Forever My Earl: Ever Beloved, #1

Forever My Earl

Ever Beloved One

Dawn Brower

Contents

Dawn Brower

Forever My Earl

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Epilogue

About The Author

Also by Dawn Brower

Afterword

Dawn Brower

Excerpt: Always My Viscount

Prologue

Dawn Brower

Excerpt: Searching for My Rogue

Chapter 1

It can be so easy to give up on love. Even when it seems all hope is lost don’t lose faith. One day you might be surprised and find what you’ve been looking for staring you in the face. So this book is for all the believers in love.

Prologue

June 1804

The castle sat in the middle of rolling green hills. In the distance waves could be heard crashing on the shore of a nearby beach. Miss Hannah Knight had read about castles. In some ways this one lived up to her imagination. It was enormous in size, but it lacked a moat. She had really hoped she would be able to cross a real drawbridge like a medieval princess. Some dreams weren’t meant to happen. Honestly, how could she have believed the wilds of Kent would have lived up to her silly fantasies?

How long will we be at Manchester Castle, Mama? Hannah asked.

Lady Redding, her mother, smiled down at her. A little over a fortnight poppet, I promised Lady Manchester we’d stay for a nice long visit. You’re one of her goddaughters and she hoped to have all three of you to herself for a time.

Hannah nibbled on her lip in an unlady like manner. She’d only met Lady Manchester a few times when she was younger. This was her sixteenth summer and in a couple short years her mother promised she’d have her come out. She was too young to enter society yet. This was the conciliation her mother had given her—time spent with Lady Manchester in a real castle. So far she was mildly disappointed, but maybe the inside would make up for the lack of a drawbridge.

The carriage rolled along the road and bounced over several bumps or rocks. Hannah jostled in her seat and continued to stare at the castle. The distance was getting narrower and she could almost make out some of the fine details. The sound of hoof beats on the ground caught her attention. She shifted her gaze and saw a male riding a beautiful white horse. The kind fairytales brought to life. Her breath stilled and her heart beat rapidly in her chest. They were both beautiful. He had dark chestnut hair that curled around his ears as the wind blew it into a fine disarray. His riding breaches were form fitting he must have decided against a riding jacket and cravat because he wore a billowy white shirt that rippled in the breeze.

Mama, Hannah said gesturing toward the handsome male. Who is that?

It’s rude to wave like that dear, she brought her hand up and stilled Hannah’s. I’m not sure, but it must be one of Lady Manchester’s sons.

Her mother hadn’t mentioned that there might be potential suitors there. Oh, he was so fine-looking. She couldn’t wait to meet him in person. Would he have brown eyes or perhaps blue. Did it really matter? If there was such a thing as love at first sight Hannah had fallen willingly and completely into it. Maybe some dreams do come true…

Do you know their names? Hannah asked hopefully.

She wanted to ask more than that. How old were they. Were they married or betrothed. So much she didn’t know and she felt woefully ill prepared for all of it. The carriage couldn’t reach the castle entrance fast enough.

One of them is the Earl of Manchester, her mother said. Nathanial Edwards or rather, Lord Manchester to you dear. Was the male on the horse Lord Manchester? She wanted to find out and give a name to his perfect face. Her mother continued, He is betrothed to Lady Lenora Andersen. They’re to be married while we are here.

Hannah’s heart fell at her words. If it was the same male then he would never be hers. It was ridiculous of her to think she had a chance anyway. She was as plain as a girl could be. She had dark brown hair and equally dull brown eyes. No one ever stopped to look twice at her. Lady Lenora was a lucky girl to be marrying such an attractive man.

The carriage came to a stop in front of the castle. The horse thundered past it and the male stopped by the door. A stable boy took the reins from him and led the horse away. The man turned toward the carriage and nodded at someone Hannah couldn’t see.

The door to the carriage swung open and she met the gorgeous male’s gaze. His eyes were blue. That didn’t describe them nearly enough. They were a rich blue that matched the sea. His hair was even more beautiful in person. The rich chestnut was sprinkled with gold and it looked oh so soft. Hannah wished she was brazen enough to run her fingers through it to find out.

Welcome to Manchester Castle, he said. May I assist from the carriage?

