Bianca & the Huntsman

BIANCA & THE HUNTSMAN ERICA RIDLEY CONTENTS Copyright Also by Erica Ridley Bianca & the Huntsman 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 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Epilogue Thank You Free Books for you The Duke Heist Sneak Peek Thank You For Reading About the Author COPYRIGHT Copyright © 2021 Erica Ridley This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the author. ALSO BY ERICA RIDLEY The 12 Dukes of Christmas: Once Upon a Duke Kiss of a Duke Wish Upon a Duke Never Say Duke Dukes, Actually The Duke’s Bride The Duke’s Embrace The Duke’s Desire Dawn With a Duke One Night With a Duke Ten Days With a Duke Forever Your Duke Making Merry * * * The Wild Wynchesters: The Governess Gambit (FREE!) The Duke Heist The Perks of Loving a Wallflower Nobody’s Princess My Rogue to Ruin * * * The Heist Club series: The Rake Mistake The Modiste Mishap * * * Rogues to Riches: Lord of Chance Lord of Pleasure Lord of Night Lord of Temptation Lord of Secrets Lord of Vice Lord of the Masquerade * * * The Dukes of War: The Viscount’s Tempting Minx The Earl’s Defiant Wallflower The Captain’s Bluestocking Mistress The Major’s Faux Fiancée The Brigadier’s Runaway Bride The Pirate's Tempting Stowaway The Duke's Accidental Wife A Match, Unmasked All I Want * * * Gothic Love Stories: Too Wicked to Kiss Too Sinful to Deny Too Tempting to Resist Too Wanton to Wed Too Brazen to Bite * * * Regency Fairy Tales: Bianca & the Huntsman Her Princess at Midnight * * * Magic & Mayhem: Kissed by Magic Must Love Magic Smitten by Magic * * * The Siren’s Retreat Quartet A Tryst by the Sea by Grace Burrowes An Affair by the Sea by Erica Ridley A Spinster by the Sea by Grace Burrowes Love Letters by the Sea by Erica Ridley * * * The Wicked Dukes Club: One Night for Seduction by Erica Ridley One Night of Surrender by Darcy Burke One Night of Passion by Erica Ridley One Night of Scandal by Darcy Burke One Night to Remember by Erica Ridley One Night of Temptation by Darcy Burke * * * Lords in Love Beguiling the Duke by Darcy Burke Taming the Rake by Erica Ridley Romancing the Heiress by Darcy Burke Defying the Earl by Erica Ridley Matching the Marquess by Darcy Burke Chasing the Bride by Erica Ridley Undressing the Duke by Erica Ridley * * * Missing an Erica Ridley book? Grab the latest edition of the free, downloadable and printable complete book list by series here: https://ridley.vip/booklist BIANCA & THE HUNTSMAN FREE BOOK LOVE Romance? Grab more FREE books! Sign up at http://ridley.vip for members-only exclusives, including bonus content, giveaways, contests, freebies, and 99¢ deals! CHAPTER 1 May 1815 London, England “No, you fool!” the Countess of Quinseley snapped at her lady’s maid. “The diamond tiara must go atop the crown of braids.” Honestly, how difficult could it be to follow simple directions? Perhaps Lady Quinseley ought to give this girl the sack as well. The chit—what was her name?—had lasted a full fortnight longer than the usual specimens that passed for lady’s maids these days, but if even the easiest of tasks evaded her comprehension… Obviously Lady Quinseley wanted to wear her diamond tiara at its most visible angle. It boasted the finest craftsmanship outside of the Crown Jewels, and fit for a queen. Lady Quinseley knew she looked the part, with her regal profile, ramrod posture, and lustrous hair still the color of spun gold, despite her fifty years. She looked decades younger than her actual age, and was proud of it. “Goddess,” squawked the parrot perched above her looking-glass. Lady Quinseley smiled. There would be a treat for him later. A piece of apple from the bowl atop her dressing table. She had always been proud of her looks. Why shouldn’t she be? She’d been the most winsome baby from the moment of her birth, and had only grown in beauty every year since. Her late husband, the Earl of Quinseley, had fallen in love with her at first sight, forsaking all others in his quest to make her his bride. Of course, later the earl had also… but she wouldn’t think of that. What mattered was the countess keeping her place as the reigning queen of the ton. Yes, yes, Queen Charlotte was the actual Queen of England. But among the social set, no one wielded more power than Lady Quinseley. All because of her beauty. “That’s enough fiddling!” She batted at her lady’s maid’s trembling hands in exasperation. “Go and iron the next gown. I’ll be ready to change dresses after nuncheon.” Lady Quinseley changed gowns, hairstyles, and jewelry at least once every four hours, and never wore the same look twice. This custom was extravagant on purpose. She was not just the most beautiful woman in England, but also one of the wealthiest. And what good were such riches, if not to make others aware of one’s superiority? The new maid—what was her name?—ran from the room. Oh, it didn’t matter. The countess would sack her before tea time. There was an endless supply of young girls eager for the opportunity to be Lady Quinseley’s personal handmaiden. None