Holiday Bride: A Sweet Regency Romance (Brides of Somerset Book 5)

by Karen Lynne

  Aunt Mary treated her help almost like family and so did Isabella, especially Mildred the housekeeper, even Benjamin was friendly toward Mildred as if they were old friends. Her aunt and uncle were not particularly friends with the help but respected them all the same. A large household could not run without servants. Lillian had heard the factories in Bristol were taking a lot of workers away from domestic service, especially the younger workers. With what Mrs. Dalton paid her staff it was no wonder.

  Lillian ran a slip of clothing between her fingers, peeking from the box beside her. These donations would be of good use for those struggling to feed their families. She turned to find Benjamin watching her, that same half-smile on his face.

  “You made a convincing point Mr. Dalton.”

  “Would you call me Benjamin?”

  “That would be most inappropriate Mr. Dalton, what would people think?” It was one thing to think of him as Benjamin, but to speak it publicly, out loud. “We have only known each other for a few months.”

  He uncrossed his leg, leaning forward with both elbows on his knees, he clutched his hands together and looked into her eyes with such intensity she found it hard to look away, her heart fluttering wildly.

  Ooh, how she loved his eyes.

  “Do you care what people think, Lillian?”

  She blinked.

  “Not particularly.” Lillian bit her bottom lip. Ooh, her name slid off his tongue in the nicest way. Lillian gave him her widest smile as she fluttered her lashes in her most simpering way. “I would hate to be ostracized so quickly why I have just come out, and haven’t even attended my first Season in London.” She continued to flutter her lashes outrageously and finished with an adventurous toss of her head, causing a few tendrils to fall from her bonnet.

  Benjamin relaxed as a smile broke his face as he sat back against the seat. “I see your point, just don’t become a simpering maiden, please.”

  Lillian giggled, relaxing as well. “I see no reason why I can’t call you Benjamin while we are not in the company of others. Other than the groomsman of course.” Lillian glanced toward their driver.

  “Benjamin.”

  “Thank you, Lillian.”

  She giggled as the driver pulled the landau to a stop at the servant's entrance. Benjamin quickly jumped down and walked to the door. Lillian kept him in her sights.

  Benjamin knocked on the door, a footman answered. “I’m here to pick up the donations.”

  The young man nodded and picked up a large box handing it to him. The footman turned and retrieved the other one, following Benjamin back to the conveyance. The driver stepped down, taking the box from Benjamin. The boxes were jostled to fit. One on the floor and the other on top of the other wedged between the previous two.

  “I don’t think we will have room for more on this trip. Let’s returned these boxes to my sisters and have a wagon return for the rest.” Benjamin swung into his seat next to the crates.

  “I agree, unless we want to carry them in our laps.” Lillian rested her hand on the box beside her. A piece of hair blew across her cheek. She lifted a gloved hand to brush it aside. A breeze had picked up making her effort pointless as the hair blew across her cheek again as soon as she released it. Her eyes were like deep green pools with pale gold-specks, willing him to fall into them.

  He broke off his gaze and directed the driver to return to his sisters. He kept his eyes on scenery until his heart settled to a normal pace. The sky darkened as they neared Lord Egerton’s estate. Would they make it before the sudden squall broke loose? Lillian held her bonnet as she looked to the sky, the wind had picked up. The driver increased his speed.

  Then the clouds broke and poured.

  Rain pelted as if being dumped.

  Lillian squealed and reached for the top at the same time as he did. Struggling, he finally secured it over their heads just as the sky dumped buckets. A gust of wind caused the carriage to shudder, Benjamin wrapped his arm around her waist to keep them both from tumbling onto the floor. The driver managed to keep the landau on the road.

  The air between them crackled, her bonnet dripping, it fell drooping across her face. Benjamin blinked the water from his lashes. She hadn’t fared much better. He reached for her, tucking a wet curl behind her ears, pushing the wet brim from her face, his finger lingered on her cheek, scalding his hands.

  She shuttered, eyes wide as they dropped to his mouth.

  Another gust of wind caused the carriage to sway. Benjamin tightened his grip around her waist, his other hand reached for the top gripping a hand strap to keep them from tumbling. She reached for his lapels, gripping tight.

  Their eyes met and held for a moment.

  He could feel her heartbeat.

  Benjamin groaned inwardly taking a deep breath, he dropped his hand from her waist and gently eased her back onto her seat and looked away. Breaking the moment.

  The carriage rolled around the bend and entered the drive. The deluge stopped suddenly just as it had started leaving only puddles as a sign it had been there. He turned his head to see her head bent, her hands wiping at her dampened skirts. The straw bonnet was limp. He wondered if it could be repaired. She looked up and met his eyes. An impish grin crossed her face, and she began to laugh.

