The Viscount's Surprise

The Viscount's Surprise

A Damsels in Breeches Regency Novella

by

Anne Marie Novark

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SMASHWORDS EDITION

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Philomena Wheeler has been living a lie for the past twelve years. After her mother dies, she pretends to be a boy so she can work in Lady Hembrough's stables alongside her beloved papa. When she's promoted to the position of groom, her father thinks it's time to call a halt to the dangerous masquerade and wants to send Phil to his sister in York to learn to be a girl again.

Viscount Hembrough pays a rare visit to his mother in London. He's looking for a new groom and hires Phil for a one-month trial period before he returns to his horse-breeding estate in the wilds of Ireland. Under the mistaken belief that she's a he, the viscount takes Phil on a trip to inspect a promising stallion for his stables.

Will Phil be able to guard her secret while traveling with the handsome viscount? And more importantly, will she be able to guard her heart against a forbidden love?

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The Viscount's Surprise

Copyright © 2011 by Anne Marie Novark

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author or publisher except for the use of brief quotations in critical articles or reviews. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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This is a work of fiction. Names, places, businesses, characters and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, actual events or locales is purely coincidental.

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Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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 person. 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.

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Dedication

To Gracie.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

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CHAPTER ONE

London, 1814

Philomena Wheeler was no fool. Foolhardy, perhaps. Of course, that would be the result of having to maintain a charade for the better part of her nineteen years of life. Not that it was her fault. There hadn't been any other way to stay with Papa after Mama had died. But impersonating a boy for over twelve years was not something she would recommend to anyone.

As she stood at attention on the back of Lady Hembrough's smart new barouche, Phil studied the passing scenery and oncoming traffic on Piccadilly. They were making their way toward Hyde Park for the afternoon promenade. Her ladyship's son was acting as escort and mounted on the beautiful bay hack Phil had been feeding and grooming in the stables for the past four days.

The viscount was down from Ireland on one of his rare visits to town. He was Lady Hembrough's only son and the heir to a huge fortune and a vast number of estates scattered across Britain and the one in Ireland where he made his home. He was a bit of a recluse, preferring his horses to people. Phil could certainly relate to that, because horses were her life, yet somehow, she didn't care for the viscount.

It wasn't her place to like or dislike the man, but she couldn't understand why he neglected the mother who practically idolized him. Lady Hembrough was forever lamenting how it was high time Anthony took a wife. She wanted grandchildren. Her ladyship absolutely adored children.

The coach hit a pothole in the cobblestones, and Phil held on tightly not wanting to be thrown into the gutter. She had recently been promoted to groom and wasn't accustomed to standing on the back of the coach just yet.

On the other hand, she was fast becoming accustomed to the beautiful new livery she was wearing. The maroon velvet with gold-braided trim was exceptionally fine and much prettier than the plain fabric of her old uniform. Advancing from stable boy to groom was a big step in a young man's life.

Only Phil wasn't a young man and that was her problem. At least, Papa thought it was a problem. Phil really had no wish to change her status. Not yet, anyway.

She smiled and shook her head. Papa was in such a dither. The position of groom meant Phil would be traveling about London and the countryside alone, away from his protection not only as her father, but also as head coachman at Hembrough House.

He was determined to ship her off immediately to his sister in York who had been begging him for years to send Phil to her so she could live a proper life as a girl. Aunt Bitsy probably had a husband picked out for her already; most likely an up and coming young farmer who was doing very well for himself. Aunt Bitsy would see to that.

Phil snorted and caught the eye of the viscount. He stared at her with an intensity she found disturbing. Quickly averting her head, she was glad to finally see Hyde Park up ahead. The street was already lined with coaches, curricles and other carriages, as well as men and women on horseback--all preparing to enjoy the afternoon promenade.

Lady Hembrough's coach turned in under the Stanhope Gate just as a high-perched phaeton exited the park. A black and white kitten scurried from under a bush right into the path of the oncoming phaeton. The scraping of wheels, the rearing of horses, the curses of the man in the phaeton, along with the viscount's shouts of warning and Lady Hembrough's screams spurred Phil to action.

Without thought to the consequences or the danger, she jumped from her perch and dashed between the horses and the stomping hooves. With a quick prayer she wouldn't be trampled to death, Phil grabbed the bridles and shushed the frightened steeds, all the while searching the ground for the kitten.

With the help of the other groom, Phil disentangled the horses. She and the man led them aside and away from traffic, holding them steady while their owners and coachmen inspected for any damage or injury.

Phil soothed the horses, murmuring reassurances. Lady Hembrough's grays were fine animals, perfectly matched and high-steppers. It would be a shame if they'd been maimed in the mishap.

Out of the corner of her eye, Phil spotted