The Saint Who Stole My Heart: A Regency Rogues Novel by Stefanie Sloane Read Free Book Online Page A

increased over the years, as had Rowena’s for her. The two motherless girls had bonded and become fast friends, despite the differences of birth and station in life.
    “I’m a bluestocking, Rowena. Defending women’s rights is what we do,” she chided gently. Rowena’s mysterious beginnings had always plagued Elena’s mind. What would have become of her dear friend if she’d not been dumped on their doorstep? The possibilities were chilling—and unnecessary. Equality and enlightenment were needed in their world, and Elena wanted more than anything to be a part of accomplishing that goal.
    “My room is neat and tidy, just the way I like it,” Rowena assured her, adding, “I’m to share with Molly, one of the housemaids. Nice girl, if a touch talkative.”
    Elena readied her own tea and sank back onto the damask cushions, weary from the long journey. “Is that so?” She gestured invitingly at the plate of cucumber sandwiches.
    “No, thank you.” Rowena shook her head and took a second fortifying sip of the hot, sugared brew. “Molly went on and on, telling me about all the changes of late. Lord Carrington’s only been in residence a short while.He’s nice enough, but keeps to himself. Now Lady Mowbray …”
    Elena smiled at the twinkle in Rowena’s sky-blue eyes. “Yes?”
    “Well,
everyone
knows Lady Mowbray—or her story, I should say. She’s terribly elegant. Invited to all the right parties and finest balls. How did Molly put it?” Rowena paused, appearing to consider her tea. “Oh, I remember now: ‘Lady Mowbray is one of the most influential ladies of the ton.’ The whole staff is in a dither over her presence.”
    Elena returned the rose-patterned cup and saucer to the silver tray, her tea having lost its flavor.
    “Oh, and over your arrival, of course, Miss,” Rowena added hastily.
    “It’s not that, Rowena, but bless you for the effort.” Elena reached for a sandwich and took a bite, chewing contemplatively before swallowing. Her stomach rolled with worry and a growing anxiousness. “My last chaperone was a celebrated member of the ton, and as you know, that did not end well.”
    Lady Hastings had been persuaded to sponsor Elena’s first season. Baron Harcourt had paid a moderate sum and the influential woman was engaged to take the awkward girl under her wing. Unfortunately, the widowed baroness forgot her duties all too soon, leaving Elena vulnerable to fellow debutantes who seemingly took pleasure in her unschooled ways.
    Rowena set her cup and saucer on the tray and stood, her beautiful creamy coloring nearly returned to normal. “That was then, Miss. And this is now,” she said firmly. “Have some faith. Lady Mowbray might just surprise you.” She walked to the trunk and eyed the garments inside, a gentle huff of displeasure escaping her lips.
    Elena sighed deeply. She hated surprises. They didn’tfit into her well-ordered, predictable world. The very word “surprise” made her anxious. “Bite your tongue, Rowena Smith. Bite your tongue.”

     
    Dash drummed his fingers on the arm of the upholstered chair as he looked about the library. He’d promised to give Miss Barnes the grand tour of the massive room. Actually, Bessie had offered him up, and then conveniently disappeared upstairs.
    He couldn’t help but admire the man.
A right good agent Bell would have made
, Dash thought as he studied the room. Literally hundreds of books lined the shelves, the topics they covered as wide as his father’s interests—which had been vast, indeed.
    Mathematics, religion, astronomy, history—the list went on and on. Dash had always admired his father’s thirst for knowledge, but his subsequent love affair with the mountain of volumes before him? That was something Dash had never understood.
    Oh, Dash devoured books as voraciously as his father—if not more, when it came to particular areas of interest. But once he’d read a book, he had no need of it any longer. His mind