Lady Lorena’s Spinster’s Society ( The Spinster’s Society) (A Regency Romance Book) Read online

  Lady Lorena’s Spinster’s Society

  The Spinster’s Society

  Charlotte Stone

  A Regency Romance Book

  Contents

  Copyright

  Find Out More

  Personal word from Charlotte Stone

  Dedication

  About The Author

  Prologue

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  Chapter One

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  Chapter Two

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  Chapter Three

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  Chapter Four

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  Chapter Five

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  Chapter Six

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  Chapter Seven

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  Chapter Eight

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  Chapter Nine

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  Chapter Ten

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  Chapter Eleven

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  Chapter Twelve

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  Chapter Thirteen

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  Chapter Fourteen

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  Chapter Fifteen

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  Chapter Sixteen

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  Chapter Seventeen

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  Chapter Eighteen

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  Chapter Nineteen

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  Chapter Twenty

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  Chapter Twenty-one

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  Chapter Twenty-two

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  Chapter Twenty-three

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  Chapter Twenty-four

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  Chapter Twenty-five

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  Chapter Twenty-six

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  Chapter Twenty-seven

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  Chapter Twenty-eight

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  Chapter Twenty-nine

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  Chapter Thirty

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  Chapter Thirty-one

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  Chapter Thirty-two

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  Epilogue

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  Preview of Next Book

  READING LIST . Also By

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  Publishers Notes

  Copyright © 2017 by

  Charlotte Stone

  All Rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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  Sign up for Charlotte Stone’s New Releases mailing list and you will be automatically get notified as soon as her future series is available.

  Click the yellow Find Out More link button below to get started

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  PERSONAL WORD

  FROM CHARLOTTE STONE

  * * *

  Dear lovely readers,

  The characters of my writings are women who have a strong mind of their own, women who know what they want to pursue in life. It is their tenacity to finding true love that drives them to overcome the challenges which they may face while waiting for the man of their dreams.

  Will such tenacity of their believing bring them true love in spite of the societal-standing challenges one will face in an era such as that of Regency.

  Read on to find out the answers!

  Thank you once again for your strong support in my writing journey!

  Much Love,

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  DEDICATION

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  “A lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment.”

  Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

  Specially Dedicated to you, my Dear Reader!

  It is with a heart of gratitude that I wrote this message of dedication to you.

  Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share with you my writings.

  I hope you have enjoyed reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it!

  It is support like yours that keep authors like us going and striving to write even better novels for you!

  Have you checked out my other historical romance book series?

  Click the link below to get started

  *** Amazon US ***

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  Got something to share?

  I would want to hear from you!

  So please do get in touch with me:

  https://www.facebook.com/charlottestonebooks

  [email protected]

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  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  * * *

  In a near cynical world which we are currently living in, Charlotte finds comfort in the readings of Regency Romance writings, one of her favourite would be Laura Kinsale’s Flowers from the storm where the female character loves and saves the male lead character who is a stroke victim. It was such writings which inspired her to be an author herself.

  In Charlotte’s writings, the characters are able to see beyond the imperfections of each other and to accept and love one another, just the way one is.

  Isn’t this true of our inner self? To be able to find someone who is able to see the beauty in us, in spite of all imperfections we might have.

  Isn’t this true of what love really should be? Ever accepting, ever loving, ever seeking.

  May you find love and acceptance in Charlotte’s writings.

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  PROLOGUE

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  London, England

  Lady Lorena Cullip saw the Earl of Ashwick the moment she walked into his townhouse and immediately felt as though the last year of her life had vanished. In the blink of an eye, she was the young careless daughter of an eccentric and improvised duke and the daughter of a duchess who was known for her beauty. And while seeing the Earl of Ashwick made her heart flutter at the moments they’d shared only a year ago, her stomach felt as though it were in a continual fall. She felt slightly ill that she’d come at all.

  She wasn’t ready to reenter society. She shouldn’t have come. She didn’t belong. Sadly, being poor wasn’t the only reason. Lorena was known to cause trouble, but never more than when Ashwick was around.

  She turned to leave, but her friend Genie caught her arm before she could retreat toward the door. “Stay, Lorena.”

