Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Disorderly Lady
    Disorderly Lady
    Disorderly Lady
    Ebook266 pages4 hours

    Disorderly Lady

    By Claudy Conn

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    Arabella Cullingham’s latest flirtation leaves her blue-deviled when the handsome colonel leaves without saying good-bye.
    Her brother determines that a London Season is what his pretty sister needs to mend her broken heart.
    Enter the dashing Earl of Magdalen, a confirmed bachelor whose female acquaintances run to women of dubious reputation.
    They meet quite by accident and circumstances allow him to deduce she is a light-skirt!
    Bella, for her own reasons, decides to play along, never thinking that the game might cost her the man she truly loves!

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherClaudy Conn
    Release dateSep 14, 2014
    ISBN9781310619434
    Disorderly Lady
    Author

    Claudy Conn

    New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Claudy Conn is a multi published author who got her start with her bestselling historical/regency romances.She tells us that she fell in love with the fantasy/paranormal genre and created a world of paranormal.She hopes you will read and enjoy and join her on her facebook where she loves to interact with her readers.page.http://www.facebook.com/pages/Claudy-Conn-Paranormal-Romance-Author/135826686471445

    Read more from Claudy Conn

    Related to Disorderly Lady

    Related ebooks

    Royalty Romance For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      A double LIFE

      Sep 13, 2022

      A double LIFE
      6 min read

    • Article

      Shelf Life

      Mar 2, 2023

      Shelf Life
      4 min read

    • Article

      Books

      Feb 17, 2023

      Books
      4 min read

    • Article

      Shelf Life

      Nov 4, 2021

      Shelf Life
      4 min read

    • Article

      November’s BOOK CLUB

      Sep 29, 2022

      The Ghost Woods by CJ Cooke (£14.99, HB, Harper Collins) Celebrate spooky season with this gothic thriller. When Pearl Gorham arrives at Lichen Hall in 1965 to have her baby, she knows immediately something is amiss. The Whitlocks are a troubled fam

      4 min read

    • Article

      Four New Friendship Novels and the Ties That May Not Bind

      Apr 3, 2019

      We grow into our friendships as we grow into our books—the ideals crack, what is lost can be more powerful than what is gained, and what is gained is never absolute. The post Four New Friendship Novels and the Ties That May Not Bind appeared first on

      5 min read

    • Article

      Fiction

      Jan 20, 2023

      Fiction
      3 min read

    • Article

      Books

      Jul 22, 2019

      Elsa Joubert is best known for The Long  Journey of Poppie Nongena, but she also wrote a lot about her travels through Africa. In Cul-de-Sac she describes a journey of another kind: into proper old age (she is 95). Elsa moves into Berghof, a retirem

      4 min read

    • Article

      Love Is All Around

      Jan 16, 2020

      IT’S a leap year, gulp. As if the Valentine’s gush isn’t enough, now the girlfriends and single ladies among us must publicly announce our undying love by proposal. I’ve spent at least two leap years and nearly a decade of Valentine’s Days concentrat

      4 min read

    • Article

      Reading CORNER

      Dec 4, 2022

      For six years, a town has been hiding big secrets This novel starts out like a murder mystery, but very quickly becomes so much more than that. A heartfelt tale set in the suburbs of an Australian country town in the early ’90s, it’s about friendshi

      3 min read

    • Article

      Books

      Apr 21, 2023

      Books
      3 min read

    • Article

      Ten Essential Literary Thrillers

      Oct 4, 2019

      Wake up your brain and your heart with these relentlessly paced novels by Jennifer Egan, Haruki Murakami, and Colson Whitehead. The post Ten Essential Literary Thrillers appeared first on The Millions.

      4 min read

    • Article

      Our literary HEROINES

      Aug 27, 2020

      Our literary HEROINES
      5 min read

    • Article

      6 Best Jane Austen Books: From ‘Sense And Sensibility’ To ‘Emma’

      Feb 2, 2021

      Ranking Jane Austen’s six witty, wise, and utterly moreish novels changes over the years. You might have found Northanger Abbey absolutely unreadable when at school, but were rendered helpless with laughter when you picked it up again years later. Pr

      6 min read

    • Article

      READER Reviews

      Oct 6, 2020

      by Renée Watson, illustrated by Mechal Roe Bloomsbury Children’s Books, £6.99 Review by Esmeralda, age eight Ways to Make Sunshine is about a girl called Ryan – her name means ‘leader’ – who has recently moved house because the house that they

      5 min read

    • Article

      Books THAT CHANGED MY LIFE

      Jun 22, 2021

      Aged ten I was cast as the Mock Turtle in our school play and, like the pro I already was, I did my research and read the book. It blew my mind. Even though I was already a bookworm, the odd, funny, upside-down world of Alice was so eccentric, strang

      1 min read

    • Article

      Ashleigh Bryant Phillips

      Jun 10, 2020

      Ashleigh Bryant Phillips
      6 min read

    • Article

      Watership Down

      Nov 6, 2017

      Watership Down
      6 min read

    • Article

      The Year in Reading: Mohamed Asem

      Dec 9, 2020

      Days went by this way, with my brain growing comfortably numb. The post The Year in Reading: Mohamed Asem appeared first on The Millions.

