The Heiress at Sea

Praise for Christi Caldwell “Christi Caldwell writes a gorgeous book!” —Sarah MacLean, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author “Along Came a Lady is exactly what I needed to read right now. Edwina and Rafe’s love story is ribboned with subtleties about gender roles and class expectations that make this novel both thoughtful and delightful all at once.” —Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Two Ways on Along Came a Lady “Christi Caldwell’s crisp, sparkling writing is infused with emotion, passion, and a belief in the healing power of love. This is terrific Regency romance!” —Amanda Quick, New York Times bestselling author on Along Came a Lady “Emotional, funny, and filled with passion—everything I want in a romance.” —Lorraine Heath, New York Times bestselling author of The Duchess Hunt on Along Came a Lady “In addition to a strong plot, this story boasts actualized characters whose personal demons are clear and credible. The chemistry between the protagonists is seductive and palpable, with their family history of hatred played against their personal similarities and growing attraction to create an atmospheric and captivating romance.” —Publishers Weekly on The Hellion “Christi Caldwell is a master of words, and The Hellion is so descriptive and vibrant that she redefines high definition. Readers will be left panting, craving, and rooting for their favorite characters as unexpected lovers find their happy ending.” —RT Book Reviews on The Hellion “Christi Caldwell’s The Vixen shows readers a darker, grittier version of Regency London than most romance novels . . . Caldwell’s more realistic version of London is a particularly gripping backdrop for this enemies-to-lovers romance, and it’s heartening to read a story where love triumphs even in the darkest places.” —NPR on The Vixen “Exceptional . . . an intoxicating romp sure to delight fans of historical romance.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) on In Bed with the Earl “Sizzling, witty, passionate . . . perfect!” —Eloisa James, New York Times bestselling author on In Bed with the Earl OTHER TITLES BY CHRISTI CALDWELL The Duke Alone Wantons of Waverton Someone Wanton His Way Comes The Importance of Being Wanton A Wanton for All Seasons Lost Lords of London In Bed with the Earl In the Dark with the Duke Undressed with the Marquess Sinful Brides The Rogue’s Wager The Scoundrel’s Honor The Lady’s Guard The Heiress’s Deception Wicked Wallflowers The Hellion The Vixen The Governess The Bluestocking The Spitfire All the Duke’s Sins It Had to Be the Duke (novella) Along Came a Lady One for My Baron (novella) Desperately Seeking a Duchess Scandalous Affairs A Groom of Her Own Taming of the Beast My Fair Marchioness It Happened One Winter Heart of a Duke For Love of the Duke More Than a Duke The Love of a Rogue Loved by a Duke To Love a Lord The Heart of a Scoundrel To Wed His Christmas Lady To Trust a Rogue The Lure of a Rake To Woo a Widow To Redeem a Rake One Winter with a Baron To Enchant a Wicked Duke Beguiled by a Baron To Tempt a Scoundrel To Hold a Lady’s Secret To Catch a Viscount Defying the Duke To Marry Her Marquess Devil and the Debutante Devil by Daylight The Heart of a Scandal In Need of a Knight (A Prequel Novella) Schooling the Duke A Lady’s Guide to a Gentleman’s Heart A Matchmaker for a Marquess His Duchess for a Day Five Days With a Duke Lords of Honor Seduced by a Lady’s Heart Captivated by a Lady’s Charm Rescued by a Lady’s Love Tempted by a Lady’s Smile Courting Poppy Tidemore Scandalous Seasons Forever Betrothed, Never the Bride Never Courted, Suddenly Wed Always Proper, Suddenly Scandalous Always a Rogue, This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Otherwise, any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. Text copyright © 2023 by Christi Caldwell Incorporated All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher. Published by Montlake, Seattle www.apub.com Amazon, the Amazon logo, and Montlake are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. ISBN-13: 9781662503818 (paperback) ISBN-13: 9781662503825 (digital) Front cover design and photography by Juliana Kolesova Back cover design by Ray Lundgren Cover image: © hideto999 / Shutterstock; © ENRIQUE ALAEZ PEREZ / Shutterstock To my special readers part of Christi Caldwell’s Corner! Thank you for all the smiles and talk about my books, characters, and worlds. With your posts, comments, and discussions, you definitely make the day brighter and fill my author-heart. I am so very grateful for each of you! Nathan and Cassia’s book is for you! Contents Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 About the Author Chapter 1 Grosvenor Square London, England Spring 1814 Since he’d been a boy, Lord Nathaniel Ellsby, the fourth Marquess of Winfield, had delighted in subverting his father’s wishes. Any opportunity to disappoint or keep him waiting, Nathaniel had grasped. This time, stopped outside the Duke of Roxburghe’s offices, however, was