Almost a Princess PDF
Preview Almost a Princess
Table of Contents Title Page Praise Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Author’s Note SHADY LADY Prologue - April 1817: Brinsley Hall, Oxfordshire Chapter 1 About the Author Also by Elizabeth Thornton Copyright Page Lavish praise for the books of ELIZABETH THORNTON THE PERFECT PRINCESS “Winning . . . lots of action and a very neat twist . . .” —Booklist “A joy to read!” —Romantic Times “Steamy sex scenes, fiery repartee and strong characters set this romantic intrigue apart from the usual Regency fare.” — Publishers Weekly PRINCESS CHARMING “Delightfully entertaining” —Philadelphia Inquirer “Ms. Thornton excels at writing a steamy, passionate tale of love and Princess Charming gives you all that and more in this fast-paced historical romantic suspense.” —Romantic Times STRANGERS AT DAWN “An out-of-the-ordinary murder mystery set in the early 1800s with lots of “An out-of-the-ordinary murder mystery set in the early 1800s with lots of suspects and a lovely romance.” —The Dallas Morning News “Thornton has been a long-time favorite thanks to her well-told tales of intrigue peppered with sizzling romance and Strangers at Dawn is among the best.” —The Oakland Press “With her talent as a superb storyteller, Elizabeth Thornton skillfully blends suspense, murder, and a powerful love story into a jewel of a book.” —Romantic Times WHISPER HIS NAME “Thornton creates appealing characters and cleverly weaves in familiar Regency settings and customs.” —Publishers Weekly “Ms. Thornton has delivered. This is a terrific book from cover to cover. The dynamic plot and characters will thrill and delight. Bravo!” —Rendezvous “Thornton scribes another terrific tale that sub-genre fans will take immense pleasure reading. The action-packed story line is a thrill a page without scrimping on a warm romance. Very Highly Recommended.” —Harriet Klausner YOU ONLY LOVE TWICE “This book is an absolute joy to read. I loved every minute of it! We are given humor, a murderer, sensuality, scintillating dialogue, and characters to cheer for. humor, a murderer, sensuality, scintillating dialogue, and characters to cheer for. What more could you want?” —Rendezvous “If you love mystery, murder, and mayhem along with your romance, then You Only Love Twice will be your cup of tea.” — Romantic Times THE BRIDE’S BODYGUARD “Cleverly plotted intrigue.” —Publishers Weekly “This witty Regency romance/mystery will keep you up all night.” — The Atlanta Journal-Constitution “A rich, satisfying blend of suspense and passion.” —Brazosport Facts More praise for ELIZABETH THORNTON “Elizabeth gives you delicious stories filled with mystery, sensual romance, and dynamite characters. I have been reading this woman’s wonderful stories for years and years. I hope she never stops writing.” —The Belles and Beaux of Romance “Fast-paced and full of surprises, Thornton’s latest novel is an exciting story of romance, mystery, and adventure . . . a complex plot that exuberantly carries the reader. Thornton’s firm control of her plot, her graceful prose, and her witty dialogue make Dangerous to Kiss a pleasure to read.” —Publishers Weekly on Dangerous to Kiss He looked into her face, trying to gauge her feelings. “Look at me!” he said fiercely, and he cupped her chin to bring her eyes up to meet his. She seemed fragile, and that surprised him. Her gloved fingers splayed over his chest. “No,” she whispered. His lips curved. “What are you saying no to?” What was in his eyes; the way her heart jarred; the sudden realization that she wasn’t as immune to him as she thought she was. His hand moved to her neck, his fingers tightened. She knew she should pull back. Instead, she lifted her face to him. His lips were warm, tasting, not taking. She felt her mouth opening to the gentle pressure of his. She couldn’t think, didn’t want to think. Prologue London, October 1816 The body was still warm. Officer Rankin turned up his coat collar to protect his neck from the drizzle that was beginning to turn to sleet. Not only was the weather wretched, but Hyde Park at night gave him the shudders. He went down on his haunches and held his lantern high to get a better look. In his long career, he’d investigated many murders, but he’d never seen anything like this. The victim was roped to the trunk of a tall oak and had fallen forward at the instant of death so that the ropes sagged with his weight. He’d been shot at close range behind his left ear, and his neckcloth was soaked with blood. Rankin looked up and beckoned to his assistant, a new recruit to the Bow Street Office, who looked as though he might be sick. This was Willis’s first night on the job, and Rankin was wishing that they’d been called out to a housebreaking and not a murder. After a slight hesitation, Willis sank down beside his superior and stared fixedly at the murdered man. Behind them, crowding a little closer for a better view, were the night watch and the elegant young gentleman who had raised the alarm. “Nasty,” said the night watch. He wasn’t squeamish about sudden death. As a veteran of the Spanish Campaign, he had seen much worse than this. Rankin said nothing. In his mind’s eye, he was trying to see how the murder was done. The victim was on his knees, bound at the ankles, with his hands tied behind his back. There were no obvious signs of a struggle, but it was hard to tell in that Stygian darkness. His chin was sunk on his chest, and it was impossible to see if there were other injuries on his face—bruises, broken bones—without raising his head. Mindful of Willis’s squeamishness, Rankin decided to leave
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