Three weeks later, in a private ceremony, Benedict knelt in front of the rotund Prince of Wales and became the newly minted Earl of Ware. Alex and Seb were also present and were made the new Earl of Melton and the new Earl of Mowbray, respectively. All three of them were wearing their medals.

“We know you’re well used to dealing with crooks, gentlemen,” the prince said jovially. “And sad to say, they’re not limited to the slums and docklands of this metropolis. Oh no. Plenty of ’em right here in Belgravia. And at Westminster too.” He sent each of the three men a steely look. “As earls, you can keep an eye on the House of Lords for me.” He chuckled, his belly shaking in mirth, then his gaze focused on Benedict.

“We are aware of the debts amassed by your father, Wylde, and your efforts to repay them. I wish you and your brother luck.” He shot Benedict a commiserating look. “Believe me, I know all about difficult fathers.” For a moment he looked aggrieved, and then he shook his head, dismissing the thought. “Admiral Cockburn tells me you took a bullet in the process of stopping this fellow Johnstone?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Brave man.” He glanced over Benedict’s shoulder and beckoned Georgie forward. She swept a deep curtsey before His Royal Highness and the prince smiled at her approvingly. “And you, Mrs. Wylde, who I hear had no small part in the adventure, are now Countess of Ware.” His blue eyes twinkled. “What do you think of that, eh?”

Georgie glanced sideways at her husband and smiled. “I like it very much, Your Majesty. And if I may say so, I think my husband will make a very good earl indeed.”

Coming soon…

Don’t miss the next novel in The Bow Street Bachelors series

To Catch an Earl

Available in May 2020 from
St. Martin’s Paperbacks

Praise for This Earl of Mine

Praise for This Earl of Mine

“Delicious, witty, and ripping good fun! Kate Bateman’s writing sparkles.”

—USA Today bestselling author Laura Lee Guhrke

“Dashing, daring, and deliciously romantic!”

—USA Today bestselling author Caroline Linden

“A riveting new voice for Regency readers! Kate Bateman is now on my auto-buy list.”

—Janna MacGregor, author of The Good, the Bad, and the Duke

“Dashing, daring, and deliciously romantic!”

- USA Today bestselling author Caroline Linden on This Earl of Mine

Don’t miss the rest of the Bow Street Bachelors series!

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About the Author

Kate Bateman (also writing as K. C. Bateman) is the #1 bestselling author of Regency, Victorian, and Renaissance historical romances, including the Secrets & Spies series: To Steal a Heart, A Raven’s Heart, and A Counterfeit Heart. All her books feature her favorite feisty, intelligent heroines (badasses in bodices!), wickedly inappropriate banter, and sexy, snarky heroes you want to both strangle and kiss.