Caldwell - The Bluestocking

PRAISE FOR CHRISTI CALDWELL

Christi Caldwells The Vixen shows readers a darker, grittier version of Regency London than most romance novels... Caldwells more realistic version of London is a particularly gripping backdrop for this enemies-to-lovers romance, and its heartening to read a story where love triumphs even in the darkest places.

NPR on The Vixen

In addition to a strong plot, this story boasts actualized characters whose personal demons are clear and credible. The chemistry between the protagonists is seductive and palpable, with their family history of hatred played against their personal similarities and growing attraction to create an atmospheric and captivating romance.

Publishers Weekly on The Hellion

Christi Caldwell is a master of words and The Hellion is so descriptive and vibrant that she redefines high definition. Readers will be left panting, craving, and rooting for their favorite characters as unexpected lovers find their happy ending.

RT Book Reviews on The Hellion

Christi Caldwell is a Must Read.

New York Times bestselling author Mary Balogh

Two people so very broken in different ways, and their journey to becoming whole again. This is Christi Caldwell at her absolute best!

Kathryn Bullivant

One of [Christi] Caldwells strengths is creating deep, sympathetic characters, and this book is no exception...

Courtney Tonokawa

OTHER TITLES BY CHRISTI CALDWELL

Sinful Brides

The Rogues Wager

The Scoundrels Honor

The Ladys Guard

The Heiresss Deception

The Wicked Wallflowers

The Hellion

The Vixen

The Governess

Heart of a Duke

In Need of a Duke (A Prequel Novella )

For Love of the Duke

More Than a Duke

The Love of a Rogue

Loved by a Duke

To Love a Lord

The Heart of a Scoundrel

To Wed His Christmas Lady

To Trust a Rogue

The Lure of a Rake

To Woo a Widow

To Redeem a Rake

One Winter with a Baron

To Enchant a Wicked Duke

Beguiled by a Baron

To Tempt a Scoundrel

The Heart of a Scandal

In Need of a Knight (A Prequel Novella )

Schooling the Duke

A Ladys Guide to a Gentlemans Heart

Lords of Honor

Seduced by a Ladys Heart

Captivated by a Ladys Charm

Rescued by a Ladys Love

Tempted by a Ladys Smile

Scandalous Seasons

Forever Betrothed, Never the Bride

Never Courted, Suddenly Wed

Always Proper, Suddenly Scandalous

Always a Rogue, Forever Her Love

A Marquess for Christmas

Once a Wallflower, At Last His Love

The Theodosia Sword

Only For His Lady

Only For Her Honor

Only For Their Love

Danby

A Season of Hope

Winning a Ladys Heart

The Brethren

The Spy Who Seduced Her

The Lady Who Loved Him

The Rogue Who Rescued Her

Brethren of the Lords

My Lady of Deception

Her Duke of Secrets

A Regency Duet

Rogues Rush In

Nonfiction Works

Uninterrupted Joy : A Memoir

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either products of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously.

Text copyright 2019 by Christi Caldwell

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

Published by Montlake Romance, Seattle

www.apub.com

Amazon, the Amazon logo, and Montlake Romance are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates.

ISBN-13: 9781503904071

ISBN-10: 1503904075

Cover design by Erin Dameron-Hill

Cover illustration by Chris Cocozza

To my mom:

When money was tight, you made sure I still always had a romance novel in my hands.

And when, years later, I was a grown woman and a mom myself with books Id written just sitting on my computer, you were the first to tell me I should really indie publish them... proving, once more, mothers always know best!

I love you!

Contents

Chapter 1

St. Giles, London

Spring 1826

It was as though someone had died.

And in a way, someone had.

This would be a physical loss felt throughout the club, leaving the unlikely home silent in ways it had never been.

Gertrude Killoran stared blankly at the maids folding shirts and garments and placing them in neat piles upon an immaculate four-poster bed.

Small garments packed up, to be gone forevermore... and never returned.

Stacks of fine wool trousers and jackets alongside tattered scraps better fit for a street urchin. Torn cotton shirts. Coarse wool. Muddied shoes.

Her throat spasmed. I have it. All the while the servants, so very focused on their work, continued on, methodical in their task. Gather. Fold. Pile. Repeat. Her quiet words were less of a command and more of a statement, and their whispery-soft quality lent the order an air of weakness.

The only one to pay her any heed was the grey tabby at her feet. Gus nudged his head against her legs and purred.

All these years, Gertrude had been known as the weak Killoran. Blind in one eye, she was the cripple whom no one saw any true value inat least, not in the way one was valued in the streets. And in this instance, with her young brother, Stephen, being carted off, away from this household theyd shared to the true home hed been born to, she confronted the reality of her character. And mayhap she was weak.

Because if she were as strong as shed always considered herself to be, then shed muster a greater show of strength than this for her brothers benefit.

Shed have packed his garments herself. Offered him words of strength and encouragement. Something. He deserved that. He deserved more in the face of uncertainty. Because of all hed suffered and the pain he would forever know.

From where she stood at the windows overlooking the streets outside the Devils Den, the glass panes reflected a pair of footmen behind her, entering her brothers rooms with yet another trunk.

Another one to fill with Stephens things, taking all with him when he was gone.

Oh, God.

With jerky movements, she rushed over to the unfolded garments. I have them, she said, her voice slightly pitched, and something in it cut across the bustling activity that had existed in this room throughout the day. The maids looked up with bereaved eyes. Tear-filled ones. Stephen would not see tears. Not today. Not on his final day inside the Devils Den. I said I have them, she repeated, agony making her tone sharper than shed intended. You may go. Gertrude looked to the four somber servants. All of you.

The group of servants hesitated.

Even though Gertrude had taken on a greater role at the clubs since her sisters had married, it was still new to the staff. They likely didnt truly know what to do with this commanding version of her usually collected self. Now, she said curtly when they made no move to leave.

The pair of maids relinquished the garments in their hands and filed after the footmen. They closed the door in their wake so that Gertrude was left... alone.

Her breath came slow and shallow, straining the constricted walls of her chest as she stared at the oak panel of Stephens door, nicked and scarred from the tip of the dagger hed hurled at it, a street game hed carried with him into the club.