Christmas Brides (Three Regency Novellas) (26 page)
She shook her head. "Not now, milord, I must help milady." She was so utterly serious, he had to laugh as she rejoined his mother "to help."
It was all he could do not to laugh when she offered his mother meager little twigs with a barely a holly berry on them, yet his mother praised her for her "help."
"I have some, too," Tommy said, standing beside Fanny and thrusting his offering at his grandmother.
Collins brought warm mulled wine, and Elizabeth sat up to take her cup.
A moment later, Collins brought his mother a package tied with string and a much smaller velvet box. His mother eyed Elizabeth. "I know we will exchange presents on Christ's birthday in the morning, but tonight I wish to present the newest members of our family with . . . well, you'll soon discover what!" She lifted the larger box that was tied with a string. "This is for you, Fanny."
Her little face alight, Fanny ran to her grandmother.
"Would you like me to help you open it?" his mother asked.
Her head bobbed as her tiny fingers pulled on the string. The dowager slipped it off and tore into the paper, allowing Fanny to remove the rest of it.
Fanny managed to lift off the box's top, then exclaimed, "A doll! She's beautiful!"
Even though the doll had on a brand new dress made of golden silk and her hair had obviously been either restyled or replaced, he recognized it. Susan had toted her "Helene" around for years. That porcelain-faced doll had been like a member of their family.
"Helene!" Susan exclaimed. "I looked for her because I wanted Fanny to have her."
Fanny hugged the doll.
His mother beamed at Fanny. "I have been saving her for a special little girl."
It hurt him that his mother would not be able to formally acknowledge Fanny as her granddaughter, but it was for the child's benefit.
"Where did you get Helene's beautiful new dress?" Susan asked.
His mother's blue eyes sparkled. "I made it last night, especially for Fanny."
"She's really, really mine?" Fanny asked, looking up at her grandmother.
"Yes, she is. Her name is Helene." His mother faced Elizabeth and extended the velvet box. "And this belongs to the new viscountess."
Elizabeth opened the small velvet case. He was nearly overcome with emotion when he saw that it held his mother's diamond and sapphire wedding ring.
"Every Viscountess Broxbourne has worn this ring, my dear," the dowager said to his beloved wife.
"Oh, my," was all Elizabeth could say as her eyes once again began to fill with tears.
"Allow me, my dearest," he said, taking the ring and slipping it on the same finger with the simple gold band he'd placed there two years earlier. To his astonishment, it fit her perfectly.
He should have known it would. From the minute he'd met Elizabeth, he'd had the feeling a power stronger than either of them was guiding him to her, guiding her to him and Fanny, guiding her to Farley Manor.
"The luckiest day of my life was the day we found each other at St. Clement's," he told her in a throaty voice. "You are my perfect viscountess."
"I am the luckiest lady in the kingdom."
Hi joy was complete when Fanny—and Helene—came and climbed upon his lap. This Christmas at Farley Manor was the happiest Christmas ever.
The End
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I hope you enjoyed
Christmas Brides
.
If you did, would you please consider posting a review by the book's listing at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, Smashwords or a site where you might have read it? If you do, please send me an email at
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Thank you from Cheryl Bolen
Other eBooks by Cheryl Bolen:
With His Lady's Assistance
(Book 1, The Regent Mysteries)
(Humorous Regency Romance Mystery)
Finalist – Best Historical ebook, International Digital Awards
"With His Lady’s Assistance
is a delightful blend of humor, romance, and mystery, a romp through Regency society, sprinkled with appealing characters and colorful figures from British history. Protecting the eccentric Prince Regent from an unknown assassin has never been so entertaining." –
In Print
"A delightful Regency romance. . .The mystery is nicely done, the romance is enchanting, and the secondary character are enjoyable. 4 Stars. –
Romantic Times
"Bolen is a masterful storyteller who brings us enchanting love stories that offer fresh outlooks on love, while combing humor and mystery." –
Regency Inkwell
on
With His Lady's Assistance,
5-Star Hall of Fame book,
With His Lady's Assistance
. – Historical Romance Critic
* * *
To help him mingle in the highest echelons of English society to investigate threats on the Prince Regent's life, super spy Captain Jack Dryden must feign an engagement to the exceedingly plain spinster, Lady Daphne Chalmers. Together they embark on an investigation which brings them into grave peril—and makes the captain reevaluate the skinny maiden who has a most amorous effect upon him.
A Most Discreet Inquiry
(Book 2, The Regent Mysteries)
(Humorous Regency Romance Mystery)
In this second installment on Bolen's Regent Mysteries, Captain Jack Dryden receives another urgent summons to come to the aid of the Prince Regent--on Jack's wedding day...
Will Jack find the missing papers before d'Arblier finds him? Will Daphne find a competent housekeeper before they starve? And will Daphne and Jack ever have their wedding night?
Read
A Most Discreet Inquiry
for the answers, and enjoy another adventure with the most charming of Regency detectives. 5 STARS.
–
In Print
“Once again Ms. Bolen gives us a humorous and romantic read filled with action and mystery.”
– L. Sims,
Top Amazon Reviewer
* * *
It all started quite innocently when Lady Daphne Chalmers's duchess sister came to her sleuthing sibling for help in retrieving love letters she wrote to Major Styles, now deceased. But as Daphne and her own lover, Captain Jack Dryden of His Majesty's Hussars, join forces to track down the letters, they follow a trail of treachery and murder that threatens the entire kingdom.
