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Daring Deceit
Daring Deceit
Daring Deceit
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Daring Deceit

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Vivacious Lilly enters her first London Season with a perfect opportunity to foil Sir Anthony Meade, the scheming blackguard who had trifled with her affections. What better way to catch a scoundrel than to enlist the aid of another, the rakish Earl of Raeburn. However, the unexpected cut into her plans!

When the earl reluctantly agreed to squire the alluring Lilly about London, he never expected to be inveigled into her reckless scheme. He never expected to find a ‘country bumpkin’ such delightful company. He owed it to his aunt to keep a watchful eye over Lilly, but the vixen was forever on the go. Bloody hell, but, who was going to protect him from Lilly’s refreshingly spirited charms—or from his own desires?

LanguageEnglish
PublisherClaudy Conn
Release dateJul 8, 2019
ISBN9780463762219
Daring Deceit
Author

Claudy Conn

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Claudy Conn is a multi published author who got her start with her bestselling historical/regency romances.She tells us that she fell in love with the fantasy/paranormal genre and created a world of paranormal.She hopes you will read and enjoy and join her on her facebook where she loves to interact with her readers.page.http://www.facebook.com/pages/Claudy-Conn-Paranormal-Romance-Author/135826686471445

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    Daring Deceit - Claudy Conn

    Copyright Page

    Audacious Charade

    By Claudy Conn

    http://www.claudyconn.com

    Copyright © 2019 by Claudy Conn at Smashwords

    Edited by: Alicia Carmical

    Cover Artist: Dawn Sullivan

    All rights reserved

    Published in the United States of America

    This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

    Names, characters, and events depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, places, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author.

    No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.

    ~ One ~

    THE MAIN AVENUE OF LYMINGTON Harbor was bustling with traffic. A warm light breeze came off the salt water, and Miss Lillian Aulderbury’s companion laughed and exclaimed, Lilly, don’t…don’t direct those bright green eyes of yours at me quite like that or I shan’t be able to stop myself!

    Lilly regarded her handsome companion questioningly and said, Stop yourself from what?

    The breeze picked up suddenly and whipped at her straw bonnet, caught her long black gleaming curls, and sent her tresses across her cheek.

    She blinked as her kid-gloved hand pushed away the wandering curls, and the gentleman caught her fingers and put them to his lips and murmured, Stop myself from this… His kiss moved from her fingers to the exposed flesh of her wrist.

    The lady snatched her hand away quickly before he could do more and was rewarded with his hearty laugh. He flicked her nose. So afraid, innocent lamb?

    "I am not afraid, Sir Anthony, merely cautious, and you have avoided answering my question."

    Which was?

    She eyed him for a long, thoughtful moment. He was very handsome and adroit at so many things. His hair was thick, silky, and the color of gold. His eyes were clear grey, and his mouth full and sensual. He looked like an Adonis. Added to these estimable attributes was the fact he was a fashionably dressed, sophisticated, and mysteriously charming rake. At nine and twenty, he was a practiced flirt, and Lilly, though usually practical and wise, had been nearly swept off her feet—nearly.

    Lilly was enchanted, yes, but she had learned a thing or two, though she was only just twenty. She had met a London flirt or two at the Lymington routs and had never been taken in. She wondered now if her infatuation with the handsome Sir Anthony was moving into more serious realms. At the outset of our stroll, sir, I put a question to you, a reasonable question. Are you courting Cynthia Edwards? I should like a straightforward reply.

    Ah, he said. Cynthia Edwards. He smiled audaciously but said nothing more.

    So then, you don’t mean to answer me, pursued the lady, feeling a sharp flash of anger make its way up to her green eyes.

    Why do you think I am courting little Cynthia? he asked warily.

    Lilly did not see the restraint in his grey eyes and dove right in. "Stuart says you are. Stuart says you and Cynthia are often found together…alone."

    Ah, Stuart. I was forgetting the young and estimable Stuart. Do you always believe what Stuart tells you?

    I see, Lilly said, turning away from him. Her mind began clicking off answers in her head. She wanted to tell him she may be young and unworldly, but she knew when someone was avoiding answering a question.

    "Egad, you are exquisite when you are angry. Your cherry lips form a perfect pout and your very fine brows frown in a way that makes a man want to rub his thumb over their fine, silky shape. He took her chin. My pretty Lilly, why would I court Cynthia when all I can think about is you?"

    Lilly felt a blush fill her cheeks and silently chided herself. He was not being totally truthful. She knew it, and yet allowed herself to believe some of what he said. She wagged a finger at him to show him she was no fool. Stop that, you brazen man! Her wagging finger, however, was belied by her warm smile. You don’t mean the things you say. You only…

    I only, he interrupted her reprimand, "care for you. Indeed, Lilly. I do mean it." He took her gloved hand, and his kiss on her wrist was quite improper, as it was followed by yet another farther up.

