her ten and seven years, she’d never had any true friends—certainly not other ladies. Father had been reclusive, leaving her with only the servant’s children