Anabelle Bryant - Undone By His Kiss

A most delicious challenge…

Experience has taught Emily Shaw that men are best avoided, so she’s determined to take her place in society alone and unrestrained by marriage. Renting a room in the heart of London, she establishes a Women’s League to promote equality between the sexes and teach women to be independent.

Jasper St David isn’t looking for distractions, but he’s fascinated by beautiful, fiercely opinionated Emily when she moves into the office above his. And when he learns of her determination never to succumb to male charms, he can’t help but see it as a challenge! After all, Jasper’s always found nothing more tantalising than the thrill of the chase…

Also by Anabelle Bryant

Three Regency Rogues

To Love a Wicked Scoundrel

Duke of Darkness

The Midnight Rake

Regency Charms

Defying the Earl

Undone by His Kiss

Regency Charms

Anabelle Bryant

www.CarinaUK.com

CARINA™

ISBN: 978 1 474 03592 7

Undone by His Kiss

Copyright © 2015 Anabelle Bryant

Published in Great Britain (2015)

by Carina, an imprint of Harlequin (UK) Limited, Eton House, 18-24 Paradise Road, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1SR

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.

By payment of the required fees, you are granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right and licence to download and install this e-book on your personal computer, tablet computer, smart phone or other electronic reading device only (each a “Licensed Device”) and to access, display and read the text of this e-book on-screen on your Licensed Device. Except to the extent any of these acts shall be permitted pursuant to any mandatory provision of applicable law but no further, no part of this e-book or its text or images may be reproduced, transmitted, distributed, translated, converted or adapted for use on another file format, communicated to the public, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher.

CARINA™ is a trademark of Harlequin Enterprises Limited, used under licence.

www.CarinaUK.com

Version: 2018-04-18

To my fabulous dedicated editor, Clio Cornish, and the entire Carina UK team who work very hard to enable me to share my stories. You have my heartfelt gratitude and respect.

To the reviewers and bloggers who generously give their time to reading, writing and sharing.

To Meredith, techie friend and book trailer wizard, who endures every request to change a font or add an ellipsis.

And to my family, for their patience. So far no one has asked me to please stop talking about books, but it’s likely to happen at any time.

For every reader who dreams of romance and believes in happily ever after…anything is possible with a little serendipity.

Contents

Cover

Blurb

Book List

Title Page

Acknowledgement

Dedication

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Epilogue

Endpages

Copyright

Chapter 1

“Let’s go another round.” Jasper St. David motioned to the comely serving girl as she bustled past their corner table, a tray and pitcher in hand. The clock hadn’t struck nine and the less than respectable tavern where he celebrated with his comrades offered hours of inane idleness.

“You’ve spent your coin on the last three. I’ll pay this time.” Benedict Hampden, Viscount Kellaway, drained his ale and spun the tankard on the tabletop with a quick flick of the wrist before trapping the glass under his palm and righting it. “I suppose new money burns a hole in one’s pocket so feel free to settle the dinner tab.”

“We’re celebrating,” Jasper admonished. “And I’ve every right. Having suffered months of penny-pinching under my brother’s perspicacious scrutiny, wealth offers freedom in spades.”

“Tread with care,” Oliver Nicholson, a loyal friend, chimed in. “You’ve just signed an annual lease on upper Bond Street. You’re about quality now. The monthly payments are sure to impact your finances.”

“Minuscule worries, at most.” Jasper finished off what remained in his glass before snapping his eyes across the room in search of more drink. “The office opens to business next week. Everything has proceeded swimmingly, although I haven’t met the tenant abovestairs. The landlord mentioned some type of charitable organization leased the adjoining space. I can only hope it doesn’t equate a coven of mawkish old biddies coming and going while I confer with clients.”

“Now that would prove challenging. How is Dashwood handling your new venture? Isn’t he affronted you’ve chosen to operate a financial advisement business? It’s hardly the expectation of the brother to an earl, most especially a wealthy, somewhat troublesome brother whose elder is a prime twig.” Kellaway’s raised brows expressed undisguised speculation.

Oliver leaned closer as if anxious for Jasper’s response, though the conviviality of a nearby table combined with the clatter of plates and silverware annihilated any hope of carefree conversation within the crowded establishment.

“Convenient of you to omit your involvement with said conundrums.” Jasper’s answer prompted a smile from both men. “Dash has been cured of pride, despite he worries over reputation and considers me a Jack Pudding; but like many things, timing is key, gentlemen. Dear brother is away on his wedding trip, and I’m not concerned. Once he returns, he’s sure to be about heir-making. Beaufort and I were boiled up to a jelly to find an available office in an ideal location. It was too rare an opportunity to pass.” The words prompted him to straighten his posture and square his shoulders. “Astute perception and daring courage; that, my friends, is what led me to success in my investments. I plan to apply the same acuity to all areas of my life.” He donned a grin as generous as his purse and neglected to voice the inner motivation that fueled his actions more than any other interest.

This venture presented the ideal opportunity to prove to all associates, his brother, the sixth Earl of Dashwood, most especially, that he was responsible and indeed knowledgeable although most everyone considered his new wealth a lark, his investment a stroke of luck more than insightful entrepreneurship.