About him, London lay sleeping, but the capital, even at this hour, was never truly silent from a distance, distorted by the stone facades all around, came the jingle of harness, the hollow clop of hooves, a disembodied call.Īlthough even here, in the most fashionable quarter, danger sometimes lurked in the shadows, he felt no threat. The moon was out, lighting the pavements, casting deep shadows. If he hadn't been afraid of falling on his face, he would have danced down the deserted street. There was not a great deal more he could think of to wish for.

Fabulously, fantastically - legally - wealthy. Even better, as of yesterday, he was rich. He was twenty-nine, yet today qualified as the first of his adult life, the first day he could call said life his own. Lucien Michael Ashford, sixth Viscount Calverton, sauntered along Mount Street, nonchalantly twirling his ebony cane, a smile of unfettered joy curving his lips. Not that he made a habit of inebriation, but last night, or more specifically and especially this morning, was a once-in-a-lifetime occasion. More drunk - drunker - than he'd ever been. But unknown to Amelia, Luc has a very good reason for wooing her. Soon she longs for those moments away from the watchful gaze of the ton in which she can learn all about seduction from a master. The first hitch in Amelia's plans comes when Luc refuses to agree to a hasty wedding, but insists on properly wooing her…in public and in private.

Sometimes a young lady needs to take matters into her own hands.īut matters of the heart are never that simple. She has always loved him - no other man will do for her - and she's tired of waiting.

Amelia is torn between astounded relief and indignant affront, then decides she doesn't care.

But he agrees to her outrageous marriage proposal - just prior to falling unconscious at her feet. It's near dawn and she's risked scandal by lying in wait for him just outside his London house. Amelia Cynster hears these words from handsome, enigmatic Lucien Ashford, 6th Viscount Calverton, and is stunned.

On a wicked dawn by stephanie laurens