The Gentleman’s Challenge Read online

  The Gentleman’s Challenge

  A Yorkshire Downs - Love, Hearts and Challenges

  Jasmine Ashford

  RUSHMORE HOUSE PUBLISHERS CO.

  Contents

  Copyright

  A Personal Note From Jasmine Ashford

  Dedication

  About The Author

  Join My VIP Readers’ Club List

  THE GENTLEMAN’S CHALLENGE

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  BOOK ONE - FAMILIES OF THE YORKSHIRE DOWNS SERIES

  PROLOGUE

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  CHAPTER ONE

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  CHAPTER TWO

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  CHAPTER THREE

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  CHAPTER FOUR

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  CHAPTER FIVE

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  CHAPTER SIX

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  CHAPTER SEVEN

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  CHAPTER EIGHT

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  CHAPTER NINE

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  CHAPTER TEN

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  CHAPTER ELEVEN

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  CHAPTER TWELVE

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  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

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  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

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  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

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  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

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  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

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  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

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  CHAPTER NINETEEN

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  CHAPTER TWENTY

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  EPILOGUE

  *

  Preview of Does The Earl Loves Me

  Also By Jasmine Ashford

  Acknowledgement

  If You Have Enjoyed This Book…

  Join My VIP Readers’ Club List

  Publisher’s Notes

  Copyright © 2017 by JASMINE ASHFORD & RUSHMORE HOUSE PUBLISHERS CO.

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. It contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  This book is a work of fiction. Any similarities to real or dead people, places, or events are not intentional and are the result of coincidence. The characters, places, and events are the product of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission from the author/publisher. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

  A PERSONAL NOTE

  FROM JASMINE ASHFORD

  Dearest Avid Romance Readers,

  The characters within my stories have a strong faith in love, they know what they want to pursue in this Regency Era. They are constantly looking that true love really exists amid adversities.

  Will they overcome these obstacles and conquer their own insecurities (or doubts?) in order to find true love?

  Read the book to find out.

  Thank you very much for your strong support to my writing journey!

  With Lots of Love,

  Jasmine

  DEDICATION

  “A lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment.”

  Jane Austen (1775 - 1817)

  This Story Is Specially Dedicated To You, My Avid Romance Reader!

  Thank you once again for getting this book and giving me an opportunity to share with you my creative side.

  I am truly grateful for this gesture of yours.

  I hope you will find my stories both entertaining and inspiring as much as I have enjoyed writing them.

  I’m grateful for your support. I’ll continue to keep writing these stories as long as you are interested in buying them.

  Have you checked out my other historical romance books series?

  Click the link below to get started

  *** AMAZON USA ***

  Do you like what you have read?

  I would want to hear from you!

  Please do get in touch with me:

  https://www.facebook.com/JasmineAshfordBooks/

  [email protected]

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  “There is nothing so mortifying as to fall in love with someone who does not share one's sentiments.” - Georgette Heyer, Venetia

  Whenever Jasmine is feeling down, she always finds solace with this quote. It was Ms. Georgette Heyer that inspires her to the world of the Regency and Victorian.

  Jasmine took the pen and the rest is history for her.

  In Jasmine’s stories, you will witness how characters that are so complex are actually simple beings waiting to be connected by the Cupid’s arrow. It is just one of the many ways that love will reveal itself?

  Jasmine hopes that you will find love, solace, and peace in her stories. When she is not writing, she is enjoying her precious time with her family and her faithful Siberian Husky.

  Jasmine

  Join My VIP Readers’ Club

  Who Else Wants to Get Freebies, New Cover Reveals, Short Flash Fictions, Characters’ Interviews and much more…

  Jasmine Ashford invites you to join her VIP Readers’ Club List. When you signed up, you will get a surprise gift from her. CLICK HERE TO JOIN NOW!

  THE GENTLEMAN’S CHALLENGE

  THE YORKSHRE DOWNS - LOVE, HEARTS AND CHALLENGES

  By

  JASMINE ASHFORD

  and

  Rushmore House Publishers Co.