      5 min read

    • Article

      Shelf Life

      Nov 5, 2020

      by Hans Christian Andersen ‘I was an avid reader from a young age, and while I was really social and loved playing in the street with my friends, when I was inside I devoured books. There was something so powerful about a story’s ability to transport

      4 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for Disorderly Lady

    0 ratings

    0 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      Disorderly Lady - Claudy Conn

      Contents

      Disorderly Lady

      Books by Claudy Conn

      What reviewers are saying

      Copyright Page

      ~ One ~

      ~ Two ~

      ~ Three ~

      ~ Four ~

      ~ Five ~

      ~ Six ~

      ~ Seven ~

      ~ Eight ~

      ~ Nine ~

      ~ Ten ~

      ~ Eleven ~

      ~ Twelve ~

      ~ Thirteen ~

      ~ Fourteen ~

      ~ Fifteen ~

      ~ Sixteen ~

      ~ Seventeen ~

      ~ Eighteen ~

      ~ Nineteen ~

      ~ Twenty ~

      ~ Epilogue ~

      Excerpt: Serena

      ~ One ~

      ~ Two ~

      Excerpt: Prince Prelude—Legend

      ~ Prologue ~

      ~ One ~

      ~ Two ~

      About Claudy Conn

      Read more about Claudy Conn’s books

      Disorderly Lady

      Books by Claudy Conn

      available at smashwords.com

      Risqué Regencies

      Myriah Fire

      Oh, Cherry Ripe

      Rogues, Rakes and Jewels

      Taffeta and Hotspur

      Wildfire Kiss

      After the Storm

      Runaway Heart

      Lady Bess

      Lady Star

      Serena

      ~

      Witches, Warlocks, and Dark Magic

      Dark Love

      Netherby Halls

      Lady X

      ~

      Hungry Moon Series

      Hungry Moon: Quicksilver

      Hungry Moon: Destiny

      Hungry Moon: Jodi

      ~

      Legend Series

      Prince Prelude—Legend

      Spellbound—Legend

      Aaibhe—Shee Queen (Novelette)

      Shee Willow—Legend

      Prince in the Mist (Novella)

      Trapped—Legend

      Free Falling—Legend

      Catch & Hold—Legend

      ~

      Through Time Series (time travel)

      Through Time-Pursuit

      Through Time-Whiplash

      Through Time-Slamming

      Through Time-Frankie

      Through Time-Compulsion

      ~

      Shadow Series

      ShadowLove—Stalkers

      ShadowHeart—Slayer

      ShadowLife—Hybrid

      ~

      Multi-book Bundles

      Claudy Conn’s Bestselling Regencies

      The Complete Legend Series

      What reviewers are saying

      about Claudy’s books

      5 out of 5 stars

      Fanning the flames of Myriah Fire!

      What was once an innocent, if rollicking, regency romance has exploded with passion as Claudy Conn revisits Myriah Fire to turn up the heat.

      The addition of unbridled sexual passion to Myriah Fire’s strong story brings dimensions of maturity and depth to the struggles faced by Myriah and Kit, without diminishing any of the innocence, joy or charm found in the original story. This revised version of Myriah Fire allows Claudy’s regency followers to appreciate what her paranormal romance fans have discovered—mind-bending eroticism.

      A truly captivating tale with a blast of added sizzle, Myriah Fire will kindle the flames of your heart and burn up the night.

      ~ Vonnie Faroqui, Ink Slinger’s Whimsey

      Love, love, love Myriah Fire!

      It’s a brilliant, fast-paced, and ‘true to its title’, ‘going to catch you on fire’ romance. Looking forward to more! Hoping Claudy Conn plans to share more of her historical treasures with us.

      ~ Candice Stauffer, author

      Myriah has always been my favorite

      This is a sweet, funny, charming romance. The characters are likeable and the story is well told. I loved all of the Claudette Williams (now Claudy Conn) books, but this one has always been my favorite. I hope she will put out more of her backlist.

