Loving Lord Egleton: A Regency Romance (Regency Matchmakers Book 3) Read online

  Loving Lord Egleton

  Laura Beers

  Contents

  More Romance by Laura Beers

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Text copyright © 2021 by Laura Beers

  Cover art copyright © 2021 by Laura Beers

  Cover art by Blue Water Books

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, copied, or transmitted without the prior written permission of the copyright owner. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  More Romance by Laura Beers

  Regency Brides: A Promise of Love

  A Clever Alliance

  The Reluctant Guardian

  A Noble Pursuit

  The Earl’s Daughter

  A Foolish Game

  1

  England, 1813

  Miss Hannah Blackmore awoke to the sound of birds warbling outside her window. She groaned as she rolled over and put a pillow over her head to muffle the sound. Blasted birds! How she detested their incessant chatter. Every morning it was the same, and she tired of waking up to them. Why had they found the tree outside her bedchamber so enticing? It always baffled her. They were the most vexing little creatures.

  She removed the pillow and rolled onto her back. The sun streamed through the open window, and the thin, blue drapes blew in the breeze. A bird landed on the windowsill and chirped. She sat up in bed and grabbed her pillow. In a quick motion, she reared back and threw it. Sadly, the bird took flight before it was hit, and her pillow sailed through the window.

  Hannah groaned again and put her feet over the side of the bed. She walked to the window and looked out. Her pillow had landed on top of a rose bush in the courtyard. She had no doubt her lady’s maid would not be pleased by her antics.

  The door to her bedchamber opened, and the petite girl in question, Sarah, walked into the room. “Good morning,” she greeted cheerfully. “I see that you are finally awake.”

  “The birds woke me up,” Hannah grumbled.

  “They do every morning.”

  Letting out a puff of air, Hannah said, “I don’t know why Cooper won’t shoot them like I requested.”

  Sarah laughed. “I don’t believe that is a usual job for a butler.”

  “No, I suppose not,” Hannah replied. “Although, I have no clue how the whole household is not vexed by them.”

  “Most people find birds’ chirping charming.”

  “I find it annoying.”

  With a knowing look at the bed, Sarah asked, “Did you throw your pillow at the birds?”

  “I did.”

  “I will go and retrieve it from the courtyard,” Sarah frowned disapprovingly, “again.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Are you ready to dress for the day?” Sarah asked as she walked to the armoire.

  “I suppose I am.” Hannah stepped over to her dressing table and sat down.

  “You don’t seem sure,” her lady’s maid commented.

  “I’m tired.”

  Sarah shook her head in amusement. “You slept in so late you have nearly missed breakfast.”

  “Have I?” Hannah asked as she reached for a bottle of lotion.

  Removing a yellow muslin gown from the wardrobe, Sarah laid it out on the bed. “I saw your sister leaving her bedchamber a short time ago. I assume she was heading down to the breakfast parlor.”

  “Kate does enjoy eating breakfast with her husband.”

  “I think that is sweet,” Sarah said.

  “I think so, as well.”

  Hannah rubbed the lotion on her arms. “Sometimes I feel like I am an interloper in my own home.”

  “Why do you believe that?”

  “Ever since Amelia left and married the Duke of Harrowden, I just feel as if I am encroaching on Kate and Edward’s home.”

  “This is your home, as well.”

  “I know, but it still feels that way.”

  “Has Lady Berkshire said anything to you?”

  Hannah shook her head. “No, my sister would never say something so disparaging, but they have only been married for two months. I can’t help but think that they need privacy.”

  Sarah started brushing Hannah’s long blonde tresses. “Where would you go?”

  “I’m not sure,” Hannah replied. “It is not as if I could go to Amelia’s country house, since she has only been married for a month.”

  “I must admit that I thoroughly enjoyed visiting Harrowden Hall a couple of weeks ago. It was enormous.”

  “I agree,” Hannah admitted. “I got lost multiple times in the manor when we were there for the ball to celebrate her marriage.” She giggled. “The duke even found me in the conservatory one time when I was searching for the morning room.”

  “Your sister seemed happy with the duke,” Sarah commented as she twisted her hair into a tight chignon.

  Hannah smiled. “That she did,” she replied. “I don’t think I have ever seen my sister smile so much as she does when she converses with Edmund.”

  Sarah stepped back and asked, “Are you pleased with your hair?”

  “I am,” Hannah acknowledged as she admired her reflection in the mirror.

  “Let’s hurry and get you dressed so you can have breakfast with your sister and Lord Berkshire,” Sarah said.

  After Hannah was dressed, she stepped out into the hall and walked towards the breakfast parlor on the main floor. The delicious smell of food wafted out as she approached the door, and she eagerly stepped into the room.

  “Good morning,” she greeted.

  Kate glanced up from the paper she was reading and replied, “Good morning.”

  Edward had risen when she walked in and acknowledged her with a tip of his head. “How are you this fine morning?”

