The Earl's Stowaway

Krystina Daryl

Description

Will his temper drive her so far away that there is no path back?

Melanie's life has been full of heartache ever since her mother's death, and it only gets worse once her father remarries. Geraldine is the epitome of an evil stepmother. Though Melanie detests the woman, she loves her two siblings and becomes a surrogate mother that Jesse and Jessica adore.

Geraldine's next plan, however, is one that even Melanie could never predict. On the day on which two strangers appear to take custody of their newest possession, Melanie learns the depth of her her stepmother's hatred as she is sold to slave traders. Standing on an auction block in a strange country, Melanie finds herself sold to the highest bidder, who is quite anxious to claim his prize. Managing to escape, Melanie's choice of a hiding place changes her life.

Christopher Ashworth and his best friend, Nicolas, have spent several enjoyable nights at the White Palace. Neither has any reason not to sample the wide variety of delights offered by the whores, who are all eager to please. Upon hearing that there is to be a slave auction, however, they are disgusted, and Christopher climbs into his carriage, ready to return home and resume his duties as Earl. He never expected to discover a stowaway.

Melanie awakens naked and in bed beside a total stranger. This was not the man who had purchased her. The two have an instant connection, and yet trust is not something that is given easily. Love is something Christopher has an even harder time accepting. The lessons he learned from his grandparents, Earl Thomas Ashworth and his feisty wife, Nancy, have taught him how to be an Earl but that no longer seems to be enough.

Can Melanie show him that he is worthy to receive the gift of her love? Will Christopher's promise of helping her find her siblings and bring them to her come true? Or will the stress of keeping secrets tear them apart? What happens when Christopher's demons convince him that Melanie is using him? 

Sujets

• Duchess
• Deference
• Submit
• High Seas
• Alpha (ethology)
• Regency
• Spanking
• Virtue
• BDSM
• Scandal
• Rake
• Kidnapping
• Bride
• Dominant
• Earl
• Duke
• Obédience
• Virgin
• Bondage et discipline, domination et soumission et sado-masochisme
• Pirates

Informations

• Publié par: Blushing Books Publications
• Date de parution: 04 janvier 2016
• Nombre de lectures: 1
• EAN13: 9781682592397
• Langue: English

Extrait

The Earl’s Stowaway
TheEarl Series, Book One
 
By
 
Krystina Daryl
 
 
©2015 by Blushing Books® and KrystinaDaryl
 
 
 
 
Allrights reserved.
 
Nopart of the book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by anyinformation storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing fromthe publisher.
 
Publishedby Blushing Books®,
asubsidiary of
 
ABCDGraphics and Design
977Seminole Trail #233
Charlottesville,VA 22901
 
  The trademark Blushing Books®
isregistered in the US Patent and Trademark Office.
 
Daryl,Krystina
TheEarl’s Stowaway
 
eBookISBN: 978-1-68259-237-7
CoverDesign by ABCD Graphics & Design
 
Thisbook is intended for adults only . Spanking and other sexual activitiesrepresented in this book are fantasies only, intended for adults. Nothing inthis book should be interpreted as Blushing Books' or the Author's advocatingany non-consensual spanking activity or the spanking of minors.
 
 
Tableof Contents:
  TOC \o "1-3" \n <![endif]--> Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Epilogue
About Krystina Daryl
Ebook Offer
Blushing BooksNewsletter
About Blushing Book s
<![endif]-->
Chapter One
 