  “I can’t,” Lorena whispered, pressing close so as not to be overheard by the growing crowd. The foyer was full of those guests who had newly arrived. Standing by the stairs were Ashwick, along with his mother, cousin Lady May, and a slew of women who’d all but pressed to him, dressed in an assortment of pastel evening gowns while Lorena wore gray.

  She counted at least six unmarried daughters about him as he stood more than a foot over them, wearing an expression that conveyed neither pleasure nor annoyance, and yet still made him beautiful. He was an unmarried earl and far too handsome for words. Never mind that she’d always considered him hers. How foolish she felt, considering that she’d thought herself special to him.

  “Lorena,” Genie said. “Stay. He invited you.”

  “No,” Lorena said. “His mother did.”

  “His mother is not… fond of you,” Genie told her.

  Lorena turned to look at the door. “Ah, yet another reason I should leave.” She could barely breathe.

  No,” Genie yanked on her arm hard enough that Lorena was sure she’d bruise. So, she looked down at he
r petite friend to find Genie glaring at her. “Ashwick wishes you here. His mother would have obviously never invited you otherwise.”

  “That does not make me feel better. I’m leaving.”

  “Lady Lorena,” a male voice called from behind her.

  She froze and the fluttering in her heart quickly moved to her stomach. She took a deep breath, turned around, and met the face of the man who’d haunted her dreams since the day they met.

  Emmett Starr, the Earl of Ashwick, looked gorgeous in his dark suit. His gray eyes were focused on her and in his gaze, she saw both surprise and… happiness. It wasn’t a full smile, but still one of his rare looks of pleasure. His lips were slightly lifted on one side, and she recalled what it was like to…

  “I’m sorry,” Lorena whispered. “I have to go.”

  “Stay,” he told her as he took Genie’s hand and greeted her. He turned back to Lorena and did the same, lowering his dark head to kiss her hand. His voice took on a deep seductive tone. “Will you save me a dance?” he asked.

  Lorena immediately panicked. “No.”

  His eyes widened with surprise. “No?”

  She shook her head. “We shouldn’t.”

  He blinked as he straightened. “It’s my party. You can’t say no.”

  “I believe I did.”

  His smile widened and an expression came on his face that she couldn’t read.

  Lorena went on, “I mean, I’m not dancing tonight. I’m just coming out of mourning and—”

  “Of course,” he whispered and concern touched his eyes. “I understand, but I am so very grateful you’ve come.” He still held her hand. “I mourned the passing of your parents as well. I always felt welcomed at your home.”

  Lorena could tell he was no longer speaking of her parents but herself. She’d made him feel welcomed.

  “Ashwick,” a high and aged female voice called just before Lady Ashwick appeared. His mother barely looked at Lorena as she spoke to her son. “You promised Lady Harriet a dance. The music is about to begin. Do not keep her waiting.”

  The obvious dislike the countess had for Lorena was easy to see. Lady Harriet was not only beautiful but Lorena had heard through the gossip that reached the country that the lady would make a perfect wife to any titled man. She also had money, which was something Lorena had none of. Harriett was perfect. Unlike Lorena, who’d failed her first season and had never returned to London.

  Until now.

  Ashwick, who hadn’t looked his mother’s way, not even while she spoke to him, slowly turned his gaze from Lorena. “Mother, you do know Lady Lorena and Lady Genevieve, don’t you?”

  “Oh, of course,” Lady Ashwick said, still not looking in her direction. “But we must go. A host cannot greet every guest.”

  Ashwick fully faced his mother then. “I do not have to dance the very first song.”

  “Of course, you do,” Ashwick’s beautiful cousin, Lady May, cut in, glaring at him. “You are the host. You set the pace for the entire evening.”

  “Yes,” his mother said. “Come along.” Then she started moving away, as though already knowing he would listen.”

  Lady May turned to Lorena and said, “I’m sure you understand, dear. My cousin has responsibilities.”

  “Of course,” Lorena said quickly to Ashwick. “You must go.”

  He seemed hesitant, so she pushed. “Please.”

  Just go.

  He stared at her and opened his mouth, prepared to say something.

  Lorena froze.

  “Later,” Lady May urged, taking her cousin’s arm and steering him away.

