A Passionate Encounter

By Roxie Brandon

Amazing value Regency three-story collection. Jam-packed with romance, love, and adventure.

Charming dukes with attitudes and kind hearts. Lovely ladies who want to find love. You'll find all of this and much more in this collection.

The collection includes:

1.A Marriage of Convenience
2.The Earl’s Sweet Bride
3.A Perfect Agreement

• Language: English
• Publisher: Roxie Brandon
• Release date: May 13, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463156704

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

A Marriage of Convenience

CHAPTER ONE

England, 1819

Sandcliff Hall

I am so sorry my lady, your father left you penniless. The lawyer, Mr. Goodman informed Amanda.

Amanda inwardly flinched. Surely she had heard wrong.

What do you mean he left me without a penny? Amanda asked the lawyer again.

I told the late Viscount that this would happen but he refused to hear me. The lawyer said, looking at the young lady with pity. Of course, he had warned her father but the old man wouldn't listen.

What are you talking about? Amanda Kent asked the man.

Your father had simply left you with nothing. The lawyer hated to be the bearer of bad news but what else would he do?

I don't understand, my sister, Laura got married last three years and she is rumored to be an heiress. In fact, I heard that her dowry was the most talk of in the whole of London. Emily was calmed.

Yes, Laura is a very wealthy woman. The lawyer agreed.

What are you talking about? Emily asked him again.

Mr. Goodman took a good look at the young lady before him. She was seated in an arm chair, her head held as high as she could and her hands were placed on her thighs. She wasn't a beauty, but she was pretty in her own right with glorious blond hair and eyes the colour of violet.

Your father made your sister an heiress but you, you are left with nothing. Mr. Goodman announced.

Amanda's heart missed a beat. Surely, her father didn't hate her that much, did he?"

Nothing? How can that be? She tried to fight back the tears that threatened to flow down her cheeks.

My lady, your father had always... The man couldn't finish his statement. He coughed once and then twice.

I've known it that my father and sister hated me for the death of mother but surely, the hatred doesn't go so deep that he would leave me without a dowry, does it? Amanda asked, a tear running down her cheeks.

What happened to your mother was quite unfortunate and your father never stopped blaming you. If only you were a... The lawyer beamed, sadly.

Amanda didn't flinch. It was an open secret that both her father and older sister hated her but she didn't know that the hate ran so deep.

What is my fate? She asked the good lawyer.

Your cousin, Jason Kent is now the new Viscount of Kent. As we speak, he is currently on his way to Sandcliff with his family. The lawyer explained.

I haven't seen Cousin Jason since I was nine. Do you think he would let me live here? Amanda asked, hopefully.

The good lawyer stared down at his shoes.

As you very well know it, your cousin was banished from Sandcliff by your father when his father died. He wants nothing to do with either you or Laura.

Amanda was quiet for a full minute.

Are you saying that I am now not only penniless, but also homeless?

It seems so. He had given clear instruction for you to pack to your sister's. After all, you are not under his care. Mr. Goodman asked her.

If Cousin Jason is not my guardian, then who is? Emily asked with curiosity.

Your guardian is no other than the future Earl of Roosebud. The lawyer supplied.

What? Father made Eric my guardian? Why?

Mandy's violet eyes sparkled with indignation.

Surely, father wouldn't do this to me. She was already panicking.

Eric is your father's choice of man for you. He is currently in America and on his way back. All you have to do is marry him and...

Mandy lost her temper.

No way in hell will I marry that clod. I've always told father I will never marry Eric. She shouted, losing her calmness.

Lady Amanda, please do not forget that you are a lady. Do not curse again.

What happens if I refuse to marry Eric? She asked, her anger almost suffocating her.

Amanda, your marriage is schedule to hold in a week's time. Your father had seen about everything already but he died before he would see that day. You will marry Eric, or find yourself in the streets.

Mr. Goodman didn't understand why a father could be so heartless to his own daughter but who was he to judge.

I won't marry Eric. That despicable cur destroyed me. Because of him, father banished me to this place and... Amanda's voice choked.

She hated what was happening to her.

Amanda, the marriage between you and Eric had been arranged by both of your parents. The lawyer explained.

Please leave... She said when she realized she was going to cry.

Amanda... Mr. Goodman began.

I still have a sister. Now that father is gone, I am the only sibling she has left. Surely, Laura wouldn't turn me away, will she? Amanda asked the lawyer.

Your sister... He began but Emily smiled sadly.

Yes, my sister hates me but whether she likes it or not, I am her sister. She will have to look at me in the eyes and send me away.

The lawyer smiled but said nothing more. For years, he had watched the old Viscount bring up both of his children differently. While Amanda was banished to Sandcliff, her sister Laura lived with him in London and married there. Amanda was not even allowed to attend her sister's wedding.

Well, since your father is dead, your banishment is over. I think you can now travell to London.

Amanda smiled. She had been raised by her mother's maid after her banishment.

The lawyer smiled at Amanda. I will be returning to London tomorrow. You can come with me.

