Cover

Title Page

The Heiress

Lynsay Sands

Contents

Contents

Prologue

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

About the Author

By Lynsay Sands

Copyright

About the Publisher

Prologue

Prologue

“It’s barely dawn and yet already so busy.”

Suzette nodded silently at her sister’s comment as she peered out the carriage window at the bustling activity on the streets they were passing through. London was fascinating and exciting in comparison to the sleepy village outside the estate where they had been born and had grown up. Or it would have been if Suzette’s thoughts weren’t preoccupied with worry for her father.

“Do you think we will find Father at the townhouse?” Lisa asked as if reading her mind.

Suzette sighed and sank back in her seat, her gaze skipping over the other two women in the carriage. Suzette’s maid, Georgina, was older by a decade, which was reflected in her silent composure as she peered out the opposite window at the passing buildings. Lisa’s maid, Bet, was as young as Lisa herself and in comparison the girl was practically vibrating in her seat with excitement. Her freckled face reflected animated awe as she too looked out the window.

“I hope so,” Suzette said finally, her gaze sliding back to her sister.

Lisa sank wearily back in her own seat and Suzette frowned as she noted the small dark smudges around the girl’s eyes and the pallor of her skin. Lisa had been favored with their mother’s pale hair and coloring, her skin always a fine porcelain that Suzette had often envied, but she didn’t envy the way the skin around her eyes would darken, making them appear sunken when she hadn’t had enough sleep. And between their worries and the discomfort of travel, neither of them had had enough sleep of late.

“What if he isn’t there?” Lisa asked, her gaze moving dully out the window on their side of the carriage.

Suzette felt her mouth tighten at the thought. They hadn’t heard from their father since he’d left for London more than a month ago. Lord Cedrick Madison had headed to town to sign some business papers, and had assured them he would return by week’s end. He could have returned sooner, but intended to check on their sister Christiana as well while there. The oldest of the three, Christiana had married Richard Fairgrave, the Earl of Radnor nearly a year ago and the pair had moved to his townhouse in London.