Aunt Gertrude's Red Hot Christmas Beau: Christmas Belles Read online

  And she was now a duchess. Happily married. True, she was a bit more chilled up north than in Brighton. But after their June wedding, they’d gone south to Margate to their old hotel….and rolled in the same sheets as they had when first they’d loved. As George had promised when he proposed, he commissioned the construction of a new grand house on the Marine Parade in Brighton. The building was not yet complete, but she was eager to go home and begin to talk with plasterers and cabinet makers and drapers. She prayed the two of them would have many years there to enjoy the sea breezes and bright sunshine.

  She smiled, happy beyond her dreams. After she’d lost Marsden, she thought she’d never smile again, never love as richly.

  But after more than a year as the wife and lover of another kind and loving gentleman, she was wiser.

  If she’d once thought that love was wasted on the young, she delighted now in the fact that she could enjoy it at her age. Well cured, she had her eyes open to the fact that lust was a proper ingredient in a relationship but that trust, reason and acceptance were just as vital to happiness…at any age.

  THE END

  THE MARQUESS’S FINAL FLING

  A nibble

  December 21,1815

  Brighton, England

  Among the Marquess of Tain’s peers, marriage was a contract based on money, status and bloodlines. This rule was one they’d been taught from birth. If Theo didn’t like it, it didn’t mean he hadn’t abided by it.

  So as he gazed upon the woman whom he’d dismissed years ago in favor of this rule, he understood the importance of what he had lost and the significance of what he now would attempt to regain.

  As a lord of the Realm with more than four hundred tenants to look after and three times as many acres of land to administer, Theo understood the value of taking care of the people and property for whom he was responsible. His minions tended his land, his animals, and grew the grains and vegetables that sustained them all. He ran his investments in iron smelting with a diligent hand. His sacred duty, some might say it was to be fair and dedicated. His practical duty, he would declare it was in fact. If man did not survive on bread alone, he prospered well by having more than the essentials of a good life. But after the death of his second wife more than a year ago, Theo had examined the ramifications of his marital choices. His marriages had been the ilk society blessed. If his existences with both ladies had not been idyllic, he accepted that with a cool maturity that put the lie to youthful naïveté. Just as he had devoted himself to his tenants, so too would he devote himself to his own happiness. To that end, he had sworn off a third marriage. His choice had been firm and he was not a man to change his mind quickly or without forethought. He was committed. Then he began to read of another death, another marriage ended. And he changed his mind. Altered his plan: He would not make any decisions to care for anyone else unless they cared for him in an equal and full measure.

  The beauty he gazed upon had been one such person. He’d met her briefly at a house party like this one. He talked with her, enjoyed laughing with her, discussed farming of all things—and after more than twelve years, had never found her equal in any other woman.

  To admit that to himself was an honest declaration. He was not in the habit of lying to himself. Never had been. To admit that aloud to anyone else of course would be blasphemy. It would be misinterpreted because, by many measures, he had loved his two wives. He certainly loved his two daughters who survived each woman in turn.

  But this lady with her jovial manner and her lively enjoyment of others no matter their titles or riches had always been the one by whom he’d measured all others. If he would still do that after these next few days, he’d call himself fortunate, if not farsighted.

  With an assurance—or perhaps arrogance—borne of training from the nursery to the rigors of dealing with his indomitable father, he strode toward her. With a bland smile on his face, he would continue the lie she and he had created that they had only ever been blithe acquaintances. To others at this party, his greeting would appear to be a beginning for them both. Whether she still cared for him, whether he saw in her all he found in her when he was a callow nineteen, it was still vital that he discover her character once again and learn if she might ever regard him with the passion that was once theirs twelve long years ago.

  “Allow me to present the Marquess of Tain, Lady Goddard?” Their hostess for this Christmas house party was the venerable Countess of Marsden. A lady of social standing, she was a lioness among the haute ton. Her parties were legendary for the variety of attendees and the joy each guest proclaimed they enjoyed afterward. Though the lady had not opened her home to such a grand affair as this in more than a year, she did so now with the intention to brighten this Christmas season to celebrate the end of the wars. A friend of this lady whom he’d favored above all others, the Countess also knew what few ever had. He and the lady he stood before were once deeply in love.

  Tain would help her with the ruse, by Jove. As he did himself. He smiled broadly, taking the hand of the lady he’d once adored the moment she’d laughed with him.

  “I am honored, my lord.” Lady Penelope Goddard sank in a gracious curtsy. Did she cast her dark brown eyes downward in demure courtesy—or did she hide her surprise at his presence?

