His Lordship's Desire. Joan Wolf

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      Praise for the novels of JOAN WOLF

      “Romance writing at its very best.”

      —Publishers Weekly (starred review) on The Guardian

      “Wolf’s intricately plotted and vividly detailed historical romance introduces the reader to a time and a conflict unfamiliar to many and offers intriguing glimpses of the main players and the great stakes involved.”

      —Booklist on To the Castle

      “Joan Wolf never fails to deliver the best.”

      —Nora Roberts

      “An entertaining and thought-provoking read.”

      —Washington Post Book World on The Reindeer Hunters

      “Wolf…leaps into the contemporary romantic suspense arena with this smart, compelling read.”

      —Publishers Weekly on Silverbridge

      “A quick-moving, enchanting tale…

      An excellent choice for readers who want an exciting epic.”

      —Booklist on Daughter of the Red Deer

      “Captivating…endearing…heartwarming…

      Wolf’s assured storytelling is simply the best.”

      —BookPage on Royal Bride

      “Fast paced, highly readable…”

      —Library Journal on The Gamble

      “Joan Wolf is absolutely wonderful.

      I’ve loved her work for years.”

      —Iris Johansen

      “The always-awesome Joan Wolf proves she is a master in any format or genre.”

      —Romantic Times BOOKclub

      Also by JOAN WOLF

      TO THE CASTLE

      WHITE HORSES

      His Lordship’s Desire

      Joan Wolf

       www.mirabooks.co.uk

      As always, for Joe.

      Contents

       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

       Epilogue

      One

      Perched high on the Berkshire downs, five miles north of Lambourn, Standish Court rose out of the mist before the eyes of Alexander Devize. He had not seen his home in over three years and the sight of the large, spreading redbrick building, built around a graveled courtyard, caused a sudden tightening in his stomach. When he left home three years ago, his father had been alive and in charge. Now Alex was the Earl of Standish and he wasn’t quite sure he was ready to assume the huge responsibilities that came with his new position. The change from the chaos of the battlefield to the settled sprawling acres of Standish Court would take some getting used to.

      He left his phaeton at the bottom of the shallow set of stairs that led to the front door and walked slowly upward. He raised the knocker and banged it three times.

      The door was opened promptly by a burly young footman who looked at him politely. “Yes, sir. May I help you?”

      Alex had opened his mouth to identify himself when an elderly voice from behind the footman said, “You stupid dolt. That’s his lordship!”

      Henrys, who had been butler to the Devizes for as long as Alex could remember, pushed the large footman out of his way and said in a quavering voice, “My lord, my lord, how wonderful it is to see you home!”

      Alex took the old man’s hand. “It’s grand to be here, Henrys. I hope I don’t give