A Page Turner Bookshop

A Page Turner Bookshop The Willowbrook SeriesBook 2 By Laura Landon © Copyright 2023 by Laura Landon Text by Laura Landon Cover by Dar Albert Dragonblade Publishing, Inc. is an imprint of Kathryn Le Veque Novels, Inc. P.O. Box 23 Moreno Valley, CA 92556 [email protected] Produced in the United States of America First Edition April 2023 Kindle Edition Reproduction of any kind except where it pertains to short quotes in relation to advertising or promotion is strictly prohibited. All Rights Reserved. The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author. License Notes: This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook, once purchased, may not be re-sold. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. 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CEO, Dragonblade Publishing Additional Dragonblade books by Author Laura Landon The Willowbrook Series A Willowbrook Miracle (Book 1) A Page Turner Bookshop (Book 2) Men of Valor Series A Love For All Time (Book 1) A Love That Knows No Bounds (Book 2) A Love That’s Worth The Risk (Book 3) A Love That Heals the Heart (Book 4) Table of Contents Title Page Copyright Page Publisher’s Note Additional Dragonblade books by Author Laura Landon 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 Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fifteen Chapter Sixteen Chapter Seventeen Chapter Eighteen Chapter Nineteen Chapter Twenty About the Author Chapter One Ethan Essex took the back stairs to the queen’s private receiving room and entered her antechamber. The hall was cloaked in semidarkness to conceal late-night visitors from being observed. “Are you here to see Her Majesty on royal business?” Rupert Blackheart asked, stepping out of the shadows. Ethan had reached the end of the shadowy hall, and only then did Blackheart make himself known. Ethan wasn’t sure what title to assign to Rupert Blackheart. He might be called an advisor to the queen, but Ethan wouldn’t go so far as to call him a “trusted” advisor. He was simply someone who always followed Her Majesty around like a shadow. He followed her wherever she went. He’d even heard Her Majesty ask Blackheart’s opinion on an occasional matter. But he’d never heard Her Majesty follow his advice. If anything, she chose to do the opposite of whatever Blackheart advised. “Yes,” Ethan answered. “Was your mission completed successfully?” “Yes.” Blackheart walked to the door to the anteroom. “I’ll see if Her Majesty will see you,” he said, then stepped inside the room. Ethan propped his back against the wall, then bent at the waist and anchored his hands on his thighs. He didn’t remember being so tired since after a battle during the war. He straightened and raked his fingers through his hair. He was so tired he could barely keep his eyes open, and his temper was frayed to a thin thread. He just wanted to go to bed and sleep for a week. He thought back to what Blackheart had said. Of course Her Majesty would see him. Who did this conceited popinjay think he was? The queen was the one who’d sent him on this assignment, issuing the command that he return with news of the result the second the assignment was completed. It was her edict that had forced him to ride day and night for the last two days to reach London when he hadn’t managed to get an hour of sleep in the last three days. The door opened, and Blackheart held it. Instead of motioning for Ethan to enter the room that Her Majesty would meet him in, he stepped back. Her Majesty walked through the open doorway and came toward him. He bowed, then kissed the queen’s hand when she extended it. “Mr. Essex.” “Your Majesty.” “I take it your assignment went well?” “Yes, Your Majesty.” “Good.” The queen walked regally across the room and stopped before the door that led to a darkened hallway. Blackheart raced across the room and opened the door for her. “Would you mind walking with me, Essex?” “Of course, Your Majesty.” Ethan followed her out of the room, then stopped when she did. She turned to face Blackheart. “You stay here, Blackheart. I won’t be long.” Ethan almost laughed at the shock and disappointment on Blackheart’s face. This was probably the only time Her Majesty had ever gone anywhere without her shadow. Ethan extended his arm, and Her Majesty placed her hand upon his sleeve. “We will go in the room at the end of the hall on your left.” “Yes, Your Majesty.” When they reached the end room, Ethan opened the door and escorted her into