      ~ lmjolicoeur on Smashwords

      ShadowLove—Stalkers is hot, Hot, HOT

      ShadowLove—Stalkers is filled with steaming action and dramatic tension … Claudy delicately plants the seeds for future development and characters without distracting from the excitement and romance of Stalkers. The result is that she has a paranormal, vampire series, of romance novels, which carries her own unique and spicy aroma.

      ShadowLove—Stalkers is hot, Hot, HOT … and yes, I am blushing.

      ~ Vonnie Faroqui, Ink Slinger’s Whimsey

      Five Cups and a CTTR (Coffee Time Reviewer’s Recommend) Award

      ShadowLove—Stalkers is a story that immediately hooks the reader. It reminds me of a roller coaster just beginning, only to plunge into speed, drawing the reader into non-stop action. Intense and spellbinding, this paranormal romance kept this reader engrossed until the conclusion. I loved the passion and chemistry between the main characters. With tremendous action and well thought out characters, this fantastic read sizzles and sparks like a firecracker.

      ~ Coffee Time Romance & More

      Trapped Legend has my pulse skyrocketing!

      A clever, fast paced, unpredictable blend of action, adventure, mystery, magic and steamy hot loving … I picked it up and couldn't tear myself away from it until I read the last page.

      I highly recommend each book in Claudy's Legend series. You're seriously missing out on some wonderful adventures if you haven't read the previous stories. It's by far one of the most exceptionally crafted, enchanting Fae series I've ever read.

      ~ Candice Stauffer, author

      Five Stars for ShadowHeart—Slayer

      This second in Conn’s Shadow series is filled with vampires, a vampire slayer, demons, wizards, a Fae prince and an unlikely romance. Claudy Conn does an excellent job of making this a standalone story while incorporating some of the characters from the first book and introducing us to several new characters. The war is still brewing and now the fae are becoming involved. Can’t wait for the next book in the series.

      This is another one I couldn’t put down and read in a single sitting. I got so caught up in the action I was sad to see it end. Fans of the paranormal romance, urban fantasy and vampire genres should enjoy this as well.

      ~ Wild About Bones on GoodReads

      One hot and thrilling book

      I fell for all three of the main characters, fun loving Maxie, dark and brooding Julian, and one hot Fae, Breslyn. However, it wasn’t just the characters that kept me on the edge of my seat, it was the entire involved plot that included jealously, betrayal, magic, murder, and, of course, hot passion … The well-written out mixture of myth and legend, not to mention the characters, all in today’s world has me Joyfully Recommending Spellbound—Legend as one book you won’t want to miss.

      ~ Jo, Joyfully Reviewed

      Disorderly Lady

      By

      Claudy Conn

      Copyright Page

      Disorderly Lady

      By Claudy Conn

      http://www.claudyconn.com

      Copyright © 2014 by Claudy Conn

      Edited by: Karen Babcock

      Cover Artist: Kendra Egert

      All rights reserved

      Smashwords editions

      September 2014

      Excerpt of Serena

      Copyright © 2014 by Claudy Conn

      Excerpt of Prince Prelude—Legend

      Copyright © 2013 by Claudy Conn

      This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

      Names, characters, and events depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, places, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author.

      No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.

      ~ One ~

      CULLINGHAM GRANGE REPOSED sedately in the lovely Cotswolds. Its tenant farmers enjoyed a good living, as did their baron, the young Sir Brentley of Cullingham. He had inherited the grange, the title, and a modest income at the age of fifteen, when both their parents were killed at sea.

      Deep in thought, Bella sighed heavily over her situation with her brother. He had inherited not only the running of the estate but the running of her life as well. Fifteen! He had only been fifteen, but he had taken it all in stride and until recently had been brother, confidante, and friend as well as guardian. As of late, however, he seemed to wear one cap only—guardian. It was most irritating.

      Seven years had passed since Bella lost her parents. She had turned twenty and until recently was master of her time. Lately, however, Brent had begun hovering.

      He was busy with the estate and happy. He loved the managing of their home, and she did as well, although, lately, she was restless.

      Brother and sister’s close bond had of course been threatened, she knew, by a man whose image had glittered before her gray eyes and taken possession of her lively and active brain.

      It had all happened so unexpectedly. Over the years, Bella had never succumbed to the crushes she had experienced over various lads.

      She had never suffered more than a flitting infatuation and then only because the blacksmith up at the academy was so very handsome and all her friends were swooning over him.

      Kisses she had experienced, from a quick peck on the lips to the very passionate kiss she had with that very blacksmith. Thinking of him now made her smile.

      She sighed; all that was over. She was no longer a schoolgirl.

