Love and Christmas Wishes: Three Regency Romance Novellas

by Rose Pearson

  Chapter Two

  “Now, we must buy you at least two new dresses.”

  Jane swallowed hard, a blush coming to her cheeks as she looked across at all the wonderful dresses that adorned the dressmaker’s shop. She could not afford such wonderful items, for whilst she had some money of her own, she simply could not waste it on a gown that would only be worn on a few occasions, since she could have no reason to wear them back in Abbeford Hall.

  “I will be purchasing them for you, as a gift,” her friend, Lady Harrows said, her voice brooking no argument. “You are to look as pretty as can be for this evening’s ball, Jane, and I will not have you disagreeing with me about anything.” She smiled at Jane as she spoke, although there was a look in her eyes that spoke of firmness. “Particularly as you did not let me purchase you a single thing the last time you came to visit.”

  “I – I do not know what to say,” Jane stammered, feeling quite overwhelmed with everything that was on offer. “I do not think I require –”

  “Oh yes, you do,” Lady Harrows replied, with a warm smile. “You deserve absolutely everything, Jane. After what you have endured of late, I quite think you do. Now, do let me have a moment with the dressmaker and I shall soon find you something quite wonderful.”

  Jane, finding nothing to say in argument to this, wandered away from Mary and allowed her friend to talk to the dressmaker, knowing that she would have a much more abundant knowledge of such things. She flushed slightly as she took in the low bodice of one particular gown, thinking to herself that London fashions were rather different to those in the country.

  Having come to London only two days prior, Jane had found herself thrown into a whirlwind of delightful events and occasions. Mary Grainger, who was now Lady Harrows, had been ‘left quite alone’ as she had put it, by her husband, Lord Harrows, who had gone to look over some holdings near the border. Mary, being quite disinclined to travel anywhere near Scotland at this particular time of year, had chosen to remain in London, although she did not seem put out by this very much at all. She had welcomed Jane with a brilliant smile, an embrace and then a prolonged discussion about all the things they would soon be doing whilst she was here in London for the little Season. Last year, although she had been invited to come to London, Jane had been unable to do so given that the family had already accepted an invitation from the Baron Carmody, where she had first met Viscount Halifax. At least, this time, she would not have to worry about seeing Viscount Halifax again, quite relieved that her heart would not be thrown into a quandary of love and confusion all over again.

  She sighed to herself as she wandered back towards Mary, forcing her thoughts away from Viscount Halifax and back towards what wonders would be awaiting her this evening. It was to be a spectacular Christmas ball, or so Mary said, and Jane was quite certain that it would be a truly marvelous occasion. Thankfully, George had promised to practice dancing with her before the ball, so that she would not be too afraid to stand up with anyone. Not that she expected many – if any – gentlemen to take notice of her, but at least George would be there to dance with her.

  “Here now, Jane,” Mary cried, beckoning her over. “Is this not a wonderful shade of green?”

  Jane frowned, a little unsure as to whether dark green would truly suit her complexion and coloring. “I fear that I may look a little too much like a holly tree, Mary.”

  Mary laughed and waved her hand. “Nonsense. At the very least, try it on and see what you think then. I am quite certain that it will go with your dark hair and hazel eyes quite perfectly.”

  Resigning herself to the fact that Mary would know best, Jane did as she was instructed and began to make her way across the shop towards the back room where she might change, only to come to a dead stop, astonished at what she saw.

  “Jane?” Mary asked, hurrying towards her. “is everything quite all right?”

  Jane could not answer for a moment, one hand pressed against her chest as she stared out of the shop window and out onto the wintery London streets. The clouds were low today, threatening to rain down upon all of London’s inhabitants at any moment, but despite the gloom, she could quite clearly make out a particular gentleman who was standing talking to another man in the middle of the street.

