How much longer would the two of them remain alone?

      Claire pushed that foreboding to the back of her mind, alongside her fear of heartache.

      ‘I have a piece of advice,’ said Ewan, ‘that should help yer game.’

      Something in his tone warned Claire it was likely to be an impudent suggestion. ‘Indeed?’ she rallied. ‘And what might that be?’

      ‘Don’t wear a corset.’ Suppressed laughter bubbled beneath his audacious suggestion. ‘It makes it too hard for ye to bend over the table to make yer shot.’

      He rattled on. ‘It’s only me to see ye, anyway, and I think ye’ve got a fine figure without squeezing it all out of shape. Ye’re not wearing a corset now, are ye?’

      ‘Ewan!’ A furious blush tingled in Claire’s cheeks. ‘That is not a proper question for a gentleman to ask a lady!’

      ‘Aye, well, I’m no gentleman, am I?’

      About the Author

      In the process of tracing her Canadian family to their origins in eighteenth-century Britain, DEBORAH HALE learned a great deal about the period and uncovered plenty of true-life inspiration for her historical romance novels! Deborah lives with her very own hero and their four fast-growing children in Nova Scotia—a province steeped in history and romance!

      Deborah invites you to become better acquainted with her by visiting her personal website, www.deborahhale.com, or chatting with her in the Harlequin/Mills & Boon online communities.

       Novels by the same author:

       Did you know that some of these novels are also available as eBooks? Visit www.millsandboon.co.uk

      Highland Rogue

      Deborah Hale

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      MILLS & BOON

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      This book is lovingly dedicated to old friends and new.

      To Diane Beaumont,

      the person who taught me more about writing than anyone…and more about generosity, too. And to the Ladies of the Library: Shannon, Kari, Laura Lee, Michelle, Anna, Alli, Doreen, Biddy, Christi, Marcy, Kate, Karen, Susan, Linda, Tina, Angela and all the gang. Thanks for giving me a special spot to hang my bonnet in the eHarlequin community. I can’t wait to see Irving’s Bookcase overflowing with all your titles!

       Chapter One

       London, 1875

      “My stepmother? Oh, bother!” Claire Brancaster Talbot glanced up from her desk, where she sat reviewing some correspondence from the Admiralty.

      To the best of her recollection, Lady Lydiard had never before set foot over the threshold of Brancasters’ business office on the Strand. “Did she say what she wants to see me about, Catch-pole?”

      The sudden advent of Lady Lydiard appeared to have flustered the hitherto imperturbable Mr. Catchpole. Claire had long suspected her fussy, middle-aged secretary of entertaining a secret reverence for persons of title.

      “Her ladyship did not vouch that information, miss.” Catchpole removed his pince-nez, then immediately replaced it. “Should I have made so bold as to inquire?”

      “I would scarcely call it bold to ask a caller’s business.” Claire stifled a sigh as she laid aside her paperwork. “However, I doubt her ladyship will keep me in suspense about what she wants. Show her in.”

      Rising from her seat, Claire smoothed down the skirt of her checked silk frock, hoping her stepmother would not fuss about the paucity of her crinolines or the complete absence of a corset. Not that Claire’s angular figure truly required the latter to achieve a slender waist. Corsets did help create the illusion of bosoms, but she could happily do without those in the business world.

      The door to her office opened and Lady Lydiard cruised in under full sail, her middle-aged waist cinched so tightly Claire marveled the woman could breathe, let alone sit or eat.

      Mr. Catchpole trailed behind her ladyship with an unctuous smirk on his face that made Claire want to shake some sense into him. “Lady Lydiard to see you, Miss Brancaster Talbot. Shall I bring tea for you ladies?”

      “One name will do, thank you, Catchpole,” said Claire.

      Adopting the name of her mother’s family when she’d taken over Brancasters had been an edict of her grandfather’s will. Though she signed both names on business correspondence, she found the pair too cumbersome for social use.

      “And don’t bother about tea,” she added, without consulting her stepmother. “I doubt this is a social call.”

      Whatever the purpose of Lady Lydiard’s visit, Claire had no wish to prolong it.

      “Very good, miss.” Catchpole made a deep bow and backed out of the office.

      His obsequious withdrawal was lost on Lady Lydiard, who swept a glance around Claire’s spartan but spacious office, her nose wrinkled slightly as though she could detect the unpleasant odor of trade. “So this is where you spend all your time?”

      “Not all of it.” Claire turned to look out her office window, onto the bustle of London’s commercial district. “Just enough to keep your shares from losing their value, and to grow the fortune your grandchildren will inherit one day.”

      Lady Lydiard gave a choked little gasp that made Claire repent her veiled threat. For the sake of