The Daring Exploits of a Runaway Heiress Read Free

resisted the urge to bring up Lady Theodosia.
    â€œStill, you’re right.” He shrugged apologetically. “I have no reason not to trust you.”
    â€œThank you, Jackson.” She beamed at him. Perhaps there was something to be said for having a spotless reputation after all. And it wasn’t a complete lie. She had written, she simply might not have mentioned that Jackson’s mother had decided to travel the world with her estranged husband in the hopes of rekindling what they once had. It was terribly romantic. And extremely convenient.
    Nonetheless, even though Lucy had assured Jackson’s mother she would write to her family, as indeed she had, Lucy had no doubt that at some point Elizabeth Channing would again write to her dear friend Pauline Merryweather. Said letter would surely mention Elizabeth’s travels with her husband and that Lucy had stayed in England. At which point Pauline would realize she wasn’t entirely certain exactly where her only daughter was or what she was doing, and there would be hell to pay. As frustrating as the slow speed of mail and transport across the Atlantic was, at the moment, Lucy was grateful. By her calculations, she had a minimum of a month to do what she wanted to do. If she was lucky, she would have far more.
    She was under no illusions that she could do everything on her great-aunt’s list, but it did seem to her that the worth was as much in the effort as the success. After that, Lucy had no idea what she would do, but her future certainly didn’t need to be decided here and now. She had time and money and freedom.
    â€œYou are absolutely certain you want to do this?” Jackson asked.
    â€œAside from not marrying you”—Lucy grinned—“I have never been more certain of anything in my life.”
    â€œAgain, thank you.”
    She laughed. She would always treasure Jackson, but they were choosing their own roads to follow. She hadn’t the slightest doubt that one day he would walk his with Lady Theodosia by his side. Precisely as it should be.
    Lucy’s own road was a bit less clear. Which should have concerned her but didn’t. It was as exciting as it was daunting. Besides, when fate offered you a hand, you would be a fool not to take it. Adventure was where one found it, after all, and opportunities were not to be squandered.
    What Jackson didn’t know, what Lucy had never revealed to anyone, was that her great-aunt wasn’t the only young girl to make a list of those silly or improper things she wished to do in her life.
    Lucinda Wilhelmina Merryweather had long had a secret list of adventures of her own.

Chapter One
    Cameron Effington, the youngest son of the Duke of Roxborough, resisted the urge to clench his teeth and instead adopted his most cordial expression and met his father’s disapproving gaze at the far end of the dining table. “Yes, Father, my work is most satisfactory. Thank you for asking.”
    His father’s eyes narrowed. “Well, as long as it’s satisfactory.”
    â€œFather,” Cam’s oldest brother, Spencer, the Marquess of Helmsley, said in a low, warning tone. As the next duke, Spencer had long seen himself as the diplomat in the family.
    His father had been less than pleased when Cam had taken a position with Cadwallender’s Daily Messenger more than a year ago. But aside from the occasional disgruntled comment, the duke usually refrained from discussing his youngest son’s work. Tonight, however, there was an undercurrent to his words that did not bode well.
    Cam’s twin brothers, Simon and Thaddeus, traded glances but wisely kept their mouths shut. It would not do for Father to turn his displeasure toward them, although admittedly they had done nothing of late to incur his ire. At least nothing Cam was aware of. His widowed sister, Grace, Lady Watersfeld, continued with her meal, completely ignoring the potential for a family