The Lady and the Beast

By Roxie Brandon

Without a dowry, Lady Jane knew not to count on her looks to land her a husband. When her mother summons her back to London and she receives a proposition from an Earl she’s never met, she wonders what sort of man would send someone to propose on his behalf? What sort of man would marry a woman he’s never met before? With little options, she agrees she will at least meet the Earl, but nothing could prepare her for the surprise in store for her...

Lord Edward had no need for a wife and is only searching for a one because of the ridiculous clause his father left in his will. Adamant that his marriage would be in name only, he sends his best friend to find him the most unmarriageable woman in all of London. Certainly the beauty his friend brings to his country estate could not fit this description. Edward must get rid of her and fast...before he falls in love with a beauty who could never return the affections of a beastly earl.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Roxie Brandon
• Release date: Dec 18, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463408339

Roxie Brandon

Roxie Brandon is an author of historical and contemporary romance, beauty and fashion books.Her romances range in setting from Medieval times to the Twentieth Century.She loves walks in the countryside and having afternoon tea with family and friends.

Book preview

The Lady and the Beast

Copyright © 2018 Roxie Brandon All Rights Reserved

This book is a work of fiction. The characters, events, and places portrayed in this book are products of the author’s imagination and are either fictitious or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

Chapter One

A wave of envy washed through Lady Jane as she stood just inside the sitting room of the new Duchess of Langley. From her position at the entrance of the sitting room, she observed Lady Langley, her sister by marriage, and her husband, the Duke. What ever the Duke was telling his lady, the Duchess’s eyes lit up and the smile on her face was dreamy. Without warning, the Duke plucked his wife up from the couch and plopped her right onto his lap in a scandalous position that set Jane’s face aflame. Yet, she could not pull away as the Duke kissed his wife. The protest Lady Langley made at first was drowned out by her sighs and moans that now filled the living room.

When he popped her beloved sister’s bosom from her gown, Jane decided that quite frankly she had seen enough. Her breathing shallow and a strange feeling in the pit of her stomach, she silently backed out of the room. She decided she would give the pair some privacy. With three children afoot they were lucky to have five minutes alone to themselves.

Mama! Papa!

As though on cue, the twins raced into the house trailing a track of mud on their shoes behind them.

Uh uh! Jane easily grasped them with both her arms before they could bolt pass her. Where do you think you are going?

We want to show mama and papa the toad we saw at the pond! Pippa cried, her eyes wide with excitement. Her long had come undone from the plaits Evelyn had introduced to her hair. Given Pippa was behind her twin brother in everything, she barely had time to listen to her governess about being a lady. She was fast tracked on the way to becoming a little hoyden and the Duke and Duchess indulged her.

I would be delighted if you showed me this toad, Jane announced, trying to distract them from their earlier purpose. Is it this big? She held her hands wide open which prompted a laugh from both Philip and Pippa.

Toads cannot really grow that big, Philip scoffed, then he frowned. Can they?

Maybe, Jane replied. Now are you going to show me this toad or not?

The children took the bait and Jane followed them out to the pond. She remained a good distance from the animal they pointed out to her because good gracious, it was quite the biggest and ugliest toad she had ever seen. She grimaced and pretended interest while keeping her eye fixed on the toad. Evelyn was going to owe her one for this.

When she was satisfied that Evelyn and the Duke had enough free time, she shooed the children back to the house, reminding them that they were forbidden from visiting the pond without adult supervision. The Duke had become strict about the pond since Pippa had fallen in and Evelyn had to rescue her. Jane still thought of the way the Duke and her sister had fallen in love to be quite endearing. In the meantime, she was waiting on her own love story to begin.

On a sigh, she walked to the house, feeling a tad depressed. It was not that she wasn’t grateful for Evelyn and the Duke to have taken her in. She was grateful, but she did not get along too well with the countryside. The nearest neighbor’s house was a good riding distance away and there were not as many entertainments to have hereabouts. She could see the appeal to a married couple but saw no benefit to her a single woman.

She wanted to return to the city and have Lord Canterbury dote on her once more. She had remained her because of the embarrassment she was likely to face should she return to London. Her mother was practically shunned from polite society after it was found out what she had done to Evelyn.

When Jane returned to the sitting room, Evelyn and the Duke were as if nothing had happened. Trying to keep back her smile, Evelyn walked in. They looked up at her with concern as she entered, and she had the feeling that something was wrong. Had they seen her before she left them in their amorous embrace this morning?

Jane, I have not seen you all morning, Evelyn announced.

I went for a walk to the pond, Jane replied and took a seat. Everything about the Duke’s home was so comfortable. Evelyn had recently decorated and the furniture had all been shipped from France. The children roped me into seeing this ghastly toad they had discovered.

They went to the pond alone? The Duke asked with a groan. I swear those two scamps will be the death of me.

They returned with me, Jane said quickly. They are about somewhere.

Probably watching James sleep. Evelyn retrieved a letter from the table beside her and held it out to Jane. This was delivered a few minutes ago.

Jane’s heart skipped a beat and she reached for the envelope with excitement. She had stopped receiving letters from Lord Canterbury six months ago. She was so certain this letter was from him. Her face fell when she recognized the handwriting on the front.

’Tis from mother.

Aye, that it is, Evelyn responded.

Hmm, she has not written in almost a year. Jane broke the seal of the envelope and took out the single sheet of paper.

Dearest Jane,

I know I have caused you great distress and I cannot fault you. All I can do is express to you and Evelyn how truly sorry I am. I do believe life has punished me for all the wring that I have done.

I am sick and dying Jane and it would bring me great pleasure to see you as it may be the last time that I will see you. I do not want to die with this anger and resentment between us. Please, give me a chance to do the right thing.

Reviews for The Lady and the Beast

[Karen Felkers · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book needs a bit of (beter) proofreading, otherwise quick and enjoyable.