Lord Hawkridge's Secret

Lord Hawkridge's Secret
ANNE ASHLEY

Regency intrigue and splendor in London high societyMiss Emily Stapleton broke her engagement to Lord Sebastian Hawkridge nearly five years ago upon discovering that he was in love with another. Now she's become entangled in something dark and dangerous and Sebastian is back in her life again–as her guardian! How will Emily respond to him when all the secrets of the past are finally revealed?

Emily raised her eyes and looked about the room for that tall, well-remembered figure.

She didn’t immediately perceive him standing amidst a group of gentlemen in the far corner of the room.

It was only when he turned his head and she received the full impact of an unwavering gaze from all-too-perceptive gray eyes that she realized that the gentleman immaculately attired in a long-tailed black coat, which emphasized the breadth of superb masculine shoulders, and tight-fitting trousers, which did little to hide the muscular shapeliness of long legs, was none other than the being who continued to plague her dreams all too frequently even after all these years.

“Oh, dear God! He’s coming over,” she muttered. “Why couldn’t the wretched creature have allowed me at least a few minutes in order to compose myself?”

“Hello, Em,” he responded in a deep, throaty tone that was no less appealing than the smile he bestowed upon her….

Lord Hawkridge’s Secret

Harlequin

Historical

Author Note

My story is set in what many of you consider to be the most romantic period in our history—the Regency. First and foremost, Lord Hawkridge’s Secret is a love story. However, for those of you who enjoy a mystery to solve, this book also contains a strong intrigue element. Its endearing heroine is spirited, its hero is charming and its sinister villain is utterly loathsome—in other words the story contains something that will, hopefully, appeal to a wide range of tastes.

I hope you enjoy it!

LORDHAWKRIDGE’S SECRET

ANNE ASHLEY

TORONTO • NEW YORK • LONDON

AMSTERDAM • PARIS • SYDNEY • HAMBURG

STOCKHOLM • ATHENS • TOKYO • MILAN • MADRID

PRAGUE • WARSAW • BUDAPEST • AUCKLAND

Available from Harlequin

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ANNE ASHLEY

was born and educated in Leicester. She lived for a long time in Scotland, but now lives in the West Country with two cats, her two sons and her husband, who has a wonderful and very necessary sense of humor. When not pounding away at the keys of her word processor, she likes to relax in her garden, which she has opened to the public on more than one occasion in aid of the village church funds.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four