The Illegitimate Montague
‘Be careful who you get close to…’ Adam Stratton is a new breed of Regency Man. A hero of Trafalgar, he is now an entrepreneur, rich beyond imagination. Yet all the money in the world can’t erase the scandal and shame of his birth. Since childhood, Amber has been the only one to know Adam’s true value.And her memories of the housekeeper’s son at Castonbury were the only respite from her unhappy marriage. Now a widow, Amber finds her new-found freedom daunting, although the sight of Adam gives her hope. But, despite their simmering attraction, putting their faith in each other may be more dangerous than they bargained for… For fans of Downton Abbey
Читать The Illegitimate Montague онлайн беплатно
Survival of the fittest is fine, so long as youâre the one on top ⦠but the family that has everything is about to lose it all â¦
The Montagues have found themselves at the centre of the tonâs rumour mill, with lords and ladies alike claiming the family is not what it used to be.
The mysterious death of the heir to the Dukedom, and the arrival of an unknown woman claiming he fathered her son, is only the tip of the iceberg in a family where scandal upstairs and downstairs threatens the very foundations of their once powerful and revered dynasty â¦
August 2012
THE WICKED LORD MONTAGUE â Carole Mortimer
September 2012
THE HOUSEMAIDâS SCANDALOUS SECRET â Helen Dickson
October 2012
THE LADY WHO BROKE THE RULES â Marguerite Kaye
November 2012
LADY OF SHAME â Ann Lethbridge
December 2012
THE ILLEGITIMATE MONTAGUE â Sarah Mallory
January 2013
UNBEFITTING A LADY â Bronwyn Scott
February 2013
REDEMPTION OF A FALLEN WOMAN â Joanna Fulford
March 2013
A STRANGER AT CASTONBURY â Amanda McCabe
Duke of Rothermere
Castonbury Park
Adam,
Watching you grow up and become so successful has been my pleasure. Youâre a young and determined man, with a very bright future ahead of you. You know I have always been generous to you, as well as your mother, and I urge you always to err on the side of caution when it comes to matters of the heart. Your independence is unquestionable, but during these troubled times for myself and my family I ask you to listen to me.
Adam, speaking from experience, be careful whom you allow to get close to you.
Yours,
Rothermere
About the Author
SARAH MALLORY was born in Bristol and now lives in an old farmhouse on the edge of the Pennines with her husband and family. She left grammar school at sixteen, to work in companies as varied as stockbrokers, marine engineers, insurance brokers, biscuit manufacturers and even a quarrying company. Her first book was published shortly after the birth of her daughter. She has published more than a dozen books under the pen-name of Melinda Hammond, winning the Reviewersâ Choice Award in 2005 from Singletitles.com for Dance for a Diamond and the Historical Novel Societyâs Editorsâ Choice in November 2006 for Gentlemen in Question.
THE WICKED BARON
MORE THAN A GOVERNESS
WICKED CAPTAIN, WAYWARD WIFE
THE EARLâS RUNAWAY BRIDE
DISGRACE AND DESIRE
TO CATCH A HUSBAND â¦
SNOWBOUND WITH THE NOTORIOUS RAKE
THE DANGEROUS LORD DARRINGTON
Did you know that some of these novels
are also available as eBooks?
Visit www.millsandboon.co.uk
In memory of the incomparable Penny Jordan.
A friend and an inspiration.
Chapter One
âWhoa, Bosun.â Adam ran his hand over the horseâs lathered neck. It was still early spring, but the day had been a warm one. On the evening air he could smell the hedge blossom and wild garlic as he descended to the valley. It was ten years since he had travelled this road and nothing looked differentâthe high peaks behind him, the stone-walled fields and the uplands were just as he remembered themâbut Adam knew that he had changed. He was no longer the angry young man who had ridden away from Castonbury full of rage and hurt pride. He could smile now at the arrogant boy he had once beenâif only it was not too late to make amends.
He gazed at the westering sun, gauging how many more hours of daylight were left. âWe could make Castonbury Park by nightfall,â he mused, rubbing his chin. âBut weâve no guarantee of a warm reception, Bosun, and in truth I donât deserve one. Safer then to drop anchor in the village, and go on to the Park in the morning.â He gathered up the reins again. âAnd if my memory serves, there is a ford around the next bend, old fellow. You can cool your heels in the river.â
At that moment the peaceful calm was shattered by a pistol shot. This was followed by shouts and a womanâs voice raised in alarm. He urged Bosun into a canter and rounded the bend to a scene of confusion and mayhem.
A wagon stood this side of the shallow ford and a young woman in an olive-green redingote was trying to prevent two men from throwing the contents into the river, while on the far bank a third man was sitting on the ground, nursing his bloody arm.
With a shout Adam jumped down to join the fray, heading for the man who was grappling with the young woman. Adam grabbed his collar and delivered a well-aimed punch as the fellow turned to face him. He dropped like a stone. A second man was hurling bolts of cloth from the wagon into the water and the woman was already running towards him. With a shriek of fury she hurled herself at his back and he dropped the roll of fabric he was carrying onto the path as he tried to shake her off. Adam shouted.
âStand aside!â
The woman jumped clear and Adam launched himself at the man, doubling him with a heavy blow to the body. His assailant grunted, weaved and ducked to avoid the next punch and threw himself at Adam. They wrestled fiercely, toppling into the water. It was only knee-deep and Adam was the first to recover, which gave him the advantage. As his opponent rose up, coughing and spluttering, an uppercut sent him sprawling back into the river, from where he scrabbled away to join his injured companion on the far bank.
