London, England           1899. The new season had just started in London and George Thorpington was a young British army officer. He had been invited to Lady Margaret Callowell’s party to ensure there were enough men to keep society’s eligible young ladies dancing throughout the evening. George’s family was by no means wealthy, but he had a good name and a modest income, while some of the titled gentry barely had a farthing in the bank.           That's when he first saw her; the most dazzling young woman he had ever seen in his life. She was standing at the door in a deep green silk gown that highlighted her fair complexion. Her name was Elizabeth Wycliffe and she was unescorted. George asked her to dance and his heart actually fluttered when she said yes.           Elizabeth was several inches shorter than George, but with her dark blonde hair piled high upon her head, she appeared taller. She had mischief in her eyes when she accepted his arm and together they danced to song after song.           Every so often, they would stop for refreshments and George soon realized Elizabeth had a flask filled with gin, hidden in the folds of her skirt, which she was using to invigorate Lady Callowell’s punch.           In any other woman, this type of behavior would have left George cold. He lived by a fixed set of rules and could not abide anyone who broke them. But he found Elizabeth both beautiful and exciting and her apparent interest in him, along with her growing intoxication, left him breathless.           As the evening drew to a close, George offered to take Elizabeth home in a hansom cab. He hailed one at the corner and after making sure she was comfortably seated inside, he asked her for her address. She laughed, refusing to tell him, and said, “You’ll just have to take me home with you.” Then she closed her eyes, surrendering to inebriation.           Not knowing what else to do, George gave the driver his address. He carried Elizabeth into his bedroom and placed her on the bed, so she could sleep off the intoxication. But she placed her arms around him and pulled him down on top of her. He soon found Elizabeth’s charms too enticing to refuse. He made love to her, and immediately fell asleep.           When he awakened a few hours later, he heard Elizabeth crying.           She explained that she had had a fight with her fiancé after he told her she no longer needed to attend balls and parties, now that they were betrothed. She said she had defied him by attending Lady Callowell’s party.           She accused George of taking advantage of her and told him no man would want her now, because her reputation was tarnished.           George stared at the girl in horror. The last thing he had wanted to do was hurt her or cause a scandal. Indeed, he was so attracted to her that he proposed.           He quickly shaved and dressed and told her he was taking her home.           This time, when George flagged down a hansom cab, she gave him her address for the driver.           She looked up, her eyes pleading. “You must never tell anyone what happened here tonight.”           “There will be no need. I will immediately ask your father for your hand in marriage.”           “But I'm already betrothed.” She began to cry again. “I’ve been out all night. I’m ruined.”           “There is nothing to worry about. Everything is firmly in hand.”           They soon pulled up in front of her door. As George helped her out of the cab, two men came rushing out of the house. “Elizabeth, where have you been?”           “Father, this is George Thorpington. I went to Lady Callowell’s party last night and foolishly sprained my ankle while dancing. Sergeant Thorpington stayed with me until I was well enough to walk.”           “Why didn’t Lady Callowell know anything about this?” This time, a handsome young man posed the question.           “Sergeant Thorpington, this is my fiancé, Lord Thomas Tyning, the Earl of Harrogate. Really Your Grace, the sergeant has saved my reputation from being besmirched. The least you could do is thank him.”           The young Earl reached out and grasped Thorpington’s hand. “Well then Sergeant, I owe you an apology.”           George was taken aback. “No need, Your Grace. No words were misspoken.”           “It’s not what I said, Sergeant, but what I was thinking. However, if Elizabeth claims you as her friend and protector, then you are a friend of mine as well.”           Elizabeth’s smile was radiant. “Sergeant, I don’t want to keep you any longer. Thank you. My fiancé will help me into the house.”           The Earl handed Thorpington his card. “Call me at my club, Sergeant. A man who’s done what’s right, like you have, at the very least deserves a good meal and a fine bottle of port. Perhaps if you'e free, we can share dinner tomorrow evening.”           The instant terror in Elizabeth’s eyes was palpable. George ignored it. “Thank you, Your Grace. I’ll be in touch.” *           George and the Earl met the following evening for dinner. They talked of hunting, politics and the weather, but not a word was spoken about Elizabeth.           A few weeks later, Elizabeth married the Earl of Harrogate and George attended the wedding.           It hardly seemed like nine months had passed before little Lord William Tyning was born. *** Share | Code Name: Evangeline is available in its entirety on Kindle Don't own a Kindle? Download a free app to read Kindle books on your iPhone and iPod Touch. Or get the free app to read Kindle books on your PC.