      When she’d returned home, Brent had given a country ball in her honor. She had always longed for a London season but never told him so as she could see he loved being in the country. She did enjoy her home and friends and for most of the time was quite content with life in the country. Ah, but that was before he arrived.

      Colonel Holding was one of Brent’s friends from Oxford. He had never visited before, and when the dashing colonel sauntered into their lives she felt as though she were being swept away in a torrent of ‘feelings’.

      From the first moment she saw him, her mind went blank but for one thing—seeing him again, and again.

      Brent warned her about his friend. He told her the colonel was a rogue and, although good-hearted enough, quite a libertine with the petticoats. She knew this was true because she watched the rakish military man while he stole hearts at the country routs. She saw firsthand just how he flirted with all the pretties. This was her fault, not her brother’s. She had allowed herself to be turned by a handsome visage, broad shoulders, and an all too charming smile. He became an image that was uppermost in her mind.

      Brent cajoled as he tried to push her out of his friend’s sights, but it did no good at all. All she could hear was the sound of her own young and still quite innocent heart. All she could think about were the colonel’s kisses, for he had stolen many wild and provocative kisses from her.

      Colonel Holding teased her, flirted with her, and made her feel the woman she had thought she had grown up to be.

      Desire flooded into her blood. Most of her friends were either married or engaged. Some of her married friends had given her details of their wedding night  … others had shared a bed with their husbands even before they were wed and were very joyously descriptive of what this entailed. She was curious—very curious.

      The colonel appeared to be thoroughly taken with the lovely Bella, she had heard Brent say to his friend Doyle, adding that he had seen the colonel ‘thoroughly taken’ before and it meant nothing.

      She’d discounted this, but her brother, as it turned out, was quite in the right of it. The colonel’s wayward heart beat for himself and no one else.

      When their dance was over, the charming Colonel Holding, had, she thought, stolen her heart and without a backward glance left it, left it damaged. She had watched him take his leave and go on with his regiment without a backwards glance.

      She had encountered her first cad. A cad, because he had led her to believe that he loved her … he had said such things to turn her stupid head. She felt utterly a fool.

      Even so, she had hoped for a day or two that he would get word to her, explain himself, blame it on ‘orders’, tell her he’d sent round a note that somehow never arrived. That didn’t happen.

      She heard Brent say to Doyle that it was quite a sin to watch his sister, who he thought was loveliest girl in all the Cotswolds, shut herself away.

      Doyle had clucked his tongue and said, Never mind, she will get over him. Stands to reason. Plucky, our Bella.

      She awoke this morning and decided, Enough. Time to get up and out.

      She dressed in one of her favorite riding ensembles and looked at herself in the mirror. Her flame-colored hair dropped in ringlets beneath her black velvet top hat. A white feather curled over one ear, and white lace ruffles peeped out at her neck and at the cuffs of the black velvet fitted riding jacket. Her black velvet skirt was hiked up slightly and held in place with a button displaying her shiny black riding boots.

      There, she told the image in the mirror. You are not such a silly creature as to go into a decline for such a man. No, you are not.

      She put a smile on her face and made her way towards the library where she was sure she would find her brother and Doyle with their heads together worrying about her. It wasn’t right that she should make them worry. This all had to stop.

      You have thought quite enough about that flagrant rake. She opened the library door to hear her brother exclaim, Well finally, Bella! He turned to his friend and said, Look, Doyle, Bella is here.

      Yes, yes, so she is, Doyle said sweetly as he inclined his head.

      This tickled Bella into a laugh. She went to him and gave him a kiss on his cheek and turned to do the same to her brother. She stood back and realized that they had been talking about her. She knew it, simply knew it, and gave them a suspicious eye. What are you two up to?

      Deuce take it but you look dashing in that riding ensemble. Black velvet suits you, her brother offered and avoided her pointed question.

      Thank you, she said looking from him to his dearest friend, who couldn’t seem to meet her eyes as he said, Dashing? Why Bella … you put all others to shame. Have a trick with clothes, you do … and the way you wear your hair … and that hat cocked like that …

      Come on, her brother demanded. Don’t stand there like a stock, or Doyle will go on and on. He grinned broadly, Come in, come in, and be comfortable, Bella.

      "Ah, but," she offered as she stepped further into the large room. She had always loved this room. It was designed with wall shelves full with books, a huge fireplace, and comfortable furnishings. One could just come in and snuggle into the corner of one of the leather sofas with a favorite book and be at ease. She smiled at him. "You can see that I am clothed for a ride. On my way to the stables …"

      Yes, yes, but you can spare us a few moments, her brother returned jovially, but Bella thought his tone sounded forced. He was up to something, and she probably wasn’t going to like it. Resigned, she came in but declined the coffee he offered.

