Mary Brendan - The Rake's Ruined Lady

‘I regret that we parted before I knew you as well as I would have liked.’

‘I cannot echo that sentiment, sir.’ Hugh’s amused tone had deepened the colour staining Beatrice’s porcelain complexion. ‘ My only regret is that I ever became acquainted with you at all.’

Stolen kisses and caresses, snatched during their brief moments alone, were at the forefront of her mind, putting a disquieting throb low in her belly. Bea feared he might also be recalling their passionate moonlit trysts, and his next soft comment proved her intuitive.

‘I don’t believe you wish we’d never met when we had such a delightful time.’

‘Then you should curb your conceit because it is the truth,’ Beatrice retorted, avoiding the sultry glint in his eyes. ‘Once again I must ask you what you want. I cannot believe you have simply come to see me to reminisce …’

AUTHOR NOTE Author Note Title Page About the Author Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fifteen Chapter Sixteen Chapter Seventeen Chapter Eighteen Chapter Nineteen Chapter Twenty Chapter Twenty-One Chapter Twenty-Two Copyright

In Regency England it was the accepted way of things for the firstborn daughter of a gentleman to be married off before the younger became a bride. In this duet of books featuring the Dewey sisters unfortunately the opposite is the case. Elise is the first to find her soul mate in my novel A DATE WITH DISHONOUR, while her elder sister Beatrice remains a spinster ensconced in the countryside with her father.

Beatrice would readily admit that in the past she has jeopardised her reputation by behaving wildly in affairs of the heart, thus spoiling her chances in the marriage mart. In THE RAKE’S RUINED LADY Bea stars as a heroine who is sure she has learned from her mistakes with scoundrels. At twenty-five she knows she is past her prime, but is confident of finally settling into wedded bliss with her fiancé … until the upstanding doctor jilts her for another woman.

Following this setback Beatrice is ready to give up on love altogether, until an old flame, cognizant with her youthful folly, bursts back into her life.

Hugh Kendrick is not the man he once was. The modest fellow with whom Bea fell head over heels in love has been transformed into an arrogant diamond magnate, recently returned from India. Now wealthy and distinguished, Hugh can have his pick of society beauties—yet he seems to favour women of a different class … and adding to his infamy are whispers of an exotic concubine abandoned overseas.

Beatrice knows that this time round she should avoid the handsome rogue at all costs, fearing she could easily be tempted to disgrace herself with him again. And when Hugh pursues her, with very dishonourable intentions on his mind, Bea realises she must resist his skilful seduction or risk joining his harem of doting mistresses …

I hope you enjoy reading about Bea’s inner dilemmas and the challenges she faces on her rocky road to love as much as I have enjoyed writing her story for you.

www.millsandboon.co.uk

MARY BRENDANwas born in North London, but now lives in rural Suffolk. She has always had a fascination with bygone days, and enjoys the research involved in writing historical fiction. When not at her word processor, she can be found trying to bring order to a large overgrown garden, or browsing local fairs and junk shops for that elusive bargain.

Novels by the same author:

WEDDING NIGHT REVENGE * * The Meredith Sisters † The Hunter Brothers ** linked by character †† Regency Rogues THE RAKE’S RUINED LADY features characters you will have already met in A DATE WITH DISHONOUR Did you know that some of these novels are also available as eBooks? Visit www.millsandboon.co.uk

THE UNKNOWN WIFE * * The Meredith Sisters † The Hunter Brothers ** linked by character †† Regency Rogues THE RAKE’S RUINED LADY features characters you will have already met in A DATE WITH DISHONOUR Did you know that some of these novels are also available as eBooks? Visit www.millsandboon.co.uk

A SCANDALOUS MARRIAGE * * The Meredith Sisters † The Hunter Brothers ** linked by character †† Regency Rogues THE RAKE’S RUINED LADY features characters you will have already met in A DATE WITH DISHONOUR Did you know that some of these novels are also available as eBooks? Visit www.millsandboon.co.uk

THE RAKE AND THE REBEL * * The Meredith Sisters † The Hunter Brothers ** linked by character †† Regency Rogues THE RAKE’S RUINED LADY features characters you will have already met in A DATE WITH DISHONOUR Did you know that some of these novels are also available as eBooks? Visit www.millsandboon.co.uk

A PRACTICAL MISTRESS † † The Hunter Brothers ** linked by character †† Regency Rogues THE RAKE’S RUINED LADY features characters you will have already met in A DATE WITH DISHONOUR Did you know that some of these novels are also available as eBooks? Visit www.millsandboon.co.uk

THE WANTON BRIDE † † The Hunter Brothers ** linked by character †† Regency Rogues THE RAKE’S RUINED LADY features characters you will have already met in A DATE WITH DISHONOUR Did you know that some of these novels are also available as eBooks? Visit www.millsandboon.co.uk

