A Christmas Match: A Regency Romance (Landon House Book 4) Read online

  A Christmas Match: A Regency Romance

  Landon House (Book 4)

  Rose Pearson

  Landon Hill Media

  Contents

  A Christmas Match: A Regency Romance

  A Christmas Match: A Regency Romance

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Epilogue

  A Sneak Peek of Love and Christmas Wishes

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  My Dear Reader

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  A Christmas Match: A Regency Romance

  Landon House

  (Book 4)

  By

  Rose Pearson

  © Copyright 2020 by Rose Pearson - All rights reserved.

  In no way is it legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document by either electronic means or in printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited and any storage of this document is not allowed unless with written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved.

  Respective author owns all copyrights not held by the publisher.

  A Christmas Match: A Regency Romance

  Prologue

  “Lady Charity?”

  Lady Charity Forrest looked up from her book, seeing the maid standing in the doorway.

  “Yes?”

  “I beg your pardon, but your father has asked to see you.”

  A little surprised, Charity set aside her book and rose.

  “Is something the matter?” she asked, but the maid only looked back at her blankly. Charity smiled to herself ruefully, realizing, of course, that the Duke of Landon would never say a word to a mere servant about what he intended to speak of to his daughter. That being said, it was rather unusual for her father to have called her in such a manner. The Duke of Landon, whilst always willing to do his best for his daughters, was not a gentleman who had any evident desire to be close to them. Charity enjoyed their conversations around the dinner table but, aside from that, nothing of any particular intimacy was ever discussed. “Where is he at present?”

  “In his study, my Lady,” the maid replied, stepping aside so that she might hold the door open for Charity to walk through. “He did say that it was to be at once.”

  All the more astonished, Charity made her way quickly towards the study, feeling a slight twist of unease settle itself into her heart. Surely there could be nothing wrong? They had enjoyed a very happy autumn, for her older sister, Lady Selina, had found happiness with the Earl of Barrington and had wed only a few weeks after the Season had ended. It had been joyous for Charity to see her sisters again, for there were now three wed and settled as mistresses of their own estates, whilst Charity, Maria and Dorothea remained at home. Her younger two sisters were, at present, engaged by their governess who had insisted that they practice their painting, whilst Charity, being a little older, was quite ready and prepared for her debut into society come the following summer Season.

  Reaching the door of her father’s study, Charity hesitated for a moment before she lifted her hand and rapped sharply upon it. Straightening her shoulders and hearing her father calling her to enter, she took a breath and stepped inside, placing a gentle smile on her face and hiding away the worry which had begun to take hold of her heart.

  Thankfully, the Duke smiled at her the moment she stepped inside, and Charity instantly felt her heart lift just a little.

  “My dear Charity,” the Duke said, gesturing for her to move closer. “Come in, my dear. Please, do sit down.”

  “Thank you, Father,” she replied, sitting down carefully so that she would not wrinkle her skirts. “Is something the matter?”

  The Duke lifted his thick eyebrows, his green eyes twinkling.

  “Nothing is wrong, my dear, if that is what concerns you. No, indeed, it is that I have had news from Lady Hayward and I thought it best to inform you at once about what has been decided.”

  Charity blinked rapidly, her anxiety dissipating.

  “Lady Hayward?” she repeated, knowing precisely who the lady was, and wondering what this would mean for her. “I am to see her very soon, am I not?”

  Lady Hayward had guided her elder sisters through society and, thus far, had done very well indeed in helping secure each of them an excellent match. She was aiding the Duke of Landon with his daughters in exchange for his guidance, support and aid with her own sons – the eldest of whom had taken on the title at a fairly young age. It was an arrangement which seemed to suit both Lady Hayward and the Duke and Charity had to confess that she was eagerly anticipating when it would be her turn.

  “My dear, London is still very busy this time of year,” the Duke replied, as Charity began to frown. “Some may call it the ‘little Season’, but I am of the opinion that it will do you very well indeed.”

  Her heart immediately sank low.

  “You mean to say that I am not to wait for the spring Season, father?” she asked, knowing full well that winter in London was certainly nowhere near as exciting nor as fulfilling as the spring Season. Yes, there would be balls and the like, but there would not be as many of the ton present and, given the cold and the dark, certainly a good deal less for her to do during the day. There would be no sunlit walks through Hyde Park, no lingering conversations on the London streets. Rather, she would have to set her hopes on all of the other social events which would take place, few as they might be!

  “You leave within the fortnight,” the Duke said, with a broad smile settling across his face, making it seem as though she were to feel nothing but joy at this news. “Lady Hayward’s son – the second of them – is also to be in London, I believe, in order to discuss a few matters of business with his solicitors and, if I am correct in stating this, in the hope of securing a bride!”