    She pulled away.

    He laughed and said, Come now, I must get you back, as we told your aunt we would only be a few minutes.

    With that, Lillian Aulderbury was returned to her aunt, who was shopping at the milliner’s a short walk away.

    She sighed to watch him go, knowing full well because Stuart had told her Sir Anthony was promised to Cynthia Edward’s home for a lunch.

    * * * * *

    Lilly tucked away all thought of Sir Anthony Meade as she continued her day with her aunt. Lymington Orphanage was one of their great passions, and a busy afternoon spent there with the children gave Lilly little time to consider anything else.

    They arrived home some hours later, and Lilly, seeing she had just enough time before dinner, rushed about to change into breeches, well-worn riding boots, and a buckskin jacket. She quietly made her way down the backstairs and outside before picking up the pace to their stable.

    Thank you, Tom, she called out as he came towards her, offering to help her saddle up. I can manage.

    She loved riding astride and was always so much more comfortable doing so. She sighed over the fact that women were forced to use a ladies’ saddle. It didn’t take her long to tack up her horse and lead him to the mounting block, where she threw her leg over the saddle, picked up her reins, and started off.

    Walk her now, do! Tom called out.

    Yes, sir. Lilly laughed. Her horse had been in its stall, so she did, in fact, walk her for a distance to loosen her up.

    She then worked her mare from a walk into a fine trot, spied the line fence and took it laughing and patting her chestnut mare’s neck, she advised her, "That was well done, Missy my mare, well done!"

    Horse and rider were in tune, and Lilly opened her up for a comfortable canter as they moved across the field.

    Lilly loved the wind in her face, the comfort of having her legs around her mare and speeding along.

    It wasn’t long before Lilly bent into her horse’s neck, giving her mare her head as they sped into a gallop. "Oh yes, yes…lovely!" Lilly cried out loud.

    The world faded. It was just the two of them, her Missy’s ears alert to her mistress’s tone of voice, and leg signals. When the two of them ran with the wind, life became uncomplicated. Everything fit into place with nature.

    Lilly laughed out loud as she spied a long coop separating one field from the next, and said, Well then, Missy…are you ready?

    She got into position, checked her mare’s speed, and brought her under her with gentle ease so they glided over the obstacle and landed lightly in the tall grass on the other side.

    Joy filled Lilly as the two sped across the field, along the rolling turf, and enjoyed the late day together.

    At length, Lilly slowed her mare, patted her, and told her, There now, good girl. She slowed her to a walk and stopped when the wind brought her the sound of a friend.

    Lilly! Deuce take it, wait! Stuart Langley shouted as he stood in his stirrups and rode his horse at a cantor toward her.

    As she turned to him and smiled, he grinned and said, Fine…that’s more like it.

    Lilly’s fine brows were up as she directed a hard look toward her lifelong friend. She had a serious grievance to air with him. Sitting erectly on her chestnut mare, she froze him with his own name. Stuart!

    "Miffed with me, are you? That means the blasted devil denied it? Tell me he denied it, and you believe him over me?"

    If you are speaking of Sir Anthony, Lilly answered curtly, I did indeed ask him this very morning about Cynthia Edwards, and yes, he denied it.

    "Right then, did you think the cad would actually admit to it? Do you think I’m the sort who would go making up whopping tales to his close friend? Or did you say to yourself, poor, ole Stuart has gone daft? Is that the way of it? Tell me, Lilly!"

    She could see he was upset. She frowned over the problem. He was not the sort to make up such horrible tales about someone else. She knew he didn’t like Sir Anthony, but she also knew he would not tell an untruth about anyone. It was not his way. One answer came to mind, and she relented a bit and said quietly, What I think is you are besotted with Cynthia yourself, and that you are jealous of any man who even speaks to her, and…

    "Poppycock! he exploded, cutting her off. It is true, I have a great regard for Cynthia. There isn’t a soul who knows that, except yourself. I trusted you with that, thought you trusted me. Lilly, the man is a cheat. I know what I saw. I know what I heard. You’ve never been a ninny, easily taken in, so don’t let his pretty face fool you. He is a cad. Where do you think he was going after he left you this morning in town? He was off for lunch with Cynthia and her mother at their Grange."

    Careful, Stuart, and as far as lunching with them, there is naught in that, Lilly warned.

    Your eyes have gone all dark green. There are red flames in them, which tells me you are angry because you know what I am telling you is true. He shook his head. "You are a spitfire, always have been, but right now, those same eyes are filled with stardust. Lilly, the blasted fellow is playing fast and loose with you, and with Cynthia as well. It is a game to him, nothing more."

    She controlled her rising temper because she wasn’t a ninny and she could hear the truth behind his words. He wouldn’t lie. He might be jealous, but he wouldn’t lie to her.

