The Lady and The Smuggler

By Linda Kaye

Nicholas Feldmore is one of the wealthiest merchants in London who has spent years working hard just to be allowed to stand on the edge of polite society and each encounter leaves him wanting to be accepted into their fold. Despite his dreams of becoming accepted by those in the upper class, he knows that he should be grateful for the small bits of reception because if they knew of his past, he would certainly be cast outside of their circle forever.
But when one man begins digging around and threatening the secrets of his life, Nick is determined to thwart his plans. And in the process, he stumbles across that very man’s own niece, Lady Katherine.
Lady Katherine Turnbull, daughter of an earl, and niece and ward of the man who holds the title now, is enthralled by this dark and mysterious merchant and can’t seem to stop thinking about him. Even as Nick tries to distract her from her plans, she refuses to give up.
When their names are linked together in the same mystery, Nick fears for the safety of the woman who is worming her way into his heart. But will his past catch up to him before he can stop it?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Linda Kaye
• Release date: Jun 21, 2020
• ISBN: 9781370983971

Linda Kaye

Allow me to introduce myself. I am Linda Kaye , a writer of historical romance novels and novellas.I want my characters to be realistic. We all have flaws, and characters in a novel should as well. I want characters that come alive on my pages and stand out in your memory, even if they are not the type of person you would want to have as a friend!Aside from writing I work full time and I am a mother of a son and a miniature dachshund. My heritage is a twist of midwest farm girl with deep south ties. I enjoy reading (obviously!), genealogy, counted cross stitch, and watching football and baseball.Some of my favorite authors and books are Harper Lee's;To Kill a Mockingbird, Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House Series, Johanna Lindsey, Kat Martin, and Eugenia Price.

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The Lady

and

The Smuggler

Sins of the Past Series Book 1

by

Linda Kaye

This book is dedicated to my adorable new work assistant, Oscar. Throughout this new way of working from home, he has faithfully stayed right under my desk, never complaining, listening to me vent, and offering an ear to scratch when needed.

The Lady and The Smuggler © 2020 by Linda Kaye. All Rights Reserved.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

Cover designed by VJ Dunraven Productions

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Linda Kaye

Visit my website at www.lindakayebooks.com

Printed in the United States of America

First Printing: June 2020

ISBN-13 ooo-0-0000000-1-2

Chapter One

It was an ordinary moonless black night on the London docks when an ordinary sleek black coach pulled up to a stop and a man dressed from head to toe in black stepped out into the darkness and headed straight for a berth. Except the man was anything but ordinary.

As he strode purposefully toward his destination, he never glanced around him. He had no need to, for he knew without checking that four guards were spread out behind him with others already checking the path before him. The docks were not a safe place anytime of the day, but less so at night and even less when there was no moonlight. But this man had no fear.

Evenin’, handsome, a woman purred in his direction. If yer needin’ a little company, I’d be happy to help ye out.

The man’s head jerked to the side. Not tonight, love. I’ve work to do, he replied in a voice softer than one would expect and one which did not match his dark hardened appearance.

The whore threw her head back and laughed. Ain’t we all. She sighed with regret of what could have been and watched the tall man continue on his way without so much as a glance back at her.

The man had one objective at the moment, to get his cargo unloaded and safely into his warehouses before anybody became wiser. He swung his hips around a corner and leapt onto the gangplank leading to the ship. His foot had just touched the decking when a man confronted him.

Where’s my damn liquor, Feldmore? the man barked and approached until he was standing a foot in front of him.

Nick Feldmore never flinched. The man did not intimidate him, he had faced down bigger threats in his thirty years, and this one certainly wasn’t worth an ounce of concern. Ignoring the man, Nick turned to his own employee. Nate, has the inventory been accounted for?

The older man grinned at Nick’s dismissal of the intruder. Aye, everything is accounted for, except for a few minor medicinals that the captain needed.

Nick nodded and started to head down into the hull when the man reached out and grabbed his arm. Dammit Feldmore! Who in the hell do you think you are? I demand to know why you have let this cargo sit here for two days before you decided to show up!

Nick glanced down at the hand touching his arm and slowly raised his head to meet the blustering man’s eyes. The menacing stare Nick shot him had an immediate effect, and the man quickly released his arm. Mr. Fowler, I suggest you take yourself back to your tavern while you can before I decided to make certain you cease to exist.

Mr. Fowler swallowed. Look, I mean no harm. I just need that liquor. The boys get thirsty at my tavern, and I just thought I would help you out by coming to get it. It’ll save you time from delivering it.

Nick raised his hand slowly, his eyes never leaving Fowler’s. His thumb and middle finger slid together in a loud snap. A hush fell over the activity onboard as the men paused to watch what would happen next. John, he called without raising his voice. Show Mr. Fowler back to his carriage and remind him of his delivery schedule.

Now wait a damn minute! Fowler growled. You can’t just blow me off that way. You ain’t nothing but a lousy criminal. Ain’t fit to walk the same streets as decent...