  Hannah let out an unladylike grunt as she waved him back down. “The birds woke me up again.”

  “That is sad to hear,” Edward said as he returned to his seat, but his tone was anything but sincere.

  “I don’t know why you won’t let me shoot them,” Hannah remarked as she approached the buffet.

  Kate smiled at her. “You can’t go around shooting innocent birds.”

  “They aren’t innocent,” Hannah challenged. “They intentionally wake me up every morning.”

  “They do?” Edward asked as he picked up the morning newspaper.

  Hannah placed two pieces of toast onto a plate. “It is a conspiracy to prevent me from sleeping in.”

  Kate shared an amused look with Edward. “I find the birds endearing.”

  Hannah sat across from Kate and placed a linen napkin on her lap. “That is because they aren’t perched right outside of your window.”

  “We can hear them in our bedchamber, as well.”

  Edward turned the page of the newspaper. “You could always sleep with your window closed. That would stifle much of the noise.”

  “Then it would be much
too stuffy in my chambers,” Hannah remarked.

  “You could always switch bedchambers,” Kate suggested, reaching for her teacup.

  Hannah shook her head as a footman placed a cup of chocolate in front of her and stepped back. “I love my bedchamber,” she replied. “I am just going to have to find a way to beat the birds at their own game.”

  “I truly don’t believe the birds have nefarious intentions,” Kate teased.

  Reaching for her chocolate, Hannah countered, “That is what they want you to believe, but I know better.”

  Kate laughed. “I fear you are past hope, my dear sister.”

  Edward put the newspaper down and rose. “I’m afraid I must depart for a meeting with my solicitor.” He leaned down and kissed his wife on the cheek. “I will be back later today.”

  “Please ensure that you are back in time to dress for Miss Olivia’s engagement ball,” Kate said.

  Straightening, Edward grimaced. “Must we go?”

  Kate nodded. “Yes. Miss Olivia is a former client, and we must go to support her. Besides, we need to escort Hannah to the ball.”

  “Of course.” Edward took a step back from the table. “How could I forget so quickly?”

  Hannah wiped the corners of her mouth with her napkin. “I do appreciate you escorting me, Edward.”

  Her brother-in-law smiled kindly at her. “It is my pleasure, Hannah,” he remarked before he departed.

  “I feel bad for Edward,” Hannah said. “He hates attending balls and social gatherings.”

  “That he does,” Kate agreed.

  “Why does he go, then?”

  Kate smirked. “Because I ask him nicely.” She reached for the morning newspaper and started rifling through the pages. “Olivia’s engagement ball made the Society page.”

  “How exciting,” Hannah said. “I bet that pleased her mother immensely.”

  “I have no doubt. Lady Vincent was ecstatic when Lord George offered for Olivia.”

  Hannah picked up her toast and took a bite of it. “Would you care to go shopping with me today?” she asked as she put the toast back on her plate.

  “I would be happy to,” Kate replied. “Are you looking for something specific?”

  “I’m hoping to find fabric for a new gown I have been designing.”

  “That’s wonderful.” Kate picked up the papers on the table and rose. “Allow me to finish reading through this correspondence, and I will be ready within the hour.”

  Hannah watched Kate’s retreating figure and sighed. She was bored and needed to find a way to entertain herself. Fortunately, shopping always brought her out of her humdrum.

  Hannah stared out the window as the coach rolled along towards the shops. Her attention was on the men and women walking purposefully down the street. How she envied them. They all appeared to know exactly where they wanted to go, whereas she just felt lost.

  She’d felt alone since Amelia had married. Which was odd, since she lived in a townhouse full of servants and a doting older sister. But she’d always shared a special bond with Amelia, despite their differences.

  She smiled at that thought, because their differences were indeed vast. Not only did they differ in appearance, but they bantered constantly about everything. There were very few things they actually agreed on.

  Kate’s voice broke through the silence. “What are you smiling about?”

  “I was just thinking about Amelia,” Hannah admitted, “and how she detests shopping.”

  “That she does,” Kate agreed.

  “I’m truly happy for her, but I find that I miss her dreadfully.”

  “As do I.”

  Hannah sighed. “Amelia has Edmund, and you have Edward,” she started, “but I have no one.”

  Kate looked at her with compassion in her eyes. “You will always have me.”

  “I know, and I am most grateful for that,” Hannah rushed out. “But ever since Amelia married, I find myself feeling alone.”

  “Then I shall spend more time with you.”

  Hannah shook her head. “That would be terribly unfair of me, especially since you have only been married yourself for two months.”

  “I had no idea you were feeling like this,” Kate said.

  Hannah gave her sister a weak smile. “I didn’t want to bother you with my trivial emotions.”

  “Emotions are not trivial.” Kate grew silent for a moment, then asked, “Are you interested in matrimony?”