Where are your manners young man. Her mother lifted a brow. Properly introduce yourself first.

Hannah giggled when he smiled sheepishly at her mother. My apologies, he said and bowed. I am Lord Garrick Edwards and whose acquaintance am I making? His gaze met Hannah’s again. She couldn’t answer him even if she wanted to. Her tongue wouldn’t move and her throat was starting to close up.

I am Lady Redding and this is my daughter, Miss Hannah Knight. She held her hand out to Lord Garrick. Thank you for your assistance.

He helped her mother out of the carriage and then returned to assist Hannah. She wanted to thank him. It was the right thing to do but her tongue was still not functioning as it should. Would she ever get over her the infernal shyness that plagued her?

My mother has been expecting you, he said. Lady Lakeville, Lady Lenora, and Lady Corinne are already here. It’s going to be a festive two weeks up until the wedding. I hope you’re prepared for it all.

Who was Lady Corinne? Was Lord Garrick betrothed to her? When she’d first heard his name she’d been hopeful once again. He wasn’t the earl who was about to marry. He was free if she… Well there went her foolish mind again thinking she had a chance with a man so handsome. Of course he would be taken with someone else. Lady Corinne was probably beautiful and his equal in everything—even for a second son such as Lord Garrick.

It will be good to see Lady Lakeville again, her mother said wistfully. It’s been too long.

Her mother didn’t leave Redding Manor enough. She often talked about her best friend and how she missed her. This visit was as much for Lady Redding as it was for Hannah.

I’ll escort you inside, Lord Garrick said. They were in the salon gossiping when I left for my ride.

The door swung open and a stiff older butler stood on the threshold. He lifted his chin up in the air as they approached. Lord Garrick nodded at him and the butler stepped aside.

Bentley are the ladies still in the salon, Lord Garrick asked.

The butler nodded, Yes, my lord.

Lord Garrick led them to the salon. The ladies were all sitting perfectly poised and drinking tea from dainty cups. The two younger ladies were picture perfect. They both wore muslin gowns of delicate pink with white silk flourishes. They appeared so identical that at first Hannah thought they were twins. Their hair was golden blond and plaited into a knot at the back of their head and their eyes were so blue they rivaled Lord Garrick’s in beauty. No wonder one or both of them had already snared a marriage proposal. Lady Lenora was marrying into the Manchester line, but was Lady Corinne as well?

Mother, Lord Garrick said as he leaned down and kissed her cheek. I bring you the last of your guests. Lady Leonora, Lady Corinne, Lady Lakeville—May I introduce you to Lady Redding and her daughter Miss Knight. He gestured toward Hannah and her mother. Now if you’ll excuse me I must wash from my ride.

He bowed to the ladies and exited. Hannah tried her best not to stare but it was difficult. He was too handsome and she wanted to follow him where ever he went. It broke her heart to realize he would never be hers.

Please have a seat and I’ll pour you both some tea. Excuse my son’s rudeness, Lady Manchester said. Hannah sat on a nearby chaise and her mother sat beside her. He has an unruly nature that nothing seems to tame. I do hope he curbs it before he throws himself into this war England’s found itself involved in.

Hannah frowned. He was going to war? Her heart skipped a beat—no several beats—before she was able to calm herself down. The idea of him going into danger terrified her. He should stay in England where it was safe.

I hadn’t realized he purchased a commission, her mother said to Lady Manchester. You didn’t mention that in your last correspondence.

Lady Manchester sighed. He informed us today at the morning meal. He’s been planning it for some time and only held off until now because of the upcoming wedding. He leaves the day after the ceremony. My heart can only take so much stress and that boy will be the death of me one day.

Lady Lakeville lifted her hand to her chest. Oh you poor dear…

I can’t imagine, Hannah’s mother said sympathetically. If I had a son I’d be terrified.

War was on everyone’s mind, but it didn’t cross Hannah’s. What happened in the world around her had always taken a second seat to her books. She traveled by reading pages of masterful writing. Those places were her sanctuary when nothing else lived up to her expectations. She’d been instantly infatuated with Lord Garrick, but she didn’t really know him. That didn’t mean she wanted him to go off to war. What if he died? Suddenly the war seemed all