Sabrina Jeffries - A Notorious Love (Swanlea Spinsters, Book 2)

The only man who can help find her eloping young sister is that scoundrel Daniel Brennanthe man who played with her emotions last year and then left. And, he used to be a smuggler! Although Mrs. Nunleys Guide to Etiquette for Young Ladies would never approve, Helena is forced to go after the runaway in Daniels company. Yet being with him feels oddly freeing and a delicious tingle warns Helena that more than her reputation may be in danger Daniel finds most of the prim and proper lovelys rules ridiculousand since she must masquerade as his wife for the sake of appearances, he immediately envisions the delights of sharing a bedchamber. The unexpected passion smoldering beneath her straitlaced exterior ignites his desire, and the vulnerability hidden beneath her cool control makes him want her even more. Yet Helenas a lady, and hes the son of a highwayman. How can he ever ask her to share his world? Chapter 1 London October 1815 The hero now I speak of, he was proper tall and straight, Like to the lofty poplar tree, his body was complete; His growth was like the tufted fir that does ascend the air, And waving oer his shoulders broad the locks of yellow hair. Rody

McCorley, anonymous Irish street ballad The Well-bred Young Lady avoids the merest hint of scandalous behavior. Helena Laverick couldnt help remembering that stricture as she surveyed the deserted hallway of the St. Giles lodging house. For she was about to break it most flagrantly. Her sister Rosalind had always criticized their late mothers favorite instruction book, Mrs. Nunleys Guide to Etiquette for Young Ladies. Rosalinds philosophy was to follow Mrs. Ns rules when possible, but ignore them when they were impractical. Helena usually considered that her excuse for disregarding any checks to her outrageous behavior. But in this case she had a point. Their young sister Juliets mad dash into trouble made it impossible for Helena not to break the rules. And by venturing into this strange lodging house, where rats scrabbled all around her and burning rushlights clogged the air with their scorched mutton scent, she was breaking quite a few. The Well-bred Young Lady does not take long trips aloneshed broken that one when shed traveled alone to London from Warwickshire. Since Rosalind and her new husband, Griff Knighton, were honeymooning on the Continent and Papa was unable to leave his bed, someone had to handle this messy situation. The Well-bred Young Lady never ventures outdoors without her maidthat one was laughable. The fewer servants involved in her secret mission, the better. Servants did have a tendency to talk. Her grip tightened on her cane as she stared at the scarred oak door before her, the one that belonged to Mr. Daniel Brennan, her brother-in-laws unmarried man of affairs. Now she was about to violate one of Mrs. Ns most serious stricturesThe Well-bred Young Lady does not call on a gentleman in his lodgings unchaperoned. And certainly not at dawn. Why, Mr. Brennans own landlady had refused to risk his ire by rousing him so early. A shiver ran down Helenas spine as she remembered the last time shed provoked Mr. Brennans ire, when he and Griff had been guests at Swan Park this past summer. Not that hed had any right to be angry. Hed been the one in the wrong. Hed been the one shamelessly taking money from Griff for misleading them all, for pretending to court them while undoubtedly laughing at them behind their backs for believing his kindnesses and compliments No, she mustnt think of that. All that mattered was saving Juliet. Which was why she must swallow her pride, rouse her courage, and awaken Mr. Brennan. And soon, too, because her bad leg pained her from the arduous climb up the steep stairs, and nothing would be more mortifying than having it give out in front of him. So before she could change her mind, she rapped sharply on the door. At first she heard nothing. Merciful heavens, what if she had the wrong place? Shed wondered why Mr. Brennan would reside in a slum like St. Giles when he surely could afford better, but Griffs coachman had insisted that the man lived here. She knocked again, this time more loudly. Nothing. Might he refuse to answer? Panic seized her at the thought, so she rapped the silver head of her cane on the door repeatedly, loud enough to raise the

Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html dead. Success at last. Through the thin walls, she heard heavy steps and a male voice growling, Im coming, devil take you! If not for her mission, she might well have fled. Instead she braced herself for whatever might happen. But nothing could prepare her for her first sight of the burly giant. Bare-chested, clad only in his drawers. Struck speechless, she gaped at him. Despite what her sisters thought, she did have some curiosity about men, especially half-naked ones of such impressive dimensions. Mr. Brennan was a veritable Samson, with the muscular shoulders of a pugilist and the broad, sculpted chest of a laborer, thickly sprinkled with dark blond hair. As for those arms swathed in sinew she could easily imagine them pulling down a temple. Just now, however, the Samson was staring at her, perplexed. Lady Helena? He shook his head as if to clear it. It is you, isnt it? She kept her eyes trained on his face as a blush crept up her cheeks. Good morning, Mr. Brennan. Im sorry if I awakened you. Not that there was any question of it his tousled sandy hair and lack of attire confirmed it. Is everything all right at Swan Park? Your father is well? Yes no I mean, I Her lame attempt at coherent speech came crashing to a halt when he leaned one huge forearm against the doorframe, unwittingly causing all his muscles to shift and flex. How in creation could a lady converse rationally when such a magnificent display of male flesh was before her? Despite his size, he hadnt an inch of fat on himno hint of unwanted flesh on the chest and arms, no telltale thickness about the waist. Not a woman above the age of fifteen could miss that Mr. Brennan in his drawers was a fine figure of a man. Mlady, are you well? he queried. Only when her head snapped up did she realize her gaze had wandered down to his bulging drawers. Yes! she cried too loudly, then added in a more subdued tone, Im fine. Quite well. Yes. He cocked an eyebrow, as if knowing precisely how much his appearance unnerved her.

Forgive my inappropriate dress, but I wasnt expecting company at dawn. No need to apologize. I hadnt even noticed your draw I mean, your dress I mean, your lack of Heavens, she was being a complete ninny. She started again, futilely attempting to regain some shred of composure. I hadnt noticed a thing, I assure you. Nothing? His gray eyes danced with mischief. Dyou mean to wound my pride, Lady Helena? Of course not! That is well Its all right. He idly rubbed his hairy chest, and her gaze greedily fixed there. Why dont you tell me why youre in London calling on me at such an ungodly hour? Certainly. She drew herself up, trying to recover her badly slipping ladylike demeanor. You see, Mr. Brennan, I er

require your assistance in a personal matter. Require it, do you? His eyes narrowed. Has your ladyship not heard that Im no longer in your

brother-in-laws employ? Although Im running Knighton Trading until his return, Im not his man of affairs anymore, so anything you want in that capacity No! Its nothing to do with Griff. Not exactly. Then praps youd better tell me what it does have to do with. He pushed away from the doorframe, looking impatient. You see, I She broke off when another lodger emerged from the stairs. As soon as the unkempt man skulked past and shuffled into his own room, she lowered her voice. Please, Mr. Brennan, I must keep this conversation private. May I come in? A devilish smile touched his lips.