Also by Kit Donner
The Notorious Bridegroom
Published by Kensington Publishing Corporation
The VENGEFUL BRIDEGROOM
KIT DONNER
ZEBRA BOOKS
KENSINGTON PUBLISHING CORP.
http://www.kensingtonbooks.com
For my siblings
Kim, Jill, Lee, and Todd
On the way to growing up, you became my best friends
And for my other “siblings”
Kelley and Ron
Contents
Prologue
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
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Epilogue
Prologue
The Times
January 1811
DIED
On Monday, at 21 Westcott Gate, Bloomsbury, aged 54, Sir Reginald Colgate, much lamented by his son, the new baronet, Sir Matthew Colgate, and his daughter, Miss Madelene Colgate.
Gossip heard at White’s (March 1811)
A duel was held early yesterday morning. They say a man was defending his sister’s honor from a reprobate who had taken license with her affections. No reports of fatalities, one wounded.
Extract from a letter dated 17 May 1811 Miss Lucinda Westcott, Ludlow, Shropshire, to Miss Jane Parlymle, Oxford
I regret to inform you that my health has not improved and my brother insists that we travel to Italy for a recuperative visit. I shall try to write.
London Lady’s Social News
18 June 1811
MISCELLANY
Tuesday past, Mr. Nelson Gobler, of Kent, was to be married to Miss Madelene Colgate of Bloomsbury, but sadly is it reported the bride did not appear for the nuptials. It is believed Mr. Gobler returned to Kent to seek a local maid for marriage.
London Lady’s Social News
October 1811
MISCELLANY
Unsubstantiated. A license of marriage was obtained by Aaron Winchester, Earl of Chesterbroke, for the hand of Miss Madelene Colgate. Within a week, the request for the license was withdrawn. No further details were given.
The Shropshire Gazette
December 1811
Mr. Gabriel Westcott has returned to his home at Westcott Close from a long sojourn near Florence, Italy, to regretfully bury his sister, Miss Lucinda Westcott, in the family plot.
From Miss Madelene’s Diary
January 1812
I miss Father. No man will ever be equal to him in my eyes. It is hard to believe it has been a year. Matthew despairs of ever finding a suitable husband for me, but soon that will not be his main concern. He has been gambling rather heavily, and I think he is afraid to tell me of his losses. If our debts are great and our funds low, I worry Matthew may go to prison—
Chapter One
15 May 1812
St. James Street
London, England
“No question Miss Madelene Colgate is a beauty, but no gentleman in his right mind would want to marry the termagant,” Lord Vincennes insisted.
Mr. Arnold Duckins, great grandnephew of the Marquess of Stalingsford, hurried to disagree with his lordship’s pronouncement. “One with such beauteous features could only have the temperament of an angel. Those deep blue eyes and the long, dark hair. She could make Aphrodite jealous.” He sighed and looked heavenward, hoping his dramatic flair would intrigue his companion.
Earlier, Duckins had noticed his target, Lord Vincennes, lounging by the bow window at White’s, as he was wont to do every morning. To be most effective, Duckins took his time to bait the hook before he reeled in his fish.
Since gossip abounded Vincennes and his wife had a very acrimonious marriage, Duckins thought to walk a tightrope in introducing the topic of matrimony and a sure bet into the conversation. After exchanging pleasantries on the weather and the Prince Regent’s latest excesses, Arnold had launched the subject of marriageable ladies, and in particular, one Miss Madelene Colgate.
As they watched the street peddlers pushing their carts up the street in search of those with funds to spare, they continued to dispute the merits of the young woman. In another corner of the club, the morning crowd enjoyed a hot repast of scrambled eggs, sausages, fresh salmon, and fried tomatoes in the lingering smoky air from the previous evening.
Duckins watched Vincennes’s countenance closely to determine his best strategy.
His lordship shook his head and swallowed his coffee. “You, young swain, are charmed by any young thing with a pretty face. I heard tell not a year ago she jilted a man from Kent, and it wasn’t the first time. Said he went home with a broken heart. Even the family’s former servants have spoken about their mistress’s blazing temper and to watch for flying objects when she’s in a sniff. Seems the death of her father has only served to exacerbate this rash behavior. And to compound matters, prattle-bags waggle their tongues her brother has spent all of her dowry.”
Vincennes presumably had an opinion on everything, and obviously not a fair consideration of Miss Colgate. Undeterred, Duckins continued, while staring out the pristine window, “Perhaps the death of her father struck her insensible, and she needs a man to set her on the right path. For the suitable man, I’d bet she’d prove easy to tame.”
Vincennes snorted. “And I’d be willing to bet no man would have her, not until she learned to control her passions.” He popped out his watch fob. “Must take my leave and see to my lawyer,” he muttered.
Duckins wasn’t