Loving a Scoundrel (How to Love Series #1) Read online

  LOVING A SCOUNDREL

  How to Love – Clean Regency Series

  By Marie Higgins

  Copyright © 2019 by Marie Higgins

  Cover Art by Sheri McGathy

  Edited by Lynda Floyd, Teresa Pearson, and Veronica Mesia

  Edition License Notes

  This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Loving a Scoundrel (How to Love Series, #1)

  ONE

  TWO

  THREE

  FOUR

  FIVE

  SIX

  SEVEN

  EIGHT

  NINE

  TEN

  ELEVEN

  TWELVE

  THIRTEEN

  FOURTEEN

  FIFTEEN

  EPILOGUE

  Author’s Bio

  Lord William Dorsey is determined to save his older brother, the Earl of Hanover, from farthing-filcher women, since he has experienced just how heartless they can be. After he and his brother move into their new manor house, Lord William decides to use his middle name and introduce himself as Adrian Dorsey, a distant penniless cousin. When he meets Miss Lyndsey Benson, he’s intrigued by her bold personality and plans to learn more about her. During the party, he sneaks a kiss – or two –and now he’s smitten. Yet, she seems more interested in his brother. Can Adrian prove that he’s the right man for her?

  As the eldest daughter in a family of four girls, Lyndsey Benson accepts the responsibility of finding a wealthy husband to help her family. The Earl of Hanover seems to be the answer to their prayers. Unfortunately, she’s not attracted to the earl, but to the scoundrel, Adrian Dorsey. When she finds out the truth about Adrian, will she give him her heart or choose the earl and wealth to save her family?

  ONE

  Leicestershire, England

  “There it is, my good man, the very estate that will either bring you happiness – or bring ruination to your good name.”

  Lord William Adrian Dorsey, the second son of a nobleman, pulled his horse to a stop and shifted on the saddle, giving his cousin a quizzical look. Trey Worthington had always been the humorous sort, and since the man married, his sense of humor had only grown. At this moment, Adrian didn’t know whether he should take the man seriously or not.

  “What the devil are you talking about, Worthington?” He yanked his leather gloves tighter on each hand. “Ruin my good name... Really. Why, the idea is preposterous.”

  Trey tilted back his head and laughed heartily, which nearly caused his hat to fall from his head. The breeze stirred his light-brown hair. Snapping upright, Trey grasped his hat to keep it from tumbling to the ground. He gestured toward the grand estate that had been purchased by Adrian’s father. Two separate wings adjoined the main house, and the land went on for miles. Indeed, there was enough room for three different families to reside at Hanover Hall, but for the time being only Adrian and his older brother would live there.

  “Dear cousin,” Trey said, “you are now away from the eagle-eyes of your father. You and your brother will either find some comely country girls to marry, raise babies, and live together in harmony... or one of you will kill the other in a fit of anger and cause the greatest scandal England has ever known.”

  Adrian rolled his eyes. He and Collin didn’t disagree that much. Besides, there was enough space in this estate that each brother could take a wing and not have to see each other for at least a fortnight. However, living here for the rest of his life was out of the question. Adrian wanted more.

  “I can assure you,” Adrian nodded to his cousin, “Collin and I are more dignified and mature than what you remembered as a boy.”

  “I should hope so. Some of the memories I have of you two still give me nightmares.”

  Adrian chuckled. “As always, Worthington, you are being over dramatic. Besides, my brother has just returned from traveling the world. I can assure you, he’s now ready to settle down and live a normal life.”

  Trey grinned. “Normal? Who wants that kind of life?”

  Adrian laughed and urged the horse forward in a slow trot. He’d promised to give his cousin a tour of their bountiful lands, and he wouldn’t allow anything to distract him. “I don’t plan on staying here for more than a few years. Although Collin may want to live off our family’s wealth, I prefer to make my own money.”

  “Doing what, may I ask?” Trey’s horse rode side-by-side with Adrian’s.

  “Your friend, Dominic Lawrence, knows a lot of places where I can invest my money.”

  Trey barked with laughter. “Hawthorne? Oh, my dear cousin, you had better watch yourself. He is a very cunning man.”

  “He’s also a very wealthy man,” Adrian quickly added.

  “Yes, I suppose if you were to listen to anyone’s advice, it would be to Hawthorne’s. He is wise beyond his years. However, he’s the biggest jokester I know.”

  Adrian halted his horse to wipe the moisture from his brow. England’s mid-summer weather already had plans to cook him this morning. If the temperature was this warm already, he wasn’t looking forward to what it would be later today, especially with a house full of guests who had never met the Dorsey family. He prayed they would not know about their wealth, either. However, all they had to do was look at the grand estate to deduce how much each brother was worth.

  Inwardly, Adrian grumbled. This meant that every single woman in attendance – whether young or old – would be daydreaming about becoming the wife of one of the brothers. Adrian absolutely loathed fortune-hunting women. Most of the women he’d courted when he’d lived in Yorkshire were only after his money. None of them cared a whit about Adrian. They didn’t take the time to find out that he enjoyed taking long walks, had started a collection of rare books, and that he’d wanted to find his own piece of land and breed horses. There was definitely profit in doing that.