    But…but, oh, she did like Sir Anthony’s attentions. As these thoughts ripped through her brain, she couldn’t respond to her friend, so he sat and watched her.

    "Lilly, it is more than what I have seen with my own eyes. I, well…I have it on good authority…he is a rakehell. Will you not be cautious, at least? I can’t warn off Cynthia because she and I…well, we didn’t grow up in each other’s way like you and I, but I can warn you."

    Lilly regarded him as he shrugged his shoulders in response to her silence. You don’t know him, she finally said.

    "I do. I know him. The man is a devil. He has scores of hearts hanging from his cummerbund. You can believe me, or you can believe him. But answer me this, if he wants you, why am I forever finding him at Cynthia’s house?"

    She sighed. She was not an idiot. Stuart wasn’t lying. I don’t know.

    "Right then, Lilly, you have known me most of your life. I haven’t a reason to lie to you, but he does."

    Does he? What reason? Do you think he means to seduce me out of wedlock?

    Stupid girl, I am all out of patience with you! Stuart snapped.

    You are wrong about him, Lilly said, unsure if she believed her own words.

    Do one thing for me, Stuart said after a long pause.

    What is it, you silly boy? She smiled fondly at him. It was impossible to stay angry with him, especially because, in her heart, she knew he was trying to protect her.

    Will you hold back from him and watch his antics…study him as though looking through a window? Will you do that?

    Oh, Stuart, do stop, she said, and shook her head.

    "Do that for me. Just that," he persisted.

    Yes, I shall, now that you have put it in my head, she answered. Now let’s talk of something else. How is your dear mother? Better after the dreadful bout she had with the quinsy?

    M’mother, is it? He grinned. Aye then, she is better and charged me with the errand of telling you and your aunt that she would be with you tomorrow to help sort out the books for the children’s new library.

    Oh, Stuart, I nearly forgot! Lilly exclaimed with a gloved hand to her cheek. You and your father won’t have to go all the way to Christchurch after all. Apparently Gussie’s nephew has arranged for an enormous quantity of books to be delivered by tomorrow.

    Well, I like that, Stuart snapped testily. I’ve been running about the countryside begging for books and have acquired…

    And everything you brought in is absolutely wonderful and will be a part of the collection, Lilly cajoled. "So your time was not wasted. From what I understand, this nephew of Gussie’s has quite a connection to the beau monde, and got up an impressive collection of both entertaining and educational books for the orphanage, so we needn’t go begging any longer."

    Humph! Stuart was not yet mollified. Which nephew is this?

    Lilly shrugged. I have never met him. His name is Lord Raeburn.

    Rogue Raeburn? Stuart nearly spluttered. I don’t believe it.

    And why not?

    Lilly, Raeburn cares for naught but the cut of his coat, his horses, his sport, his wine, and his collection of women, and in that order. What has he to do with orphans?

    Well, as to that, he seems to be a favorite with Lady Augusta, so you see how wrong it is to judge someone on rumor alone? Apparently Lord Raeburn does care for more than his pleasures.

    Ha! I doubt that, but perhaps he has a by-blow or two he feels guilty about. Perhaps they are even in our own little orphanage, Stuart said pugnaciously.

    Stuart! You are not supposed to tell me such things, Lilly said, and then giggled. Though I do like it when you do. However, you are being very odious judging someone you have never met. By-blows, indeed. What a dreadful thing to say about my godmother’s favorite nephew.

    Right then, with you in your breeches…your hair all about your face, you still look…like you did when we rode wild over the countryside as youths. You are right, I shouldn’t be talking with you about by-blows and such, Stuart said, and laughed. But still think of you…as my closest friend…not the woman you have become. He sighed.

    Lilly laughed. "Well, as to that…I do like the fact we speak openly, and I wouldn’t know half of what I know about men and the world if it weren’t for you and Mary."

    Mary? Stuart was surprised. What does she tell you?

    Well, since Mary got married, she tells me all sorts of things, Lilly bantered, and fluttered her lashes purposely.

    Like what? he asked, more than a little curious.

    Confidences are quite…instructive, Lilly teased. But they are still confidences.

    "Instructive, ho-oh…tell me," Stuart said, and roared.

    "The word here is, confidences, she returned, and said as she started her horse into a trot, to the next fence, Stuart!"

    He grinned and took up the challenge!

    ~ Two ~

    THE DOWAGER LADY WESTLY INTENDED her happy gathering to be nothing more than an intimate country affair. However, she was a kindhearted woman who derived pleasure from watching the young people enjoy themselves. Thus it was, when appealed to by several robust youths, she allowed the musicians to strike up the latest and most controversial dance, the waltz!

    Lilly found her gloved hand in Sir Anthony’s as he led her onto the floor. She felt heady, daring, and sophisticated as he twirled her to the steps of the sensual dance. She did not, however, realize she was concentrating on her feet until he called her to order.

