Earl of Stone: Fated for a Rogue, #4

By Amanda Mariel

Stephen Mullins, the discerning Earl of Stone, meticulously chose a suitable bride, Lady Louisa Breckenridge, who embodied the genteel traits he sought in a life partner. However, as their courtship unfolds, Louisa's yearning for authentic love collides with Stone's calculated intentions, propelling them into a tumultuous journey of self-discovery and passion.

 

Lady Louisa, ever the fervent romantic, surrendered her heart to Lord Stone's beguiling allure, only to be ensnared in a web of deception that shatters her illusions. Fleeing from the heartache of betrayal, she unwittingly draws Stone into a riveting escapade when her escape is met with abduction, intertwining their fates in a dance of danger and desire.

 

As fate cunningly orchestrates their paths, Stone's once-practical perspective transforms into ardent devotion. With each shared challenge, their mutual admiration evolves into a love that defies what either ever imagined. Amidst the labyrinth of deceit and emotional tumult, their hearts entwine in a battle against their own uncertainties, illuminating a path toward authentic love as they grapple with the question of whether they can transcend the barriers that threaten their union.

 

Amidst the backdrop of Regency elegance, Stephen and Louisa endeavor to untangle their feelings, mending the frayed fabric of trust while navigating a maze of emotions. Will their journey through heartache and intrigue lead them to the culmination of a love that transcends pretense, culminating in an embrace that triumphs over the shadows of deceit?

 

In Earl of Stone, the echoes of romantic betrayal resound against a crescendo of passion, reminding us that even amidst great turmoil, the heart's desires refuse to be silenced.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brook Ridge Press
• Release date: Apr 25, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223715443

Amanda Mariel

USA Today Bestselling, Amazon All Star author Amanda Mariel dreams of days gone by when life moved at a slower pace. She enjoys taking pen to paper and exploring historical time periods through her imagination and the written word. When she is not writing she can be found reading, crocheting, traveling, practicing her photography skills, or spending time with her family.

Book preview

Earl of Stone

Earl of Stone

A WICKED EARLS’ CLUB NOVELLA

FATED FOR A ROGUE

BOOK FOUR

AMANDA MARIEL

Contents

Also by Amanda Mariel

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Excerpt

Chapter 1

About the Author

Praise for Amanda Mariel Books

Afterword

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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EARL OF STONE

Copyright © 2022 Amanda Mariel

All rights reserved.

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No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the express written permission of the publisher.

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Published by Brook Ridge Press

Also by Amanda Mariel

Ladies and Scoundrels series

Scandalous Endeavors

Scandalous Intentions

Scandalous Redemption

Scandalous Wallflower

Scandalous Liaison

Dancing with Serendipity

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Fabled Love Series

Enchanted by the Earl

Captivated by the Captain

Enticed by Lady Elianna

Delighted by the Duke

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Lady Archer’s Creed series

**Amanda Mariel writing with Christina McKnight**

Theodora

Georgina

Adeline

Josephine

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Scandal Meets Love series

Love Only Me

Find Me Love

If it’s Love

Odd’s of Love

Believe in Love

Chance of Love

Love and Holly

Love and Mistletoe

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A Rogue’s Kiss Series

Her Perfect Rogue

His Perfect Hellion

This Rogue of Mine

Her Perfect Scoundrel

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Wicked Earls’ Club

**Titles by Amanda Mariel**

Earl of Grayson

Earl of Edgemore

Earl of Persuasion

Earl of Stone (Fated for a Rogue)

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Fated for a Rogue

A Wallflower’s Folly

One Fateful May Day

Fate Gave Me a Duke

Earl of Stone (Wicked Earls’ Club)

Who Needs a Duke

Rogue for the Taking

Wish Upon a Christmas Duke

Scandalously Mine

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A Castle Romance

Whispers of Desire

Passion’s Lasting Promise

One Wanton Wager

Forever in Your Arms

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Regency Heart’s Aflame

So Long, My Scoundrel

Au Revoir, My Duke

Farewell, My Rogue

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Connected by a Kiss

**These are designed so they can standalone**

How to Kiss a Rogue (Amanda Mariel)

A Kiss at Christmastide (Christina McKnight)

A Wallflower’s Christmas Kiss (Dawn Brower)

Stealing a Rogue’s Kiss (Amanda Mariel)

Scandalized by a Rogue’s Kiss (Amanda Mariel)

A Gypsy’s Christmas kiss (Dawn Brower)

A Vixen’s Christmas kiss (Dawn Brower)

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Standalone titles

One Moonlit Tryst

One Enchanting Kiss

Christmas in the Duke’s Embrace

One Wicked Christmas

A Lyon in Her Bed (The Lyon’s Den connected world)

Courting Temptation (House of Devon connected world)

Forever My Rogue (Love Be a Lady’s Charm Connected World)

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Box sets and anthologies

Visit www.amandamariel.com to see Amanda’s current offerings.

One

London, England

Lady Hadley’s Ball

She really should not have followed them. She should turn around this instant and return to the ball. Despite knowing what she should do, Lady Louisa Breckenridge could not end her pursuit. Not when it was her betrothed that led another woman from the ballroom. She had to know what he was doing—and why.

Louisa watched the pair turn into another corridor and fought the urge to increase her pace. When she reached the corner, she pressed against the wall and peeked around the corner. The pair were nowhere in sight. Confident they had disappeared through one of the doors lining the hallway, she stepped around the corner then crept down the hall, careful not to make a sound.

By the time she reached the fifth door, she was ready to give up. After all, she really should not be spying on her betrothed. If she wished for a loving union, she had to trust him. And she did trust him—at least she had trusted him before she caught sight of him strolling off with the captivating woman in the scandalous gown with her painted lips and bouncing curls.

Louisa slumped against the wall and sighed. This was madness. Shame squeezed her heart as she closed her eyes, inhaling a calming breath. She did not want to be a jealous fool. Nor did she wish to damage her relationship with Lord Stone. Determined to forget about her lapse in good judgment and return to the ballroom, Louisa straighten then turned back down the corridor.

Before she reached the next set of doors, she heard voices coming from behind her.

You cannot be serious, Stephen. An innocent miss will never hold your attention.

Perhaps you are right, Lord Stone’s smooth drawl floated into the hallway.

Of course I am, the female voice purred. Do not cast me aside, love.

Louisa’s feet carried her closer to the conversation despite her mind telling her to flee the scene. The heavy oak door was left slightly ajar, preventing her from escaping the sight of them. She drew in a sharp breath before pressing her gloved hand over her mouth. He had the woman in his arms. Her body pressed against his.

She will not satisfy you as I do, the woman said.

Lord Stone stared down at her. I doubt anyone could.

Then why end our affair?

Louisa’s stomach turned. How could he do this to her? She knew it was common for aristocratic men to keep mistresses, but she’d thought he was different.

He released the woman and stepped back. I do have some honor, kitten. I will be faithful to my wife.

Louisa’s skin burned at the endearment. He did not sound like a man who wasn’t interested in what the woman was offering. In fact, that he’d sequestered himself away with her proved his interest.

You once said you would never marry. The woman