  The one woman he’d thought had been different turned out to be just as unscrupulous as the others. He’d met her while visiting a school chum in North Devon. She was a very lovely woman, and at first he thought she had the kindest heart. She’d led him to believe she didn’t know who his family was, so he allowed himself to fall in love with her. He was ready to make an offer of marriage but didn’t want to propose until he fetched the heirloom ring from his grandmother. That’s when he’d discovered she hadn’t been honest with him. While he was away on business, she’d told everyone that she was going to be the next Lady Dorsey – the sister-in-law to a wealthy earl.

  Needless to say, Adrian had hardened his heart toward women who were only after snagging a rich husband.

  Adrian mentally shook the memory out of his head and focused on his cousin. “Are you and your wife planning to attend tonight’s party?”

  “Judith and I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Trey smiled. “I’ll be the one standing against the wall with a drink in my hand, watching you and Collin fight off all the maidens, and collecting bets to see who wins.”

  Groaning, Adrian rubbed his forehead. “I’m not looking forward to fighting off maidens. In fact, I don’t want to attend the party at all for that reason alone.”

  “You’re not looking for a wife?”

  “Hardly. Father feels I need to set
tle down, but I’m not yet ready. Besides,” he flipped his hand toward the estate, “Collin is the oldest. Let him find a wife first. Why should I be required to find one when my brother is still unattached?”

  Trey sat forward on his saddle, giving Adrian a stealthy stare. “Perhaps you need to let your guests know right away that you’re not in the marriage market. In fact,” Trey grinned, “if I have your permission, I shall walk amongst your guests holding a sign that reads – Lord William Dorsey is not for sale.”

  Adrian laughed out loud. “And you, my dear cousin, would be the man who could pull it off. However, walking around with a sign might make me an outcast with our neighbors. If word ever got back to Father, he’d have heart palpitations and disown me.”

  Trey shrugged. “It was just a suggestion.

  If Adrian had his way, he wouldn’t even let their guests know he was a Dorsey. Immediately, an idea popped into his head. The more he pondered on the scheme, the more he liked it. Gradually, excitement filled his chest, making him anxious to try it. “Actually, I have a better solution.” He laughed. “I shall have Collin introduce me as Mr. William Dorsey, his long-lost cousin.”

  Trey shook his head. “I fear, my good man, your idea will not work. Everyone around here knows that Collin and William Dorsey are brothers.”

  “Fine, then I shall have Collin introduce me as Adrian Dorsey, the family’s cousin from a small town down south.”

  Trey narrowed his gaze on him. “And pray, why would you want to be called Adrian?”

  Adrian grinned. “We’ve known each other since we were young boys, and yet you don’t know my middle name?” Adrian nodded. “I think my plan will work perfectly as long as my brother doesn’t muck things up.”

  Trey snorted with laughter. “And I know Collin well. He will muck things up.”

  Adrian rolled his eyes. “Then I suppose we’ll have to keep him drinking port all evening. His mind will be spinning too much to think properly, and when he’s that foxed, he doesn’t talk much.”

  “Poor Collin, old man.” Trey’s grin widened. “There are so many ways I could play with his mind, you just cannot fathom.”

  Adrian laughed. “You forget, I remember your pranks well. So, I’m certain I could imagine just what you could do to my poor brother.”

  “If I do something, I cannot let my beautiful Judith see. She’d refuse to speak to me for a whole week.”

  Adrian knew his cousin enjoyed joking about Judith, but a blind man could see how much Trey loved his wife and would do anything to please her.

  “I only see one problem with your plan,” Trey said.

  “And what, pray tell, is that?”

  “What if people ask Collin about the welfare of his brother? After all, both of you are supposed to be in residence.”

  “I’ll have Collin tell everyone that I had business elsewhere, and I’m not planning on living at Hanover Hall for at least a fortnight, or maybe even longer.”

  Trey laughed and shook his head. “I wish you well with that adventure, as long as your brother agrees.”

  “I’ll make certain he goes along with my plan.”

  Adrian and Trey reached the estate at the same time and dismounted. After handing the reins to the waiting groomsman, Adrian led his cousin in through the front door. The butler hurried toward them to take their hats, but Adrian shook his head in a silent dismissal. The sweet aroma filling the house let him know what kind of tarts and cookies the kitchen staff were preparing for the party.

  Adrian and his cousin stopped in the spacious hallway. As Trey’s gaze moved around to the built-in bookcases made with dark wood lining the walls, Adrian studied the sunflower-cushioned settees that attached to each side of the curving staircase.

  “This is truly amazing,” Trey whispered in awe. “I’ve never seen bookcases built into the walls such as these.”

  “Father told us that the designer of the manor loved working with wood, and as I take you throughout the place, you’ll see just how much wood is actually used in each room. Father said he was also surprised how very little the owner was asking for this manor.”

  “Oh, speaking of your father,” Trey said, “I’d heard he’d been called to Ireland on business.”

