The Earl Not Taken Read online

  Left standing on the side while their contemporaries marry into society, four young ladies forge a bond to guard each other from a similar fate . . .

  Finishing school failed to make a proper lady of Penelope Arrington. But as a Wallflower of West Lane, Poppy has a far more vital role—she and her three best friends have made a pact to protect each other from the clutches of dangerous, disreputable men. So when one of them is about to be married off to a duke sight unseen, Poppy makes it her mission to divine the prospective husband’s true character. If only she didn’t require the aid of London’s most unsuitable rake.

  Rhys Draper, Earl of Marsden, has known the headstrong Poppy since she was a young girl, naïve to the ways of men. To her eternal chagrin—and to his vague amusement—they have been at odds over the memory of their embarrassing first encounter all these years. Now, with his services in need, Rhys sees a chance to finally clear the air between them. Instead, he is surprised by the heat of their feelings. If the two do not tread carefully, they may end up in a most agreeably compromising position . . .

  Visit us at www.kensingtonbooks.com

  Books by A.S. Fenichel

  The Demon Hunter Series

  Ascension

  Deception

  Betrayal

  Forever Brides Series

  Tainted Bride

  Foolish Bride

  Desperate Bride

  The Everton Domestic Society

  A Lady’s Honor

  A Lady’s Escape

  A Lady’s Virtue

  The Wallflowers of West Lane

  The Earl Not Taken

  Published by Kensington Publishing Corporation

  The Earl Not Taken

  The Wallflowers of West Lane

  A.S. Fenichel

  LYRICAL PRESS

  Kensington Publishing Corp.

  www.kensingtonbooks.com

  Contents

  Books by A.S. Fenichel

  The Earl Not Taken

  Contents

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Meet the Author

  Preview

  Chapter 1

  Copyright

  To the extent that the image or images on the cover of this book depict a person or persons, such person or persons are merely models, and are not intended to portray any character or characters featured in the book.

  LYRICAL PRESS BOOKS are published by

  Kensington Publishing Corp.

  119 West 40th Street

  New York, NY 10018

  Copyright © 2020 by A.S. Fenichel

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

  All Kensington titles, imprints, and distributed lines are available at special quantity discounts for bulk purchases for sales promotion, premiums, fund-raising, educational, or institutional use.

  Special book excerpts or customized printings can also be created to fit specific needs. For details, write or phone the office of the Kensington Sales Manager: Kensington Publishing Corp., 119 West 40th Street, New York, NY 10018. Attn. Sales Department. Phone: 1-800-221-2647.

  Lyrical Press and Lyrical Press logo Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.

  First Electronic Edition: March 2020

  eISBN-13: 978-1-5161-1051-3

  eISBN-10:1-5161-1051-X

  First Print Edition: March 2020

  ISBN-13: 978-1-5161-1054-4

  ISBN-10: 1-5161-1054-4

  Printed in the United States of America

  Dedication

  This book is dedicated to those of you who have felt out of place or been pushed aside. If you’ve ever been the girl or boy standing alone at a party or felt like an intruder in someone else’s group of friends, this book is for you. The Wallflowers of West Lane sympathize and want you to know, you are not alone.

  For my husband, Dave, because you are where romance begins.

  Prologue

  Helmsbury Manor was grand and comfortable, but Poppy’s new friend Aurora had been right about her mother’s lectures. By her third day as a guest, Poppy was so tired of the droning on about behaving like a proper lady, she sneaked out before tea and went for a long walk around the property. After all, Aurora might have to listen, but Poppy had her own mother and had heard her fair share of the same kind of drivel over the years.

  She’d been sent from home dreading her fate at Miss Agatha Wormbattle’s School for Young Ladies, and now she wished they would leave sooner. They would leave in five days and meet two other girls in London before they all would travel to Lucerne together and spend three years learning to behave like proper young ladies. Father thought it a punishment for bad behavior, but anything that took her out of his purview was a blessing.

  It was a beautiful day with a light breeze and blue skies. She trudged across a lawn toward a line of trees at the top of the hill, stumbled, and smudged a grass stain on her pale blue dress. Brushing at the newest stain, she resigned herself to always having a stain or two on her clothes. Tea would have been nice, but enjoying a long walk was far better. All she had to do was figure out how to avoid the countess for the remaining two days of her stay. Then she and her lovely new friend would be free of critical parents while they attended the Swiss boarding school. Poppy only hoped that Aurora was right about their ability to handle Headmistress Agatha Wormbattle. Admittedly, they were both clever girls who’d managed a fair amount of mischief. Letting the lively thought fill her, she reached the crest of the hill and froze.

  Shirtless, Aurora’s elder brother, Rhys, had a woman with long brown hair and her dress bunched around her waist pressed against a tree. It was scandalous behavior for a man who would one day be the Earl of Marsden. He’d been nuzzling the woman’s neck, his golden hair falling to his collar when Poppy stepped into the stand of trees.

  She must have gasped at the unexpected sight, as Rhys’s head snapped up. Their gazes met.