  Hannah pressed her lips together, delaying her response. There was only one man that she would ever consider marrying, but she couldn’t very well admit that to her sister. Knowing that Kate was still waiting for a response, she replied, “I am not opposed to it.”

  “What wonderful news!” Kate exclaimed. “We shall match you with the most brilliant suitors.”

  Hannah put her hand up in front of her. “No, I do not want your assistance.”

  “No?” Kate asked, puzzled. “Whyever not?”

  “Because I want to be the one to find my own match.”

  Kate smiled indulgently at her. “I completely understand.”

  “You do?”

  “I do,” Kate replied, “but I would be more than happy to render assistance, if you ever so desire.”

  “I appreciate that.”

  Kate glanced out the window. “I’m afraid I miss being a matchmaker.”

  “Then perhaps we should bring on a few clients,” Hannah suggested.

  “You wouldn’t be opposed to that?” Kate asked. “I know I promised we wouldn’t take on any clients for the rest of the Season.”

  Hannah gave a half-shrug. “Frankly, I think it might help with my humdrum.”

  A bright smile came to Kate’s face. “We have a huge pile of correspondence from people who have been requesting our services.”

  “Then by all means, I think it is time that you sort through them and find the perfect clients.”

  “I will, as soon as we return home.”

  “Will Edward be all right with you taking on clients?” Hannah inquired.

  Kate waved a hand in front of her. “He will be thrilled.”

  Hannah laughed. “You seem rather confident.”

  “Edward just wants me to be happy,” Kate said. “Besides, he is busy with his meetings during the day. I doubt he will even notice.”

  The coach jerked to a stop and dipped to the side as a footman stepped off his perch. Then, he opened the door and assisted them out.

  Hannah admired the storefront of the milliner’s shop as she stepped onto the pavement. “Perhaps we should purchase a new hat first.”

  “Didn’t you just buy a new hat?” Kate asked.

  “That was nearly a month ago,” Hannah defended.

  “I stand corrected.”

  “Besides, a woman can never have too many hats.”

  Kate laughed. “I daresay you have more hats than you can wear in a lifetime.”

  “That’s not true,” she argued. “Besides, most of my hat collection comes from Mother; and I’ve simply altered them over the years to make them more fashionable.”

  “Fair enough,” Kate said. “If hats make you happy, then who am I to judge?”

  “That is kind of you, sister,” Hannah remarked good-naturedly.

  Kate looped her arm through Hannah’s. “Let us begin at the milliner’s, then,” she declared as she led the way into the shop.

  As they stepped inside, Hannah’s eyes roamed over the broad assortment of hats on display. Three tables were set up with bonnets, caps, turbans, and straw hats, ranging from simple to extravagant.

  “Look at all these new hats for me to admire,” Hannah remarked in a giddy voice.

  A portly woman with black hair approached them with a smile on her face. “Good morning, ladies,” she greeted. “It is always a pleasure to see my two favorite customers.”

  Hannah returned the shopkeeper’s smile. “You are looking well.”

  “Thank you, Miss Hannah,” the
shopkeeper replied. “Are you looking for anything in particular?”

  “We are just perusing,” Kate replied.

  The shopkeeper walked over to one of the tables and picked up a straw hat embellished with strawberries. “This is one of our newly designed hats,” she shared. “Isn’t it wonderful?”

  Hannah walked over to the shopkeeper and accepted the hat. “I have seen hats with grapes and cherries, but I have yet to see a hat with strawberries on it.”

  “Yes, it is all the rage right now,” the shopkeeper shared.

  She handed the hat back and said, “I do enjoy taking risks with fashion, but I daresay I am not ready for a hat with strawberries on it.”

  The shopkeeper returned the hat to the display and reached for another straw hat with a cluster of purple flowers on it. “Is this more to your liking?”

  “It is,” Hannah replied as she reached for the hat. “I do fancy this one.”

  Kate spoke up from behind her. “Then you must get it.”

  “I believe I shall,” Hannah said, extending the hat towards the shopkeeper. “Will you box it up for me?”

  The woman tipped her head in acknowledgement. “As you wish.”

  Hannah turned her attention towards her sister. “Have you found anything you like?”

  Kate shook her head. “I’m afraid not.”

  “Shall we go look at fabric, then?” Hannah asked.

  “I believe that’s a splendid idea.”

  They had just started walking down the street when they saw Lord Egleton and his sister, Lady Marianne Pemberton, approaching them from the opposite direction. Lord Egleton was dressed in a black jacket with a black armband around his left sleeve, and Marianne was dressed in a lavender gown.

  To say that Martin, Lord Egleton, was a handsome man would be a gross understatement. He was tall, with broad shoulders and neatly trimmed dark hair. His face was finely sculpted with a square jaw, straight nose, and deep-set eyes. Those eyes captivated her heart, his smile weakened her senses, and he had a commanding presence that seemed to capture her soul.