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Prologue

Earden at the center of St Jauese sun, the da chill seeped into her bones, and she shivered despite her woolen shawl Halting at the corner, she pressed herself deeper into the overhang of branches and scrutinized the town house opposite

Was the knocker off the door? Given the distance and the swirlingthe square were certainly shuttered, but as it was barely past dawn, that didn't necessarily indicate the oas out of town

Cautiously she retraced her steps, crossed the square behind the shelter of garden, and slipped to theat her ribs, she reat house like this, where vendors and suppliers cairl's apron and mobcap she would attract no special notice

A soft lull of voices e Gathering her courage, she hurried across the deserted stable yard, knocked once and entered

A knot of workers gathered around the glowing hearth,out an older wo at her waist, Emily dipped a curtsey

"I've a parcel for his lordship," she announced,whorown up "Mistress says as hoas to deliver it personal"

"Lawks, missy, you've a far piece to walk, then," the woh "He ain't in Lunnon now"

Da down a rush of relief, Emily made herself utter instead a diset this to 'im He be back today, ma'am?"

"Not likely Seein's how he sent half the staff on holiday, tellin’em he'd fetch 'em back later, we don't expect 'im anytime soon"

E?" she asked faintly

"Aye Last week, you ht 'im, but he left out suddenlike, and Mr Daryrumple—that's the butler, lass— told us he'd not be returnin' afore Easter, 'n likely not afore summer"

Eone look "Mistress'll be that unhappy"

"Nay, don't fret yourself She carina expect you to on, is she?" The wo o'tea and rest your bones, then, afore you go back to face 'er"

"Thank 'ee kindly, ma'am, but I daren't Mistress'll rap my knuckles iff n I'm not back by seven"

Arumble about the unreasonableness of employers, Emily bobbed another curtsey and made her way out

Once outside the back gate, she tore off her servant's ed herself fiercely

He was not in London She could begin

Chapter 1

“Fetch a bonnet for your mother? My, what a dutiful son!"

Evan Mansfield, Earl of Cheverley, widened the swinging arc of his walking stick just enough to whack the speaker behind his ankle Over the ensuing yelp, he replied, "Since your own ood sense to expire when you were an infant, you have no idea how to care for a lady"

Grinning as his friend Brent Blakesly shot hilance, he continued, "Actually, Mama intended to collect the bonnet herself, but I wouldn't hear of it She's not yet fully recovered froh Why not hie on to White's, and order us wine? Charge it to my account" Evan directed a look at Brent's ankle '"Twill ease the pain"

Brent's frown smoothed "Feel better already Mind you hurry I should hate to drink all your wine before you arrive" Tipping his hat, Blakesly set off

"I'll not be long," Evan called after him "Madame Emilie's shop is just off Bond Street"

Brent halted in midstep "Madame Emilie?"

When Evan nodded, his friend strode back "On second thought, I'll accompany you Let's be off, shall we?"

Evan raised his eyebrows "What possible reason could you have for visiting a bonnet shop?"

"Let's just say I "

As they strolled, Evan pressed hi further, only shaking his head and saying Evan must see for himself