  Not knowing what to do, she fumbled for words. “Satan’s beard. I’m…I…I beg your pardon.” Turning, she ran back toward the house with her cheeks on fire.

  Laughter, both masculine and feminine, followed her as she dashed away from the tawdry scene.

  Despite her bravado in most situations, she had never seen a man with so little clothes on before. Rhys Draper’s neck was corded, his shoulders wide and muscular, while his waist narrowed where his golden flesh disappeared beneath tan breeches. She had trouble catching her breath, and she was not at all sure it was from the dash back to the house.

  “Poppy, are you all right?” Aurora called from the gazebo where she sat with a book.

  So close to escaping to the house and running to her bedroom where she might claim a headache and avoid seeing anyone for the rest of the day, Poppy sighed and meandered closer. “I’m fine. Just a bit tired and was going to go upstairs for a rest.”

  Putting her book aside, Aurora narrowed her gaze. “You looked flushed, and you were running as if you’d seen a snake. What happened to your dress?”

  “It’s nothing. I’m quite all right.” Poppy sat across from Aurora in the gazebo. “What are you reading?”

  “I’m not. I’m pretending to read A Lady Must Always Be a Solemn Creature in order to avoid Mother.” She changed to a soft conspiratorial whisper. “I would like to read the Gretchen Tormblat novel Danger Deep at Sea I bought the last time I walked to town. But that will have to wait for the journey. I’ve been collecting reading material and plan to continue as we travel.”

  Glad for the subject to turn away from her, Poppy said, “I haven’t read that one. I managed to borrow a copy of Mrs. Tormblat’s The Pirate Cave from my neighbor’s daughter back home, and I found it very distracting.”

  “That’s what I love about the books, so thrilling and filled with adventure. You may read any you like from my collection. My maid will sneak them in my bag once Mother has made her inspection.”

  Poppy pulled her feet up on the bench and wrapped her arms around her knees. “My mother inspected my trunk as well. Unfortunately, Willa has not been my maid but a week. I could not trust her to hide reading material. Mother found three romantic novels by Priscilla Prettifield at the bottom and promptly tossed them in the trash. I was quite vexed.”

  Aurora shook her head. “Do not fret; we shall replace those books. Did your parents give you pin money?”

  “Yes, and I have some saved they didn’t know about. I’m quite solvent.” Proud of herself, Poppy hoped her new friend was trustworthy.

  “Excellent. I have also been saving. Ever since they told me I would be sent away, I’ve been saving half of my pin money in case I need it while we’re in Switzerland. I have made Mother believe I’m sad about being sent away, but truly, I can’t wait.” Aurora leaned her head back against one of six posts that held the roof and smiled.

  It was impossible not to like Aurora, and Poppy was thrilled to have a friend to rely on for the next three years. “You may be right, Aurora. We shall have a marvelous adventure.”

  Her joy fled an instant later when Rhys appeared from around the shrubs at the other side of the garden and strode toward them.

  “Hello, Rhys,” Aurora said. “Why are your clothes so wrinkled?”

  Poppy wanted to crawl away and hide. Cheeks heating, she was sure her blush was obvious. The last thing she wanted was for Rhys to know how embarrassed she was by what she’d seen. It was impossible to seem worldly when a man’s bare back sent her running across the countryside.

  Rhys raised his eyebrows and stared at Poppy for a long moment. “I was frolicking with someone from town. A bit of fun.”

  Aurora smiled. “Well, don’t let Father see you looking so messy. He’ll throw a fit.”

  Those sharp eyes of his settled on her for a long moment, perhaps waiting for a comment. “I’m going to clean up now,” he assured his sister. “Lady Penelope, what did you do with your afternoon?” A wicked smile twisted his full lips.

  Were they so red because of kissing that woman? Poppy didn’t know and couldn’t imagine why she cared. Her stomach was in knots. She knew one thing for certain: as much as she liked Aurora, if she never saw Rhys Draper again it would be too soon. “Nothing of note. I took a walk around the property.”

  “And how did you like the views?”

  Perhaps he was teasing, but Poppy wanted to die. She wouldn’t have it. This being made to feel small by a boy would not do. “While the vistas are lovely here, I saw nothing notable.”

  Frowning, he examined his shoes. “I see. Well, perhaps your next visit to our home will be more interesting.”

  “As you know, I’ll be far away for three years learning how to behave like a proper lady. You’ll likely be married off to some very fine lady by that time and we shall never meet again.” Preferring the strong tone of her voice, she didn’t care that her words were cutting.

  Aurora watched, looking from one to the other. “I feel as if I’ve missed something. But I am sure Rhys will not be married before I return from school. I’ll be very annoyed if you were to marry without me.”

  He kissed his sister’s cheek. “And I would never do so. I wish I could talk Father out of this, Rora. I have tried to keep you home, but you do yourself disservice with your constant disobedience.”

  Smiling, she shrugged and stood up. “I am what I am, Rhys. I cannot change to please Father and not even for you.”