  FAMILIES OF THE YORKSHIRE DOWNS SERIES

  Listed By Appearance, Introduced by Property Title

  ### WILDING MANOR ###

  First generation of the Grey Family

  Family Name: Grey

  Father: Eustace Grey, Earl of Harwood

  Mother: Eliza Drosty, deceased

  Daughter: Valeria Grey

  Son: Henry Grey

  (Book #1 Link: The Gentleman’s Challenge - Book #1 of A Yorkshire Downs Series - Love, Hearts and Challenges)

  Second generation of the Aichelburg Family

  Family Name: Aichelburg

  Father: Ernst von Aichelburg, Count of Wuttermburg

  Mother: Valeria Grey

  Daughter: Alicia Grey

  (Book #2: Does The Earl Loves Me - A Yorkshire Downs Series - Love, Hearts and Challenges - Coming in Sept 2017)

  Third generation of the Grey Family

  Father: Leo Grey, Earl of Harwood (son of Henry Grey and Claudia von Bergmann)

  Mother: Alicia Grey

  Daughter: Emilia Grey

  Daughter: Constance Grey

  Son: Henry Grey

  (Book #3: An Earl To Remember - A Yorkshire Downs Series - Love, Hearts and Challenges - Coming in Nov 2017)

  ### NEWGATE PARK ###

  First generation of the Drosty Family

  Family Name: Drosty

  Father: Daniel Drosty, His Grace The Duke of Darbyshire

  Mother: Angelique Elmerton, deceased

  Son: Daniel Drosty junior

  Son: Matthew Drosty

  (Book #1: The Gentleman’s Challenge - A Yorkshire Downs Series - Love, Hearts and Challenges)

  Second generation of the Drosty Family

  Father: Daniel Drosty junior, His Grace The Duke of Darbyshire

  Mother: Hester Darroway

  Son: Roderick Drosty

  Daughter: Ada Drosty

  (
Book #2: Does The Earl Loves Me - A Yorkshire Downs Series - Love, Hearts and Challenges - Coming in Sept 2017

  Third generation of the Drosty Family

  Father: Roderick Drosty, His Grace The Duke of Darbyshire

  Mother: Henriette Browning

  Daughter: Margaret Drosty

  Daughter: Medora Drosty

  (Book #3: An Earl To Remember - A Yorkshire Downs Series - Love, Hearts and Challenges - Coming in Nov 2017)

  ### NORTHFELL PLACE ###

  First generation of the Donnelly Family

  Family name: Donnelly

  Liam Donnelly, Earl of Westmeath

  (Book #3: An Earl To Remember - A Yorkshire Downs Series - Love, Hearts and Challenges - Coming in Nov 2017)

  ### SOUTHFACE MANOR ###

  First generation of the Ridlington Family

  Family name: Ridlington

  Oscar Ridlington, His Grace The Duke of Norwich

  (Book #3: An Earl To Remember - A Yorkshire Downs Series - Love, Hearts and Challenges - Coming in Nov 2017)

  ### DONNELLY HOUSE, IRELAND ###

  First generation of the Donnelly Family

  Family name: Donnelly

  Father: Liam Donnelly, Earl of Westmeath

  Mother: Ada Drosty

  Daughter: Evelyn Donnelly

  (Book #4: A Quiet Murder At The Mansion - A Yorkshire Downs Series - Love, Hearts and Challenges - Coming in Dec 2017)

  ### BROKERIDGE MANOR ###

  First generation of the Brokeridge Family

  Family name: Brokeridge

  Father: Richard Brokeridge, Earl of Norwich

  Mother: Euphemia Tallinn, deceased

  Son: Barrett Brokeridge

  Illegitimate son: Bronson

  (Book #4: A Quiet Murder At The Mansion - A Yorkshire Downs Series - Love, Hearts and Challenges - Coming in Dec 2017)

  Second generation of the Brokeridge Family

  Father: Barrett Brokeridge, Earl of Norwich

  Mother: Evelyn Donnelly

  (Book #5: Loving The Mysterious Lord - A Yorkshire Downs Series - Love, Hearts and Challenges - Coming in Jan 2018)

  ### EVERETT HEIGHTS ###

  First generation of the Everett Family

  Family name: Everett

  Graham Everett, Earl of Randall

  (Book #5: Loving The Mysterious Lord - A Yorkshire Downs Series - Love, Hearts and Challenges - Coming in Jan 2018)

  ### SUMPTER HOUSE ###

  First generation of the Sumpter Family

  Family name: Sumpter

  Father: Lucian Sumpter, Earl of Lonsdale

  Mother: Emila Grey

  (Book #5: Loving The Mysterious Lord - A Yorkshire Downs Series - Love, Hearts and Challenges - Coming in Jan 2018)

  ### GREENFIELD PARK ###

  First generation of the Le Marche Family

  Family name: Le Marche

  Geoffrey le Marche, Count of Vignoble

  (Book #5: Loving The Mysterious Lord - A Yorkshire Downs Series - Love, Hearts and Challenges - Coming in Jan 2018)