  He chuckled, his eyes twinkling, but Charity could not find even a modicum of mirth in this remark. She had no intention of setting her cap at Lady Hayward’s son, regardless of what her father might think!

  “I see,” she replied, with as gracious a smile as possible. There was no cause for her to complain, no matter if she did feel a little disappointed. To do so would be impolite and churlish, and she did not want her father to think that there was any ingratitude on her part. “Thank you, father. Is there anything that I need to do to prepare?”

  The Duke shook his head.

  “You will be able to purchase all that you require once you are in London. Lady Hayward will guide your every step, as she has done with your sisters. I am sure it will go very well, my dear.” Appearing now rather satisfied, he folded his hands and rested his arms on the table. “You will be glad to go to London, I am sure.”

  “Yes, father, of course.” Charity forced a smile to her face and rose, realizing now that the conversation was at an end. “Thank you for making such an arrangement. I – I will be sorry, however, to spend Christmas away from you and my sisters.”

  A small smile lifted the Duke’s lips.

  “I am sure you will, my dear Charity, but it is something that you will have to become used to.” His shoulder lifted in a half shrug. “After all, let us hope that, by next Christmas, you will be residing in your husband’s home as mistress of his estate!”

  Charity tried to keep her smile fixed in place, in the face of the sudden r
ealization that this might very well be the last few days she had to reside in her father’s house before a great deal would change for her. Much to her surprise, her heart began to quicken as though she were afraid and, whilst she managed to bob a curtsey and excuse herself from her father’s study, the sensation did not leave her.

  Pausing just outside the closed door of the study, Charity put one hand to her chest and tried to steady her breathing. Closing her eyes, she took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, telling herself that she was being foolish. She had been anticipating the Season, had she not? She had known that it would be her turn to go in search of a suitable match and had thought that she would be excited by it. Now, it seemed, she was actually a little afraid.

  It has come sooner than you thought, that is all, she told herself, opening her eyes and dropping her hand. There is just a little less time to prepare than you had expected.

  “Charity?” She looked up to see her younger sister Maria looking at her with wide eyes. “Are you quite all right?”

  Charity nodded, managing to place a smile on her face.

  “I am,” she said, quickly. “Father has just informed me that I am to go to London with Lady Hayward – for the winter, not the spring Season.”

  Even though she tried to inject a little brightness into her voice, a little eagerness, she was not particularly surprised when Maria came a little closer and took her hand, looking up into her face with a true understanding etched there.

  “It will be quite all right,” Maria said, with such gentleness that Charity wanted to let the tears which had begun to burn in her eyes begin to fall. “That is something of a surprise, certainly, given that it is sooner than you expected, but you will do very well in London, I am sure.”

  The words seemed to stick in Charity’s throat.

  “I will miss you.”

  “And we will miss you also,” came the quiet reply. “But it is your turn now, Charity. Your turn to be in London society, to dance, to converse and to enjoy all that it has to offer.” She squeezed Charity’s hand gently. “And you will find yourself a handsome husband and be very contented indeed.”

  Charity smiled back at her sister, a single tear trickling down her cheek.

  “I must hope so, Maria. I certainly hope so.”

  Chapter One

  “Now, let me look at you.” Charity smiled rather self-consciously as Lady Hayward looked at her steadily, her eyes kind. “Your coloring is a little different to that of your elder sisters,” Lady Hayward continued, after a moment. “With your auburn hair, you will need to wear colors which show it off to its greatest advantage.” She tilted her head. “And your eyes…” A smile crossed her lips. “Hazel. I presume those were from your mother’s side of the family, rather than your father’s?”

  “Indeed,” Charity replied, a little surprised that Lady Hayward recalled such details. “I believe I resemble her a great deal.”

  Lady Hayward’s smile was gentle.

  “Then she must have been a very beautiful lady,” she replied, as a faint blush warmed Charity’s cheeks. After a moment, she gave herself a slight shake. “Your father has stated that we are to purchase anything you require – which, given that it is the winter Season here in London, may be a good many things!” She chuckled and Charity could not help but smile. “Certainly, you will need a few more gowns. And, in addition, a very warm pelisse and cloak, for I fear that we will step outside into the ice and frost many evenings over these next few weeks!” A small flickering frown creased her forehead. “And mayhap a new pair of half-boots?” Charity hesitated. She knew very well that her father had a great deal of wealth but did not want to be excessive when it came to her use of it. “My dear,” Lady Hayward continued, smiling as she looked into Charity’s face. “There is no need to concern yourself about purchasing such items. It is quite reasonable for you to have an entirely new wardrobe, and your father has been very specific that no expense is to be spared, just as nothing was held back for your sisters.”

