A Royal Fortune. Judy Duarte

      

       MEET THE FORTUNES!

      Fortune of the Month: Jensen Fortune Chesterfield

      Age: 30

      Vital Statistics: Tall, dark-haired, impeccably groomed—with a swoon-worthy British accent.

      Claim to Fame: Sir Jensen is a prince of a man … literally.

      Romantic prospects: Stellar, if only he was interested. Sir Jensen keeps his heart locked up as tight as the Crown Jewels.

      “That kiss with Amber Rogers? People are making way too much of it. It was all Amber’s idea, to distract the paparazzi from my sister. She was just doing a favor for a friend. We are just friends. To think that a down-to-earth cowgirl would get together with a fellow like me is—well, it’s pure fiction. A lovely fiction, perhaps. Her long blond hair, those big brown eyes … oh, blimey! We’re. Just. Friends.”

      * * *

      The Fortunes of Texas: Cowboy Country: Lassoing hearts from across the pond!

      A Royal Fortune

      Judy Duarte

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      \

      Since 2002, USA TODAY bestselling author JUDY DUARTE has written forty books for Mills & Boon^® Cherish™, earned two RITA^® Award finals, won two Maggies and received a National Reader’s Choice Award. When she’s not cooped up in her writing cave, she enjoys traveling with her husband and spending quality time with her grandchildren. You can learn more about Judy and her books at her website, www.JudyDuarte.com, or at Facebook.com/JudyDuarteNovelist.

      MILLS & BOON

       Before you start reading, why not sign up?

      Thank you for downloading this Mills & Boon book. If you want to hear about exclusive discounts, special offers and competitions, sign up to our email newsletter today!

       SIGN ME UP!

      Or simply visit

      signup.millsandboon.co.uk

      Mills & Boon emails are completely free to receive and you can unsubscribe at any time via the link in any email we send you.

      To Cindy Kirk, Marie Ferrarella, Michelle Major, Nancy Robards Thompson and Allison Leigh—the amazing authors who took part in The Fortunes of Texas: Cowboy Country.

      It was a joy working with each of you. I’d take a trip back to Horseback Hollow with you anytime!

      Contents

       Cover

       Introduction

       Title Page

       About the Author

       Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

       Chapter Four

       Chapter Five

       Chapter Six

       Chapter Seven

       Chapter Eight

       Chapter Nine

       Chapter Ten

       Chapter Eleven

       Chapter Twelve

       Extract

       Copyright

       Chapter One

      Jensen Fortune Chesterfield slipped out the back door of the small Texas ranch house in which he was staying, hoping to escape the chattering crowd and to find a little peace and quiet.

      Inside, his family had gathered to celebrate Christmas on Boxing Day with their new Texas relatives. But he wasn’t in the mood for all the holiday gaiety—and hadn’t been since his father died nearly four years ago.

      After Sir Simon Chesterfield suffered a fatal heart attack during a polo match, Jensen had been plagued by a bah-humbug mood that began in December and lasted through the better part of January.

      In some ways, he wished he’d stayed in England, but his mother wanted him to join her in Horseback Hollow, where his sister Amelia now lived with her husband, Quinn Drummond.

      His mother was staying with her sister, while his younger siblings had rooms at a local bed-and-breakfast. Jensen was staying with Amelia and Quinn. The space was a bit tight, but the arrangement suited him. As he stood in the yard, he took in a deep breath and surveyed the grounds. If you removed the vehicles in the drive, the Drummond ranch would’ve made the perfect Western setting for a cowboy movie. He actually found it quite appealing, but then, he’d always been a fan of classic American Westerns, even the old black-and-white ones he occasionally caught on late-night cable when he couldn’t sleep.

      Despite his wealthy London upbringing, he liked being in the country. Plus, with him here and Amelia’s due date fast approaching, he’d be able to watch over her while Quinn was out working the ranch.

      Fortunately, her pregnancy had been uneventful as far as medical concerns. But, emotionally, she’d had a time of it early on, when the paparazzi had pounced on her, making her life miserable. And they’d been especially annoying lately. He wouldn’t put it past them to try to infiltrate the family gathering today, which was one reason he was on guard.

      He reached inside