Marriage of Inconvenience
(Love Inspired Historical, October 2012 release)
Readers of
Counterfeit Countess
and
One Golden Ring
have asked for Rebecca Peabody's book. This is it!
A loveless marriage between a bluestocking and a powerful peer turns out to be anything but. . .
* * *
From Bluestocking to Bride
Proposing to the Earl of Aynsley seems a sensible-if unconventional-solution to Miss Rebecca Peabody's predicament. As a married woman, she will be free to keep writing her essays on civil reform. Meanwhile, the distinguished widower will gain a stepmother for his seven children and a caretaker for his vast estate.
But the earl wants more than a convenient bride. He craves a true partner, a woman he can cherish. To his surprise, the bookish Miss Peabody appears to have every quality he desires...
except
the willingness to trust her new husband. Yet despite his family's interference, and her steadfast independence, time and faith could make theirs a true marriage of hearts.
My Lord Wicked
Winner Best Historical Novel in the 2012 International Digital Awards
This terrific regency novel has Gothic elements: the eerie abbey; the gloomy weather; the portrait of his wife seeming to watch over everyone; and his dark, twisted memories of her. Ms. Bolen's novel has it all. A great romance with spooky elements and the mystery surrounding the wife, the author could not have done a better job. I loved this book, and I hope you will love it also. Very highly recommended! –
Amazon Reviewer
* * *
What woman would dare make her home at eerie Marshbanks Abbey, perched on a stony hill in remote Northumbria? It is said its owner, the brilliant botanist, Lord Stacks, killed his beautiful bride there ten years earlier.
Unaware of the tales of Lord Stacks' wickedness, Freddie Lambeth comes to live with her guardian, and through his caring blossoms from a plain, shabbily dressed girl to a lovely young woman. Freddie and Lord Stacks come to need each other as his flowers need sunshine, but Stacks cannot allow himself to love her. His own wickedness has destroyed any chance for happiness.
His Lordship's Vow
This was the kind of sweet, romantic Regency romance I used to love to read. I'm so glad they're coming back - especially by talented authors like Cheryl Bolen. 5 STARS –
Amazon Reviewer
Thank you so much for writing a story of ROMANCE. Ms Bolen makes reading about the hero and heroine enjoyable and romantic. 5 STARS –
Amazon Reviewer
* * *
Bereft of beauty as well as fortune, the exceedingly plain Miss Jane Featherstone has failed to attract any suitor during her three Seasons. Rather than be a burden to her brother and his obnoxious wife, Miss Featherstone vows to accept the first man who asks—even though she's always worshipped a lord who's far above her touch. . .
Lord Slade must marry an heiress in order to honor the deathbed vow he made to his father, and he needs Miss Featherstone's help in wooing her beautiful cousin. After her initial anger, Miss Featherstone agrees to his scheme, telling him she's doing so because she admires his Parliamentary record of humanitarian legislation and his reverence for truth. But the more he's with the two cousins, the more attracted he becomes to Miss Featherstone. What's a man of his word to do? Break a vow to a beloved father—or follow his heart with Miss Featherstone?
The Bride Wore Blue (The Brides of Bath Series #1)
Cheryl Bolen's writing draws you into her fast-paced story. 4 Stars –
Romantic Times
Cheryl Bolen returns to the Regency England she knows so well. . .If you love a steamy Regency with a fast pace, be sure to pick up The Bride Wore Blue. –
Happily Ever After
* * *
For six long years Thomas Moreland has dreamed of the beautiful young noblewoman who rescued him from death. While amassing his fortune in India, not a day passed he did not recall Felicity's fair loveliness, did not recall the silken tones of her sweet voice, did not desire to possess her.
Now a widow, Felicity Harrison does not recognize the handsome nabob as the young man left for dead by highwayman years earlier. Though she wants nothing more than to snub the arrogant man who promises to rescue her family from financial ruin in exchange for presenting his sister to Society, she cannot snub him. She must force herself to bear his company. But the longer she is with him, the more she has to force herself to remain true to her dead husband's memory. Why is it the humbly born Thomas Moreland possesses more nobility that any man of her class? And why is it she finds it harder and harder to mourn a dead man when Thomas's virility awakens her deepest desires?
With His Ring (The Brides of Bath Series #2)
Texas Gold's Runner-up for Best Historical Romance 2002
Highly recommended. –
Under the Covers
Cheryl Bolen does it again! There is laughter, and the interaction of the characters pulls you right into the book. I look forward to the next in this series. 4 Stars –
Romantic Times
With His Ring is a good book. Once you start reading you will not want to put it down. . .The secondary characters are a blast. They will have you laughing right along with Glee's stunts. –
The Romance Readers Connection
If you liked Cheryl Bolen's first installment in her Brides of Bath series set in Regency England, you'll like this one. With His Ring has plenty of sensuality. –
Happily Ever After
* * *
Glee Pembroke has turned down countless offers of marriage because she has secretly been in love with her brother's best friend, Gregory Blankenship, all her life. When she learns Gregory will lose his considerable fortune if he's not wed by his twenty-fifth birthday, she persuades him to enter into a sham marriage with her. What he doesn't know is that she plans to win his heart. She will do everything in her power to make him happy—including mimicking the ways of a "fast" woman since he's noted for alliances with women of that sort.