Lady Average's Unexpected Admirer

Lady Average's Unexpected Admirer A Clean Regency Romance Novel Amanda Stones Copyright © 2023 by Amanda Stones All Rights Reserved. This book may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the publisher. In no way is it legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document in either electronic means or in printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited and any storage of this document is not allowed unless with written permission from the publisher. A GIFT FROM AMANDA You are being thanked for your support in purchasing the book written by a new Historical Regency author. The author is grateful for your contribution as it helps them start their writing journey. Additionally, Amanda would like to invite you to join their Regency Romance world, where they offer a thank-you gift in return. This gift is a full-length novel titled "A Spinster for the Marquess of Levendale" which you can obtain for free by clicking the link provided below. AMANDA STONES Table of Contents Prologue 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 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Epilogue A Bride for the Broken Gentleman PROLOGUE CHAPTER 1 CHAPTER 2 ABOUT THE AUTHOR Prologue London 1820, She was Athena Crossland, the middle daughter of the Earl and Countess of Winshore. During her childhood, she was often overlooked, situated between her two sisters who were deemed as paragons of femininity by society. She had not merited so much as a glance from the town's tattletales and had learned to accept this predicament. No matter what she did, her sisters always seemed to attract everyone's attention, leaving her as a mere ghost, neither seen nor remembered. Even her parents treated her sisters to all the pomp and pageantry while relegating her to the background. During dinners or balls, her sisters were introduced and paraded around to show off while she was ignored. Essentially, she was the nobody of the house that everyone believed would not get a prospect or suitor. Despite outward appearances, Athena took great pleasure in her life. She had come to accept her fate as the forgotten middle daughter, and found it liberating to be free from the societal pressures that her sisters faced. In fact, nobody seemed to care enough to remember her, which was a relief to Athena. She first realized this as a young child in the nursery. In those days, it was not considered proper for women to learn about rifles or advanced mathematics. However, when she showed an interest in these subjects, her father did not attempt to put a stop to it. While her sisters were busy with crocheting and other genteel pursuits, she delved into the study of rifles, physics, and even astrology. Her thirst for knowledge of how the world works was insatiable. When she first realized her father didn't see her as a worthy daughter, she was hurt. However, she soon realized that she was liberated. Disguised as a man to avoid shaming her "worthy siblings," she accompanied men on hunting trips, learned to fence, and even mastered the art of dueling. By her fifteenth year, she had become a scholar in the field of physics and was even awarded for her achievements. Her father kept the awards secret, as he didn't want others to know that his daughter was pursuing scholarly pursuits instead of learning to be a proper lady of the Chapter 1 She strolled through St. James's Park with her mother and sisters, all of them dressed in their finest gowns and ready to mingle with the gentlemen of London. The park was adorned with elaborate brass mounts and pastel ribbons. Her sisters practiced their 'chat up' lines, teasing each other and laughing as they were walking in front. She, on the other hand, didn't want to be there. In all those societal gatherings, no one paid any attention to her, talk less of her meeting a prospect. Her mother, however, would not hear of it. She was to attend all these gatherings if she wanted to continue with her various experiments and hobbies. She had to parade like an ugly peacock, a "Lady Average." They continued walking around with her sisters ahead. As they rounded a corner, she followed grudgingly behind them when she bumped into someone. She gasped as her foot twisted under her, but a strong hand caught her arm and steadied her. She looked up and met the gaze of a handsome young gentleman, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "I do beg your pardon," he said, a smile playing around his lips. "I was not paying heed to my path whilst I was traversing." "I have to confess, the blame lies solely upon my shoulders," she said, feeling her cheeks growing warm. "I was not keeping a sharp eye on my surroundings." She released her arm, and she took a step back, aware of her Mother and sisters watching them with interest. "I don't believe we have met before," her mother chipped in, stepping forward. "I am the Countess of Winshore, and these are my daughters, Lady Aphrodite, Lady Artemis and Lady Athena." The young man bowed deeply. "Dr. Piers." he said. "I am a physician in the area." "A physician?" her mother repeated, her eyes were lighting up. "How fortuitous! Our last doctor passed away, and we found ourselves in dire need of a replacement." He handed her his card and said, "I would be honoured to serve your family, my lady." Her mother smiled and tucked the card into her reticule. "Thank you, Doctor. I daresay we shall maintain communication in the near future."