Infinitely My Marquess: Ever Beloved, #3

By Dawn Brower

Some fairytales are twisted

As the daughter of a duke, Lady Annalise Palmer should be living a charmed life. Appearances can be deceiving though—her father has ensured that her entire life has been filled with nothing but heartache and hardship. Happiness is an elusive emotion, and love nonexistent. She has no reason to believe she'll find either.

Ryan Simms, the Marquess of Cinderbury has been alone nearly his whole life. After his father died, he was abandoned by his grandfather and left in the care of his wicked stepmother. From a young age he learned not to trust a lady, and especially, never to fall in love.

They are two lost souls in search of salvation. Together they can help each other heal, if they can believe in the possibility of happiness, and escape the torment they've both suffered, and along the way discover an eternal love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Monarchal Glenn Press
• Release date: Jan 29, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386228851

Book preview

Infinitely My Marquess

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. 

― Lao Tzu

Contents

Ever Beloved 3

Infinitely My Marquess

Acknowledgments

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Epilogue

Afterword

Sneak Peek: Rebellious Angel

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

About Dawn Brower

Also by Dawn Brower

Thank You

Infinitely My Marquess

Ever Beloved 3

Dawn Brower

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Infinitely My Marquess Copyright © 2019 Dawn Brower

Cover art and edits by Victoria Miller

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

This book is for everyone that believes in love and hope to one day find it. Sometimes you just have to have faith, and sometimes it has been there all along. Keep believing and someday love may find you.

Acknowledgments

As always thanks to my cover artist, Victoria Miller. You are fabulous as always. Also thanks to Elizabeth Evans—you make writing fun. Thank you for helping me and reading all my rough drafts.

Prologue

England 1795

Wedding Bells echoed through the countryside, announcing the impending wedding of Lord Victor Simms, the second son of the Duke of Ashthrone, and Lady Penelope Everly. It wasn’t the first marriage for either one of them. Little Ryan Simms was excited to finally have a mother. It had been his father and him for as long as he could remember. Soon, he’d have a mother and two sisters as well—Delilah and Mirabella. Delilah was two years older than Ryan and had the blackest hair he’d ever seen. Mirabella had red hair and was a year younger than him. Ryan had celebrated his seventh birthday a month before the wedding.

How are you doing, my boy? His father leaned down and ruffled his hair. Are you happy?

Yes, Papa, he answered. He wanted to tell his father he’d never been happier, but he didn’t know if he could. His father seemed to have a lighter mood, and he didn’t want to remind him of sadder times. His touch had always been gentle, but he’d been gloomy more often than not. Even a boy of seven recognized grief, and though he’d never known his mother, Ryan still missed her every day. Lady Penelope couldn’t replace that hole, but she could fill it partially.

I’m glad, his father said. It feels wonderful to have joy in our lives. Now run off to sit with the nanny. Be a good boy.

Ryan did as his father said and ran to sit with his nanny in the pew. Delilah and Mirabella were already there. They sat with their back straight and somber expressions on their faces. Were they not glad to be a part of a whole family again? Why did they seem so—unhappy?

Lady Penelope walked down the church aisle and joined Ryan’s father. The vicar said a lot of things Ryan didn’t fully understand, but he didn’t really care. All that mattered was he’d have a family at the end. One that would always be there for him, shower him with love, attention, and lots of hugs. He really wished he had someone who hugged him more often. He’d seen a mother and son once. He hadn’t known what he missed until that day. The woman had pulled her boy into her arms, hugging and kissing him as if he were the most precious thing to her.

The vicar asked his father to repeat some words, and then Lady Penelope. They both had done as he asked. At the conclusion, he declared them wed. Everyone in the church clapped their hands. A smile filled Ryan’s face, and he clapped along with them.

He’s a foolish boy, Delilah said, turning her nose up in the air. I can’t believe we have to deal with him every day now.

Mirabella nodded, but Ryan didn’t think she even understood Delilah. Girls were an enigma he couldn’t help wondering if he’d ever figure out. Especially since he’d never had to deal with any of them before. What is foolish?

He doesn’t even realize what an insult is, Delilah scoffed. "I suppose that might make things more interesting.

