Josephine (Lady Archer's Creed Book 4) Read online

  JOSEPHINE

  LADY ARCHER’S CREED BOOK FOUR

  AMANDA MARIEL

  WRITING WITH CHRISTINA MCKNIGHT

  BROOK RIDGE PRESS

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  Copyright © 2017 Amanda Mariel

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the express written permission of the publisher.

  Published by Brook Ridge Press

  For strong willed women everywhere-you are all an inspiration!

  CONTENTS

  Also by Amanda Mariel

  Foreword

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Epilogue

  Excerpt

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  About the Author

  Afterword

  ALSO BY AMANDA MARIEL

  Ladies and Scoundrels series

  Scandalous Endeavors

  Scandalous Intentions

  Scandalous Redemption

  Scandalous Wallflower

  Coming soon to the Ladies and Scoundrels series

  Scandalous Liaison

  Fabled Love Series

  Enchanted by the Earl

  Captivated by the Captain

  Enticed by Lady Elianna

  Coming soon to the Fabled Love series

  Delighted by the Duke

  Lady Archer’s Creed series

  Theodora (Christina McKnight writing with Amanda Mariel)

  Georgina (Amanda Mariel writing with Christina McKnight)

  Adeline (Christina McKnight writing with Amanda Mariel)

  Josephine (Amanda Mariel writing with Christina McKnight)

  Stand alone titles

  Love’s Legacy

  Her Perfect Rogue

  Connected by a Kiss

  How to Kiss a Rogue (Amanda Mariel)

  A Kiss at Christmastide (Christina McKnight)

  A Wallflower’s Christmas Kiss (Dawn Brower)

  Box sets and anthologies

  Visit www.amandamariel.com to see Amanda’s current offerings

  Series blurb

  A love of archery brings four young girls together to form The Lady Archer's Creed. Through their mutual love of the sport, they solidify an unbreakable bond, and each woman has a unique quality that adds to their dynamic friendship:

  Theodora, Lady Archer's Creed Series (Book One)

  Lady Theodora with her sharp mind and love of academics becomes the perfect archery coach. Despite being the last to join their group, and the obvious outcast, she will risk her future for her friends.

  Georgina, Lady Archer's Creed Series (Book Two)

  Lady Georgina makes the perfect financier. The forgotten daughter of a wealthy duke, she seeks to belong to something--or someone--by any means necessary.

  Adeline, Lady Archer's Creed Series (Book Three)

  Miss Adeline is a natural leader. Having grown up in a large and often spirited family, she now allows no one to place her in the shadows.

  Josephine, Lady Archer's Creed Series (Book Four)

  Lady Josephine, having a sweet and impressionable nature, strives to please everyone--and keep their bond intact, even after they return to London for the Season.

  Adeline, Georgie, Theo, and Josie live each day by the Lady Archer's Creed, which they developed during their school days at Miss Emmeline's School of Education and Decorum for Ladies of Outstanding Quality. "Friendship, loyalty, and honor above all" is their mantra. Now, as they face the challenges that come with adulthood, the creed is more important than ever.

  PROLOGUE

  Canterbury, England

  February, 1819

  L ady Josephine Watkins sank onto the bed in the room Miss Emmeline had assigned her, then turned weary eyes on her roommates, Lady Georgina Seton and Miss Adeline Price. Her stomach still churned from the tests she’d been put through upon her arrival. Never had she felt so out of place. All she wished to do now was fall into slumber, leaving the embarrassing and emotional day behind her.

  Alas it was not to be. She had to see her possessions unpacked first for she was expected in the breakfast room at seven am sharp according to the headmistress. She sighed, rose from the bed, then moved to her trunk, flipping the lid open. What she would give to have gowns as fine as the other girls frocks. The deteriorated state of her dresses, gloves, slippers, and bonnets only added to her discomfort upon being place on display for all the girls to witness.

  One by one, Josie began. Pulling her garments from the trunk and placing them in tidy piles upon her bed. Even now, she could feel her roommate’s scrutiny as they sat across the room watching her. She peeked at them through her lashes as she turned back to her trunk.

  “Have you brought nothing else?” Miss Adeline stared at her, eyes narrowed.

  Familiar heat flooded Josie’s face. “I have all I need.” She reached in, pulling out a faded yellow frock.

  “That gown looks better suited for the rubbish bin than a lady.” Adeline crossed the room and snatched it from her hand.

  Josie reached for it but the girl quickly tucked it behind her back. “You cannot seriously intend to wear this.”

  Rather than engage the girl, Josie returned to her task, pulling another garment from her trunk. To her surprise and delight, Miss Adeline returned to her wingback chair and held her tongue.

  “Where do you hail from?” Lady Georgina pushed a lock of pale blond hair from her face.

  “London.”

  “And who is your sire?”

  Josie folded an embroidered handkerchief. “Lord Ormonde.”

