Anne Herries - A Country Miss in Hanover Square

Susannah could not help wishing that she and Harry might have had a little time together before all his relatives arrived.

She was trying to accustom herself to the idea that she was engaged to a man she loveda man she was not sure felt quite the same about her. She knew that Harry felt something for her, but most marriages were arranged for reasons other than love, and she could not yet be certain that she was loved as she would wish to beto distraction.

A Country Miss in Hanover Square

Harlequin Historical

Author Note

Writing for Harlequin is a constant joy. A Season in Town, Book One, is about Susannah and Lord Pendleton. Susannah never expected to have a season because her mama could not afford it. However, Amelia Royston has inherited a fortune, and she wants to spend some of it on young women in less happy circumstances than herself. Susannah is flattered by the attentions of the dashing Lord Pendleton, but overawed by the prospect of becoming the wife of such an important man.

Beneath the story runs a thread of intrigue that continues throughout all three books in this trilogy and may threaten Amelia herself. Look out for Harry and his friends in the next two.

This book is dedicated to
the memory of my mother, who once told me
my books would be enjoyed by hundreds of thousands
of people worldwide. I laughed, Mum, but you were right!

A Country Miss in Hanover Square

A NNE H ERRIES

A Season in Town

a new Regency miniseries from Anne Herries

Look for

A Country Miss in Hanover Square

An Innocent Debutante in Hanover Square

The Mistress of Hanover Square

Available from Harlequin Historical and
ANNE HERRIES

A Knight of Honor #184

Her Knight Protector #188

Lady in Waiting #202

The Adventurers Wife #208

Forbidden Lady #209

An Improper Companion #227

The Lords Forced Bride #231

A Wealthy Widow #235

A Worthy Gentleman #243

Her Dark and Dangerous Lord #249

Marianne and the Marquis #258

Married by Christmas #261

Marrying Captain Jack #265

The Unknown Heir #269

Ransom Bride #276

Fugitive Countess #279

Bought for the Harem #285

The Homeless Heiress #292

Secret Heiress #297

Bartered Bride #303

A Country Miss in Hanover Square #312

Did you know some of these titles are also available
as ebooks? Visit www.Harlequin.com

Award-winning author Anne Herries lives in Cambridgeshire, England. She is fond of watching wildlife, and spoils the birds and squirrels that are frequent visitors to her garden. Anne loves to write about the beauty of nature, and sometimes puts a little into her booksalthough they are mostly about love and romance. She writes for her own enjoyment, and to give pleasure to her readers. She invites readers to contact her on her website at www.lindasole.co.uk.

Contents

Prologue

The Spanish Peninsula1812

T hree men lay slumped on the earth, which had been baked hard by the fierce Spanish sun. Harry Pendleton had his back against a rock. Of the three he was in the best shape. Max Coleridge was lying with his eyes closed, his blood-soaked shirt stuck to his chest in this damned awful heat. Gerard Ravenshead was fanning Max with a large leaf, trying to keep the flies from settling on his wound. A neck cloth was wound around a deep cut at the side of Gerards head.

I thought we were done for, Harry said. He was speaking his thoughts aloud, saying what they all felt. What a mess!

You cant blame yourself for it, Harry, Gerard said and looked at him. They knew we were coming. Someone must have warned them.

Ten killed, and the three of us only got out by the skin of our teeth. Harry stood up and walked over to take a look at Max. Some how they must have got wind that we planned a surprise raid to take prisoners

One of the servants, Gerard replied and shrugged. In this damned war Im never sure whether we are fighting the French with the Spanish or the Spanish and the French.

I wouldnt trust their generals as far as I could throw them, Harry growled. He looked at the blood trick ling down Gerards face. They had wrapped a kerchief round his head, but it wasnt doing much good. Your wound is still bleeding. Do you want me to take another look at it?

You saved my life once today, Gerard said and grinned at him. You dont have to nursemaid me, Harry. Ill manage. We have to get Max back to the village, and by the looks of him that means carrying him between us.

Harry pulled a wry face. The way youve been behaving out here, Ive some times felt as if you meant to throw your life away Gerard had gained a reputation as some thing of a daredevil.

There were moments when I didnt much care if I died, Gerard admitted. He took a swipe at a fly buzzing about his face. But when youre facing death things come into perspective. I intend to live and return home and one day.

Gerard left the sentence unfinished. Harry nodded. He knew some thing had been eating at his friend. He suspected it was to do with a young woman Gerard had been courtingand the tiny scar at his temple that hed noticed when they first met in Spain after a year of not seeing one another. Gerard often rubbed at it when he was thoughtful, and the look in his eyes told Harry he was remembering some thing that made him angry.

I know what you mean, Harry said. Soldiering is blood, sweat and tearsand that is the easy part. It was listening to the screams of dying men and knowing you couldnt save them that hurt the worst. Come on, then. Help me get Max on my back and Ill carry him.

I can walk Max mumbled. Just give me a hand up.

Dont be a damned fool, Harry replied. Youll be carried as far as we can make it. When we get near the village, Gerard will fetch help.

I could walk with help. Maxs face set stubbornly as he at tempted to rise. Damn you, Harry. Im not a baby.

But Im the superior officer here, so you will do as youre told, Harry muttered. He grinned at Gerard. Theres one thing, were bound for life by this days experience. Its some thing none of us will forgetand if any one of us can help the other in future, we will.

Max grunted as they hauled him to his feet, and Harry took him over his shoulder. Gerard nodded, his eyes hard but appreciative of his friends stubborn determination to take on the burden. He wasnt sure he could have done it himself, though he would have tried.

Comrades in war and peace, he said. Lets get back. My head is fit to burst and Max needs attention.

Chapter One

England1816

H arry Pendleton saw the girl run across the narrow country road seconds before he pulled on the reins, bringing his horses to an abrupt halt. Jangling harness, the sound of snorting horses and the curses of his groom took Harrys attention for a moment as he fought to control the startled beasts. They were not used to being so roughly used! Harry cursed loudly. Another second and he would have knocked the girl down! His heart had been in his mouth for an instantand it had done his horses little good to have their mouths sawed at in that way!

What on earth do you think you were doing? he thundered, tossing the reins to his groom and jumping down to confront her. He hardly noticed her pale face or trembling hands. That was a damned stupid thing to do! I could have killed you!

Had you not been driving so carelessly, it would not have happened, the girl retorted, eyes flashing. She tossed her long hair, giving him a look filled with contempt. These country roads are not made for such haste, sir. I had no idea that you would suddenly come round that corner like a bat driven out of hell.