Unbefitting a Lady (23 page)

AUTHOR NOTE

I hope you’re enjoying the Montagues! I was thrilled to be
part of this continuity series, and even more thrilled to be working on another
horse story. One element we wanted to emphasise in the series was the
upstairs-downstairs-style interaction between the family and the servants. What
better relationship to explore than a groom and A headstrong youngest daughter?
Grooms are notoriously sexy, and they have lots of reasons to take their shirts
off while they’re working the horses. What more could I ask for?

On a more serious note, I love a heroine with a dream, and
Phaedra has one: to race a colt she’s trained at the prestigious Epsom Derby. It
was great fun to research Epsom and accounts of the Derby. I’ve tried to be as
true to fact as possible in my fictionalised accounting of the race. The
comments about the difficulty and layout of the course are accurate. The names
of the horses that raced that year and their riders or owners are also accurate,
as is the description of the Waterloo Inn, where Phaedra stays, although it was
not clear that the Waterloo had changed its name at that point.

Buxton is also accurately represented as a home of many
popular and well-attended horse fairs during that time period.

I want to give many thanks to the Epsom Historical Society,
who helped unearth some key data.

I hope you enjoy Phaedra’s story and the evolution of the
Montague mystery as more is revealed about Jamie Montague’s demise, Alicia’s
identity and Giles’s attempts to keep the Rothermere dynasty together against
impossible odds.

Keep reading and I’ll see you out there

Drop by the blog and leave your thoughts at:
www.Bronwynswriting.blogspot.com

Don’t miss the next instalment of Castonbury
Park—
REDEMPTION OF A FALLEN WOMAN
by Joanna Fulford

‘Time is running out and only you
can save our family…’

Harry Montague must discover the truth about his family’s
missing heir—for better or worse. But his thoughts are sidetracked from the
moment he first sees Elena Ruiz, beautiful and fierce in her bright red
dress.

She’s innocent, yet Spanish society has condemned her. Harry
can help this woman in need with the security of a marriage made on paper—
but nothing more.
For his heart is armoured by pain
and regret from the past. And yet soon he finds himself fighting an unexpected
longing for his new wife that grows each day…

REDEMPTION OF A FALLEN WOMAN
Joanna Fulford

‘Y
ou’ve run away?’

‘Yes. I’m sorry to spring this on you, My Lord, but I had no
choice.’

The grey eyes were steely. ‘To spring what on me, exactly?’

Her heart pounded. ‘Concha and I want to travel with you.’
Seeing his expression, she hurried on. ‘We are both accomplished riders, we both
know how to take care of ourselves, and we’re used to rough living.’

‘I dare say. All the same...’

‘We won’t slow you down and we won’t be a nuisance.’

‘You cannot seriously imagine...’

‘All we ask is the protection of your company until we reach
England.’

‘England! Now, look...’

‘I have a married sister who lives in Hertfordshire. She will
help us. Only first we have to get there.’

‘I’m not going to England, Elena. Not for months yet.’

‘Of course not. First we will help you to discover the truth
about your brother. Then we will go.’

‘Elena, you must see that it isn’t possible.’

There it was again, the familiar use of her name, yet it didn’t
seem in any way disrespectful on his lips. Rather it afforded her a glimmer of
hope.

‘I will not go back, My Lord.’

‘I wasn’t suggesting that you should, but nor is it fitting
that you attempt such a journey.’

‘If you do not help us then we shall go on alone and face what
comes.’

‘It’s too dangerous. Quite apart from the vagaries of the
weather, and the numerous natural obstacles you are likely to encounter, the
mountains are full of brigands.’

‘It would be less dangerous with four,’ she replied. ‘Concha
and I both shoot well.’

Harry felt winded, as though he had fallen from a great height
and then landed between a rock and a hard place. Desperately he tried to marshal
his thoughts. Elena wouldn’t go back, and he didn’t blame her for it, but
neither could he let her go on alone. Every masculine instinct forbade it.

Yet the implications of their going on together were fraught
with difficulty too. No matter what she said to the contrary, he would be
responsible for the two women. It was a burden of care he could do without.
Besides, his track record in that area was abysmal. Had he not already failed
the woman who had trusted him most? Had he not also failed the man who had been
his best friend? Their trust in him had been misplaced and both were dead. His
jaw tightened. If he abandoned Elena and Concha now he would be adding two more
to that score, because they would likely perish before they ever saw Seville,
never mind England. Conscience dictated that he couldn’t let that happen.

‘All right. You travel with us, but it will be on the condition
that you take orders from me.’

‘Of course.’

‘I mean it, Elena. All our lives may depend on it.’

She nodded. ‘Very well.’

ISBN: 9781426876769

© Nikki Poppen 2012

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