The Imprudent Wager

It had seemed rather harmless at the time

On their way to London for the Season, Anne Southwell and her ward were waylaid by a sudden storm and sought shelter at the nearby estate of Lord Henry Stanton.

Anne was not especially surprised to discover their host was "Hell-Born-Harry," inveterate rake and member of the Carlton House set. She was surprised, however, to find herself drinking brandy and discussing her current problems with a total stranger.

When Lord Stanton offered a perfectly scandalous solution to her problems, Anne agreed, confident that she would never have to fulfill the part of the bargain that would socially disgrace and humiliate her. It was not until much later that she realized that she may have made the most imprudent wager of her life.

Hero: Lord Henry Stanton (Hell-Born-Harry)
Heroine: Anne Southwell