  “That is Viscount Halifax,” she whispered, feeling herself begin to shake. “Oh, Mary! Whatever is he doing here?” She glanced towards her friend before dragging her eyes back to the scene before her, her heart hammering painfully. This was not what she had ever expected when she had planned to come to London. This was to be an escape, a chance to sort out her confusing feelings about the gentleman so that, when the time came, she would be able to greet the news of her sister’s engagement with true happiness and contentment.

  And yet, for whatever reason, here he was standing just outside the very shop she was in.

  “I do not understand it,” Mary murmured, one hand resting gently on Jane’s arm. “But you need not worry about it now, my dear. Come away. Come and try on your dress and put Lord Halifax from your mind. No doubt he has come here on business or some such thing. I am quite sure we will not see him again. Come now. Please.”

  Mary tugged her lightly and, a little reluctantly, Jane began to follow her into the dressing room. Her mind was scrambling to make sense of what she had seen, wondering why on earth Viscount Halifax had come to London, so soon after she herself had arrived. Beginning to panic, she clutched at her chest, fearing that Viscount Halifax had come with some sort of terrible news about her family and had come in search of her.

  “Calm yourself, my dear girl,” Mary said, practically. “I shall go and speak to the gentleman, shall I? I can see that you are quite frantic with nerves.”

  Jane swallowed and nodded in her friend’s direction, suddenly fearing the worst. “If you could, I would be most grateful.”

  “Only if you promise to be in that gown by the time I come back,” Mary stated, firmly, eyeing Jane with a severe eye. “My dear friend, you need not fear his presence here. I am sure there is a simple explanation for it.”

  Jane nodded woodenly and allowed the dressmaker to help her out of her old gown and into the brand new one, not even looking at herself in the mirrors as she waited for Mary’s return. Time seemed to slow, moving past at a terrible, agonizing pace as she waited, not even hearing the dressmaker’s almost continuous compliments that the gown she wore was utterly enchanting.

  Finally, the door opened, and Mary reappeared, her cheeks a little red. “You need not worry, Jane, everything is quite all right. I went out to pretend to see if the carriage had returned, only to be greeted by Lord Brently, whom I am already acquainted with. He introduced me to Lord Halifax, who murmured something about already being acquainted with me and I pretended to only just recall that we had met during the summer Season, although I quite recollect everything about him already. Of course, I mentioned that I was within this shop with a particular friend and that we were expecting the carriage at any moment to return us back to my townhouse.” She rubbed her hands together to take away the chill, her eyes a little sharp. “I asked if he was in London for long and he said he was not certain, that he had only just arrived and that he had come to find something of a most precious nature.”

  Jane blinked, her stomach twisting this way and that. “Precious?” she repeated, trying to work out what such a statement might mean.

  “I think,” her friend said, a good deal more gently. “That mayhap he is looking for an engagement gift for your sister, if not a Christmas gift.” Her smile was sympathetic, as Jane felt the tension leave her bones. “It would make sense, would it not? After all, there are not many shops or the like in Abbeford Hill, are there?”

  “No,” Jane replied, her heart sinking low. “No, there is not.”

  “But, this does mean that we are not about to meet him again at any balls or musical performances,” Mary continued, practically. “He will be looking for this precious item, whatever it is, and then will return
to your sister. You need not worry, Jane. I am quite sure you will not see him again any time soon.” Her eyes glowed, her smile spreading across her face as she took in Jane’s new gown. “And even if you were to meet him, I do not think that he would recognize you. That gown is most becoming, my dear, and quite brings out the color of your eyes.”

  For the first time, Jane looked at herself in the mirror and found, much to her astonishment, that Mary was quite correct in what she had said. She did, in fact, look quite becoming in this new gown, and it did seem to bring out the flecks of green in her hazel eyes.

  “You will have your hair set,” Mary said, as Jane continued to study her reflection. “And we will need a new cloak and certainly new gloves and reticule to go with it all.” Reaching out, she caught Jane’s hand and pressed it tightly. “You see, my dear? All is not lost. You will be able to put Viscount Halifax from your mind and your heart very soon, I am quite sure. For as soon as another gentleman lays his eyes on you, he will be quite overcome.”