  He hugged her tight. “I would not have you change, just obey enough to keep you at home where I know you’re safe.”

  She swatted his chest. “They are sending us to a fortress in the mountains. We’ll be perfectly safe and far enough away so I will no longer embarrass our esteemed parents. Speaking of our parents, I promised Mother I would meet with her before dressing for dinner. I must go. Will you escort Poppy in?”

  “Of course.”

  Aurora rushed to the house and was gone.

  The awkward silence hung between them. Rhys remained guarding the entrance to the gazebo, and Poppy had no way out but to push him aside. Not wanting him to suspect how uncomfortable he made her, she held her place. “Are you just going to stand there and glare at me?”

  “I’m trying to figure out why you didn’t tell my sister what you witnessed.” He stepped a few feet away and scratched his head.

  Poppy took advantage and made a quick exit from her trapped position. “I like your sister and she obviously thinks the world of you. I have no desire to hurt her with the truth.”

  Narrowing his gaze, he closed the gap between them. “What truth is that?”

  “Perhaps I am mistaken, but to debauch young women in the woods is not exactly gentlemanly. If you thought it was acceptable behavior, you wouldn’t be so relieved I kept your secret.” She backed away until the path to the house was beside her.

  “I haven’t done anything wrong. Mimi is more than willing. You make me sound lecherous.” He gripped the edge of his coat and kicked the pebbled path.

  Pulling back her shoulders, she looked into those winter-sky eyes. “I think you are well on your way to becoming a perfect English gentleman.”

  “And what of you with your bad behavior and stained dress? You’re not exactly on your way to becoming a well-bred lady.”

  “I never claimed to be. Besides, I don’t think my stumbling and ruining a dress is comparable to what you’ve been doing with who knows who. You’re a scoundrel, I’m just a lummox.”

  His frown deepened, and something dark glared in his eyes. “You have no right to judge me.”

  “Hades’s blood, I only tell what I see.” Her heart pounded in her throat. He stepped toward her.

  Poppy ran to the house and up to her room without looking back.

  Chapter 1

  Six Years Later

  “I’m sorry if I offend anyone, but I am glad he’s dead.” Poppy hated funerals, but as she walked into Aurora’s home on West Lane, she was happy her friend was free of that monster. The Earl of Radcliff had deserved what he’d gotten, and her friend’s three-year marriage had been too long. Poppy had behaved herself all morning. Now with only her three closest friends and Aurora’s brother, Rhys, to hear her, she had to let it out.

  Rhys Draper, recently elevated to the Earl of Marsden after his father’s passing, frowned at her. “Really, Penelope. Must you say such things?” He stood with his arms crossed over his wide chest leaning against the wall near the window, and his blond hair touched his collar. All remnants of the skinny boy had been replaced by muscle over the last few years, but Poppy was determined not to notice. His roguish behavior far outweighed any pleasure she might take from his good looks.

  The lady’s parlor of Aurora’s townhouse on West Lane was their gathering place. The Earl of Radcliff’s death was the only reason Rhys had tagged along after the funeral. It was the only room in the house with a feminine flair, cream-colored walls and a buttery rug. The overstuffed furniture was covered in a similar fabric, and lace curtains shielded them from the street.

  Aurora pulled the black veil off her face and over the brim of her hat before removing the pins and tossing the hat on the table near the door. It bumped a vase of flowers sent by someone with condolences and slid to the floor. Her golden hair was coiled at the back of her head in tiny braids, and her pale blue eyes were clear. All the fear, which had marred them for three years, had died with Bertram Sherbourn, Earl of Radcliff. “You’ll get no argument from me, Poppy.”

  Faith picked up the hat and placed it more firmly on the table. Taking a deep breath accentuated her full curves as she tucked her wild brown hair behind her ear. She took Aurora’s hand, and the two sat on the divan. “He was a miserable sod and none of us are sorry he’s gone. Still, Poppy, it’s not nice to speak ill of the dead.” Her sweet voice was in direct contrast with her words.

  Holding back a chuckle at the double standard Faith set, Poppy shared a knowing look with Mercy, who shrugged and smiled. “I suppose I must say nothing at all then. I certainly won’t say anything nice about him.” Poppy sat on the chair to Aurora’s left.

  Curling up on the chaise, her long legs bending until she took up little space despite her tall stature, Mercy pushed her spectacles up on her nose. Her strawberry-blond waves pulled up to expose an elegant neck and shoulders. “Then we shall find another subject or sit in silence. What do you want to talk about, Aurora?”

  “I think I’d just like to call for tea and sit here. Can we do that? Can we forget I was ever married and act as if we were just getting home from Lucerne, four wallflowers hell-bent on embarrassing our families?”

  Patting her hand, Faith narrowed her eyes on Poppy as if daring her to continue the unwanted conversation. “Of course we can.”

  Poppy stifled a chuckle and held up her hands in defeat. Faith rarely put her foot down, and it was clear this was one of those times.