      Doyle sighed. How you get those flaming curls of yours to bounce like that all around your face … stunning.

      She laughed. I see what you two are doing. Compliments will do you no good. Get to the point. Have at me, if you will, and let’s get this over with.

      Have at you? Really Bella … her brother objected.

      Brent, what is it you want?

      Well, what I want … well, I mean to deal with these doldrums you have been suffering. Put an end to them once and for all.

      I am no longer blue-deviled, if that is what you mean, so you can rest easy. She shrugged and took a seat.

      Indeed, it must be as she says. Why … look, Bella is going for a ride, isn’t she, Brent? Doyle stuck in. Not blue-deviled at all.

      Brent glared at his friend. You know nothing of the matter.

      "Do!" Doyle returned. And I don’t think she is going into a decline at all. Why just look at her!

      "A decline? Bella’s brow was up as she gave her brother a withering look. Over what? A nothing of a man?"

      Brent was a tall, lean, and handsome young man with a shock of hair that was as yellow as his sister’s was red. At that particular moment he was making a mess of it. He finally stood still and released a heavy sigh. "Oh, now, he is nothing? Wasn’t more than a day or so ago when he was the sun, the moon, and the stars?"

      Was he by Jove? Doyle returned astonished.

      No, not to me, he wasn’t, Bella answered roundly. She removed her kid riding gloves and slapped them onto the coffee table. This didn’t serve to relieve her irritation, so she got to her feet and paced as she got her thoughts and temper under control.

      Her pride had been wounded. Her heart had been confused, but she had come to grips with the truth. She had made the colonel into someone he certainly was not. One can’t love an illusion for very long before one reaches out and finds it isn’t real. The colonel had been no more than that: an illusion.

      Her brother frowned. Bell, it doesn’t matter. Trouble is, I feel so damn guilty over the entire thing. I never should have allowed this to happen. I should have given you a London season.

      How can you say it is your fault when you warned me about him from the start? she asked in some surprise.

      "You should have been in London, enjoying yourself … a diamond like yourself, stuck here because I prefer country life. I am a damnable brother."

      Damnable. Doyle nodded his head solemnly and then fell to mumbling as Brent glared a very speaking glance his way.

      Bella looked at them and suddenly burst out laughing as she sat back down, her hand to her middle.

      She supposed it was a release of all her pent-up emotions, and she found she couldn’t stop as she bent over herself and rollicked with mirth.

      Her brother and his friend exchanged concerned expressions, which only set her off again. Finally, and as they waited, her laughter tapered off. She shook her head and said, I am sorry … but, you are both so dear and sweet. She got to her feet again, planted a kiss on Doyle’s cheek, and squeezed both his arms before turning to her brother.

      Now, I am going for a ride and I shall break all the rules and gallop like a young hoyden …

      Wait, Bella … Brent took her hand and stalled her.

      She turned a cocked brow. "More? There is more?" Really, she wanted this over with. She did not want to discuss her broken heart, her hurt pride, her stupidity, and her naïveté any longer. It was done, and she wanted to straighten her shoulders and move on.

      Yes, I need to explain … how selfish I was keeping you here in the country, hoping you would marry one of m’dearest friends so that we could be always near one another and comfortable. It happened that he and Bella glanced in Doyle’s direction to find he had taken a step back as his expression of sympathy turned into one of horror.

      Brent barked a laugh and put a hand on his friend’s shoulder. Not you, ol’ man …

      When Doyle sighed with great relief, Bella sidled flirtatiously up to him and said, "Oh, Doyle, do you not think we would suit?"

      He began to stammer, and she took pity and gently fisted his bicep. Only jesting. However, she wanted to escape this all now and started for the door, saying over her shoulder, Brent, these things can not be managed …

      You see, Brent called after her. I had always thought you and William …?

      William? Doyle interrupted and looking much incensed. Over me? You wanted her to marry William, instead of me?

      Bella turned, marched right back up to her brother, put her hands on her hips and in some shocked accents said, "William? What … just what ever made you think I could ever … oh my, Brent. I don’t mean to say that William isn’t a dear, of course he is, dear and sweet and also a total clod around horses, as you well know. How could he and I ever suit?"

      Doyle rounded on Brent once more and demanded, Indeed, he doesn’t even hunt. Bella and William, ha!

      Brent didn’t know who to answer first, as Doyle then began a series of unintelligible complaints.

      Brent put up his hands and steadied his friend while his sister tapped the floor with her booted toe. As you say, but he has a good heart, and that is what I wanted for Bella …

      "What, and I

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1