CHAPTER TWO

The trip to London was uneventful and Amanda found herself staring out. She knew that Mr. Goodman knew she didn't have the money to travell to London which was why he had invited her to come with him.

It's been ages. Amanda smiled.

After the tragedy that had killed her mother and made her father to banish her, she had remained in the country, living like an ordinary girl raised by servants. It’s been ten years and not once had her father or sister visited.

We are here. He said, just as the carriage stopped in front of a big house painted in white.

Laura lives here? Amanda asked him.

Yes. Emily climbed out of the carriage and held her valise to her. She refused to think of what would happen if her sister turns her away.

Go up. The man urged and Amanda, smiling at the man picked her simple gown and walked the stairs towards the large house.

She knocked on the doorbell and the door was immediately opened by a footman.

May I help you, my lady? The footman asked.

He knew a lady when he saw one and the girl standing before him was a lady. She had high cheekbones. She was small, and when she smiled he almost laughed because she had the best smiles in the world.

I am Lady Amanda Kent. I believe, my sister, the Marchioness of Blare lives here. Amanda smiled gain at the footman.

The footman looked t the lady before him again. She looked nothing like his mistress's sister. No, the two look so different.

Yes, is she expecting you? He asked.

No. Amanda answered quite honestly.

He opened the door wide for her to enter.

You may wait here while I send someone to get her. He said, leading her to the drawing room.

Amanda wasn't smiling. She was feeling uncomfortable. She waited for what seemed like ages and when the door came opened, Amanda looked up.

Her eyes met with her sister's. Laura was a true definition of beauty. She had a pair of sparkling emerald green eyes. Her hair was blonde and she was just...perfect. Beside her sister, Amanda looked plain.

Laura... Amanda managed to force her mouth to open.

What do you want? Laura asked and Amanda could read the bitterness in her sister's tone.

Come on Laura, it’s been over a decade. Amanda tried to smile.

Yes, it has been over a decade but I certainly never forgot what you did. You killed mother. Laura attacked, entering the room.

It was an accident... Amanda defended.

No, it wasn't. You were so full of yourself. I hate you, Amanda and I never want to see you again. Her sister said and turned to go.

It’s been over a decade. Haven't you and father punished me enough? Amanda cried. Her valise was on the floor.

Hearing that, Laura stopped. She turned and smiled at her sister. No, you haven’t been punished enough.

I was just a girl. Amanda said, letting the tears run down her cheeks.

You were just a girl? You were ten years old and you knew you couldn't swim yet you jumped into that lake, forcing her to jump in to save you. Yes, she did save you, but she died in the process.

I ran home to get help.

Get out of my house. Laura shouted.

Did you know? Father left me alone, homeless and penniless. I've got no one but you. Amanda couldn't stop the tears from falling.

Good for you, Amanda. There are jobs you can do.

What sort? Amanda asked.

You may not be beautiful but I can see that you've grown into a woman. You can survive, by serving men on your back.

As soon as she said that, she laughed, wickedly.

You want me to be a whore because you don't want to take me in.

Mother has always loved you more than I and you killed her.

Laura walked out of the room and Amanda, wiping her eyes, realized that she was in serious problems. Her sister had just deserted her and she was alone, penniless and homeless.

I do not have a sister. She murmured to herself, finally accepting her situation.

Amanda wiped her tear stained face with a handkerchief. Just then, the door came open and a man of about thirty walked in. He looked at Amanda and smiled.

I guess you are Amanda, the sister who killed her mother!

Amanda stared at the man. She had no doubt she was staring at her sister's husband.

I didn't kill her. It was an accident and I was just a child. Amanda defended.

"That was not what my wife told me. According to her, you fancied yourself in love with Eric Miller, the second son of the Earl of Miller. You made your parents promise to let you marry him when you come of age but Eric didn't love you.

You were just ten but you..." Amanda panicked. She wouldn't let him say that out loud.

Shut the hell up. Amanda shouted.

You have a temper that isn't good for a lady. How about you show some remorse even for once? Her sister's husband asked her.

Amanda didn't say a word. Her sister had already poisoned her against her husband and there was nothing she could do. Slowly, she picked her valise and began heading out.

Amanda? He called.

She stopped but dared not turn back.

My wife is right. You are nothing but a whore. You've always been one since you were ten. Amanda didn't say a word. She walked out of the room and down the corridor towards the door.

The footman smiled at her but his smiled disappeared as soon as he saw the tears in her eyes. She stepped out of the house and looked down the staircase. Mr. Goodman was there, waiting.

You...stayed? She stammered.

I didn't know if she would throw you out or not and knowing that you are innocent, I couldn't bear to leave. I guess my intuition was right, after all. Amanda wiped her face again and tried to calm down.

What are my options, now? She asked him.

CHAPTER THREE

You have to marry Eric Miller. Mr. Goodman told her.

No way in hell. That man...

You have to marry him Amanda. Your father had made sure you two will be married.

Father wants me to marry Eric because he knew just how very much I hated him.

"Shush. You will remain at the Kent town house for now. You have until the end of this week to pack out.

Amanda had nothing to say. She was quiet as