Rescued by a Rake

Rescued by a Rake The Beresford AdventuresBook 4 Cheryl Bolen © Copyright 2023 by Cheryl Bolen Text by Cheryl Bolen 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 February 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. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it or borrow it, or it was not purchased for you and given as a gift for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. If this book was purchased on an unauthorized platform, then it is a pirated and/or unauthorized copy and violators will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Do not purchase or accept pirated copies. Thank you for respecting the author’s hard work. For subsidiary rights, contact Dragonblade Publishing, Inc. ARE YOU SIGNED UP FOR DRAGONBLADE’S BLOG? You’ll get the latest news and information on exclusive giveaways, exclusive excerpts, coming releases, sales, free books, cover reveals and more. Check out our complete list of authors, too! No spam, no junk. That’s a promise! Sign Up Here * Dearest Reader; Thank you for your support of a small press. At Dragonblade Publishing, we strive to bring you the highest quality Historical Romance from some of the best authors in the business. Without your support, there is no ‘us’, so we sincerely hope you adore these stories and find some new favorite authors along the way. Happy Reading! CEO, Dragonblade Publishing Additional Dragonblade books by Author Cheryl Bolen The Beresford Adventures Lady Mary’s Dangerous Encounter (Book 1) My Lord Protector (Book 2) With a Little Help from My Lord (Book 3) Rescued by a Rake (Book 4) Table of Contents Title Page Copyright Page Publisher’s Note Additional Dragonblade books by Author Cheryl Bolen 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 Epilogue About the Author Chapter One His head hurt like the devil. But Arthur Lansbury, the 4th Earl of Montague—known to his friends as Monty—would not permit the residuals of his profligate nights to interfere with the performance of his daily duties. Even as a lad at Eton, he had never shirked his studies or responsibilities. Not even a bout of lung fever following a frigid swim with his fellow youthful rulebreakers had prevented him from leaving his comforting bed to recite Cicero. On this early afternoon—for Monty never rose in the morning—he had suffered silently as Cummings shaved him and assisted his master into the clothing he would wear to the House of Lords that day. In addition to Monty’s skill as a Corinthian, he was also known to be one of the best dressed men in the Capital. Before he went to that august chamber, Monty directed his coachman to Half Moon Street. It was well past time he demanded to know why his best friend, the Honorable Thomas Hutchinson, had absented himself from their circle this past week. It was true Hutch had recently taken the lascivious actress Mrs. Colecott under his protection. Was the blonde Venus so satisfying that Hutch had lost all interest in gathering at Brook’s or attending the race meetings at Newmarket? Even if he had to drag his lifelong friend from his bed, Monty intended to demand an explanation for Hutch’s recent reclusiveness. He would also insist that the truant accompany him to Parliament to cast an important vote today on a bill capping the Civil List. The Regent was far too promiscuous with his limitless spending—and this was criticism coming from an earl who spent money rather like one with his own private mint. Hutchinson’s young footman, whose baby face and mop of flaxen hair belied the fellow’s six-foot-plus frame, easily recognized Monty, but refrained from swinging the door open wide as he normally did. “I’m afraid my master’s not in, Lord Montague.” Monty’s brows lowered. It was not yet one in the afternoon. There was no way Hutch would have arisen this morning and already left. His nocturnal habits were in lockstep with Monty’s. Neither man ever rose before noon. His friend must not have come home the previous night. If anyone knew where Hutchinson was, it would be his valet. Hutch was incapable of making himself presentable without the aid of his competent man. “Might I have a word with Mr. Hutchinson’s valet?” Monty asked. Now the door sprang open, a smile lighting the footman’s face. “Certainly, my lord. Should you like to wait in the morning room?” Monty shook his head as he strode into the mansion’s checkerboard entry. “I’ll just pop up to Hutch’s chambers and save you a trip.” With that, the earl began to mount the broad stairway, his gloved hand skimming over the shiny brass banister as generations of Hutchinsons stared down at him from portraits darkened by time. A moment after Monty entered his friend’s bedchamber, the valet opened the door from the adjoining dressing room, a hopeful look on his face. When he saw that Monty was not his master, his expression clouded. Their eyes locked for a moment. “I was hoping you were Mr. Hutchinson,” the man said. “I take it your employer did not come home last night?” The middle-aged man morosely shook