A Match, Unmasked: Dukes of War, #8

By Erica Ridley

Miss Kitty Stanley's childhood boy-next-door—the arrogant, entirely too handsome daredevil Nathaniel Baxter—was supposed to stand up with her for the first dance the night of her come-out. The rotter went off to war instead.

Now she's a spinster of means, enjoying her freedom at the masquerade ball of the season. Kitty has forgotten that old foolish tendre. She has no need for Brigadier Baxter. Which is a good thing, since she hasn't seen him in five long years.

But wait… who is the handsome man behind that mask?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Erica Ridley
• Release date: Nov 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201978266

Erica Ridley

Erica Ridley is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of witty, feel-good historical romance novels. When not reading or writing romances, Erica can be found riding camels in Africa, zip-lining through rainforests in Costa Rica, or getting hopelessly lost in the middle of Budapest.

Book preview

A Match, Unmasked

A Match, Unmasked

A Dukes of War Novella

Erica Ridley

Contents

Also by Erica Ridley

A Match, Unmasked

Welcome to the Masquerade

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Thank You

Free Books

Thank You For Reading

The Duke Heist

Sneak Peek

Once Upon a Duke

Lord of Chance

About the Author

Copyright © 2021 Erica Ridley

Photograph on cover © Period Images

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the author.

Also by Erica Ridley

The Dukes of War:

The Viscount’s Tempting Minx

The Earl’s Defiant Wallflower

The Captain’s Bluestocking Mistress

The Major’s Faux Fiancée

The Brigadier’s Runaway Bride

The Pirate's Tempting Stowaway

The Duke's Accidental Wife

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The Wild Wynchesters:

The Governess Gambit

The Duke Heist

The Rake Mistake

The Perks of Loving a Wallflower

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Rogues to Riches:

Lord of Chance

Lord of Pleasure

Lord of Night

Lord of Temptation

Lord of Secrets

Lord of Vice

Lord of the Masquerade

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The 12 Dukes of Christmas:

Once Upon a Duke

Kiss of a Duke

Wish Upon a Duke

Never Say Duke

Dukes, Actually

The Duke’s Bride

The Duke’s Embrace

The Duke’s Desire

Dawn With a Duke

One Night With a Duke

Ten Days With a Duke

Forever Your Duke

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Gothic Love Stories:

Too Wicked to Kiss

Too Sinful to Deny

Too Tempting to Resist

Too Wanton to Wed

Too Brazen to Bite

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Magic & Mayhem:

Kissed by Magic

Must Love Magic

Smitten by Magic

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The Wicked Dukes Club:

One Night for Seduction by Erica Ridley

One Night of Surrender by Darcy Burke

One Night of Passion by Erica Ridley

One Night of Scandal by Darcy Burke

One Night to Remember by Erica Ridley

One Night of Temptation by Darcy Burke

A Match, Unmasked

Welcome to the Masquerade

Miss Kitty Stanley’s childhood boy-next-door—the arrogant, entirely too handsome daredevil Nathaniel Baxter—was supposed to stand up with her for the first dance the night of her come-out. The rotter went off to war instead.

Now she’s a spinster of means, enjoying her freedom at the masquerade ball of the season. Kitty has forgotten that old foolish tendre. She has no need for Brigadier Baxter. Which is a good thing, since she hasn’t seen him in five long years.

But wait… who is the handsome man behind that mask?

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Acknowledgments

As always, I could not have written this book without the invaluable support of my critique partner, beta readers, and editors. Special thanks go out to Erica Monroe and Victory Editing.

I also want to thank my wonderful VIP readers, our Historical Romance Book Club on Facebook, and my fabulous early reader team. Your enthusiasm makes the romance happen.

Thank you so much!

Chapter 1

May 1814

London, England

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Heaven save her. A party .

Miss Kitty Stanley smiled to hide her nervousness as her godmother’s carriage neared Lord and Lady Whitwell’s grand residence on the edge of Hyde Park.

A real smile, if you please, scolded Mrs. Baxter from the seat opposite.

Kitty lifted a smiling comedy mask from her godmother’s basket and held it in front of her face. Better?

Is that the one you’ll be wearing?

No. It was far too cheerful for how Kitty felt tonight.

She briefly considered the corresponding tragedy visage, then opted instead for a glittering Venetian mask with colorful feathers. She would be one of dozens in similar attire, and less likely to stand out from the crowd.

For most people. Ah, here it came. Her godmother’s familiar tirade. The Whitwells’ annual masquerade ball marks the midpoint of the season. For you, it marks the first time I’ve managed to lure you from your home all year.

I often leave the house, Kitty protested. I go bird-watching every morning and sketch my findings, I frequent Hatchard’s book shop, I have sampled every spring fruit in the local markets...

Will any of those things find you a husband? Mrs. Baxter asked pointedly.

I hope not, Kitty muttered.

She was perfectly happy exactly as she was. Why attempt to attract gentlemen she had no interest in marrying?

I know it’s difficult for you to form connections, her godmother said gently.

That was unfair. The problem was that it was far too easy for Kitty to form connections. She had loved her father enormously, only for him to die of consumption when Kitty was seven years old. She had loved her mother even more, only to lose her to a fever the winter before Kitty’s first season.

And as for Nathaniel Baxter, the roguish, convivial, constant companion who had delighted and plagued Kitty for the entirety of their childhood... He had chosen to leave her.

Kitty’s problem wasn’t forming connections. It was picking up the pieces after those she loved were lost forever.

"I have you," Kitty said.

Her godmother was the closest thing to family Kitty had left, and they loved each other unconditionally. Spinsterhood was splendid. Why, if Kitty took a husband, he would demand all of her time, leaving little left over to spend with Mrs. Baxter. Kitty valued their teas, bird-watching excursions, and spontaneous trips to Bath too much to