The Guardian's Dilemma

The Guardian's Dilemma
Gail Whitiker

A young woman disappears. A husband is suspected of murder. Stirring times for all the neighborhood.In an effort to save his young stepsister from a fortune hunter's grasp, Oliver Brandon places her in a genteel ladies' academy. His shock is considerable when he realizes that one of the respectable schoolmistresses is a woman he last saw at a house party–in a highly compromising situation!It's obvious to Helen de Coverdale that Oliver Brandon has serious misgivings about handing his ward into her charge. But will he listen if she tries to tell him her side of the story…?Regency DramaIntrigue, mischief…and marriageThe Steepwood Scandal

“Mr. Brandon, I must confess to a certain…surprise at having received your letter.

“It is most unusual for a schoolmistress to spend time alone with the parent of one of her girls,” she observed.

“I seldom trouble myself with what is or is not unusual, Miss de Coverdale,” Oliver replied. “I wished to speak to you alone and perceived this to be the best way of doing that.”

“But what did you wish to speak to me about?”

Oliver sent her a mocking glance. “Do you really need to ask that, given the nature of our first aquaintance?”

The Guardian’s Dilemma

Gail Whitiker

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

GAIL WHITIKER

Originally hailing from Pembrokershire, Gail Whitiker now lives on beautiful Vancouver Island on the west coast of Canada. When she isn’t indulging her love of writing, you’ll find her enjoying brisk walks along the island’s many fine beaches, or trying to catch up her second love, reading. She wrote her first novel when she was in her teens, and still blesses her English teacher for not telling her how bad it really was.

THE STEEPWOOD SCANDAL:

Lord Ravensden’s Marriage, by Anne Herries

An Innocent Miss, by Elizabeth Bailey

The Reluctant Bride, by Meg Alexander

A Companion of Quality, by Nicola Cornick

A Most Improper Proposal, by Gail Whitiker

A Noble Man, by Anne Ashley

An Unreasonable Match, by Sylvia Andrew

An Unconventional Duenna, by Paula Marshall

Counterfeit Earl, by Anne Herries

The Captain’s Return, by Elizabeth Bailey

The Guardian’s Dilemma, by Gail Whitiker

Lord Exmouth’s Intentions, by Anne Ashley

Mr. Rushford’s Honour, by Meg Alexander

An Unlikely Suitor, by Nicola cornick

An Inescapable Match, by Sylvia Andrew

The Missing Marchioness, by Paula Marshall

Contents

Chapter One (#udfa1d6c4-9cb6-56fe-800e-5bc54c484d6d)

Chapter Two (#u805666b1-cbb8-5177-8583-e20941cd0196)

Chapter Three (#u1880129d-cfb2-53b4-b9a8-262212b5079f)

Chapter Four (#u64956d63-1256-5e91-9541-3fef0b9bc8c5)

Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Sixteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter One

August 1812

‘Elope!’ The shocked exclamation burst from Oliver Brandon’s lips as he turned to stare at the young woman standing by the window. ‘What in the world are you talking about, Sophie? Gillian would never do such a thing.’

‘Wouldn’t she?’ Mrs Sophie Llewellyn glanced at her brother with an expression of amused indulgence. ‘You know what a headstrong young girl our stepsister is. She has the determination of three and she has shown in the past that if she is pushed too hard, she will rebel. Do you not remember that little incident several years ago?’