Embark on the breathtaking romantic adventures of The Lady Travelers Society in the brand-new series by #1 New York Times bestselling author Victoria Alexander
Really, itâs too much to expect any normal man to behave like a staid accountant in order to inherit the fortune he deserves to support the lifestyle of an earl. So when Derek Saundersâs favorite elderly aunt and her ill-conceivedâand possibly fraudulentâLady Travelers Society loses one of their members, whatâs a man to do but step up to the challenge? Now heâs escorting the worldâs most maddening woman to the worldâs most romantic city to find her missing relative.
While India Prendergast only suspects his organization defrauds gullible travelers, sheâs certain a man with as scandalous a reputation as Derek Saunders cannot be trusted any farther than the distance around his very broad shoulders. As she struggles not to be distracted by his wicked smile and the allure of Paris, instead of finding a lost lady traveler, India just may lose her head, her luggage and her heart.
CHAPTER ONE
When deciding upon an agency to assist in oneâs travel preparations, always ask for references from at least three satisfied clients. Without this precautionary step, a lady traveler never knows what might happen and, worse, where it might happen.
âThe Lady Travelers Society Guide
London 1889
IT CERTAINLY DID not look like the type of place where genteel, older ladies were bilked out of their life savings. NonethelessâIndia Prendergast narrowed her eyesâit was.
India resisted the urge to tap her foot impatiently. She stood second in queue to reach a table set up near the door of one of the smaller lecture rooms in the grand mansion in Bloomsbury that housed the Explorers Club. A number of women chatted near a table bearing refreshments positioned along the wall. Several others had taken seats among the rows of chairs facing a lectern. The stout lady in front of her wore a tall beribboned hat entirely inappropriate for her age and did not seem inclined to hurry, even though a lecture on âWhat No Lady Traveler Should Leave Home Withoutâ was scheduled to begin shortly. No, the lady ahead of her showed no consideration for the time constraints and chatted blithely with the woman sitting at the table as if there were no one waiting in line behind her.
India wouldnât be here at all if anyone had responded to her letters demanding information as to the whereabouts of her dear cousin, Lady Heloise Snuggs. In spite of the exotic nature of her nameâa cross India had long ago learned to bearâshe had no desire for travel and did not find the promise of adventure to be found in foreign lands the least bit enticing. She didnât understand why any otherwise sane and sensible woman would want to pursue such foolishness. No, the only thing that had brought her here today was concern verging perilously close to abject fear.
It had been nearly six weeks since India had received so much as a brief note from Heloise, and, even given the inefficiency of postal service outside the empire, it was not at all like her. Indeed, until then, India had received a letter at least twice a week, overflowing with her cousinâs delight at the exploration of those places sheâd only read about in books. It had long been Heloiseâs dream to travel the world. When sheâd discovered the existence of the Lady Travelers Society and Assistance Agencyâfar less imposing than anything run by menâit had appeared that dream was now within reach.
The room filled slowly with other ladies, most of whom had obviously passed the age of fifty, just as Heloise had. And, exactly like Heloise, India suspected they all had dreams of exciting exploits in exotic places, no doubt with a handsome, virile stranger by their side. What utter nonsense.