THE VIRTUOUS COURTESAN ** ** linked by character †† Regency Rogues THE RAKE’S RUINED LADY features characters you will have already met in A DATE WITH DISHONOUR Did you know that some of these novels are also available as eBooks? Visit www.millsandboon.co.uk

THE RAKE’S DEFIANT MISTRESS ** ** linked by character †† Regency Rogues THE RAKE’S RUINED LADY features characters you will have already met in A DATE WITH DISHONOUR Did you know that some of these novels are also available as eBooks? Visit www.millsandboon.co.uk

CHIVALROUS RAKE, SCANDALOUS LADY †† †† Regency Rogues THE RAKE’S RUINED LADY features characters you will have already met in A DATE WITH DISHONOUR Did you know that some of these novels are also available as eBooks? Visit www.millsandboon.co.uk

DANGEROUS LORD, SEDUCTIVE MISS †† †† Regency Rogues THE RAKE’S RUINED LADY features characters you will have already met in A DATE WITH DISHONOUR Did you know that some of these novels are also available as eBooks? Visit www.millsandboon.co.uk

A DATE WITH DISHONOUR

* The Meredith Sisters

† The Hunter Brothers

**linked by character

†† Regency Rogues

THE RAKE’S RUINED LADY features characters you will have already met in A DATE WITH DISHONOUR

Did you know that some of these novels are also available as eBooks? Visit www.millsandboon.co.uk

Contents

Cover

Introduction

Author Note

Title Page

About the Author

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Copyright

Chapter One

‘Of course I do not understand!’ Beatrice Dewey’s blue gaze was fixed on her fiancé’s face in shocked disbelief. ‘How is any woman supposed to comprehend that the man she believes will shortly be her husband must marry another?’ She pressed pale, quivering fingers to her brow. ‘Repeat to me your news, please, and furthermore tell me why I should accept it.’

Colin Burnett’s deep sigh displayed his regret. He stretched a hand towards Beatrice but she evaded his comfort in a swish of pastel muslin.

‘Tell me, Colin! An explanation—a dozen explanations if I wish to have them—is the least you owe me.’ Beatrice turned back to him, eyes sparking icy fire.

Ten minutes ago Mrs Francis, the Deweys’ housekeeper, had interrupted Beatrice’s letter-writing to announce that Dr Burnett had called on her. Beatrice had joined her fiancé in the front sitting room with a sunny smile, proving her gladness at this unexpected visit. Her happiness had started to wither before he’d uttered a single word: she’d read from Colin’s demeanour that something was dreadfully wrong.

Not for a moment had she believed him jesting when he had quietly informed her that their wedding must be called off. Colin was not one for levity; neither was he a man who liked a drama. Beatrice could tell this predicament was causing him equal embarrassment and sorrow, but was conscious that he seemed nowhere near as wounded as was she at the idea of them parting.

‘You know if there were any other way around this I would take it. I want you as my wife, Beatrice. I love you—’

‘I don’t see how you can love me...not really,’ Beatrice interrupted harshly, ‘if you are prepared to jilt me because you’d sooner have money.’

‘It is not just about the money, my dear.’ Colin sounded pained, and a trifle exasperated by her accusation. ‘My family’s reputation and estates are founded on the baronetcy. The Burnetts were granted the title as long ago as the Norman Conquest and it has passed through our male line ever since.’ He cast his eyes heavenwards, seeking inspiration. ‘If I reject the title and estates everything will be returned to the crown. How am I to explain that to my relations?’

Beatrice gave an impatient shrug. Her fiancé’s logical reference to history and his kin, when her heart was breaking, was simply increasing her indignation.

‘My uncle was not an easy man to fathom,’ Colin continued doggedly, thrusting his fingers through a shock of auburn hair. ‘He was known as an eccentric, but had I for one moment realised what madness he planned I would have privately set lawyers the task of finding a loophole to wriggle out of his stipulations. As it is, I must bow to his whim or lose everything.’

‘So instead of forfeiting your birthright and choosing to remain much as you are: a country doctor of modest means—which is the person I fell in love with—you would dance to a dead man’s tune to have his fortune and his title?’

Now her shock was receding anger was bringing Beatrice close to tears. She wouldn’t beg the man with whom she’d planned to spend her life to honour his proposal, neither would she attempt to shame him into doing so. If he went ahead and married his cousin Stella instead of her then Beatrice knew she would have learned something vitally important and deeply upsetting about Colin’s character. And also about her own: she had previously believed she’d become a reasonable judge of people.

‘If you have chosen to comply with the terms of your uncle’s will, then there is nothing more to be said,’ Beatrice whispered. ‘All I would ask before you leave is that you find the courtesy to explain to my father why he has wasted his money on my wedding day.’ Hot brine squeezed between her lashes and she averted her face.