  Lady Georgina smirked. “Odd that I have not heard of him. My father is the Duke of Balfour.”

  How splendid. She was to share a room with the daughter of a duke. Josie’s heart plunged. She would never fit in here among these wealthy girls. Why had mama insisted on sending her to Miss Emmeline’s School of Education and Decorum for Ladies of Outstanding Quality? With their meager finances they could ill afford the expense. Furthermore, Josie did not want to be here.

  “My father passed on to his final reward. I have only now come out of mourning.”

  “How tragic.” Miss Adeline flashed a sympathetic glance at her. “Lord Melton is my father.” She glanced at Lady Georgina. “Have you heard of him?”

  Lady Georgina flung a tasseled pillow across the room at Miss Adeline. “You know full well I have.”

  The girls started laughing, their merriment soon infecting Josie as she found herself grinning, some of her anxiety fading away. Perhaps her stay here would not be quite so bad after all. If she were able to make friends with these girls, she may even come to enjoy being at school.

  She hung her last gown before turning back to them. “How long have you been at Miss Emmeline’s?”

  Adeline pulled her legs up onto the chair, tucking them under her skirt. “I arrived in February of last year. Georgie followed in—,” she angled her head at the girl—“May, I believe.”

  Lady Georgina gave a nod of confirmation. “It seems overwhelming the first day, but I’ll wager by week’s end you will find you rather like it here.”

  “Unless, you are like me. It took
me a bit longer to adjust.” Miss Adeline exchanged a mischievous look with Lady Georgina and the pair broke into another fit of giggles. Josie grinned, though she was not privy to their private jest.

  Josie crossed the room, taking a cream-colored damask chair across from Miss Adeline. “Forgive me for prying, Miss Adeline, but why was that?”

  The girl sobered. “Call me Adeline. There is no need for formality among roommates.”

  “And you may call me Georgie.” The duke’s daughter turned sparkling blue eyes on her.

  “Very well. It is an honor to meet you Adeline and Georgina. Please call me Josie.”

  Lady Georgina nodded, then turned to Adeline. “Now do answer our new friend’s question.”

  Adeline smirked. “I was rather defiant upon my arrival. Refused to do Miss Emmeline’s bidding and as a result found myself vanquished to a room without other girls.”

  Josie’s eyes rounded. “What did you do?”

  “I refused to take part in head mistresses arrival tests.” Adeline set her shoulder’s, notching her chin up. “No way was I going to allow myself to be put on display.”

  Georgie added, “She compared it to an animal in a gypsy circus.”

  Josie could not stop herself from laughing. “You did not.”

  “I most certainly did too. And what’s more, I would do it all over again.” Adeline grinned.

  “But you said you like it here at Miss Emmeline’s.” Josie stared at Adeline in confusion.

  “True enough, though, one has nothing to do with the other.”

  Josie angled her head, confusion riddling her mind. “How can you object so when you want to be at Miss Emmeline’s?”

  Georgie smoothed her gown. “Do not trouble yourself with trying to puzzle Adeline out. She is rebellious to her core. There is nothing to be done for it.”

  “I wish I were a bit more rebellious.” Josie snapped her mouth shut. She’d spoke the words though she’d only meant to think them. What a cake! She averted her gaze to the threadbare carpeting wishing she could sink into it and disappear.

  “Well stick with us and Adeline is sure to rub off on you.” Georgie moved to the wardrobe and began inspecting Josie’s frocks.

  “There is nothing Miss Emmeline, or anyone else, could have done for I would never have allowed myself to face the judgmental stares of so many strangers. Even after she secluded me, I refused. Truly, I do not understand why any lady allows herself to be treated in such a way.” Adeline cut Josie a look. “You appeared as if you were about to faint when Miss Emmeline shoved you onto the stage.”

  “That is because I was.” Josie could not recall a time when she’d been more frightened or uncomfortable. Her entire body had trembled, heat consuming her as she’d faced all of those curious eyes. Every pair directed at her…waiting. Her voice had shook as much as her body when she’d spoken.

  “You did a wonderful job of reciting the monarch’s despite your obvious unease.” Georgie tossed the words over her shoulder, still inspecting Josie’s gowns.

  “And the way you handled the bow was also impressive. Even if you did not hit the bulls eye.” Adeline sighed. “Your marksmanship will improve with our guidance. We are the best archer’s here.”

  “Honestly, by the time we went outside, I was so distraught from my failed attempt at the pianoforte, that I did not even consider what I would demonstrate and simply marched to the first station. I was desperate to have done with it so that everyone would quit watching me.”

  “Your playing was not so very bad.” Georgina turned a tattered frock to inspect the buttons running down the back.

  Josie released a breath. “I was so nervous that I could not keep my fingers from shaking long enough to play the proper notes. It was a disaster, but thank you for your kindness.”

  “Enough about pianofortes, you do enjoy archery, right?” Adeline arched a questioning brow.

