A Lady Never Confesses: Lady Be Wicked, #2

By Dawn Brower

Lady Roslyn Barrett's launch into society was delayed by her foolish brother's untimely demise. It makes a lady wish she'd been born an only child… All right, she did love the nitwit, and didn't wish him to die; however, that doesn't negate her irritation. Now she is at a disadvantage and the ton won't let her forget her family's scandalous past. She has a secret though, one that she won't confess under any circumstances: Roslyn has already met the man she wants, but he doesn't appear to return her feelings.

Emmett North, Marquess of Crawford doesn't want to desire Lady Roslyn, but he cannot stop it from overtaking him. Especially when they keep crossing paths... If only he could forget Roslyn, but she's always around, and she has a biting wit that she unleashes on him whenever their paths cross. There is only one solution to stop her acerbic nature…a kiss.

Desire is a force neither of them can ignore, but giving in is something they might both regret. A confession of love might be their only salvation.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dawn Brower
• Release date: Mar 12, 2024
• ISBN: 9798215528952

Book preview

A Lady Never Confesses

A Lady Never Confesses

A Lady Never Confesses

LADY BE WICKED

BOOK TWO

DAWN BROWER

...when pain is over, the remembrance of it often becomes a pleasure.

JANE AUSTEN, PERSUASION

Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Epilogue

Thank You

Excerpt: A Lady Never Forgets

Prologue

Acknowledgments

About Dawn Brower

Also by Dawn Brower

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

A Lady Never Forgets © 2024 Dawn Brower

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

For everyone that doubts they can find love. May you find the one person meant for you

Prologue

Lady Roslyn Barrett bolted upward. Her heart beat heavily in her chest. She didn’t know what had awakened her from a wonderful dream, but a sense of dread overcame her. Roslyn slid out of bed and donned her wrapper, then went to the window. She peered outside and stared down at the street below. She was residing in the Moreland London townhouse. Her brother William, the Earl of Moreland, preferred the country seat of the earldom, or at least that is what he told her. He still came to London often enough to make her wonder about his true intentions. While he was in town, he left his wife and young son in the country.

Roslyn never asked him why. It wasn’t her place, and besides that, he would never have told her, regardless. Her brother kept his own counsel. Will was always good to her. She loved him. However, she feared he was in over his head with something. She had no way of discerning that something was, though…

She stared down at the street again and frowned. A carriage had pulled up to the front entrance. There was no crest on it, so she had no way of telling who had arrived. Should she dress? Was this visitor there to visit with her? What if they had news for her alone? Roslyn went to her wardrobe and pulled out one of her day gowns. It didn’t require any assistance from her maid and she was in a hurry. She dressed as quickly as she could, then hurried down to the sitting room.

Lady Roslyn, the housekeeper said as she reached the sitting room entrance. I was just about to come fetch you. There is someone here to see you.

Who is here? she asked.

A gentleman, she cleared her throat. He has come with grave news. I’m afraid he wouldn’t explain more than that. He didn’t even give me his name.

I will go in and find out then, she told the housekeeper. Please have tea sent in, and some biscuits.

She turned away from the housekeeper and headed into the sitting room. A tall man with sun-kissed golden blond hair and ice-blue eyes turned toward her. He was a gorgeous man, but she was not acquainted with him. Pardon me, my lord… She frowned. Was he a lord? I’m afraid I do not know how to address you.

He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. No need to apologize. He frowned. I am the Duke of Riverdale, he told her. There is no reason you would have known who I am before now.

A duke… He was right. She hadn’t yet been launched into society. Her debut was scheduled for the spring and she could not wait. She was ready to attend balls and soirees. Roslyn longed to dance. I am afraid I do not understand why you are here, Your Grace. She tilted her head to the side. He did not look happy to be in the sitting room with her. Is there something I can assist you with?

The duke shook his head. No, he said simply. I’m here at the behest of Lady Moreland. She asked me to pay a call on you and deliver this news in person. He held out a missive for her. She explains everything here.

She took the parchment from him and broke the wax seal free, then started to read.

My Dearest Roslyn,

This letter does not give me any pleasure to write and I sorely wish I had better news to impart. There is no helping it, though. I must be brave and tell you it all. There was an accident of sorts and your brother has died.

He embarked in a what can only be described as a duel with Lord Harewood. William had an affair with Lord Harewood’s wife, which came to light while they were staying here with us for Christmastide.

I’ll be returning to London at my earliest opportunity. Please give His Grace my thanks for delivering this unhappy message. He, along with his fiancée, were unenthusiastic witnesses to that debacle. I own him a great debt. I’ll explain more upon my arrival.

All my best,

Eden

William was dead. How could that be? What an utter fool he’d been. How could he have been unfaithful to Eden? Was that what he had hidden from her on all his trips to London? Those trips he claimed to be on here for other matters. Her heart hurt. She’d been right when she had awoken. She knew there was something dreadful in her future, and here it was, clearly written out for her. All her plans were in shatters by her brother’s careless actions. She was so angry with him. How dare he go and get himself killed because he wanted to have relations with another man’s wife.

She pursed her lips in displeasure. Grief filled her to the brink, and a tear fell from her cheek. Roslyn loved her stupid, selfish brother, but she couldn’t help the anger brewing inside of her, either. Thank you for delivering this. Somehow she managed to say the words, but she didn’t meet the duke’s gaze. Lady Moreland wanted me to tell you she appreciates your assistance in this matter and we are both in your debt. It wasn’t the duke’s fault he had been there to see William’s demise.

I would say it was my pleasure, the duke began. But departing such tidings never is. There is no debt owed. Please tell Lady Moreland that is unnecessary. He bowed. If you need anything, please send word. My apologies again for my sudden visit. I’ll take your leave now.

With those words, the Duke of Riverdale left her alone in the sitting room. Not long after a maid brought in a tea cart, but she had no interest in any of the biscuits or the tea. She had no appetite at all. Roslyn had lost her brother and her future in one blow. There would be no debut for her. She would go into mourning, and then even after the required bereavement period, she wouldn’t have a successful season. This scandal would follow her for the rest of her life. What gentleman would want to marry the sister of a man who had bedded another man’s wife? Those actions would taint her.