The Earl's Love: Stenwick Trilogy, #1
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Percy, Earl of Stenwick, spent all of his time hiding out in the country pursuing his work as a stonemason. When his father died, leaving everything mortgaged to the hilt, he'd turned his avocation into a job that would feed and clothe his family, and he'd slowly gotten them out of debt.
Diana was the daughter of a tradesman and looked down on by most of the ton, but that wasn't the only strike against her. She also had an odd ability to make all the men fall in love with her, which did not endear her to the other women of Society. When Diana's father and Percy's mother decide the two should marry, they realize that they are kindred souls at heart. Will they be able to get beyond their differences to live happily ever after? Or will they always be at each other's throats?
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The Earl's Love - Kirsten Osbourne
The Earl's Love
by Kirsten Osbourne
Book One in The Stenwick Siblings
Copyright 2014 Kirsten Osbourne
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Percy, Earl of Stenwick, spent all of his time hiding out in the country pursuing his work as a stonemason. When his father died, leaving everything mortgaged to the hilt, he'd turned his avocation into a job that would feed and clothe his family, and he'd slowly gotten them out of debt.
Diana was the daughter of a tradesman and looked down on by most of the ton, but that wasn't the only strike against her. She also had an odd ability to make all the men fall in love with her, which did not endear her to the other women of Society. When Diana's father and Percy's mother decide the two should marry, they realize that they are kindred souls at heart. Will they be able to get beyond their differences to live happily ever after? Or will they always be at each other's throats?
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Chapter One
Percy, Earl of Stenwick, rolled his shoulders as he looked up from his desk. He’d been working on the design for a new fountain for six hours straight, and his body was starting to give out. He wasn’t used to working hunched over a desk for so long, because he spent most of his time actually building his designs. This one needed to be perfect, though. He wasn’t certain why, but he could feel it.
His mother had asked to meet with him at his convenience that day, before the guests started to arrive for her country house party. He’d asked her repeatedly not to do something as ridiculous as throw a party, but she hadn’t listened. Of course, she’d never listened to his father, either. He stayed in the country, because he liked his privacy. Knowing that, why would she drag people out to the country manor house? He didn’t want anyone there.
Thinking of his father made Percy frown. When he’d inherited the title from his father, he’d been convinced that everything in life would magically become easier. Instead, he’d found himself saddled with a mother, two younger sisters, and estates that were mortgaged almost to the point of ruination. Everything that wasn’t entailed had been sold off, so he was left to come home early from Oxford to try to find a way to keep the family afloat.
Percy had found it in his trade. He smiled as he thought the word. His mother would be scandalized if she knew he’d ever even thought it, but he didn’t care. He’d sent his mother and sisters off to live at the townhouse in London with all but three of the servants. Those three remained behind with him and put up with his eccentric ways, which included being something of a craftsman. Growing up, he’d never had any idea he’d one day be a tradesman or a craftsman, but he didn’t resent the direction his life had taken. He loved his work and felt alive through it.
One of his servants was his man about town, Bertram. Bertram sold his creations to those willing to pay the price he asked, and even took on commissions. Bertram had learned to evade and not tell anyone who he worked for, simply calling him, Mr. P
to anyone who asked. Percy didn’t care what he was called to anyone else. As long as the money came in to slowly pay off his family’s debts and keep his mother and sisters going to parties during the Season, he was satisfied.
There was a short knock on his door and his mother breezed in without waiting for a response. Percy, I told you I needed to speak with you today.
She had a cross look on her face, but Percy ignored it. She almost always looked cross when she spoke with him.
His mother was only in her early fifties, but to Percy’s eye she looked much older. She’d let herself go to pot after his father had died. Yes, Mother. I’ve been working. What can I help you with?
He tore his eyes away from the design and gave her his full attention.
Working? You mean working on the estate accounts?
Her voice was filled with disapproval. She didn’t like how long he wore his dark hair. She didn’t like the fact that he worked for a living.
You know it’s not, but you’ve told me never to tell you what it is that I do. Do you want to know now?
Percy smiled at her sweetly, knowing it would simply annoy her. He was a good son and did his duty by his family, but he wasn’t about to be pushed around and bullied.
Horatia wanted to know nothing of the sort, and he knew it. She was scandalized that he’d had to actually work after his father’s death, but she certainly wasn’t scandalized enough to stop her ridiculous spending. You know I don’t. Don’t get sassy with me, Percy.
Percy leaned back in his chair and looked at his mother. At thirty-two, he didn’t think he was being sassy, but he wasn’t going to argue with her. Is there something you wanted to talk to me about?
Horatia took the seat across from Percy’s desk and carefully arranged her skirts. Our guests will be arriving any moment.
"Your guests will arrive at any moment. I am hiding myself away doing my work like I always do." Percy looked back down at the drawing he’d made of the fountain. Something wasn’t quite right yet. Hmm. I know something else is supposed to be there, but what?
"Fine, Percy. My guests will be arriving at any moment. There’s something I need to tell you about them, though."
Percy’s eyes narrowed at the sound of his mother’s voice. She was hiding something from him. What?
He continued to contemplate the fountain as he listened to her.
Have you heard of Alexander Smith? He’s a tradesman, but his daughter, Diana, has been accepted into our fold.
He knew her use of the word ‘our’ encompassed all of society in London.
Percy raised an eyebrow. He knew of Alexander, but only because the man had purchased one of his statues and paid a small fortune for the thing. Of course, Alexander had no idea he was the craftsman, and it was probably better all around if he never knew. I know of him.
Well, his daughter is a true beauty, and she comes with a large dowry. The largest being offered in London at this time. We all know because the man was rude enough to brag about it.
Her green eyes met his brown. Do you understand what I’m saying?
Percy shrugged. She’s an heiress. Wonderful.
Horatia sighed. "She’s a beautiful heiress that men seem to run from for some absurd reason. Anyway, her father is worried that she’s firmly on the shelf, which she may be because she’s twenty-three without a single prospect. Her father made the mistake of telling her, before her first season, that she had the right to say