  Jane smiled, choosing to do as Mary had said and forget about Viscount Halifax as best as she could. “I think, Mary, that my features will remain the same no matter what you do. I will remain the same, plain girl that I have always been.”

  Mary shook her head firmly, refusing to listen and accept what Jane said. “You think yourself plain because you have always been told it,” she replied, with a touch of anger. “But that is not the truth, Jane. You have a beauty all of your own. Your strength of character, your selflessness and your kind, gentle heart are more wonderful than anything else. It will take a gentleman worthy of you to see that, Jane.”

  And how sorrowful that I have lost my heart to a gentleman who does not even recall our first meeting, Jane thought to herself, as she began to change back into her other gown. “Thank you, Mary,” she said aloud, wondering if she would ever truly be able to forget him. “You are very kind to say so. I do not think, however, that I shall ever be able to marry a gentleman knowing that I still care for another. It would not be right for me to do so, even though I know he does not return my affections.” She shrugged, seeing Mary’s compassionate expression. “But, mayhap in time, I will be able to accept my sister’s happiness and thereafter, allow another into my heart.”

  “Time will tell,” Mary replied, gently. “Now, come along. We are to take tea with Lady Polson, who is a very dear friend of mine. And then, it shall be back to the house to prepare for this evening’s ball. Do not tell me that you are not a little excited?”

  Jane laughed as they walked into the shop again, with parcels now piled high on the counter. “I confess that I am a little excited, yes,” she admitted, thinking of her new gown and cloak. “I am quite sure that, just so long as I do not see Lord Halifax again, I shall have a most wonderful evening at Lord and Lady Trenton’s ball.”

  Chapter Three

  “You are very kind to have invited me this evening, particularly on such short notice.” Viscount James Halifax bowed over the hand of Lady Trenton, who smiled at him before turning her attention to the next guest. Greeting Lord Trenton – who was, in fact, an old friend of James’, he murmured a few words of greeting before making his way into the beautifully decorated ballroom.

  “Now, you cannot tell me that you have not missed sights such as this!” his friend, Lord Brently exclaimed, coming to stand by James’ side. “A ball, filled with wonderful young ladies to dance with, music to gladden the heart and wonderful decorations to remind us of the upcoming festive season.”

  “Which is less than a fortnight away,” James murmured, wondering if he would ever be able to find Miss Jane Brookes before he had to return back to Abbeford Hall. He had taken a rather abrupt leave of his host and had promised to return before Christmas, as he had already accepted an invitation to reside there during the festivities. Of course, he could have awaited back there for Jane’s return to the vicarage, but such had been his haste and his urgency to see her again, to confess his love for her and beg for her hand in marriage, that he had done the only thing possible and come to London after her. Miss Katie Brookes had promised to write to her sister the very afternoon they had brought their own situation to an end, so he was quite sure that Miss Jane Brookes was now apprised of all that had occurred and was aware of how things now stood.

  “You look a little overwhelmed, Halifax,” Lord Brently chuckled, shaking his head. “Have you quite forgotten the beauty of these eligible young ladies? They will be more than glad to dance with you, I am quite sure.”

  “And yet,” James replied, firmly. “I am less inclined to dance with them, I’m afraid. I have a few people I must speak to before I can engage in any sort of enjoyment such as dancing.” He did not tell Lord Brently that the only person he wished to dance with was one Jane Brookes, and if she was not to be found here, then he would consider his evening quite wasted.

  “My goodness, you are a somber one,” Lord Brently murmured, with a slightly raised eyebrow. “Then again, you were never one for flirtations and the like, although why that should be, I have never quite understood.”