  Letting out a breath she had not known she had been holding, Charity allowed herself a small nod.

  “Then I would be pleased if we might purchase a new pair of half-boots also,” she said, as Lady Haywood nodded. “And mayhap a new muff?”

  “Two, in fact!” Lady Hayward declared. “And certainly three velvet hats, in differing shades.”

  Appearing quite satisfied, she turned to speak to the modiste, leaving Charity to look about the shop. Her measurements had been taken earlier, in the private rooms in the section of the shop reserved for that process, and now it as just a matter of finalizing the list of all that was required.

  There was, in this establishment, to the point that Charity was a little overwhelmed by it all, practically everything a lady, or for that matter, a gentleman, might wish to purchase - for this modiste’s was unusual, in that it shared premises with a tailor. Leaving Lady Hayward to discuss her specific requirements with the modiste, Charity continued to look at all that the shop had to offer her, trailing her fingers gently down a long silk ribbon which caught her attention.

  “I do not know why you are so downhearted.”

  Charity could not help but glance up, seeing two gentlemen stepping into the shop, both stamping their feet to chase away some of the cold from their toes.

  “It is not as though you are required to be in London.”

  The second gentleman grimaced, his eyes roving around the shop – and Charity looked away quickly, not wanting to catch his gaze and make it apparent that she had overheard his companion talking.

  “It is better for me to be in company than be back at my estate alone,” came the low voice of the second gentleman. “Although London is not a good deal better, I admit.”

  A little surprised at the irritation in the gentleman’s voice, Charity turned away from the gentlemen entirely so that her back was to them. Thinking it best to make her way back to Lady Hayward, she began to slowly move back towards her chaperone, still permitting herself to study all that was there.

  “There will be excellent company, I am sure,” came the voice of the first gentleman, making no attempt to hide his words from Charity or Lady Hayward. “London may be quieter in the winter but that does not mean that there will be any fewer opportunities.”

  The hard, grating laugh which came from the second gentleman sent a flurry of surprise down Charity’s spine and she started violently at the unexpected sound.

  “You cannot call me your friend if you believe that I have any interest in seeking out such opportunities,” came the reply, making Charity’s face flush as she realized what he meant. “I have no intention of doing anything other than playing cards and being in excellent company at White’s and the like.”

  “Then you are a fool,” said the first gentleman, solemnly. “For you miss out on a the cheer and joy of the winter season, which might, should you let it, press hard against your melancholy and your low spirits, and refuse to allow them to linger within your soul any longer. And would that not be a good thing?”

  Charity reached Lady Hayward just as the second gentleman finished speaking, putting a quick smile on her face as Lady Hayward glanced up at her. Part of her wanted desperately to turn around and look at the gentleman in question, to discover precisely who he was and why he was so set against all that London had to offer – in particular, good company – but propriety told her she could not.

  “And when will those be ready?”

  Charity listened as the modiste finished discussing the finer details of Charity’s new gowns and various other items, before the modiste suggested that she have one final look around the shop and make certain that she had ordered all that she required.

  “An excellent suggestion,” Lady Hayward replied, with a broad smile. “Thank you for your assistance. We will do as you suggest.” Turning, she caught Charity’s arm for a moment. “The new cloak and boots will be with you in a few days’ time,” she told Charity, who was still doing her best not to
look at the two gentlemen who were now just to her right, seemingly discussing something of importance. “And the muff and hats we will take home this very afternoon! And your gowns, of course, must be sewn to the first stage, before they are brought to the house for fitting. But I am certain that, within a sennight, you shall have all that you require.”

  “Thank you, Lady Hayward,” Charity replied, feeling a small glow of contentment begin to fill her chest. “I look forward to receiving everything.”

  “And now, what about evening gloves?” Lady Hayward exclaimed, a sudden smile spreading across her face. “There is something that I did not consider! Do you require a new pair of evening gloves?”

  Charity opened her mouth to state that she already had two very fine pairs – although none were new – only for them to suddenly come into the path of the two gentlemen. Given that there was not a great deal of space within the shop, Lady Hayward quickly excused them with a murmur, and made to take Charity elsewhere, only for the first gentleman to speak.

  “Pray, do not allow our presence to prevent you from coming this way!” he exclaimed, as Lady Hayward stopped quickly and looked back at him, finally allowing Charity to do the same. “I was merely looking for a new pair of gloves for my wife.”

  He smiled at both of them, bowed, and then stepped back, gesturing for them to step forward. Lady Hayward hesitated for a moment or two, only for her eyes to light up and a small laugh to escape her.