Ryan didn’t think so, but at the moment he didn’t care to decipher what she meant. He shrugged and tugged nanny’s sleeve. Is it time to leave yet? I’m sleepy. He was seven, and he’d already done more than he usually did. His father didn’t let him leave the house much. It was as if he feared he’d lose Ryan if he lost sight of him. Nanny coddled him at his father’s behest.

As soon as the happy couple leaves, we can follow behind them.

Ryan nodded and waited for his father and his new mother to depart the church. Then nanny could take him home. Maybe he could play with his toy soldiers in his room. He rather liked the peace and quiet. There’d been too much noise of late in his home. Everyone had to come to visit for the wedding. He even had a new cousin—Lady Estella. She was a tiny baby and couldn’t play with him, but he liked looking at her. Nanny helped take care of her while they visited so he got to peek at her often.

Finally, his father and Lady Penelope headed down the aisle. After they exited the church, everyone stood to follow them out. Nanny took his hand and turned to Delilah and Mirabella. Come with me, girls.

We don’t have to listen to you, Delilah said haughtily.

Yeah, no listen, Mirabella echoed.

Nanny let out an exasperated breath. I don’t have time for a temper tantrum. You two come with me now, or I’ll wring your ears.

Delilah stood and turned her head defiantly. I am walking out, but not because you told me too. I want to go home, and I shall. Mirabella ran after her as they exited the church.

Ryan placed his hand in nanny’s. Do they know the way?

I don’t know, poppet, she said. We best follow after them. Those two are going to make me crazy. Pretty soon we will long for the quiet, and have trouble recalling what it was like.

He nodded at nanny even though he didn’t understand. Why would he not have any more quiet? Shouldn’t he always have it in his room? That was his safe space. He supposed he’d figure it out later. It was a happy day. His father told him so, and he chose to believe it.

England 1800

Ryan, his stepmother shouted. Her shrill voice pierced his eardrums even from the distance that separated them. He still couldn’t believe he’d been excited to have that woman as a mother. Come down here now, you silly boy.

He stared at the bare walls of the attic she forced him to sleep in. His nice bedroom had been taken away and given to Delilah. Oh, it hadn’t happened at first, but once his father died Lady Penelope had gained complete control over him. He should be preparing to go to Eton, yet he remained stuck as Lady Penelope’s unpaid labor. She claimed they didn’t have the funds to send him to school and give her girls the proper education they deserved. So she’d hired tutors for them all. He got his education by default. She wouldn’t have have allowed him to meet with the tutor at all if she could have prevented it; however, his grandfather, the Duke of Ashthrone insisted on quarterly reports. If he didn’t hear from Lady Penelope, then they wouldn’t receive any funds.

Ryan hopped down the stairs two at a time and headed into the sitting room. Lady Penelope sat on the chaise reading a book. Her two daughters, Mirabella and Delilah were in chairs opposite of her. Delilah worked on needle work, and Mirabella painted watercolors on a canvas.

It’s about time, Lady Penelope scoffed. I need you to start a fire. It’s getting chilly in the room.

His stepmother had dismissed almost all the servants. Another way to be frugal and spend money on her daughters and herself—they were all selfish. The only staff they’d kept was a cook and a driver. Ryan couldn’t be seen on top a carriage driving them around. That would make it back to his grandfather, and then she’d have a lot to answer for. As far as cooking—Lady Penelope had tried to make him do that. She’d given up when she realized he was horrid at it. He’d never been so grateful he was terrible at something. Ryan had practically been his stepmother’s slave since his father’s death a few years ago. He couldn’t wait until he came into his inheritance, small that it was, and make Lady Penelope leave his home. Surely she had relatives she could live with. He’d never disliked anyone as much as he did his stepmother and two stepsisters.

Right away, Ryan replied.

He set to work lighting the kindling in the hearth. Soon flames licked the wood and warmth spread outward. Ryan stood and brushed his hand over his pants, leaving a streak of ashes and soot in their wake.

Go and wash. You look disgraceful.

Ryan clenched his jaw tight and nodded at his stepmother. He didn’t trust himself to speak. A loud boom