  “As am I, my lady.” He pressed his lips to her gloved hand. Her cold gloved hand. Desire to warm her all over ran through him like hot brandy. He wanted the rest of her supple body beneath his mouth. His hips. His skin.

  She rose and locked her gaze on his in shock and curiosity. “We did not know you would attend.”

  Was that true? The Countess had not taken the opportunity to inform Penn that he had invited himself? He could have kissed their hostess then and there! “I had no idea myself until a few days ago.”

  “You were free?” she asked, her head tilting, long ringlets of dark blonde caramel hair dancing around her rosy cheeks.

  “Free.” He savored the word that denoted why he was here at this party. Why he was in such a rush. Why he had done the unthinkable, the unacceptable, and sent a letter to the Countess of Marsden to ask—hell, he would have begged if necessary—to be invited to her eight-day Christmas revels here in her house. “Yes, more free of any engagements than I have ever been.” Since last I wished to be engaged to you.

  “How wonderful for us all,” said Penn with that little lisp between the girlish gap in her front teeth.

  She was thirty years old, a year younger than he, but she could still lure him with her happy charm and her mellifluous contralto. My God. What an exquisite creature she was. As finely boned as when he’d first met her, she had fuller cheeks and a disconcerting wisdom to her fathomless dark eyes. She was very fashionably dressed, too. The gold gown she wore gave a sheen to her skin that reminded him of a Greek goddess. In the drape of her gown, she moved like water. He allowed his wayward eyes to skim, but briefly, the line of her décolleté. Her bosom was definitely fuller than when she’d been eighteen. His blood heated. Her breasts were lovely orbs he’d pay grand homage to, if only she’d permit him.

  “I assure you,” he told her, “the honor is mine.”

  The Countess moved aside as another of her house guests came forward to greet her.

  He offered Penn his arm. “Perhaps you could introduce me to others?”

  She laid her hand on his forearm with an assurance she’d not possessed at age eighteen. “Of course. Then you will excuse me as I promised the Countess I’d help her with the introductions among so many here.”

  “Certainly. When you’re done taking me around, you may leave me with Lord Riverdale. I do know him well.” He gazed down at her, his heart clutching at her confusion at seeing him here. But when at last she had finished her introductions and they strolled toward Riverdale, he felt relief wing though her body.

  “Penn—” he appealed to her before she let go of his arm. “Please talk with me. Later in the—”

  “No.” She stepped nearer his friend
and smiled at that man. “Lord Riverdale, I do believe you are acquainted with this good gentleman?”

  “Tain!” Riverdale clapped him on the back as she murmured excuses and fled him all too soon. “Good to see you! Or is it?” his friend and neighbor asked on a sour note. “A problem with the lady?”

  A bigger one than I anticipated. “Certainly not, Riverdale. How are you?”

  Travels with Cerise!

  “Travels” today becomes a journey into the financial health of our beloved Mr. Darcy. You recall that Mrs. Bennett thought his wealth of 10,000 pounds a year, a wealthy sum! Is it?

  Let's talk about Darcy's 10,000 a year, shall we?

  Darcy fans ask the burning question: How well would Lizzie Bennet really live after she married Mr. Darcy?

  That leading statement that he had “ten thousand a year” sounds rich…but it’s enlightening to learn the facts.

  To help you savor the possibilities of stepping into Lizzie’s shoes, I found a wonderful website that translates previous years’ British pounds into current British pounds. So for your enjoyment, here’s a sample of the real cost of living for Mr. Darcy and his bride. I’ve added to the cost of a hired carriage ride and the cost of paying his servants’ salaries. (Yes, all costs are those I took from original sources of the period, give or take a few years on the publication date of Jane’s PRIDE AND PREJUDICE which is 1813.)

  A London carriage ride, hired hackney, 1-2 miles

  (ex: Charing Cross to Hyde Park Corner) 1-2 pounds

  Ladies hat, chip straw 18 pounds

  Lace trim, 6 shillings per yard

  Gown: Fine India Muslin, white, 13 per yard* 39-65 pounds

  (3-5 needed for full length dress)

  *Sewing extra

  (Alternate fabric: chintz 7-8 pounds per yard)

  Dinner party, food and wine, for 16-20 20 pounds

  Dinner for family of 4, 3-4 courses 5 pounds

  To educate (a daughter) at boarding school, including

  Transportation to, from 43 per year

  Recommended expenditure for running complete household:

  This from one current expert in the period...and the category that breaks the bank. Watch and see!