  Josie averted her gaze. “I think I might. It was rather exhilarating, though I cannot claim to have experience in the sport. That was the first time I ever touched a bow. I had seen my father shoot one, but never tried it myself.”

  “We will change that.” Adeline glanced at Georgie. “Right?”

  “Indeed. And your wardrobe as well. You cannot wear these.” Georgie began pulling Josie’s gowns from where they hung and casting them onto the floor. “Not a single one is fit for polite society.”

  Josie rushed to rescue her garments. “I must. They are all I have.” The confession sent a wave of scorching heat to her cheeks. Before father passed, she had dressed in fashionable gowns, visited modistes and shopped on Bond Street. Blast mama for leading them into financial straits after father passed away.

  Georgie grabbed the gown Josie now clutched. “I had the right of it the first time. You must not don these frocks. Not for any reason. I have more than enough gowns to provide you with a suitable wardrobe.”

  Josie shrank under Georgie’s gaze. “I cannot accept such charity.”

  “You can, and you will.” Georgie yanked the dress from Josie’s hands. “I insist.”

  Adeline came to stand beside Josie. “There is no sense arguing with her. Nor should you feel bad. Georgie finances me as well.”

  “She does?” Josie relaxed her hands, turning to Adeline.

  “She funds my archery. If not for her, I would not have my own bow, nor the arrows I shot from it. With as many siblings as I have, pin money is nearly nonexistent.”

  “Where as I have more funds than I require.” Georgie held out a pink day dress. “Try this one on. I think we are similar in size.”

  Josie swallowed back her objections and with Georgie and Adeline’s help, donned the gown. She stepped back, running her hands down the front of it, smoothing the muslin skirts.

  “As I thought, the dress is nearly a perfect fit.” Georgie smiled before turning back to her wardrobe. “You will need a riding dress, dinner dress, walking dress…oh and let us not forget bonnets and underpinnings.”

  Josie held out her hands, protesting. “There is no need for all of that. My underpinnings are more than adequate.”

  Adeline tossed Josie’s chemise across the room. “I have seen the maids scrub floors with rags that were in better condition.”

  Josie inhaled sharply. “I will accept the gowns and other accessories, but I refuse to take your underpinnings. Threadbare as mine may be, no-one is looking beneath my gowns.”

  “Very well.” Georgie held out a pomona green riding habit trimmed in Spanish fly pipping. “This shade will look lovely on you with your dark hair and honey eyes.”

  Josie accepted the frock, holding it in front of her. Green was her favorite color, and the shades in this gown were beautiful. She met Georgie’s eyes. “Thank you.”

  “Truly, there is no need for thanking me. You are one of us now, and we look after one another.”

  Adeline gave a confirming nod. “Absolutely.”

  One of them. Josie’s heart swelled, relief and excitement washing through her. She would be pleased to embrace these girls and would cherish her place among them. Perhaps in time, they would become as close as sisters.

  CHAPTER 1

  Kent England, August 1827

  J osie stared wide eyed at the room around her. Adeline had not embellished a bit when she’d described Faversham Abbey. It was everything one would expect from an old monastery turned into an earl’s estate from the picturesque towers to the narrow windows and tall columns.

  Settling onto a brocade covered settee, she turned her attention on Adeline, Georgie, and Theodora. Josephine smiled at Adeline, noting the pure joy that now radiated from her friend. “The abbey is positively breathtaking.”

  “I am still finding it hard to believe I will be living here. It is as if I am caught in a dream I never hope to wake from.” Adeline smoothed a curl back from her forehead.

  “Must you be so…dramatic?” Georgina smirked, a playful twinkle in her eyes.

  “Of course she must.” T
heo opened her silk fan. “This is the beginning of the rest of her life. A most exciting time.”

  Georgie slid her gaze to Theo. “Should we give her the wedding night talk?”

  Josie’s cheeks warmed as she knew perfectly well what Georgie was referring to.

  “There is no need.” Adeline waved her hand dismissing the idea.

  Georgie pouted. “It seems I will never get to explain coupling and the pleasure to be found in the act to anyone.”

  “There is always Josie.” Adeline grinned.

  “No.” Josie averted her gaze to the marble mantle above the fireplace. “I mean, I would much prefer if you did not.” She may be chaste, but innocence did not equal ignorance. Josie perfectly well understood what went on between a woman and a man behind closed bedchamber doors. Mother had explained it to her in the most awkward of ways using kitchen supplies of all things to demonstrate, and concluding with a warning that Josie should never allow lust to guide her. She shook the remembrance away having no wish to ponder such things.

  “Relax, I was only jesting.” Georgie laughed.

  “Of course.” Josie turned her attention to the sideboard. “Allow me to pour?” She rose then strolled across the room toward the silver tea tray. The task was a much needed distraction from the topic at hand. She lifted the tea pot, pouring the first cup.

  “I’ll help.” Theo came up beside her, waiting as she poured the remaining three cups.