Lady Maddie: The Dirty Birds Series, #1

By S. Cinders

Introducing the debut novel in the scintillating Dirty Birds Series by USA Today Bestselling Author S. Cinders—a Regency romance with a modern twist!

 

Once close companions, now strangers at best. Can an obstinate Earl win back the heart of his childhood friend?

 

Lady Maddie, daughter of a Duke, has known little beyond the sheltered confines of her country estate, raised by her maternal aunt after being orphaned at a tender age. But when the call to London for her coming out arrives, Maddie finds herself thrust into a world of dazzling ballrooms and a swarm of suitors vying for her hand. Amidst the whirlwind of high society, there's one man who consistently irks her, no matter the circumstance.

 

Enter Christian, the Earl of Saxton—accustomed to command and accustomed to getting his way. A notorious rake and unapologetically idle, Christian is less than pleased when his father assigns him the task of accompanying Maddie through her debut season. Yet, as he begrudgingly fulfills his duty, he's taken aback by the transformation in Maddie, realizing she's blossomed into a woman of remarkable allure.

 

Maddie and Christian's tumultuous journey from strangers to lovers is bound to enthrall you. Prepare for a modern Regency romance brimming with passion, wit, and a happily ever after that will leave you breathless.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Savage Ink Press
• Release date: Nov 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201729929

S. Cinders

S. CINDERS is a multi-genre author with over thirty titles ranging from sci-fi romance, historical romance, new adult romance, fractured fairy tales, to paranormal romance. S. CINDERS lives in the Midwest with her husband and two teenage sons who keep her on her toes. Known as the naughty romance author, you will remember her for her banter and engaging characters. Once you start, you won't want to stop! "S. Cinders writes characters that I would want to hang out with in real life!" -KAT "No matter what genre she writes, Cinders always has me laughing my head off!" -ANGE "Loved it. It was heartfelt and touching. Not many stories surprise me but this one did." HUNTER & HOLT - Carol

Book preview

DIRTY BIRD SERIES

BOOKS 1-17

Dirty Bird Series

Lady Maddie - Book 1

Lady Cece - Book 2

Lady Elizabeth - Book 3

Lady Rebecca - Book 4

Lady Sophie - Book 5

Miss Margo - Book 6

Rakes vs. Wallflowers Series

Lord Randall - Book 7

Lord Moberly - Book 8

Lord Shore - Book 9

Mister Moberly - Book 10

Lord Bosworth - Book 11

Lord Warner - Book 12

Secrets, Scandals & Spies

Lady Lillian - Book 13

Lady Samantha - Book 14

Lady Juliana - Book 15

Miss Lizzie - Book 16

Lady Anne - Book 17

PROLOGUE

MADDIE – AGE 7

Hooves pounded over the cobblestones as the vast ducal carriage sailed into Mayfair, finally coming to a stop at 4 Grosvenor Street. A footman opened the door of the carriage, and the Duke of Carthage himself stepped forward to greet the occupants.

Lady Madeline, we are honored to have you here with us. And, of course, your esteemed aunt, Miss Browning.

But when no one came forward to exit the carriage, the Duke acted. Frowning slightly, he looked over at his fourteen-year-old son, Christian. Already almost as tall as his 6’3" father, the young Earl of Saxton was well on his way to manhood.

In response to his father’s silent question, Christian merely shrugged helplessly. Truly, what did either of them know about a seven-year-old girl in mourning?

The Duke cleared his throat, girded his loins, as they say, and leaned his head into the carriage. It was only then that he realized the issue at hand. The child in question was utterly bereft: huddled into a ball on her aunt’s lap, she lay sobbing.

I do apologize, Your Grace, the aunt’s lyrical voice floated out to them. Maddie is overcome and is most difficult to move when she is so upset.

The woman looked so very much like her deceased sister that it was shocking. The Duke simply stared at the young lady holding the trembling child in her arms.

I know…I resemble Elise a great deal, she flushed. The hands that wrapped around the child were trembling. I have been told that quite a bit lately.

The Duke shook his head, I do beg your pardon, Madam, it is only that Joshua and Elise were wonderful friends of mine. I had known him since Eaton. We were both young Dukes together. As he was already one and I was the heir at the time, we struck up a lifelong friendship. And seeing you, it was like having them both back again, if only for a moment.

The young woman nodded, Both spoke of you and your late wife with fondness. I am so sorry, Your Grace.

The Duke tried to smile, and nodded in acknowledgment, Thank you for that. We too are sorry for the loss of your sister. We were so shocked at their passing. It was tragic to have them both taken so quickly and to leave a child behind—it is so devastating.

A tear made its way down her cheek.

The Duke’s son, Christian, cleared his throat uneasily beside his father. The Duke knew that his son was uncomfortable with the situation. And that he desperately missed his mother.

The young woman’s lip trembled, Thank you for that. I miss my sister. She glanced down: We both do.

The child looked up at the Duke with tears making distinct tracks down her thin face. Please don’t force me to leave Aunt Mary, please…

Her pleas were heart-wrenching; the Duke felt the worst sort of cad. He looked up into the aunt’s haunted eyes. Good heavens, he wasn’t a monster. He was merely the child’s new guardian. Besides that, the Duke’s household had sorrows of their own that they were fighting.

Death had a way of destroying the living.

Child, I will not separate the two of you. He would move heaven and earth, if necessary.

Not only for this little girl who was so bereft, but for his best friend and his wife who would never get the chance to see their little girl grow up, have her first dance, walk down the aisle, or have a family of her own. I promise you, Lady Madeline, you will have your Aunt Mary.

Fresh tears began to slide down the woman’s checks, Elise had told me that you were a good man; now I know this to be true. Thank you, Your Grace.

He looked her straight in the eyes, It is you that I have to thank, Miss Browning.

