Scandalized by My Prince

Prologue

Dr. Aubriella Byrne pulled up in front of Weston Manor and blew out a breath. She was on a mission and Trenton Quinn would let her help whether he liked it or not. Her cousin, Genevieve had been missing for too many years now. Eve, as everyone called her, was more than family to her. She was her best friend, and Aubriella had sorely missed her. It was time to bring her home where she belonged .

She slid open the front door and peeked around. No butler and no residents to be found. Sneaking wasn’t something she usually did, but desperate times meant she’d do a lot she normally wouldn’t. Where would Trenton be in this mausoleum? The library would be the best choice for someone studying—at least, that was where she’d be in his place.

After she’d heard from a mutual acquaintance, a certain professor at Oxford, that Trenton was studying the Marquess of Seabrook’s family journals, she high-tailed it to Weston to confront him. Why wouldn’t he have told her what he suspected happened to Genevieve? He was well aware how close she and Genevieve were. If her cousin was still alive, Aubriella had a right to know

about

it

.

Aubriella took quiet steps down the hall, heading toward the room she believed Trenton to be in. She didn’t want to alert anyone to her presence before she had the opportunity to talk to him. He’d probably throw her out immediately, but it was a risk she was willing to take. This was too important for her to give up easily.

This is useless, Trenton shouted as he picked up a leather-bound journal and tossed it against a

nearby

wall

.

Easy, tiger, Aubriella said and ducked in the doorway as she dodged the flying journal. She held up her hands and walked into the room slowly. I come in peace.

Trenton closed his eyes and took a deep breath. She had no idea what was going through that thick skull of his, but his emotions were broadcasting loud and clear. He was frustrated and about to give up. Whatever was in that journal he’d thrown against the wall hadn’t been the enlightenment he’d hoped to gain. Lucky for him, she was here now. Maybe she would be able to decipher something he had been unable to. At least she

hoped

to

.

Trenton opened his eyes and faced her. "What are you

doing

here

?"

I’m not welcome at Weston Manor any longer? She lifted a brow and then snapped her fingers. That’s right, I never really was, but too bad. I’m here to help you even though you keep turning me down. This is what I did my dissertation on, remember? History is my thing.

I don’t want you here. Duh. Aubriella refrained from saying that aloud and stared at him as he reiterated his lack of intelligence. He glared at her. The muscles in his jaw twitched and then Trenton hammered home the final blow, I’ve been clear on that point.

Yeah, he had—many times. As a rule, she didn’t believe in listening to idiots. She’d respected his wishes at first, but the time had come to toss that aside. He hadn’t brought her cousin home, and she was tired of waiting for

him

to

.

And I believe I vetoed that already. She walked over and picked up the journal he’d thrown. Is this any way to treat a priceless artifact? I have half a mind to tell the Marquess of Seabrook how you’re treating his family’s journals. The book was old, and his mistreatment could very well destroy it. His carelessness could be the reason Genevieve was never found.

That one doesn’t belong to him, Trenton said. If it didn’t belong to the Marquess of Seabrook, who owned it? She was about to ask him when he held out his hand and demanded, "Give it

to

me

."

She ignored him and opened the journal. If he didn’t want her to look at it, of course she had to. She might discover something, and that was all the incentive she needed. He wasn’t going to get rid of her as easily as he had before. She’d dog his heels until he had no choice but to let her in. Aubriella wanted to find her cousin, or at least, aid in helping.

She scanned the pages, reading each word. This was absolutely amazing. The historian in her was thrilled to read a firsthand account from that time period.

You just found this? Excitement thrummed through her like electricity buzzing on a

live

wire

.

Why do you ask? he asked in a

cautious

tone

.

She flipped through the pages more rapidly now. Oh, this is so interesting—if I’d had this when I wrote my thesis… Aubriella chewed on her bottom lip and stared down at the pages. Do you know what this means?

Amazing… How long had he had this journal?

Why are you still here? He reached for the book and almost managed to snatch it out of her hands. She jerked back before he fully

grasped

it

.

"I’m not done

reading

this

."

She lifted her hand and brushed one of her rose-gold locks behind her ear. Her focus was on the journal. She was completely engrossed in the contents. Trenton’s presence started to disappear as she studied the words on the page. This was her specialty and she had an accounting of something she’d theorized on. She’d studied history as an undergrad and finished her doctorate after Genevieve disappeared. She’d believed time travel to be possible, but hadn’t been able to figure it out. It was hard to prove something that was more a concept than a reality. She liked the idea of time travel, and that was why she’d studied the possibility of it. The problem was that even though she’d researched it she hadn’t fully believed it possible. This journal though—no better key existed than it. If she had an idea of what time period her cousin had traveled to, she might be able to

find

her

.

Aubriella The sound of her name being said echoed in her ear, but she ignored it. Continuing to read the journal and discovering its secrets were far more important. Trenton shouted, Damn it, Brie, give me the journal.

Her head jerked up and she met his gaze. The cobwebs of her engrossment still threaded through her mind. She blinked several times clearing her thoughts. Trenton hoped to go back to find her cousin. You want to travel though the mirrors.

She wasn’t sure if he understood what he’d read. Time travel was not only possible, but her cousin seemed to be lost somewhere in the past. At least, that is the gist of it. Why hadn’t Trenton explained any of this

to

her

?

According to this journal, Elizabeth Kendall had the ability to push her hand through the mirror here at Weston Manor, but she never did more than that. It freaked her husband out. She frowned. I can’t say I blame the guy. Anything of a supernatural nature must have been disconcerting to someone in the nineteenth century.

Actually, he was from the eighteenth century, Trenton said drolly.

Come again? She raised an eyebrow. He must have read something incorrectly. The date on this journal clearly says 1840. That’s the nineteenth century. Are you sure you read this right?

The corner of his lip quirked upward. He lifted his hand over his heart and said, "I’m wounded. You think

I’m

dumb

?"

She narrowed her eyes and studied him. Are you drunk?

He sighed. Lady Elizabeth Kendall married the Duke of Whitewood, otherwise known as Captain Jack Morgan, a time traveling pirate from the eighteenth century. He moved toward her and snatched the journal. And no, I’m not drunk.

She practically danced in place as she asked, "How do you

know

this

?"

A movement at the door caught her eye. She turned as Regina, the new Duchess of Weston, entered the room, platinum blonde hair falling down her back in waves. She was heavily pregnant and waddled a little as she walked. She glanced back and forth between them. What are you doing?

Brie has a keen interest in your niece and her husband. Trenton jerked his hand toward Aubriella.

Niece? Aubriella’s head turned toward Regina. How was that even possible? "Lady Elizabeth Kendall is related

to

you

?"

In a roundabout way, Regina said as she rubbed her belly. I suppose she’s related to Bradford several times removed.

Aubriella had so many questions. She was surprised Trenton allowed her to stay long enough to ask the ones she had. Did he finally realize she would be a use to him? It was about damn time… Still, she had to understand this new development before she could move forward. How was Elizabeth Kendall related to Regina?

I’m so confused, Aubriella said. Can we start at the beginning?

You’re slowing me down, Trenton scoffed. "I thought you wanted

to

help

."

Trenton had his now famous glower settled onto his face. His impatience was rubbing on her last nerve. If he’d allowed her to help from the start, then she wouldn’t be so far behind with the details. She wanted to hear the tale of Elizabeth Kendall and her pirate husband. Aubriella wanted to know it all and study it down to the last detail. History had always fascinated her and now there was time travel too. It was all of