  33% of all income should go to household expenses 3300

  20% to servants’ salaries, equipage (i.e. horse, carriage) 2000

  TOTAL: 5300

  So, let’s do the math!

  Darcy has income of 10,000 pounds a year.

  To run his country home, he spends 55% a year of 10,000 = 5300. pounds

  He gives one dinner party a month x 12 = 240.

  1 ball for 100 = (equivalent of 5 dinners) = 200

  Total entertainment of others per year = 440.

  5 new dresses for his wife, Lizzie = 65 x 5= 325

  5 new hats for Lizzie, 18 x 5= 90

  Total for Lizzie: 415.

  What remains for him to expense:

  · Clothing for himself, rest of family

  · Education for children

  · Books, entertainment, etc.

  · His club dues, social responsibilities

  · Etc.

  And of course, the total to run his London townhouse is not listed here. That amount would be approximate to that of running his country estate. So add another 5300 pounds to his annual expenses as a gentleman.

  And by that rule of thumb alone, he would already be in debt by several thousand pounds.

  And what does 10,000 pounds in 1813 equal in British pounds today?

  638,000 pounds

  Converting that into American dollars at today’s inflation rate, we get

  $1,329,000.90

  Darcy is a millionaire. But if he’s running two households, I hate to say this, he’s in financial trouble.

  My Regency gentlemen are not broke. And I hope you will read all of the novels in which they star...and lavishly spend their riches on new wives!

  Especially my complete CHRISTMAS BELLES series, out now on KU!

  Who is Cerise DeLand?

  Cerise DeLand

  Cerise DeLand loves to write about dashing heroes and the sassy women they adore. Whether she’s penning historical romances or contemporaries, she has received praise for her poetic elegance and accuracy of detail.

  An award-winning author of more than 50 novels, she’s been published since 1991 by Pocket Books, St. Martin’s Press, Kensington and independent presses. Her books have been monthly selections of the Doubleday Book Club and the Mystery Guild. Plus she’s won nominations and awards for Best Historical of the Year, Best Regency and scores of rave reviews from Romantic Times, Affair de Coeur, Publisher’s Weekly and more.

  To research, she’s dived into the oldest texts and dustiest library shelves. She’s also traveled abroad, trusty notebook and pen in hand, to visit the chateaux and country homes she loves to people with her own imaginary characters.

  And at home every day? She loves to cook, hates to dust, goes swimming at least once a week and tries (desperately) to grow vegetables in her arid backyard in south Texas!

  Also by Cerise DeLand

  Regencies

  Lady Starling’s Stockings

  The Stanhope Challenge, Regency Quartet, box set

  Regency Romp Series:

  Lady Varney’s Risque Business, #1

  Rendezvous with a Duke, #2

  Masquerade with a Marquess, #3

  Interlude with a Baron, #4

  Christmas Belles, Romantic Comedy Series:

  The Earl’s Wagered Bride, #1

  The Viscount’s Only Love, #2

  The Duke’s Impetuous Darling, #3

  The Marquess’s Final Fling, #4

  The Butler’s Forbidden Fancy, #5

  Aunt Gertrude’s Red Hot Christmas Beau, #6

  Delightful Doings in Dudley Crescent, Romantic Comedy Series:

  Her Beguiling Butler, #1

  His Tempting Governess, #2

  His Naughty Maid, #3

  Erotic Regency Romances:

  His Delectable Cook

  Sense and Sensibility

  Victorian Romances

  Those Notorious Americans Series:

  Wild Lily, #1

  Daring Widow, #2

  Sweet Siren, #3

  Scandalous Heiress, #4

  Ravishing Camille, #5, Winter 2019

  Medievals

  Swords of Passion Series:

  At Her Service, #1

  For Her Honor, #2

  With Her Kiss, #3

  * * *

  Military Romances

  7 Brides for 7 SEALs Series:

  You Were Always Mine, #1

  No Getting Over You, #2

  SEALs Going Hot, box set

  Burning for Nero

  Conquering Zeus

  A Long Time Comin’ (erotic romance)

  Hard Drivin’ Man (erotic romance)

  Contemporaries

  Is That a Gun in Your Pocket? (erotic comedic suspense)

  Tall, Hard and Trouble, box set

  Tall, Hard and Mine, box set, Coming Soon!

  Tall, Hard and Fierce, box set, Coming Soon!

  ***

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