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    The Christmas Ruse
    The Christmas Ruse
    The Christmas Ruse
    Ebook84 pages1 hour

    The Christmas Ruse

    By Jennie Goutet

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    About this ebook

    Nicholas Cranleigh suspects his meddlesome sister is up to something when she invites him to stay at Cothill Manor at the same time as Miss Dresden. He's on his guard, but it's hard to resist a woman with luminous eyes who's in need of a savior.

     

    Lavinia Dresden is ready to sacrifice herself to save her family from financial ruin in the only path open to a woman of gentle breeding. But she hadn't counted the cost of her sacrifice until Lord Cranleigh came into her life—a man she knew to be her ideal.

     

    There remain only five days until the Christmas ball when Miss Dresden's fate will be decided, and it soon becomes apparent to Nicholas that the question is not whether he wants to save Lavinia, but whether he is able.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherJennie Goutet
    Release dateFeb 15, 2019
    ISBN9781386839040
    Author

    Jennie Goutet

    Jennie Goutet is an American-born Anglophile who lives with her French husband and their three children in a small town outside of Paris. Her imagination resides in Regency England, where her best-selling proper Regency romances are set. She is also author of the award-winning memoir Stars Upside Down, two contemporary romances, and a smattering of other published works. A Christian, a cook, and an inveterate klutz, Jennie sometimes writes about faith, food, and life—even the clumsy moments—on her blog, aladyinfrance.com. You can learn more about Jennie and her books, and sign up for her newsletter, on her author website: jenniegoutet.com. Jennie Goutet est l'auteur du récit de souvenirs primé, Stars Upside Down (Un océan d'étoiles), ainsi que des romans A Regrettable Proposal — une saga située à l’époque de la Régence anglaise — A Sweetheart in Paris et A Noble Affair. Ayant vécu en Asie, en Afrique, en Europe et à Manhattan, Jennie distille ces diverses influences culturelles au travers de ses histoires. Chrétienne, férue de lettres classiques et de cuisine, elle vit dans une petite ville de l’ouest parisien avec son mari et ses trois enfants, et partage ses passions et ses maladresses légendaires sur son blog, aladyinfrance.com. Plus d’informations sur l’auteur et ses publications sur le site jenniegoutet.com.

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      Book preview

      The Christmas Ruse - Jennie Goutet

      CHAPTER 1

      Nicky! the letter had said. You must come.

      His sister had always known just how to coax him to do what he didn’t wish to do, ever since they were children. It was not easy being the only boy amid five sisters who thought it their job to order him about, never mind that he was the head of the family. Julia was only younger by a year, and they were inseparable as children—with her, more often than not, leading the way in mischief. He had found it hard to say no.

      It will be a small gathering, her letter continued, the stuffiest people imaginable because they all are friends with my mother-in-law. But I have plans to get up a Christmas ball and promise to have all your friends in attendance—and yes, there will be a card room. You know Remy will allow me to have my way in this, especially since it corresponds so exactly with his own desire! Nicholas could hear his sister’s playful tone as he read her words, and it had made him smile.

      And, she added, before closing her letter in the most affectionate terms that brooked no refusal, Miss Lavinia Dresden—my friend from school—will arrive for a stay with her parents, who are connected to the dowager countess. There are no other young people counted among our guests, and we need an even number. Do say you’ll come.

      This last bit had given him pause. Nicholas didn’t mind his sister’s mischief when it was directed toward someone else. But he had a suspicion the arrival of Miss Lavinia Dresden and the request for his presence was no coincidence, even if her parents were particular friends of the dowager.

      He had come, however. It’d been the worst timing that Bagwell should break his leg at just this instant. Their plan to hunt with the Quorn over Christmastide was one they’d hatched last spring. Even if his own hunting box were just as well situated in Leicestershire as Bagwell’s, Nicholas would find no one to ride with at such a late stage. And as much as he didn’t mind London—or solitude—there was something melancholy about being alone over Christmas.

      The snow began to fall in thick, fat flakes as his horses’ hooves crunched over the snowy path. The light flurry suited his mood, which was cheerful and a bit nostalgic—the holidays always did that to him—and the knowledge that a warm fire and hot tea awaited him only fueled his good humor. Having cleared the woods, Nicholas saw the snowy meadow stretch before him, signaling an end to his journey. Breath from the horses’ mouths steamed in the brisk air, and he knew they would be glad to reach their destination as well. He urged his mares to pick up their pace, and no sooner had he pulled his phaeton up to the door than his sister came running out to greet him.

      I have been waiting at the window for your arrival, Julia said. I knew you would come for tea.

      Nicholas gave his lead horse an affectionate pat and leaned down to kiss his sister’s cheek. My grays made good time, as I knew they would.

      Come inside. Marcus, take the reins and lead Lord Cranleigh’s horses into the stables. I’ll send Notley with someone for the trunks.

      Julia pulled her brother forward and linked her hand through his arm. The tea is being set out in the drawing room, but you won’t care for that. Let us go to the library where we can have a comfortable coze. I cannot believe we’ve not seen each other in four months. Am I much changed, do you think?

      She did not wait for an answer before marching him into the house, where he followed somewhat blindly. Though Julia had married a man whose estate was only two towns over from their own childhood home, her husband’s manor was unfamiliar. Voices drifted out of the drawing room on his left, and Nicholas was glad Julia had not insisted he join them so soon upon arrival. He was looking forward to their own, private conversation, particularly since she would have news of their old neighbors.

      Julia entered a door that led to an echoing, secluded hallway flanked by windows on one side. Through them, he spotted what looked like a rose garden through the tiny panes, if he had divined correctly from the formation of the lumps of snow outdoors. It must be pleasing in the spring, he thought, with the meadow and trees just beyond. Ahead of him, Julia opened the door to the library.

      Oh, Lavinia, you are here just now, he heard his sister say to her guest.

      Yes, you know how I like to read after lunch. The answering voice was composed and melodic, and Nicholas could hear the smile in her tone before she came into view.

      Well, then allow me to present you to my brother, Lord Cranleigh. Nicholas, this is Miss Dresden.

      He entered the room on the heels of his sister as the young lady in question stood, a book still in her hands. It was a comfortable sight with the woman dressed in a velvet emerald-green dress that seemed chosen for its festive contrast to the burgundy upholstered chairs and the crackling fire behind her. When his gaze lifted, he beheld doe-like eyes that had a sweet expression, and a face framed by dark curls. He found himself assessed in turn.

      Miss Dresden did not lower her gaze bashfully—or coyly— as young women sometimes did when they met him, but instead held his as she curtsied. I am pleased to meet you, Lord Cranleigh.

      When Miss Dresden released him from her gaze, Nicholas realized with irritation that his suspicion had been right. His sister had orchestrated this meeting with her usual high-handedness. Nevertheless, he decided, he could not jump to the conclusion that Miss Dresden was a co-conspirator in the plan. His sister tended to work her machinations alone.

      He bowed. The pleasure is all mine, Miss Dresden.

      Well, Julia said brightly, clapping her hands together. I will go see that tea is brought. I shan’t be but a minute. She spun in a whirl of silk, and Nicholas’s mouth became a straight line. That was too obvious. He hoped Miss Dresden would set no

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