Too Scandalous for the Earl by Helen Dickson

Author:Helen Dickson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin Enterprises ULC
Published: 2023-06-05T13:31:23+00:00

The meal was a relaxed affair, the food delicious. Seated at the head of the table, Lucas found his eyes drawn to Tilly Anderson like a magnet, where she sat on his right and next to Reverend Leighton. When she had entered the house, the vision she had presented in her blue gown had snatched his breath.

She was beautiful and bewitching and he was drawn to her in a way he wouldn’t have thought possible when he’d arrived from Spain. She lit the room simply by being present. Looking for unease or nervousness on her face, he found nothing but calm and the soft glow of light in her velvet-dark eyes.

She had been fully tutored in the conventions of society and was clearly experienced in social repartee. She was lively, amiable, a laughing, beautiful young woman in possession of a natural wit and intelligence. The more he saw of her, the more his need to know more about her grew—and the more he wanted her to be his wife.

‘What has been happening in my absence?’ Mr Ainsley asked. ‘No doubt the smuggling fraternity are as busy as ever.’

‘They are.’ Mrs Ainsley leaned towards Miss Anderson and her aunt. ‘Have you seen anything untoward at Drayton Manor? You know—smugglers, that sort of thing?’

‘Aunt Charlotte was not well when we arrived and has been confined to her room,’ Miss Tilly Anderson said. ‘But there was one occasion when I was awakened in the early hours by strange sounds and, peering from behind my bedroom curtains, I have seen horses being moved.’

A twinkle entered her eyes when she flashed a look at Lucas, reminding him of that night when the smugglers had come to Drayton Manor to return the horses, and he smiled in collaboration.

‘And what did you do?’ Mrs Leighton asked eagerly.

‘What could I do? Not that I would wish to do anything. One thing I have learned since coming to Devon is that the gentlemen are not openly discussed. The men involved in the illicit trade have a reputation for brutality and it would be most unwise to apprehend them.’

‘Not without foundation,’ Mr Ainsley said. ‘They have no respect for anyone—be it man or woman—who gets in their way. They are quite unscrupulous.’

‘Then I will take the greatest of care not to get in their way,’ Tilly replied.

‘Very sensible, my dear,’ Mrs Ainsley said. ‘The matter of smuggling must be treated with levity. Half a dozen free traders were captured along with their cargo a sennight past off Liskeard and imprisoned. They are awaiting trial. The new Revenue Officer, Lieutenant Foster, is like a man possessed in his desire to eradicate smuggling in this area. He has achieved more than his predecessors—although Jack Price is still at large. He’s grown rich on the trade.’

‘Then why don’t you arrest him?’ Miss Charlotte Anderson asked, having finished eating the fish course and sipping her wine.

‘Because there has to be tangible proof and because he’s clever, Miss Anderson. He’s also feared among the smuggling fraternity.

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