By Anna St. Claire

When American-born Ashlyn March reluctantly agrees to swap places with her daring heiress cousin and attend a house party during the London Season, she anticipates some awkward social moments—but not a broken carriage, an injured coach driver who’s actually a fourteen-year-old boy, and a thunderstorm that leaves her stranded at the doorstep of the most charmingly handsome man she’s ever met.

Gabriel Dawson, the Earl of Ravensthorpe, is no stranger to the games played at Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s notorious den—but nothing could have prepared him for the mysterious beauty who appears at his estate, soaked through and full of secrets. She’s clever, capable…and utterly captivating. As a gentleman, he offers her shelter. As a man, he finds it hard to keep his heart guarded.

Caught together by the storm, Ashlyn and Gabriel can’t deny the blossoming attraction between them. Even his own shadows of grief seem to lighten in her presence.

Ashlyn has always been gifted at healing others. Whether it’s a bird with a broken wing, a silent child, or a man who has lost belief in love—she gives herself generously. But the one thing she can’t give Gabriel…is the truth. Not without risking everything.

In the world of the Lyon’s Den, every game has a price…and love might be the greatest gamble.

https://www.amazon.com/Dared-Lyon-Lyons-Connected-World-ebook/dp/B0GHRC481K

Excerpt from Dared by a Lyon

Gabriel did carry his own guilt for drinking heavily after the accident. But after the first year, he’d stopped drinking himself into a stupor every night. In fact, he rarely drank anymore except around the anniversary. But rather than explaining himself, he asked, “Did you read my missive? We have been invited to a house party sponsored by Mrs. Bessie Dove-Lyon.”

“I’m afraid you will have to attend alone. Caro needs me here,” she said. She turned to leave but then said, “I wish you’d stay with Caro and me, here.” Her voce had a thread of frustration. “Son, it was a horrible and tragic accident. But it wasn’t your fault.”

“It wasn’t? For the past three years, I have been haunted by their deaths…If I had been there…” He shook his head.

“Son, you can’t know if your presence in that carriage would have saved your sister and Max or Juliet. It was a horrible accident. But it wasn’t your fault,” she said. “There were several men there, including a doctor, and they couldn’t save them.”

He nodded––logically, he knew that, but it was hard to reconcile his mind with his heart. He blew out a breath. “I realize that you think I spend all my time at the Lyon’s Den when I’m in London. Maybe that was true the first year. I drank and gambled more than I should have. However, I’ve changed that. I did visit the Lyon’s Den on this trip to London, but not to drink. While there, I met with our solicitors on Caro’s behalf. I also met a group of investors and went with them to the Lyon’s Den, mostly to find out as much as I could about some unique investment opportunities. I am serious about making certain Max’s estate grows as much as it can for Caro. As her uncle and guardian, I do this because I love her and want to protect her.”

“I understand,” the countess said softly.

The heavy brass knocker sounded at the front door and echoed upstairs to the study. Gabriel and his mother were silent for a moment as they exchanged a look.

“It’s very late,” he said, checking his pocket watch. “Who could be out at this late hour? Are you expecting someone, Mother?”

She shook her head, her eyes reflecting the worry that he, too, was feeling, for it was almost three years ago on a similar night when a tragedy killed half his family.

Without speaking, they left the study and made their way downstairs.

They arrived in the foyer just as their butler, Higgins, opened the front door. But a heavy gust of wind suddenly caught it and slammed it against the wall. Higgins caught the door in his usual unflappable manner and held it open. Welcome to Ravenswood Manor. How may we be of help?”

Two young women stood in the doorway, both bedraggled and covered in mud.

“Thank goodness someone is at home.” The younger, dark-headed woman said in a melodious voice. “Kind sir, we are in dire need of assistance. Our carriage overturned in the storm and slid down a steep hill a few miles down the road. We managed to escape with the horses and make it here, but our driver requires medical attention.”

My God, it happened again, Gabriel thought. Well, this time, he would do everything in his power to help this young woman and her servants. “I am Lord Gabriel Dawson, the Earl of Ravensthorpe, and this is my mother, Lady Elsa Dawson, the Countess of Ravensthorpe,” he said, stepping forward. “Please, come in, and let us be of assistance.”

The young woman turned toward him, and his breath hitched as he beheld her face. Exquisite… Even completely drenched and covered in mud, she was a beauty. Those eyes… He’d never seen eyes that shade of blue. Nay, not blue…but violet. And they were mesmerizing. Gabriel felt an overwhelming urge to take her in his arms, to protect her.

“Thank you, my lord, my lady’” she said breathlessly with a curtsy. “My name is Miss Elizabeth Vickers, and this is Alice, my maid. We were on our way to a house party being given my Mrs. Dove-Lyon near Bath when our horses were spooked by the storm, causing our driver to lose his hold on the reins.”

Gabriel could tell be her accent that she was not English, but American. “Higgins, please see to the driver and send one of your men to fetch Dr. Baker.”

“Yes, my lord,” the butler said, turning to the two footmen who were standing at the ready and giving them instructions.

“Miss Vickers, will you and your maid come warm yourself by the fire?” Gabriel’s mother said with a kind smile, gesturing to the drawing room down the hall.

“Thank you, my lady,” Miss Vickers said in that soft, melodious voice. She glanced at Gabriel and seemed to hesitate. Unconsciously, she bit her lower lip, and he once again felt the overwhelming urge to sweep her up in his arms. “Except I should not leave our driver,” she added, “for he is but a child of fourteen.”

“Your driver is fourteen?” Gabriel said.

Miss Vickers blushed, her expression one of distress. “I promise, we had no idea when we departed. His father was supposed to drive us…” Her voice faded, and she looked as though she were about to burst into tears. “Please, can you help him, my lord?”

“Of course we will help him,” he said just as the footmen carried the boy inside. “Please do not worry––we’ll see to everything.”

“Thank you, my lord,” she breathed, and he wished he could carry her into the drawing room himself and set her in front of the fire…

“My lady, shall I go with them?” Alice asked.

Just as Miss Vickers was about to reply, Mrs. Flinters, their housekeeper, bustled up to them. “My lord, my lady,” she said.

“Mrs. Flinters, this is Miss Elizabeth Vickers and her maid, Alice. Can you have the blue room readied? Miss Vickers, her maid, and their driver have been in a carriage accident and will be staying with us for a while,” the countess said.

“Of course, my lady.” The housekeeper smiled and directed the maid to follow her. “Come with me, child.”

Alice looked at Miss Vickers, who gave her an encouraging nod to go with Mrs. Flinters.

Gabriel knew that between Higgins and Flinters, they would do what needed to be done with their usual efficiency and kindness.

“Please, Miss Vickers, come warm yourself by the fire, and we’ll see you to your room soon,” his mother said in a gentle voice, taking the young woman by the hand and drawing her along.

Miss Vickers glanced at him over her shoulder, as though looking to him for guidance.

Something shifted inside his chest. Something he’d never felt before. “We’ll take care of everything, Miss Vickers. Please do not worry. You are safe.”

She nodded, and her lips curved into a grateful smile. She regarded him a moment more with those luminous violet eyes. “Thank you, my lord,” she whispered, then turned to go with his mother.

He blew out a deep breath, as though he’d been holding it. Perhaps he had.