    You needn’t go on counting, lovely lady, he said, and the smile he gave her enveloped her fondly with the tease.

    She giggled and bit her lip. Oh dear, was it so obvious? I haven’t waltzed very much…with men that is, except for Stuart. She noticed the rays of flickering lights gleam against Sir Anthony’s golden waves of hair.

    Stuart again, he said, and frowned.

    He is my dearest friend, you see. She wasn’t sure why she felt the need to explain.

    "Of course. I did not think otherwise. Sir Anthony glanced in Stuart’s direction, then pointed his firm chin in another. If it were Dowson over there who had been waltzing with you, I surely would have been jealous!"

    Jealous? Of Dowson? Don’t be absurd. Lilly laughed. Douglas Dowson is sweet and dear, but…there is naught to be jealous of there. An afterthought formed into words. "What you are suggesting probably would be like me…being jealous of you and Cynthia Edwards." She eyed him, one brow up.

    He grinned. Ah, my little sugarplum, still baiting, are we?

    Lilly pouted in frustration. It was impossible to get him to commit to anything. He was an expert at evasion. Why not deny his courtship of Cynthia? A liar would simply deny it all, wouldn’t he? Stuart said Sir Anthony was cunning. She was beginning to see Stuart’s point. Yet in his arms now, she felt…such…what? Infatuation. Was that what it was?

    * * * * *

    Sir Anthony regarded Lilly and felt pure, almost unrestrained, desire. He had been attempting to discover the extent of her dowry and her inheritance. Thus far, he had been unsuccessful.

    He had made up his mind that if Lilly turned out to be even half the heiress that Cynthia was, she would be his choice. She was a beauty, an actual diamond of the first water. She was spirited, and he expected he could teach her many things in bed she would enjoy. Besides that, he actually liked her. Cynthia was pretty enough, but…she bored him to tears!

    He wanted to bed Lilly, needed to, in fact. Tricky business that, without marriage. However, if he were careful…perhaps he could wield her into his bed and lust no more after her. Once having her, perhaps he would be cured of this nagging desire he had for her. After all…he needed to marry for money!

    First, however, he wanted to steal a kiss. She had been reluctant, thus far, to allow him one, but tonight, he would have that kiss. He guided her steps towards the garden doors and said softly, "You need not be jealous, Lilly. You are far too beautiful to be jealous of any other female. May I take it that I need not be jealous of any other man?"

    "Ah, there it is, the charm…and the arrogance I have been warned against," Lilly bantered.

    He took her elbow and led her outdoors, thinking her too clever by half. She would not be easily seduced without a promise of marriage.

    He led her to a bench hidden by shrubbery from the ballroom and whispered, Lilly…I have never felt quite like this before. He had offered these words to many women, many times. It occurred to him that he wasn’t capable of genuine sentiment, and for just a moment, he wondered and worried about it.

    He took her gently into his arms and lightly tasted her cherry lips, dipped his tongue into her mouth, but before he could engage her in that kiss, she pushed at him.

    No, sir…no! She was up and starting for the door.

    He was after her, taking her arm. Lilly, wait…

    No, I shall not wait. You take advantage, and I am beginning to think that is what you do with all the women you tease with your attentions. Lilly wagged a finger.

    No, Lilly, that isn’t it…you and I…well, we are good together, he offered. You belong to me.

    "Belong to you? Lilly’s temper flared and displayed itself as her hands went to her trim hips. I think not."

    He thought her magnificent as he watched her berate him with her flashing green eyes. Ah, Lilly, you have woke the dragon.

    Have I, indeed? She arched a look at him. "Then be careful, for when a dragon wakes, so then does the dragon slayer."

    He followed her back into the ballroom, thinking he would have her one way or another. She was a fiery woman, and he wanted to be the one to tame her.

    * * * * *

    A knock sounded at Lilly’s bedroom door. She had only just crawled beneath the covers and had not yet snuffed out her candle. Yes? she called out.

    The door opened a crack and her aunt stuck in her head. Lilly, may I come in, dear?

    Oh no, Lilly thought, she is annoyed with me.

    Of course, Aunt Sarah, she answered, ready to be lectured. She watched as her aunt entered the room. She had always thought her aunt lovely. There was a quiet elegance about her that Lilly admired. Her aunt was reserved by nature, and Lilly always enjoyed teasing a smile or a laugh out of her. There would be no laughing this evening. She braced herself and sighed before she said, You are still angry with me because I walked with Sir Anthony in the garden, aren’t you?

    Her aunt sat on the bed, patted her light brown curls, and sighed. What an ogre you must think me! She shook her head. "No, I am not angry. I can remember doing much the same at your age."

    Ah. Lilly clamored out of her covers and threw her arms around her aunt’s shoulders. "I knew it. I have always known you are a hoyden in your heart. You

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