She looked at him confused.

I know that you will be a good mother to the child. For that, I am more grateful than you could ever know.

Maddie – Age 11

Please do not make me go, Aunt Mary, Maddie pleaded, but it was to no avail: her aunt was tired of all the complaining.

You are going to spend your two weeks with the Duke, and it is final. I do not want any more nonsense out of you, miss. He has been very kind to us, and you are incredibly ungrateful. Aunt Mary’s tone brooked no nonsense.

Maddie huffed in pique. She hated visiting the Duke in the summertime. It was always so very dull. Nobody ever wanted to play with her, especially not the Duke’s son, Christian. No, he was much too busy with his friends. They were always out hunting, fishing, and chasing after the village barmaids. Even as a child, she knew he would rather be anywhere but with her.

For a moment, she felt a tiny pinch of guilt. Christian had been kind to her on some occasions. She remembered one instance of him sitting with her on a rainy day and playing with her dolls. There were other times when he had come to her aide when she was crying in the night. Or most often, letting her tag along after him and his friends.

The two being first, Randall, when they went fishing. Randall simply couldn't leave her behind. And the other Benjamin, who Maddie had always seemed to hero worship, much to Christian’s irritation. He tolerated her, she reasoned, only because Randall and Benjamin had sisters that were near to her age.

Fine, Maddie’s bottom lip slipped out in a pout. But I will not be happy.

Aunt Mary smothered a smile. It wouldn’t do to show Maddie her amusement. But honestly, the child was just about as adorable as they could come. All golden curls and rosy cheeks, she was like a disgruntled cherub.

It was a long two weeks for Mary, and although the Duke had provided a very generous allowance and several servants, Mary missed having Maddie about. She waited impatiently for her sweet darling to come home from London. When the carriage finally arrived, she ran out to meet it, happy that Maddie would once again be in her arms.

But Maddie wasn’t alone this time. She had brought a friend home with her, along with a letter from the Duke. A shy, brown-haired little girl, around Maddie’s age, cautiously climbed out of the carriage.

Mary read the letter and then smiled at the two small girls who were now holding hands. It would seem that our family has increased by one. The Duke writes that if we have need of more staff or a larger home, we are to alert him at once. You don’t look so terribly massive to me, Adelaide Turner. I think we will be able to fit you in nicely at the farm.

The small brown-haired girl smiled, her gap teeth showing. Mary’s heart melted. Come on then, girls. Let’s go get some supper.

Maddie – Age 14

Addy, won’t you please come to London with me this summer? Maddie pleaded with her best friend.

Addy smiled at her, but even that caused her to begin coughing again.

Maddie scowled, half teasing and half in earnest, Oh, of all the selfish things to do! How could you go and get sick at a time like this?

Addy’s voice was raspy as she winked, I never learn, do I?

I am horrible, Maddie laid her head on the bed next to Addy, I do hope you get better or that I get sick.

Addy smiled at her best friend, I hope that you remain extremely healthy and that you get to see that terribly handsome Benjamin Shore. You know how amusing that he can be. If all else fails, Randall always lets you tag along with whatever he is doing. So, if Christian won’t give you the time of day, you can always rely on him. I, for one, will remain here and try to get better. Now be off. And have fun in London for me.

A funeral would be more entertaining. Maddie grinned with a roll of her eyes, which had Addy giggling and coughing and laughing all over again.

1

MADDIE – AGE 19

G ood heavens, milady, look at all the beautiful dresses! Adelaide, Maddie's lady's maid, exclaimed in delight as she carefully unpacked each item with reverence.

There were day dresses, afternoon dresses, ball gowns, night rails, riding habits, riding boots, half kid boots, morning shoes, and satin slippers dyed in every shade and color of the rainbow. Kid gloves were so soft - they felt like butter against her cheek and delicate, lacy, sheer drawers that felt as if one were wearing nothing at all.

Adelaide sighed, knowing that this would be quite a task organizing a brand-new wardrobe. It seemed that there were hundreds of items, yet Addy was still excited to oversee such an impressive wardrobe. Lady Maddie would look beyond impressive this year if Adelaide had anything to do with it.

Lady Maddie smiled in response to Addy’s exclamation, but in truth, she was not attending. Maddie had curled up into the bench seat of the bay window, gazing mindlessly into the garden below. With the sun highlighting her golden curls, Maddie resembled more of a heavenly angel than the sweet young lady that she was—or even the funny little sprite that she often really was.

Milady, are you quite, all right? Adelaide prompted kindly, worried over her friend's unusual silence.

Oh, I am sorry, Addy. I was just woolgathering. Maddie turned to face her. While it was unusual for servants and members of the peerage to form friendships, Maddie and Adelaide had grown to care for one another on the small farm where they had lived together.

Maddie stood up from the window seat and joined her friend in sorting through the many boxes.

It was so very kind of the Duke to have this extensive wardrobe prepared for me. However, I cannot help but feel that it is a bit excessive. Honestly, I am only one small person. I do not think I could wear half of these items.

Oh, I don’t know, Adelaide replied well naturedly, I am confident that I could get used to the finer things if I applied myself.

Maddie laughed, How about I give you half then?

I shall be the finest-dressed lady’s maid in Mayfair, Adelaide giggled as she started to sort through the various hat boxes, lifting some onto the closet shelf and placing others further back into the boudoir. I do believe this closet is larger than the entire rectory back home.

Lady Maddie laughed, Surely, it cannot be that big.

Adelaide stuck her head out from behind the door. I wouldn't be too sure of that. I'm terribly worried I may find myself lost in here, or worse, believe that Father Avery has taken up residence.

They both grimaced, knowing that one of his sermons could go on for days.

Maddie winked, "At least if we had Father Avery, we could avoid going to