Cheryl Bolen [Bolen - His Lady Deceived

Lady Sarah Miltons spinsterhood is not because she hasnt received proposals of marriage. Her beauty and dowry have attracted many. Its just that the men who have proposed dont appeal to her. One man who does, the sport-mad Alfred Wickham, doesnt know she exists. Therefore, when his mother invites her family to spend Yuletide with her extended family at the home of the Duke and Duchess of Radcliff, Lady Sarah jumps at the chance.

Alfred Wickham is not happy. His matchmaking mother fancies an alliance between him and some well-bred young miss hes to meet at the Radcliffs. The last thing Alfred wants is to tie himself down in matrimony--and, besides, hes never been attracted to well-bred ladies. Hell show them! He enlists his best friend, Lord Pottinger, to intervene. Potts is to inform the miss of Alfreds wicked ways: his gaming, his recklessness, and his (feigned) understanding with an actress. Once Potts has succeeded in poisoning Lady Sarah against his friend, Alfred realizes hes made a most dreadful mistake...

Contents

His Lady Deceived

(The Deceived Series, Book 2)

by

Cheryl Bolen

Copyright 2019 by Cheryl Bolen

His Lady Deceived is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the author.

Lady Sarah Milton was quite certain her mother would not be sitting here in Lady Landiss parlor, paying a morning call and for all the world appearing to be on the best of terms with the odious woman if said woman were not the mother of a Most Eligible Matrimonial Prospect. Indeed, Sarah herself could not remember a time when that son, Alfred Wickham, had not been responsible for a prodigious fluttering in her own chest on the rare occasions when she beheld his tall, handsome presence at Almacks.

On each of these occurrences, she had prayed he would take notice of her and do her the goodness of asking her to stand up with him. But Alfred Wickham was not attracted to the debutantes at Almacks. Only the obligation of dancing with his sister or his cousin, now the Duchess of Radcliff, had forced him to those assembly rooms. The indulged only son and heir of the wealthy Viscount Landis not only had no interest in respectable young ladies, it was said he dallied with women of the worst sortwhen he wasnt thoroughly absorbed with sporting pursuits of every manner.

Alfred Wickham attended the race meetings at Newmarket. He engaged in high-stakes play at Whites. And Lady Landiss son was sure to be at the center of any gathering of cheering men wagering on an outcome, whether it be pugilists engaged in fisticuffs or a pair of cocks tearing into each other, blood-tinged feathers flying. The newspapers were full of Alfred Wickhams exploits.

My dear Lady Landis, Sarahs mother said, it must be nearing your daughters time. Your first grandchild, is it not?

A satisfied smile swept over their hostesss face. Yes. Any day now. The earl is, quite naturally, hoping for an heir.

Lady Babington nodded. But as you and I know, daughters can be most dear and such a comfort.

Indeed. I will be with my dear Em at Christmas. We might even have a Christmas babe!

She flicked a gaze at Sarah, then looked back at that young womans mother. I am so gratified you and your beautiful daughter have honored me today, Lady Babington. Lady Landis handed her a delicate porcelain cup resting on an eggshell-thin saucer. Then her gaze settled on Sarah.

Lady Landis must have been a beauty when she was a young woman. She was still lovely. Alfred had gotten his height from his statuesque mother, but he did not inherit her auburn hair. His dark hair had come from his father. Sarah had never before considered Lady Landiss beauty, likely because of the womans abrasive personality. Lady Landis dismissed anyone who wasnt titled. Because Sarahs father was an earl, Lady Landis had always groveled in her mothers presence and had been exceedingly solicitous of Sarah.

Since you came out, my dear Lady Sarah, their hostess said, pausing and lowering her brows. How many years ago was that now?

Most young women who had been out as long as Sarah without attracting a husband would be embarrassed to admit how long it was, but Sarah was not. She had received many offers of marriage, but none of the men had appealed to her in that special way. As she sat here in Alfred Wickhams home she found herself wondering if she would have looked favorably upon an offer from him. It was difficult to say since she had never spoken to him. But the very notion sent her heartbeat thumping. I was seventeen when I was presented. I am two-and-twenty now.

Mamas face screwed up with distaste. My daughter is very discriminating. Too discriminating. Shes turned down countless offersone from a marquess even. I keep telling her if she continues being so particular shell find herself a hopeless spinster whos lost her beauty.

Lady Landis shook her head. I cannot image the lovely Lady Sarah ever losing her beauty. Her gaze returned to Sarah. As I was saying, from the day you came out, I told myself, thats the girl for my Alfred.

Sarah felt as if the breath were trapped in her chest. If she were called upon to respond, she was not sure she could summon her voice. Alfred Wickham and her? Just putting voice to such a dream set her heartbeat racing. Lady Landis suddenly became Sarahs ally.

Of course, at that time my dear boy was not interested in settling down, but its time Alfred began thinking about... well, its time he grow up. Hes thirty now, you know. One cannot live ones life solely for sport.

Did his mother not know about the opera dancers? Her Alfred was not a little boy any more.

Lady Landis continued smiling at Sarah. Was Sarah supposed to respond? Oh, dear. She cleared her throat. Im greatly flattered, my lady. I do believe, though, your son might wish to weigh in on a topic so close to his own future. You see, we dont know each other. I dont believe weve ever been introduced, and Im quite certain weve never spoken.

Oh, but our families are close. Ive always known that when the time came, you would be the perfect wife for Alfred. The Babingtons are the best kind of people, and quite frankly, only a beauty would do for someone as handsome as my boy. Youre the prettiest of all the peers daughters. And I have the perfect plan to acquaint you and my dear boy.

Wife. Sarahs heart raced. Her brows shot up.

Lady Babingtons brows lowered.

Both ladies watched Lady Landis with their breaths held.

Lady Landiss coy smile fanned from Lady Babington to her daughter. Our whole familyincluding my daughter, the Countess of Dunsfordwill be spending Christmas with our dear niece, the Duchess of Radcliff, at their country home, and the duchess has extended the invitation to your family. Oh, do say youll come. It will be smashing fun. The dukes great friend Mr. Twickingham will be there, too, and hes terribly amusing.

Sarahs gaze swung to her mother. To her astonishmentsince she knew her mother did not admire Lady Landisher mother said, What a wonderful Christmas it would be! Our own country house is undergoing renovations, and I was so dreading spending Christmas in London. Ive heard that the Duke of Radcliffs Hedley Hall is magnificent. Mama eyed Sarah. Of course, if Sarah is opposed to the idea, we need not go.