 
America- August 1856
 
Melaniegiggled as she pulled free her long hair and watched as it danced in the wind.She wanted to be exactly like that, free, without a worry in the world. Turningher face to the sky and closing her eyes, she loved the feel of the sun's heatcaressing her face as she held her hands out high and leaned forward like a birdready to take flight.
Herbody tingled and her heart raced with excitement. The feel of the wind againsther body spelt freedom to her.
Howshe wished she was free!
" Lanie , you'll fall!"
Hersmile deepened at the small voice. She looked at the little girl, with curlsshining like strawberry-golden strands on her head and sparkling eyes thatmatched the sky.
Melanie'schest tightened at Lyly's memory. Jessica was the splitting image of her. Ithad been a decade, but her face was still etched in Melanie's mind.
Solong ago, they would have had each other, and now Lyly had no one. But Melaniehad Jesse and Jessica. Yes, she felt guilty for her fortune, but it equaled hermisfortune.
Mayhap Lyly is lucky. Anyone who doesn'thave to live with my parents is lucky ,she thought to herself.
" Lanie , get down here this instant!" Jesse ordered witha stern tone. He looked more like Melanie, with amber eyes and raven blackhair.
Melanielaughed. The boy's behavior, like that of the man of the house amused her, butthe reason behind it didn't. Their father didn't pay any of them any mind. Hewas a drunk and only went home to sleep, at whatever time of the day. Herstep-mother, Geraldine, didn't care where he passed the night. She was alwaysrelieved at his absence, as it meant she could bring one of her male friendshome.
Herbetrayal towards her father angered Melanie, but what else could she expect?The woman married her father for the vast lands he owned, only to find outafter Jesse's fourth year that he lost it gambling. She threatened to leave,without her son of course, but her father wouldn't stand for it.
Whatstarted as a quarrel, ended with her father taking Geraldine forcefully inMelanie's presence. She wanted to help, but feared she would suffer the same fate.He wasn't the father she knew anymore.
Ninemonths later, a little girl was born. Geraldine wanted nothing to do with herand less to do with Jesse. Melanie named the girl Jessica, to rhyme with Jesse.And since the first day Melanie held the little girl in her arms, she becameher daughter and Jesse her son. At the age of four and ten, Melanie was amother.
" Lanie !" the two voices yelled in unison.
Shelaughed, "Fine, I'm coming down." She used the tree branches to lowerherself to a height where she could jump without hurting herself. They rushedto her, Jessica holding her arms up, meaning she wanted to be carried. Melaniepicked her up and kissed her pink cheeks. "Sweetheart, one day you'llbecome too big to carry."
Sheshook her head. "Never."
Melaniesmiled pulling all her gold locks free from her bonnet. She twirled around withher, releasing squeals and giggles from Jessica. Melanie stopped and knelt downnext to Jesse. She pulled him to her lap and squeezed them both in a tight hug.
Shekissed their cheeks and placed her head between theirs and whispered, "Ilove you both very much."
"Welove you too, Lanie ," Jessica chirped reachingup to kiss her sister's cheek.
"AndLyly too," Melanie added.
Jessicanodded, giving her another kiss. "For Lyly."
Jessemoved to sit on the ground across from Melanie. His fingers moved anxiously onhis lap, his eyes looking up at her in earnest. "Have you thought overwhat I asked?"
Melaniegave him a weak smile and cupped his chin gently in her hand. "We can't runaway, Jesse."
Hisbrows furrowed deeper with anxiety. "We can go to Lyly! She can help raiseJessica. I know she won't refuse!"
"Iknow that too, but I don't know where to find her."
Jessebowed his head, the familiar sadness causing his shoulders to sag.
Thesight broke Melanie's heart. How she wished there was another way to ensuretheir happiness, but the only thing she could do was pray that God wouldfinally grant it to them. She also prayed for a husband who would permit her totake the children to her matrimonial home. But with no dowry, the only thingshe could depend on to catch a husband was her beauty.
Theonly reason Melanie knew she was beautiful was because of the deathly glaresGeraldine gave her when she declared her beauty superior to Melanie's. She'dthreatened to cut all her hair off once when Melanie had let it flow down toher waist. Since that day, she always held it in a tight braid around her headwhen Geraldine was around. Melanie's hair was all she had that reminded her ofher mother and she couldn't permit the dragon to shave it all off!
Melanieput a brave smile on her face. "Not to worry. When I marry, I'll take youboth with me. I promise."
"Butwhat if he doesn't want us?" Jesse whispered, dragging his head up to lookat her.
"Hewill, won't he, Lanie ?" Jessica chirped withconviction.
"Ihighly doubt that!" Geraldine's harsh voice made them freeze with fear.
Melaniejumped to her feet dragging the two to stand behind her. "Mother, weweren't expecting you so soon," she said, masking her fright with a smile.
Geraldinelooked at her from the bottom hem of her dress to the top of her head with astilling glare, and then sneered. When she turned around, Melanie felt likeshe'd been released from the dragon's unseen clutches and her body relaxed witha relieved sigh.
Geraldinestepped back into the house. "She's here," she called out.
"Youbrought guests?"
Melaniehadn't meant to sound harsh but she couldn't help the anger that stirred insideher. Her father may be a good for nothing drunk, but he did not deserve theblatant disrespect Geraldine showed him. Worse of all, she was going to exposehim—most probably them—to her siblings. She hadn't worked so hardto shield the children from Geraldine's wanton behavior to corrupt them now.
"Yes,I brought guests." Geraldine glared at her once more. "Does theprincess take offense?"
"No."Melanie felt a faint tickle to her jaw and quickly realized her hair wasdown—it did explain the jealous tone in her step-mother's voice thataccompanied the snarl. She quickly wrapped it into a bun and held it in placewith pins. She pulled her lips into a smile, "I will go prepare somebeverages and a light snack."
Geraldineheld her hand up to stop her movement and then she stepped away from the door."That is not necessary. They won't be staying long."
Melanienodded with a weakening smile. But once the two large men stepped out of thehouse, the smile completely disappeared. She felt tense, a cold chill rushingthrough her entire being. Something was wrong, something was very wrong.
Oneof the men had an eye patch and his wide grin exposed his missing front teeth.The other had long blond hair and a scar that ran across his face, making hissmile lopsided.
Melanietook a few steps back, pushing the children with her. "Good afternoon,gentlemen," she squeaked.
"Gentlemen?"the one with the scar scoffed.
Melaniebit her lips together. How else was she to refer to them? Ugly criminals whosestench matched and surpassed that of a pig sty did come to mind, but she had nointentions of aggravating them.
"She'sa beauty!" Th