  Ashwick met her eyes before fully turning to leave Lorena. She watched him turn to Lady Harriet and take her hand as they walked up and into the ballroom. All Lorena could think about was just how perfect they seemed together. She touched one hand with the other, over the spot he’d kissed, believing it to be the last time.

  Genie was in her ear before Lorena could complete her thought. “Did you see the way he looked at you? He is completely—”

  “For someone else,” Lorena quickly said.

  Someone like Harriett.

  Lorena started for the door again but Genie’s arm stopped her from leaving. “Let us at least stay and be social. This is your first invitation since your parents’ passing. There are those who would want to know that all is well.”

  But all wasn’t well. Lorena had just witnessed the man she loved walk away with another woman. So much had changed in a year. Of course, he’d never said he had any intentions toward her, and why would he? She had no money, and they’d shared one impulsive kiss over a year ago.

  She wanted to fall through the floorboards and never return.

  Instead, she rushed from the room and toward the hall, heading in a direction that held fewer guests, not stopping to take in Ashwick’s vast collection of art. Vases lined the halls and paintings adorned the walls. She’d never been to his residence herself, but she’d heard of its grandeur. Her mind wouldn’t allow her to think on it for long.

  She came to a hall that was completely empty. Genie appeared as if from nowhere.

  “Lorena, you can’t avoid him all night.”

  Lorena had a prepared response for this but paused as she heard a noise. Then she heard another that sounded like something heavy hitting the ground.

  “What was that?” Genie asked.

  They both turned to look down one of the long corridors and watched as a man emerged. It took Lorena a full moment to comprehend why she couldn’t make out his face from this distance. Chills ran through her, and she noticed his shabby attire and that in his hand he held a box.

  A box that obviously did not belong to him. In fact, she was sure it very much belonged to Ashwick.

  He started toward them at a run.

  Genie screamed.

  The man cut down another hall.

  Lorena followed.

  “Lorena!” Genie shouted. “What are you doing?”

  Lorena picked up her skirts and ran, aware of Genie’s quick footsteps right behind her. She passed an armed statue and noticed when she didn’t hear Genie’s feet anymore. Then she heard a grunt. She turned around and noticed Genie struggling to untangle her dress from the metal on the statue’s armor. Unlike Lorena, Genie was dressed in a stunning pale blue evening gown.

  But Lorena had no time to wait for Genie. She ran, following the direction the man had fled until she saw movement in a formal dining room. The man was opening a window when Lorena paused at the door.

  “Wait!”

  The man turned to look at her and fear gripped her. Dark eyes stared at her from the other side of the mask.

  Then he turned back around, grabbed the box, and while climbing out, knocked a heavy candelabra from the table with his foot.

  Then he was gone and flames burst from the floor. The curtains by the window caught fire first, then a carpet and the wallpaper. It was a disaster. She looked around, spotted a table liner, took it from the table, and began to try and fan the flames away, but then they grew, up toward the ceiling and circling the room.

  A strong arm grabbed her and pulled her from the hot room.

  She was lifted and carried down the hall. It took her a moment to realize just who was carrying her.

  Ashwick did not look happy.

  Flames poured out of the room and into the hall.

  “What did you do?” he asked.

  “Me?” Lorena gripped his neck as they started down the stairs. “We have to save Genie.”

  “How do you think I found you?” he asked as he adjusted her.

  Lorena tried to ignore how hard his body was as her side was pressed into his chest. The arms that held her were also strong.

  They made it to the foyer, and Lorena noticed the house had been emptied of guests.

  Lorena looked over Ashwick’s shoulder and saw the flames licking down the halls. “Your house,” she whispered as they made it outside.

  Only when they were a
t the street did he put her down. They both turned to watch fire through the windows as it quickly consumed every floor.

  The townhouse was gone, along with his vast collection.

  Lorena’s heart fell. “Ashwick—”

  “A moment,” he said, raising a hand to silence her as he watched his home and his worldly possessions burn before his eyes. He simply stood there for a long time, staring at the building and doing nothing but breathing deeply and slowly. The lights of the flames danced across his features, emphasizing the turmoil in him. Then he closed his eyes and asked, “What happened?”

  Lorena hated the words she spoke, but said them because they were true. “There was a man in a white mask.”

  He frowned.