Free The Unforgettable Hero by Valerie Bowman

“It seems to me she mentioned a sister. But that’s all that I recall.”
    “This might sound odd, but did she tell you that she was in danger?”
    Mr. Cornwall frowned. “Danger? No. Nothing of the sort.”
    Adam bowed to the older man. “Thank you, sir. You’ve been a great help.” He turned to go.
    Mr. Cornwall’s voice stopped him. “You know, I’ve had my doubts since I turned her down. The manuscript was quite good. At least the amount I read.” The publisher sighed. “I wish I had the money to invest in projects like Miss Harcourt’s. I daresay I might make a go of it, but I’m far too old to be taking such risks. Though I will say the young woman made plenty of reasonably arguments for why it might be a sound business investment.” He chuckled.
    Adam nodded and took his leave. He spent the walk back to Derek’s house contemplating Cecelia’s situation. For it was surely Cecelia Harcourt, aspiring author of romantic novels, whom he’d been keeping company with these last two days and not Lady Magnolia Makepeace, heroine of said novel. Cecelia’s speech and mannerisms smacked of being born into the ton, yet she was not a lady but a miss. And apparently a miss who was willing to or in need of working for an income if her family allowed her to write and attempt to sell her writing. The name Harcourt was not familiar to him, however. Perhaps Lucy would recognize it.
    He tried to imagine Maggie meeting with Mr. Cornwall, attempting to sell him her book, and arguing with him when he refused her. Was it that important to her? And why? Why would a lady of the ton be trying to sell a novel to a publisher to begin with? It was quite unheard of. Was it for the same reason that she might be in danger? And if so, what was that reason?
    He shoved his hands in his pockets and tried to re-create the moment he’d met her in his memory. She would have been dejected that day when she’d been hit by the coach. Dejected and possibly distracted. She hadn’t been attempting to hurt herself, had she? Adam swore under his breath. He couldn’t bear to consider that possibility.
    He pushed open the front door of the town house and marched into the blue drawing room where Lucy could usually be found at this time of day. Thankfully today was no exception, and (also thankfully) she was not receiving callers. His sister-in-law was sitting on the settee, the pages of Cecelia’s novel scattered around. She glanced up guiltily when Adam strode in.
    “Lucy? Have you been—Are you crying?” He’d never seen strong, capable Lucy cry.
    Lucy pulled a handkerchief from her décolletage and pressed it to her eyes. “I can’t help it,” she sniffed. “It’s just so beautiful.”
    “What is?”
    “The story, Lady Magnolia and the Duke. I adore it. I was up half the night reading it and just now finished when I came back from shopping. You must admit that it’s absolutely fascinating that the poor girl thinks she’s a heroine from a novel.”
    Adam strode over to the settee and pushed some of the pages aside to make a space to sit. “Lucy, listen to me. I think I’ve discovered who she is.”
    Lucy nodded vigorously. “Me too.”
    “Cecelia Harcourt,” they both said in unison, then looked at each other with wide eyes.
    “How did you know?” Lucy burst out, still clutching her handkerchief.
    “I had a guess and went to visit Mr. Cornwall around the corner. She met with him two days ago. How did you know?”
    “We went shopping and encountered her sister on Bond Street. When I returned home, Hughes informed me that her sister had been here earlier this morning and was looking for her.”
    Adam’s eyes nearly bugged from his skull. “How did her sister know she was here?”
    “I don’t know. I gave her my card and asked her to meet us here at two o’clock but at the time I had no idea she’d already been here. We didn’t have much of a chance to speak.”
    “Did Cecelia recognize her?”
    Lucy laid a hand atop