A Dangerous Game (Regency Spies & Secrets Book 2), Laura Beers [i read books TXT] 📗

A Dangerous Game

Regency Spies & Secrets #2

Laura Beers

© Copyright 2021 by Laura Beers

Text by Laura Beers

Cover by Dar Albert

Dragonblade Publishing, Inc. is an imprint of Kathryn Le Veque Novels, Inc.

P.O. Box 7968

La Verne CA 91750

ceo@dragonbladepublishing.com

Produced in the United States of America

First Edition April 2021

Kindle Edition

Reproduction of any kind except where it pertains to short quotes in relation to advertising or promotion is strictly prohibited.

All Rights Reserved.

The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

License Notes:

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Thank you for your support of a small press. At Dragonblade Publishing, we strive to bring you the highest quality Historical Romance from the some of the best authors in the business. Without your support, there is no ‘us’, so we sincerely hope you adore these stories and find some new favorite authors along the way.

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Additional Dragonblade books by Author Laura Beers

The Regency Spies & Secrets Series

A Dangerous Pursuit (Book 1)

A Dangerous Game (Book 2)

A Dangerous Lord (Book 3)

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Publisher’s Note

Additional Dragonblade books by Author Laura Beers

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Epilogue

About the Author

Chapter One

England, 1814

Miss Emmeline Lockhart found herself in the most peculiar situation. She had been told that she should feel immense gratitude for the position that she was in, but all she felt was dread at the thought of marrying the Duke of Billingham.

She snuck a glance at the aged duke, who was sitting at the head of the table, and studied him without his knowledge. His thin, worn face was covered with deep wrinkles, he had tufts of white hair around his balding, mottled scalp, and his shoulders were hunched over.

The duke was speaking to her aunt, Lady Taylor, and she saw a large piece of food stuck in his crooked, yellow teeth. She shuddered as she reached for her glass, knowing this was destined to be her future.

Turning his attention towards her, the duke asked in a thin, breathy voice, “Are you cold, my dear?”

Emmeline shook her head. “No, Your Grace, but I thank you kindly for asking.” She took a sip of her drink, hoping he would continue his conversation with her aunt. But she was not so fortunate.

The duke considered her for a moment before saying, “It is rather drafty in the dining room. I can’t risk you catching a cold before our nuptials.”

“I assure you that I am perfectly well.”

Appearing unconvinced, the duke snapped his fingers and a footman promptly appeared at his side. “Will you stoke the fire and bring a blanket for Miss Lockhart?”

“That isn’t necessary, Your Grace,” she attempted.

He smiled at her, and she grimaced at the piece of food that was still stuck in his teeth. If anything, it appeared to have gotten larger. How was that possible?

“It is my privilege to take care of you,” the duke said.

Her aunt spoke up. “That is very generous of you,” she gushed, giving her niece a look that implied she should behave. “Isn’t it, Emmeline?”

Emmeline brought a smile to her lips. “It is, and I thank you for your concern.”

“We shall have to purchase you some sturdier gowns after we are wed,” the duke remarked. “Billingham House can get rather drafty in the winter months and I daresay your muslin gowns won’t be sufficient.”

“Do you not retire to the country for the winter months?” Emmeline asked.

“I do not,” he replied. “I find that traveling does not suit me. At least not anymore.”

Her uncle, Lord Taylor, wiped the sides of his mouth with his napkin, then said, “I daresay that I would have no desire to leave London if I resided in a beautiful townhouse such as yours.”

The duke bobbed his head in agreement. “My late wife, Diana, spent hours decorating Billingham House before her unexpected death.”

“Our condolences,” Lady Taylor expressed. “It is always hard to lose a loved one, especially a spouse.”

“Thank you,” the duke replied. “We may have only been married for a few years, but I did eventually grow to care for her. She was an agreeable person.”

“What a lovely thing to say,” Emmeline remarked tersely but softened her words with a smile.

Appearing unaware of the snideness of her comment, the duke returned her smile. “I have buried four wives in my lifetime, which is why I decided I needed to marry someone much younger this time. That way I can ensure you will outlive me.”

“How wonderful,” Emmeline muttered.

Her aunt cleared her throat and shot her a warning look. “What Emmeline is trying to convey is that she is very blessed to be your betrothed. Aren’t you?”

“Yes, so incredibly blessed,” Emmeline said, her words sounding forced to her own ears.

The duke puffed his chest out in pride at her words, and she wondered if he could hear everything that she was saying. Perhaps he was going