Dorothy Elbury - An Unconventional Miss

At her unexpected words, Wyvern’s heart hammered almost to a stop, causing him to miss his step and necessitating the nearest couple to swing hurriedly out of harm’s way.

Stifling his exasperation, the earl corrected his error and guided Jessica to a less populated area of the floor, whilst racking his brains to conjure up some non-committal remark.

“I had not noticed that you were suffering from a dearth of dancing partners, Miss Beresford,” he managed eventually.

“I cannot imagine how you would know that!” she flung back at him. “You only turn up when it suits you to do so!”

When he did not immediately respond, Jessica’s indignation increased. “Do you dislike me so much that you cannot even bring yourself to converse with me, sir?” she challenged him.

“I do not dislike you, Miss Beresford,” he replied heavily as, doing his utmost to ignore the tantalizing feel of her soft, warm body beneath his fingers, he strove desperately to focus his attention on the maneuvers of the dance.

An Unconventional Miss

Harlequin ®Historical

lives in a quiet Lincolnshire village, an ideal atmosphere for writing her historical novels. She has been married to her husband (it was love at first sight, of course!) for forty-five years, and they have three children and four grandchildren. Her hobbies include visiting museums and historic houses, and handicrafts of various kinds.

TORONTO • NEW YORK • LONDON

AMSTERDAM • PARIS • SYDNEY • HAMBURG

STOCKHOLM • ATHENS • TOKYO • MILAN • MADRID

PRAGUE • WARSAW • BUDAPEST • AUCKLAND

A Hasty Betrothal #176

The Viscount’s Secret #183

The Officer and the Lady #195

#899 THE LAST RAKE IN LONDON—Nicola Cornick

Dangerous Jack Kestrel was the most sinfully sensual rogue she’d ever met, and the wicked glint in his eyes promised he’d take care of satisfying Sally’s every need….

Watch as the last rake in London meets his match!

#900 AN IMPETUOUS ABDUCTION—Patricia Frances Rowell

Persephone had stumbled into danger and the only way to protect her was to abduct her! But what would Leo’s beautiful prisoner do when he revealed his true identity?

Don’t miss Patricia Frances Rowell’s unique blend of passion spiced with danger!

#901 KIDNAPPED BY THE COWBOY—Pam Crooks

TJ Grier was determined to clear his name, even if his actions might cost him the woman he loved!

Fall in love with Pam Crooks’s honorable cowboy!

#902 INNOCENCE UNVEILED—Blythe Gifford

With her flaming red hair, Katrine knew no man would be tempted by her. But Renard, a man of secrets, intended to break through her defenses…

Innocence and passion are an intoxicating mix in this emotional Medieval tale.

#238 LORD HAWKRIDGE’S SECRET—Anne Ashley

Lord Sebastian Hawkridge proposed to Emily nearly five years ago, but she broke their engagement. Now he is intent on making her his bride.

Intrigue and splendour in London high society.

For John, in gratitude for his wholehearted

support and continuing encouragement.

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

‘No luck, I’m afraid, Jess!’

His face a picture of utter dejection, Nicholas Beresford hurried into the tiny parlour of the wayside inn where, for the past half-hour, his sister had been anxiously awaiting his return.

‘The pole is totally shattered,’ he went on, flinging his slight form into the seat beside her. ‘And it seems that they can’t get a replacement until tomorrow. Added to which, it would appear that there’s not a single decent carriage for hire in the whole blessed place!’

Casting yet another uneasy glance at the clock on the mantelshelf, Jessica’s wide green eyes clouded in despair. ‘But what on earth are we to do, Nicky?’ she queried. ‘It is almost five o’clock and Harry promised Imo that we would be back well before six. Matt will just about crucify me if she starts to worry.’

Leaping to his feet, her young brother began to pace the floor. ‘Not you, Jess,’ he groaned. ‘It was my fault that we left Hampton Court so late—if only I hadn’t wasted all that time in the maze…!’

‘If only you had listened to Harry’s instructions, you mean,’ began Jessica crossly, but then, seeing her brother’s disconsolate expression, she sighed and, for the umpteenth time that afternoon, reminded him that it was hardly his fault that the carriage pole had snapped. In any event, surely they should just be thankful that none of them had been more seriously injured.

‘The doctor told Harry that a good night’s sleep will soon put Olivia back to rights,’ she then informed him. ‘And, thank heavens, Cartwright’s wrists are not broken after all—merely badly strained.’

‘Well, that’s something, I suppose,’ replied her brother, nervously polishing his spectacles. ‘I imagine Harry is still with his sister? Has he managed to sort out rooms for us all, do you know?’

‘I told him not to book for us,’ said Jessica, getting to her feet. ‘We simply have to find a way to get home, Nicky. Are you sure that you asked everyone? There has to be some sort of conveyance somewhere in the village, surely?’

Nicholas shook his head. ‘Only one small, rather disreputable-looking gig out in the yard here,’ he replied. ‘Barely big enough for the two of us, let alone Cartwright. Besides which, how on earth do you expect him to drive with his wrists strapped up?’

But Jessica was already making for the door. ‘Good grief, Nicky! Surely it is not beyond your capabilities to handle the thing!’ she flung at the dismayed young man and, ignoring his protests, quickly exited the room, adding, ‘Go and tell them to harness one of our leaders to it, right away! I’m off to find Harry—we will need to sort out some arrangements for Cartwright—Matt will probably want to send someone to fetch him home.’

Lieutenant Harry Stevenage was not at all happy when Jessica informed him of her intention to return to Dover Street with only her seventeen-year-old brother as escort. What had started out as a jolly day’s outing to Richmond Park and thence to Hampton Court had, as far as he was concerned, turned into something of a nightmare.

Due to his refusal to take advantage of Stevenage’s whispered instructions, Nicholas had set off into the Court’s maze of hornbeam hedges on his own and had then proceeded to lose himself completely! Since both young ladies had elected to accompany Stevenage—who had mastered the puzzle some years earlier—the three of them had made their way to the centre and back out again in little over half an hour. After a further half an hour had passed without any sight of Nicholas, Stevenage had deemed it necessary to ask the guide to mount his platform and direct the crestfallen Nicholas back to the exit.