  ### WHITEHILL MANOR ###

  First generation of the Hampton Family

  Family name: Hampton

  Oscar Hampton, His Grace, The Duke of Everly

  (Book #5: Loving The Mysterious Lord - A Yorkshire Downs Series - Love, Hearts and Challenges - Coming in Jan 2018)

  ### SCHLOSS BERGMANN (BAVARIA, GERMANY) ###

  First generation of the Von Bergmann Family

  Family name: Von Bergmann

  Father: Waldo von Bergmann, Count of Aschaffenburg

  Mother: Regina von Magdeburg, deceased

  Daughter: Claudia von Bergmann

  (Book #5: Loving The Mysterious Lord - A Yorkshire Downs Series - Love, Hearts and Challenges - Coming in Jan 2018)

  PROLOGUE

  Snow. Drifting, floating, falling. It settled over Wilding like a blanket, softening the harshness of the landscape.

  Love is like snow, Valeria Grey mused as she sat in the upstairs study in a forgotten corner of Wilding Manor. Love appears from nowhere, softens everything, and transforms the whole world into a wonderland of new shapes, colors and forms. New brightness. How is it that love seems to come out of the blue? Why is it that love seems so tenuous?

  Valeria wrote these thoughts in her diary, smiling softly. She marked the date at the top of the page: November 2, 1812.

  The sound of footsteps on the stairs cut through her reverie. She sighed. Her brother, Henry, and her cousins, Matthew and Daniel. They were always up to mischief, always disturbing her peace.

  Why is it that peace is always disturbed?

  In her home, here in Yorkshire, like in the outer world, peace hung by a thread, always disturbed by the calls of war, or duty. Napoleon was always somewhere, fighting wars: Spain, Portugal, Russia. The whole backdrop of her life was shaped by it.

  She smiled. The international climate was not all bad. If Europe had not become more unified – even if by war – Ernst, their half-German, half-English ward, would probably never have been born. And if Ernst had not been born, then she would not be smiling now. She grinned, unable to help it. Her love was like a crocus, blooming new against the snow.

  She looked at the clock on the mantelpiece, ticking, forgotten, behind her. It was almost luncheon. No wonder the boys had returned. At least they would leave soon and give her some peace. And, who knew? Ernst might not go with them. She would have a chance to see him this afternoon.

  Smiling, she went to dress for lunch.

  CHAPTER ONE

  HEART’S AWAKENING

  HEART’S AWAKENING

  Yorkshire, England, 1812

  “Valeria, no!” Henry's alarmed voice broke the frost-crisp silence. “He meant no harm. You know that...”

  At his feet, the snow was wet with blood. It dripped to the snow from the head of the dead grouse, freezing on the field of white beneath him in perfect, roseate stains.

  The sight had galvanized Valeria. She threw herself at her cousin Matthew, who held the lifeless bird, her fists flying.

  “Valeria...” Her cousin laughed, but his laughter turned into a plea as he called, “Get her off, Henry!”

  “How could you? How...” Valeria cried, even as her fists pummeled his chest weakly.

  “Valeria! Stop!” her brother, Henry, entreated.

  At that moment, Ernst joined the conversation, his voice low and lilting. “Valeria! Dear Valeria...”

  Silence reigned in the courtyard.

  Valeria, panting, her face a mask of distress, turned toward him. “Ernst...”

  Her face crumpled, suddenly, and she allowed him to take her in his arms. She sank down in the snow, weak kneed.

  “Shh...shh, Valeria,” Ernst whispered. “It is well. It will be well.”

  “Oh, Ernst!” she sobbed. “No, it won't. It's dead! You know it is! And you know how I watched them, every day, on the hillside.”

  “I know,” Ernst said softly, wrapping her in his arms. She cried against his chest, shoulders heaving, inconsolable. “Henry? Matthew? Take it away. Leave me here.”

  Henry looked as if he would protest, but his friend only smiled and shrugged. The two walked toward the house, feet crunching in the snow.

  Valeria and Ernst were left alone.

  “Ernst...why? Why did they do it?” Valeria sobbed, her breath slowly returning to normal. She sat back and looked at him, pale oval face streaked with tears, gray eyes defeated.

  “Because they're young and don't know any better?” Her companion smiled, dark eyes compassionate.

  “Oh, Ernst...” She smiled weakly, as the tears stopped. “You are right. But it's so sad. So cruel.”

  “Life is hard,” Ernst sighed. “Death and life follow one another. We have to accept it.”

  “I know,” she said, weakly.

  “Besides,” he added, as he helped her rise and walk toward the entrance of the manor house behind them, “being hit in the head with a bullet isn't the worst. If this wa
s Germany, the poor thing could have been eaten by wolves...”