Epilogue
Lily
Staring out the window at the rolling greenery outside of London, Lily heaved a sigh of relief. Across the barouche-landau, on the opposite bench, her maid looked up at her with an inquisitive brow before deciding Lily had not actually been trying to catch her attention and looked away again. Thankfully, Chastity was used to Lily’s preference for quiet reflection over constant chattering.
The lady’s maid had been a gift from the Duchess of Frederick, Lily’s godmother, during the Season, but they had rubbed along well, so Lily had asked if Chastity would extend her employment and accompany her to the country. It was a special boon because Lily had left for Derbyshire several days before her parents, permissible only because she had her lady’s maid to travel with her as an erstwhile chaperone. As there was no need to spend the night at an inn, she did not need a more formidable one.
Sighing happily again, Lily leaned back against her bench seat, inwardly smiling when Chastity ignored her this time. Several years older, Chastity’s sober demeanor was a good match for Lily’s quiet, bookish ways.
If she never had to go to London for the Season again, she would be perfectly happy. The only reason she had done so was her friend Evie had asked her and her other two best friends. Josie had thrived on her first foray into Society, and Mary had deftly dealt with her second Season, but Lily had hated every moment.
Gentlemen, she had discovered, did not like a woman with their own mind. At least, not the nincompoops she had been introduced to. Several had been drawn in by her relationship with the Duke and Duchess of Frederick, but they had not stayed after realizing Lily was the type to speak her mind. Which was a relief, even if it was lowering. She had always imagined marrying and having children, but if that was what London had to offer…
Unfortunately, the options in Derbyshire were not much better. Perhaps she would become an aged bluestocking spinster, firmly on the shelf, playing doting auntie to her friends’ children. After her first Season, Lily found the prospect far more appealing than she would have countenanced at the beginning.
Granted, she had not gone into the Season with high hopes, knowing well she was not what many considered ‘sociable,’ but whatever hopes she’d had were quickly crushed underfoot by the general attitudes of the ton. Her very first week out in Society, she’d heard the incredibly handsome Lord Broderick—with who she’d thought she’d had a very interesting conversation—remark to one of his friends that the only way she would find a husband would be to sew her mouth shut.
After that, to gauge the gentlemen’s reactions, Lily had become even more outspoken about her views and opinions. Like Lord Broderick, they were polite enough to her face, but she saw through their facades and overheard some of their comments, enough to know those gentlemen were assuredly not for her.
The carriage came to a sudden, jerking stop, tumbling the occupants about. Chastity cried out, flinging her arms wide as she was thrown forward, and Lily opened hers to catch her. They fell back against Lily’s bench, shocked by the abrupt halt.
“Stand and deliver!”
What? A highwayman? Lily and Chastity exchanged disbelieving looks before Lily quickly released her maid and knowing she was being a perfect twit, leaned out the window to see a man on horseback, wearing a long black cape and mask, pointing a gun at the carriage.
Botheration. This was the last thing she needed today.
I hope you enjoyed Josie & Elijah’s story… Lily and Captain Nathan Jones face off next in A Season for Smugglers! CLICK HERE to preorder and make sure you don’t miss out.
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Acknowledgments
Thank you so much to my beta readers, Candida, Marie, Annie, Karen, Marta, Katherine, and Sir Nick for your encouragement and tolerance of my many questions and need for reassurance throughout the writing process. The books are always better in the end thanks to your input.
A huge thank you to my husband, for all the love and support as I continue on this writing journey. I couldn’t do this without you.
And thank you, dear readers, for continuing to read and leave reviews! Seeing how my books touch others makes my heart so very happy.
About the Author
Golden Angel is a USA Today best-selling author and self-described bibliophile with a "kinky" bent who loves to write stories for the characters in her head. If she didn't get them out, she's pretty sure she'd go just a little crazy.
She is happily married, old enough to know better but still too young to care, and a big fan of happily-ever-afters, strong heroes and heroines, and sizzling chemistry.
She believes the world is a better place when there's a little magic in it.
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www.goldenangelromance.com
Other Titles by Golden Angel
Historical Spanking Romance
Domestic Discipline Quartet
Birching His Bride
Dealing With Discipline
Punishing His Ward
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The Domestic Discipline Quartet Box Set
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Bridal Discipline Series
Philip’s Rules
Gabrielle’s Discipline
Lydia’s Penance
Benedict’s Commands
Arabella’s Taming
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Pride and Punishment Box Set
Commands and Consequences Box Set
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Deception and Discipline
A Season for Treason
A Season for Scandal
A Season for Smugglers
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Bridgewater Brides
Their Harlot Bride
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Standalone
Marriage Training
Rogue Booty
Contemporary BDSM Romance
Venus Rising Series (MFM Romance)
The Venus School
Venus Aspiring
Venus Desiring
Venus Transcendent
Venus Wedding
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Venus Rising Box Set
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Stronghold Doms Series
The Sassy Submissive
Taming the Tease
Mastering Lexie
Pieces of Stronghold
Breaking the Chain
Bound to the Past
Stripping the Sub
Tempting the Domme
Hardcore Vanilla
Steamy Stocking Stuffers
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Entering Stronghold Box Set
Nights at Stronghold Box Set
Stronghold: Closing Time Box Set
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Masters of Marquis Series
Bondage Buddies
Master Chef
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Dungeons & Doms Series
Dungeon Master
Dungeon Daddy
Dungeon Showdown
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Poker Loser Trilogy
Forced Bet
Back in the Game
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Poker Loser Trilogy Bundle (3 books in 1!)
Sci-fi Romance
Tsenturion Masters Series with Lee Savino
Alien Captive
Alien Tribute
Alien Abduction
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Standalone
Mated on Hades
Shifter Romance
Big Bad Bunnies Series
Chasing His Bunny
Chasing His Squirrel
Chasing His Puma
Chasing His Polar Bear
Chasing His Honey Badger
Chasing Her Lion
Night of the Wild Stags
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Chasing Tail Box Set
Chasing Tail… Again Box Set
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