Courting Danger With Mr Dyer

A stolen kiss from a spy!

Working undercover for the government, Bartholomew Dyer must expose a nefarious plot to make Napoleon the ruler of England! He needs access to the highest echelons of Society to find those involved, so he’s forced to enlist the help of the woman who jilted him five years ago—Moira, Lady Rexford.

Moira’s widowed yet still as captivating as ever, and Bart’s determined not to succumb to her charms a second time. But, as they race against time, Bart suspects it’s not their lives at greatest risk—it’s their hearts...

‘You’re in a position to become better acquainted with Lord Camberline, but your involvement will be strictly limited to social engagements and nothing else,’ Bart insisted.

Her astonishment gave way to a sideways teasing smile. ‘You mean I won’t be able to point a pistol at other people or you?’

‘You can point a pistol at me any time you like.’ He enjoyed this saucy Moira, and was elated by her tacit agreement. It meant they didn’t have to part just yet.

‘I can’t simply call on a marchioness and discuss her son,’ she protested.

‘You can if you become better friends with her. There’s a painting exhibition tonight at the Royal Academy and Lord Camberline and his mother will be there.’

‘If they suspect anything, what shall I say?’ she asked.

‘You’ll have to come up with something.’

‘Oh, well, if it’s as easy as that I should have no trouble!’ She laughed.

He winked at her. ‘Welcome to the world of intrigue.’

Author Note

Writing Courting Danger with Mr Dyer was a new challenge for me. Some of my previous stories have had elements of intrigue in the plot, but intrigue wasn’t as critical to those stories as it is to this one. It was fun to write the story not only from Bart’s perspective as a member of the espionage community, but also from Moira’s position as an outsider. Her innocence where plots and treason are concerned was kind of like mine when I began my research. I didn’t realise how much cloak-and-dagger work was going on during this time period.

In order to craft the treason plot that Bart and Moira work to uncover I did a great deal of research on spying and plots in and around the Regency period. William Wickham and Mr Flint—two men I mention in the story—are real people who helped pioneer early British espionage and the British Secret Service. It was Mr Wickham’s involvement in the London Corresponding Society’s plot to assassinate the Prime Minister in 1793 that inspired the plot in Courting Danger with Mr Dyer. I also reached a little farther back into history to research the Gunpowder Plot and Guy Fawkes. Not having grown up with the Bonfire Night tradition, it was fun to learn about all the key players involved and how it was eventually uncovered and thwarted.

I hope you enjoy following Bart and Moira through the danger and excitement of saving Britain and falling in love!

Courting Danger with Mr Dyer

Georgie Lee

www.millsandboon.co.uk

A lifelong history buff, GEORGIE LEE hasn’t given up hope that she will one day inherit a title and a manor house. Until then she fulfils her dreams of lords, ladies and a Season in London through her stories. When not writing, she can be found reading non-fiction history or watching any film with a costume and an accent. Please visit georgie-lee.com to learn more about Georgie and her books.

Books by Georgie Lee

Mills & Boon Historical Romance

The Business of Marriage

A Debt Paid in Marriage

A Too Convenient Marriage The Secret Marriage Pact

The Governess Tales

The Cinderella Governess

Scandal and Disgrace

Rescued from Ruin

Miss Marianne’s Disgrace Courting Danger with Mr Dyer

Stand-Alone Novels

Engagement of Convenience

The Courtesan’s Book of Secrets The Captain’s Frozen Dream

Visit the Author Profile page at millsandboon.co.uk..

To my family who are always so supportive.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

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

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

London—1813

‘You must do it.’ Bartholomew Dyer banged Frederick Chambers, Fifth Earl of Fallworth, hard against the wall, trying to knock the fight back into him. The unprovoked swing the Earl had taken at Bart gave him hope it could be done. ‘We need you.’

‘I can’t, don’t you understand?’ Freddy growled, fingers biting into Bart’s forearms. ‘I’ve given enough. I won’t give any more.’

‘Let go of him.’ The lady behind him punctuated her command by cocking a pistol hammer.

Damn. Bart cursed under his breath. She’d just made the weapon more dangerous. If she wasn’t competent with it, the ball would tear through him and the Earl under his elbow.

Bart took his arm off Lord Fallworth’s chest and stepped back.

‘Moira, it’s not what you think,’ Lord Fallworth choked as he leaned away from the wall and tried to wave his sister off.