The man never finished his sentence before Nick threw a single punch that landed on Fowler’s jaw and knocked him unconscious. Change of plans, John, he stated. Once you deposit Mr. Fowler in his carriage, cancel his future deliveries.

John grinned. Right away, sir. Taking the slumped man by his arms, he proceeded to drag him down the gangplank until the darkness swallowed them.

Nate chuckled. He ain’t going to like that.

Nick shrugged. I’m not going to start pissing down my leg to please anybody.

Even him? Nate asked and nodded out into the darkness.

Nick followed his gaze and saw another carriage stopped beneath a single streetlamp. Two large men were standing guard outside and quietly waiting. He sighed. How long has he been here?

Nate shrugged. An hour, no more.

His eyes narrowed. He knew who was in the carriage, but he did not know what he wanted. This time. He let out a heavy breath. Any trouble on the journey? he asked and tore his gaze away from the carriage.

Nothing out of the ordinary, Nate replied.

Alright, then. Let’s get to work, he said and strode to the hold. The workers jumped into action as if this was an ordinary night. For hours, the men moved the cargo under the shroud of darkness until every last item had been loaded into the waiting wagons and headed toward their assigned warehouses.

It was then that Nick could turn his attention to the carriage that was still waiting, the two guards still standing. He shook his head and left the ship.

As he approached the carriage, the two men wordlessly stepped aside. Nick opened the door and pulled himself inside. It was as dark inside as it was outside. He sat back in the plush carriage and let his head fall back against the seat allowing the luxury to enfold his body. Never let it be said that the Duke of Rothmore skimped on comfort.

You work too hard, the man said.

Nick lifted his head and raised an eyebrow. The bills don’t pay themselves, he returned.

A chuckle. The man shifted. No, I don’t suppose they do, but you’ve enough to hire the hard work done.

And how would I know it is being done properly? he asked sarcastically. This was a man who had probably never broke a sweat in his life yet had more money and power than nearly anybody. How could he possibly understand the fear of losing it all?

That’s one of the reasons I admire you, Nick, Rothmore stated. When Nick did not reply, the duke continued. I have a job for you.

I already have a job.

Nevertheless, you will take this one. The words were a command, given by a man not accustomed to anybody denying his smallest wish.

Nick shifted his position, wanting to tell him to go to hell but knowing that if he did so, it would destroy his own life and that of his employees. What this time?

Ah, I sense you grow tired of my requests, the duke noted. But we both know that you have no choice if you want to continue with your little enterprise.

Fury surged through Nick. He sat up and leaned toward the older man. Everything I do is on the up and up. You should know that with all your contacts in the government. I do so enjoy their weekly inquiries into my affairs.

Now it is, the duke answered flatly. A reminder of Nick’s past. A reminder of why the duke held so much power over him to this day. You draw attention to yourself by working under the cover of darkness.

Darkness is for the desperate. Are you desperate, Duke? Is that why you ventured out into the night? He knew he was taunting, but he didn’t appreciate being forced to serve this man. He heard the duke snort and knew that Rothmore was wearing his trademark sardonic smirk.

Nick, one day you may thank me for all that I have done for you.

Threatening me? Spying on me? You call those favors?

One day, he repeated. Now, the job.

Nick blew out a frustrated breath. He hated being trapped, but the duke held him by the bollocks and there was nothing he could do except bow and scrape to the man’s whims. What is it this time?

Kilbourne. Do you know him? Rothmore asked.

The Earl of Kilbourne? Rather low-key aristocrat. Prefers scotch and hazard. Wife has a fixation for red silk scarves, although she never wears them in public, so it makes one wonder what she does in private with them. Three daughters, one married, one widowed, and one on her first season.

Rothmore raised an eyebrow. Impressive. You do your research well on the peers.

Nick snorted. I can also tell you that the butcher on Oxford Street is having an illicit affair with his son’s wife while the son is making deliveries. His own wife stays drunk most days, and the son has three bastards by three different women beget while making those deliveries.

Ah! the duke commented sounding impressed. I suppose when one is in trade, one must know their clientele to keep them all happy.

Kilbourne? Nick asked growing impatient.

Oh, yes. Kilbourne. He has become curious of our little secret. Claims he has proof. I want the proof.

Nick stiffened. What proof is there?

I’ve no idea, but it appears that he has a deep interest in your past. He’s approached me on more than one occasion inquiring if I had any knowledge of an Alex Baine who hailed from near my country estate.

His blood froze. Nobody, save the duke, knew anything of Nick’s past. He hadn’t been called Alex Baine in over fifteen years. That was a name and a life he had left far behind him. Only by accident had the duke discovered his identity.

I will find his proof, he growled. He would not be threatened by Kilbourne or anybody for that matter.

See that you do, Northrup stated firmly.

Nick knew when he was being dismissed and opened the door. He stepped outside, wanting to get away and clear his head. He needed to think of what or how or who could have made his past