  James resisted the urge to roll his eyes, thinking it best not to go into his reasons for finding the flirtations of the ladies of the ton to be less than desirable. It did not compare to Miss Jane Brookes’ calm and considerate way of speaking, the way she always thought for a moment before responding. He much preferred the quiet yet honest lady to the loud and flirtatious ladies of the beau monde.

  “I think I shall have to leave you,” Lord Brently declared, with a feigned, heavy sigh. “I cannot bear the thought of spending the evening in such…unexciting company.” He grinned, making James laugh, knowing that his friend had always been inclined towards dancing with and talking with as many ladies as he could in one evening.

  “I shall not mind if you do so,” he said, waving Lord Brently away. “Enjoy your evening.”

  Lord Brently grinned before hurrying down the few steps that led into the ballroom, leaving James to stand alone. He was not in any particular rush to join the other guests, much preferring to stand alone on the balcony and watch the crowd with careful eyes. He wanted to see if Miss Brookes was here but, given the sheer number of guests, he was not at all certain he would be able to spot her.

  His heart clamored wildly in his chest, making him feel a little uneasy. Everything had become so muddled these last few weeks. He had gone to stay with his friend, the honorable Stewart Grainger and his father, Baron Carmody, only to meet with the vicar, his wife, and his daughters whom he could not quite recollect by name only. The moment he had laid eyes on Miss Jane Brookes, he had been hit with a startling realization.

  He had met the lady before. He had remembered greeting her and dancing with her the previous year at the Carmody estate festive house party, on more than one occasion he was quite sure. He had found her quiet but quite able to converse with him easily in time. Her conversation had been good, her quick wit quite capturing his attention – and yet, to his shame, had quite forgotten her name. When they were introduced again at the Carmody estate this year, he could not simply state that he had met her before but had forgotten who she was entirely, for that would have been more than rude. Instead, he had simply smiled and greeted her as though they had never met before which, in hindsight, he now deeply regretted.

  Last year, he had been quite taken with the lady but, given that he had no thoughts of matrimony or the like, had dismissed the thought of calling upon her or anything of the sort. Of course, in the year since, he had come to realize his duties and responsibilities as a titled gentleman of the nobility and so had returned to London for the Season in the summertime, thinking to find a lady then. Unfortunately, he had discovered that the eligible young ladies of the ton were not inclined towards frank conversation and genuine interest in his thoughts and opinions, as he had found Miss Brookes to be. Instead, they did nothing but bat their eyes, wave their fans and expect him to come chasing after them as though he were a wolf and they a herd of sheep. H
e was disinclined towards them entirely, finding none that stood out from the others and thinking to himself that not a single lady would ever compare with the one he had met only a few months prior. To have been given the opportunity to meet her again was, he was quite sure, his second chance, only to see how she was often in the company of one George Grainger.

  His heart had sunk to the floor, making him realize that he had already lost his opportunity. Therefore, he had set his sights on the younger sister, Miss Katie Brookes, who had been beautiful, elegant and charming. However, he had enjoyed his conversations with Jane Brookes more than any he had shared with Miss Katie Brookes and had come to find himself waiting to see Jane more than the lady he was meant to be courting. It had been quite hopeless, he had told himself, trying his best to fix his heart on the younger sister but finding that he failed completely each and every time.

  When he heard that Jane had come to London in the company of George Grainger, he had tried to propose to Miss Katie Brookes as he was expected to do, only to find himself immediately regretting his words and pulling back from them almost at once. What a relief it was to discover that the end of their courtship was desired by both himself and Miss Katie! He had then been informed that George Grainger was nothing more than a family friend and, chastising himself for being quite wrong in the matter, had set off after Miss Jane to London.

  Except now, he could not find the lady, no matter where he looked. He had been here a day and had wandered through the London streets in the hope of seeing her out shopping or walking during the afternoon, albeit a rather cold and wintery one, but had not had any particular success. There had been a Lady Harrows who had come across them in the street, whom he had vaguely remembered but aside from that, he had not so much as caught a glimpse of Miss Jane Brookes.