Lady in Red
Eliza Knight
Contents
More Books by Eliza Knight
About the Book
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Epilogue
About the Author
Copyright 2014, 2021 © Eliza Knight
LADY IN RED © 2014, 2021 Eliza Knight. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part or the whole of this book may be reproduced, distributed, transmitted or utilized (other than for reading by the intended reader) in ANY form (now known or hereafter invented) without prior written permission by the author. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal, and punishable by law.
LADY IN RED is a work of fiction. The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictional and or are used fictitiously and solely the product of the author’s imagination. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, places, businesses, events or locales is purely coincidental.
Cover Design by Kim Killion @ The Killion Group, Inc.
Edited by Erica Monroe at Quillfire
More Books by Eliza Knight
Prince Charlie’s Rebels
The Highlander Who Stole ChristmasPrince Charlie’s Angels
The Rebel Wears Plaid
Truly Madly Plaid
You’ve Got PlaidThe Sutherland Legacy
The Highlander’s Gift
The Highlander’s Quest
The Highlander’s Stolen Bride
The Highlander’s Hellion
The Highlander’s Secret Vow
The Highlander’s EnchantmentPirates of Britannia: Devils of the Deep
Savage of the Sea
The Sea Devil
A Pirate’s BountyThe Stolen Bride Series
The Highlander’s Temptation
The Highlander’s Reward
The Highlander’s Conquest
The Highlander’s Lady
The Highlander’s Warrior Bride
The Highlander’s Triumph
The Highlander’s Sin
Wild Highland Mistletoe (a Stolen Bride winter novella)
The Highlander’s Charm (a Stolen Bride novella)
A Kilted Christmas Wish – a contemporary Holiday spin-off
The Highlander’s SurrenderThe Conquered Bride Series
Conquered by the Highlander
Seduced by the Laird
Taken by the Highlander (a Conquered bride novella)
Claimed by the Warrior
Stolen by the Laird
Protected by the Laird (a Conquered bride novella)
Guarded by the WarriorThe MacDougall Legacy Series
Laird of Shadows
Laird of Twilight
Laird of DarknessThe Thistles and Roses Series
Promise of a Knight
Eternally Bound
Breath from the SeaThe Highland Bound Series (Erotic time-travel)
Behind the Plaid
Bared to the Laird
Dark Side of the Laird
Highlander’s Touch
Highlander Undone
Highlander UnraveledWicked Women
Her Desperate Gamble
Seducing the Sheriff
Kiss Me, Cowboy
Under the name E. KnightTales From the Tudor Court
My Lady Viper
Prisoner of the QueenSingle Title Historical Fiction
A Day of Fire: a novel of Pompeii
A Year of Ravens: a novel of Boudica’s Rebellion
Ribbons of Scarlet: a novel of the French Revolution
About the Book
When Terrence Howard, the Earl of Shaftesbury’s wife returns out of the blue after having gone missing for two years, he’s filled with questions—and an undeniable love for her that never waned.
Elizabeth, a lady by chance and a pauper by birth, is hiding a secret. Her disappearance was more than just a mere escape, but a chance at revenge for a life upended by the man she tricks into marrying her.
Whatever game Elizabeth had been about however has the last lark, as her heart has played the ultimate hand…and she’s most definitely doomed to lose.
1
London, England
1816
There was nothing unusual about the gray of the morning sky, nor the hustle and bustle of those walking the streets of London. Even so, Terrence Howard, Earl of Shaftesbury, stared hard out the window, his eyes riveted on the vibrant red of a certain hat.
Not just any hat, a hat fit for a queen or at the very least, a duchess.
A red hat that reminded him very much of his long-lost lady…
Bedecked with several plumes of black feathers and ribbons, ’twas the same hat he’d seen fly by the windows of his study the yesterday. Beneath the hat was the face of an angel—certainly, a visage that helped disguise her mischievous ways—eyes as blue as the nonexistent London sky; creamy, flawless skin, and ruby-red lips that made a man lose his sense.
Terrence was not accustomed to losing his sense. He’d only ever lost it once—gazing into the eyes of this angel.
Or rather, the opposite of an angel, he supposed.
He’d sworn the first day the hat sailed past that it couldn’t be her. Even as images of her raced before his eyes, and memories assailed him that were better left in the deep dark of his soul where he’d buried them. That had been Monday.
Tuesday, he’d risen well before dawn and stood before his study window, watching the streetlights until the sun rose and the lantern boys came to extinguish them. Still, he didn’t move. He’d examined each and every person that happened to walk in front of his townhouse, and just when he’d been about to turn away, a flash of crimson caught his gaze. His eyes widened as he stepped closer to the window, his forehead practically pressing against the cool glass. The morning before, he’d doubted himself, but not today.
Today, he was certain it was her.
And she would have known that this was his house. That he would be up and working in his study at this hour. Which meant she was passing his window each day at this precise moment on purpose.
How bloody dare she? What was she about?
The lady in question had haunted his dreams from the moment he’d first met her. In fact, he’d become practically a recluse since he’d last seen her, save for those moments he was due in the House of Lords.
The hat in question was a gift. A gift he’d given her as a token of his affection. Before she’d made him out for a fool.
The woman had a penchant for good hats. Every time he’d seen her, she was wearing a different one. Various colors, fabrics, ribbons, designs. Some with pearls, some with feathers. He never knew what she might be wearing on that beautiful head.
So yesterday, he’d run out the front door, sailed down the brick front steps and through the iron gate, much to the chagrin of his butler, and to the surprise of everyone upon the street. But by the time he’d reached the busy sidewalk, she was gone—no flash of red in the midst of black and gray hats.
Now here he was, prepared.
Oh, yes, he’d come up with a plan and enlisted the help of his valet, James. The man had balked at
