The Thrill of the Chase

By Ellie Thomas

Adrian Lethbridge temporarily exchanges his quiet country home in leafy Dorset for fashionable Regency Cheltenham to support his aunt as she introduces her three daughters into polite society. As he is fond of his younger cousins, Adrian is happy to escort them and even bestow advice on fashion and manners as they attract new friends and admirers. But the last thing he expects is to make a match of his own.

When he meets handsome Captain Guy Ransome at an evening assembly, he is overwhelmed by his unexpected feelings and can’t believe that they might be reciprocated. However, Guy seems more interested in the thrill of passing pleasure than a meeting of hearts and minds.

In the heat of the chase, Guy impatiently regards Adrian’s hesitance as time-wasting game playing, not realising his tried and tested seduction techniques send shy Adrian fleeing in the opposite direction. Can these contrasting characters reach a romantic compromise? And will the hunter discover his heart has been caught after all?

• Language: English
• Publisher: JMS Books LLC
• Release date: Jan 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9781685500184

Book preview

Chapter 1

The Long Room Assembly

Bayshill Spa, Cheltenham 1813

Adrian suffered a sharp pang of disquiet as he regarded the gallant on the opposite side of the small assembly room that was the epitome of every urbane quality he lacked. The man’s height and distinctive appearance attracted admiring attention as his birthright while he chatted idly with a middle-aged acquaintance.

Although biased, Adrian had to admit his appearance could not be harshly criticized. He looked exactly what he was, a respectable young man of country stock, comfortable means, and a modest sense of style. Despite this, he was absurdly conscious of a slight, youthful appearance and coloring that was not in the height of fashion.

Apart from regular cropping to keep it under control, he could not do much to tame his hair that tended to a natural curl and had a distinctive copper hue. During his childhood and even now, his mama sighed over how such luxuriant tresses were wasted on a boy and would be the crowning glory for any girl. However, she conceded the smattering of freckles across the bridge of his nose, between those wide-spaced hazel eyes, would be a handicap for a young lady and would need a constant application of Gowland’s lotion. At least as a man, that was something he was spared.

Adrian’s coat and breeches, although not new, were well-tailored and spotless, but still, he sighed over the effortless style of the man he was covertly ogling with more than passing admiration. Unaware of Adrian’s eager scrutiny, the gentleman continued to cast a cynical eye over the proceedings, not inclined to join in with something as banal as dancing, occasionally addressing a remark to his companion.

Although well under thirty, a mere handful of years older than Adrian, the man didn’t look absurdly young, but had the strength and physique of a Corinthian. Added to that was his air of sophistication that Adrian longed to possess. Not only was his fair hair (so much in vogue) fashionably styled and suited perfectly to the Brutus style, it also contrasted perfectly with the dark eyebrows that framed his strong-jawed face.

In the same way, he wore his superb evening clothes with a careless flair that Adrian could not hope to achieve, emphasizing those broad shoulders and muscular thighs. As well as noting his physique with a quickening pulse, Adrian reckoned that in the cut of the cloth, he recognized the hand of Weston, the master tailor in London preferred by former military men. His own serviceable garments suddenly seemed shabby and provincial. It didn’t help that the gentleman’s exacting appearance was enhanced by an attitude that he could not care less what impression he made on others.

Adrian gazed in hopeless longing while the man looked away from his companion to take a glass of champagne from a proffered tray. When the waiter moved on to offer refreshments to the next group, the gentleman cast an appreciative glance at the taut behind displayed by the short jacket of his livery.

As if sensing Adrian’s scrutiny, their eyes met across the throng. Rather than embarrassed, his regard was full of amusement at being caught in the act. To Adrian’s horror, he, rather than the gentleman, was shamefaced by that intercepted leer.

He felt that telltale color, the curse of a fair-skinned redhead, flood his face until he was sure it clashed violently with his hair. At this, the gentleman looked even more diverted. Then, with a last, deliberate glance at the server’s rounded bottom, he turned to continue the conversation with the man by his side.

Adrian, please will you dance with me? Asked a nearby voice and he looked around to see his cousin Julia had approached. His initial instinct was to run away and hide until the damnably attractive gentleman had left the premises. However, he couldn’t resist such an appeal, so putting on a brave face and gallantly taking her hand, he led his cousin in a set of country dances.

After several rounds, he thankfully passed a breathless Julia on to another young man. Adrian retired to the side of the ballroom to regain his composure and take some refreshment before another of his cousins required his assistance.

Wiping his heated face with his handkerchief, he looked around for a nearby waiter and was relieved to see a glass of champagne presented toward him. He took it with a murmur of thanks, but as he reached out, it dawned on him the sleeve

Reviews for The Thrill of the Chase

[anniene · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Annie, we didn't finish this one and this is not an author for us