  Adrian laughed. “You must not remember my father very well. He is always called to Ireland on business.” He rubbed his chin. “He’d mentioned before leaving this last time that he had some urgent business with Collin, as well. Unfortunately, the two men are never in the same place at the same time.”

  “Do you know what this urgent matter with Collin is about?”

  Adrian shrugged one shoulder. “I’m sure it has something to do about the family’s coffers, but I’m not worried about it.”

  Adrian stood back and allowed his cousin to inspect everything at his leisure. Slowly, Adrian moved toward the back of the corridor, leading him under the winding staircase and to one of the many doors that led into the kitchen. He’d spent more time in a room similar to this one than his brother had. Grace, their cook, had taught Adrian more about life than his tutor ever had.

  His mouth stretched into a smile as he thought of all the late nights he’d stayed up, listening to her tales of when she was a young woman traveling the world with her father. Grace, God rest her soul, had had more adventures in her young life than Adrian had experienced at the age of twenty-eight.

  Looking out the window, a flash of teal caught his eye. The figure darted from one manicured shrub to the next in the yard. Scowling, he moved closer to the window to get a better look. Then a second figure in pink hurried to join the first.

  Finally finding a window that helped him see better, he studied the two women giggling behind a shrub. By the look of their faded dresses, tattered bonnets, and untidy hair, he suspected their purpose. They’d probably heard about the party being thrown at the manor that evening and were trying to get a glimpse of the two wealthy bachelors who’d be hosting it.

  Adrian gritted his teeth. It disgusted him to see women fall all over themselves in hopes of being introduced to men of title and wealth. Their sole purpose was to entice the men to fall in love with them just so they could look down their noses and haughtily stroll from one shop to the next in town, spending money to their hearts’ content.

  He released a pent-up breath, trying to calm his ire. Adrian wanted to march out there right now and tell them to get off his land. He would not abide trespassers. Or gawkers.

  As he stepped toward the door, his mind quickly halted his progression. He couldn’t go outside looking like this since he didn’t want anyone to know that he was the younger brother, William.

  Grumbling, he swung around and looked for something else to wear. He rummaged through the drawers and the closets, searching for anything that wouldn’t let these women know of his wealthy status. When he spotted a man’s overcoat hanging near the back door, still stained with dirt and green from the grass, he grinned. He would bet the coat belonged to the gardener.

  In a flash, he shrugged out of his deep coffee colored riding jacket and slid his arms through the gardener’s coat. He brushed some of the dirt from the garment onto his trousers and boots. He even messed his hair a little and smeared some dirt on one of his cheeks.

  As he opened the door, ready to get rid of the young women, his words stopped in his throat before even leaving his mouth. Taking long strides toward the young giggling females was a slightly older woman. She wore a dress that wasn’t as brightly colored, and her dark brown ringlets were tighter than the other two girls’. This woman didn’t appear to be anything like the tittering henwits by the shrubbery.

  “Lizzie, Jannette...” The woman in the beige dress stopped in front of the other two with her arms akimbo. “Pa is going to beat you alive if he hears of your exploits this time.”

  This time? Adrian quickly moved away from the door but kept it ajar so he could hear as he continued to watch them.

  “But Lyndsey,” the girl in pink whined, “we were curiou
s about the two lords who’ve moved into the manor. We have heard their family owns four more estates like this one. Can you imagine —”

  “Lizzie,” the older sister interrupted, “you will stop spreading rumors this very instant. When you meet the earl and his brother tonight at the ball, that will be soon enough to know if what you’ve heard is correct.” The woman scowled. “Unless, of course, Pa finds out what you’ve done and forbids you to attend.”

  Adrian rolled his eyes. His family didn’t own four other estates like this one. Only three. But it disturbed him more hearing that they were invited to this evening’s event. Next time, he’d have someone who knew the people around town, read over the guest list to make sure only proper and disciplined women were invited.

  “Both of you know better than to go sneaking around on other people’s lands,” the brown-haired woman berated. “Ma would be turning in her grave if she knew what the two of you were doing.”

  The younger two frowned, their gazes dropping to the ground.

  “Now hurry toward home before someone sees—”

  When the woman’s words stopped, his gaze moved to her. The woman’s attention was directly on him and her surprised eyes blinked slowly. Apparently, he hadn’t hidden himself well enough.

  Her cheeks brightened and she took a hesitant step toward him. “Please forgive my sisters, sir.”

  Clearing his throat, he lifted his chin and proceeded out the door. The younger girls’ gasped and quickly scurried away. But the older sister stood stiffly, her gaze fixed on him.

  “I... I apologize for my sisters trespassing on your lands. It shan’t happen again.”

  “I would hope not,” he snapped. “That is very ill-mannered.”

  Her cheeks tinted pink as she scanned his attire. “Are you... one of the earls?”

  “I am not. The Earl of Hanover and his brother, Lord William Dorsey, aren’t even here at the moment.”

  Her eyes widened, and he realized they were a lovely blue. For a brief moment, he thought they looked like the sky on a clear day. He quickly pushed that sappy thought out of his head.