The Duke's Masquerade

The Duke’s Masquerade Improper LordsBook One By Maggi Andersen © Copyright 2023 by Maggi Andersen Text by Maggi Andersen 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 Maggi Andersen Improper Lords Series The Duke’s Masquerade The Never Series Never Doubt a Duke Never Dance with a Marquess Never Trust an Earl Never Keep a Secret at Christmas (Novella) Bella’s Christmas Wish (Novella) The Duke’s Brown-Eyed Lady (Novella) Dangerous Lords Series The Baron’s Betrothal Seducing the Earl The Viscount’s Widowed Lady Governess to the Duke’s Heir Eleanor Fitzherbert’s Christmas Miracle (A Novella) Once a Wallflower Series Presenting Miss Letitia Introducing Miss Joanna Announcing Miss Theodosia The Lyon’s Den Series The Scandalous Lyon Pirates of Britannia Series Seduced by the Pirate Also from Maggi Andersen The Marquess Meets His Match Beth White Lady Lost Table of Contents Title Page Copyright Page Publisher’s Note Additional Dragonblade books by Author Maggi Andersen Epigraph Dedication Prologue 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 Chapter Twenty-One Chapter Twenty-Two Chapter Twenty-Three Chapter Twenty-Four Chapter Twenty-Five Chapter Twenty-Six Epilogue About the Author “Doubt thou the stars are fire; Doubt that the sun doth move; Doubt truth to be a liar; But never doubt I love.” Hamlet by William Shakespeare Dedication This book is for my husband, David, who listens tirelessly when I talk (endlessly) about my stories, and whose support means so much. Prologue Cloudhill, Ashford, Kent February, 1815 As Tate entered the hall from the stables, the butler, Knox, approached him. “The duke has arrived from London, my lord. He wishes to see you in the library.” Tate glanced at his dishevelment in the long gilt-edged mirror. He considered whether to change out of his riding clothes then decided against it. This must be important. “Thank you, Knox.” When Tate entered the library, the duke rose from his seat behind the desk. Shocked, Tate noticed the deep creases on his father’s face. His skin was alarmingly gray. Feeling apprehensive, Tate crossed the carpet. “You wished to see me, sir?” “I have a grave matter to discuss with you, son.” “Yes, of course.” His father had never called him son. As the spare, Tate had never been his father’s favorite, but Edward was dead. The duke staggered toward Tate and his knees buckled. He slumped to the floor. “Papa!” Tate ran to kneel beside him. His father’s breathing sounded raspy. Tate rose and ran to pull the bell cord for the Chapter One Six weeks later In the library, His Grace Tarleton Fanshawe, Duke of Lindsey, gloomily stirred the flames to life with a poker. The enormous fireplaces ate up coal, and the lofty rooms remained chilly throughout the coldest months. Or, at least, that was how it felt to Tate today. With his father’s body resting in the family vault, all the concerns of keeping this family afloat lay heavily on his shoulders. And there was the question of his father’s will, which offered scant clue as to the disaster that had befallen them. His father had passed away before he could explain what caused this calamity. The only thing Tate knew was that his father expected him to resolve it. “I think I make good sense, Tate,” his Uncle Clive, Earl of Butte, said from where he sat in the burgundy leather winged armchair. “Marrying Ianthe Granville hardly condemns you to a life of purgatory.” He put his brandy glass on the occasional table and rose to stalk the deep maroon and cream Aubusson carpet, his thumbs