  In that moment, he knew he adored her. Adored her musical laugh, Adored the damp tendrils that had lost their curl hanging wet around her face. He adored that she wasn’t miffed at ruining her outfit, and put in an embarrassing situation, just like when he’d found her caught in the undergrowth rescuing that scrawny cat. He shook his head and joined her in her laughter.

  “What would the etiquette book say about this?”

  “I hazard to guess,” Lillian replied.

  She untied the ribbon and took off her bonnet. A footman opened the carriage door, Benjamin stepped out first, turning to help Lillian.

  The front door opened, and Mildred hurried down the steps. “It seems you were caught in the storm. Come, let’s get you dry Miss Lillian.”

  Benjamin followed behind, Lillian would be coddled and spoiled by Mildred and Isabella. Already the boxes were being unloaded from the landau. He would let his sister know that a wagon would be needed to secure the rest of the donations. First, he needed to change into some dry clothing.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Isabella fussed over Lillian while Mildred made sure warm water was brought up to the room she had been ushered into. The last she saw of Benjamin was at the foot of the stairs. What crazy weather. It had stopped as suddenly as it began, leaving puddles in its wake. A big pool in her heart.

  Had he felt the spark?

  Because she definitely felt a spark, and it was lingering. Her toes still tingled, and it wasn’t because of the cold. She wished Benjamin had kissed her.

  Ah, that would have been delightful.

  Her first kiss.

  Lillian shook her head; she should not be giving away kisses. Why, she hadn’t even given her almost betrothed a kiss. Thank heavens, the snake.

  “Miss.” A young maid addressed her.

  “My lady asked that I bring you a gown. You may return it another day.” The young girl bobbed a curtsy. Laying the day gown across the bed with clean underclothing as well. She helped Lillian finish her toilette and then helped her dress, finishing with a very complicated hairstyle.

  Isabella came into the room just as the maid finished. “You look much better, Lillian. We insist you stay to eat. It will give us a chance to talk, and I could use some help to sort through the clothing you and Benjamin brought home. He tells me a wagon is needed, and I can believe it with what you brought back from just two homes. I can send word to Aunt Mary.”

  “Thank you for the dry clothes, my lady.”

  “Now Lillian, you must call me Isabella, I feel we are almost family.” Isabella’s smile reached all the way to her hauntingly familiar blue eyes so much like Benjamins.

  Lillian stood in front of her wardrobe, sifting through her gowns. She
sucked in a calming breath trying to remember what she was doing. It had been a lovely afternoon. After eating a very delicious lunch of grouse pie, Lillian helped Isabella sort through the donations they had gathered.

  Men’s clothing separated from women’s clothing, coats, hats, and gloves in separate piles with children's and infant's clothing making up the most substantial donations. All were folded and packed into wooden crates the stable hands had left by the back door. Mildred labeled the boxes and directed them to be stored in a back room.

  Benjamin had left with the wagon and Colton, Lord Egerton, to retrieve the remainder of the donations. The weather had calmed. The storm blowing out as fast as it had come. Lillian blinked, trying to remember what she was doing, her hand gripping an older day gown. Was she addled now? Staring at the gowns in front of her.

  Donations!

  Silly girl. Lillian remembered her task and gathered some gowns she could spare and walked them downstairs. She would have the butler send for a footman to add them to the others. Isabella said other than the dresses, which would go to Fyne Court, they would be taken to Mr. Grant the parish vicar, where they would be redistributed to those in need. Lillian was sure her gowns could be repurposed for a servant girl, or even country misses like Heather’s sisters.

  Lillian’s arms full, she almost lost her load as she hit the bottom step. Gilbert stepped forward; she hadn’t seen him.

  “May I help, miss?”

  “Oh, Gilbert, yes.” Lillian let the butler take the clothing into his arms. I thought of giving these to Lady Egerton to add to her donations. She is sending them off to the vicar tomorrow. Could you see that they receive them?”

  “Certainly, miss.” Gilbert retreated down the hall balancing the bundle like a trooper.

  Lillian made her way into Aunt Mary’s favorite sitting room off the front foyer. An arch led to a large airy room that smelled of pine and woodsmoke. A small cushioned settee flanked by two over-stuffed floral-patterned chairs were arranged around a large stone fireplace where logs crackled. Aunt Mary’s favorite chair was unoccupied, but Cyrus sprawled on the rug in front of the hearth, snorting in his sleep.

  Lillian eyed the small sewing basket by the settee and decided to read instead. The room was filled with antiques that must have been in the family for generations. She walked toward the small oak bookshelf that stood between two arched windows filled with borrowed books from the main house. Lillian found the same gothic novel she’d started at Lady Eliza’s and pulled it from the shelf.

  Kicking off her slippers, she curled her toes under her gown and threw the blanket from the back of the sofa across her lap, settling in to enjoy her book.

  Just as the heroine was putting herself in peril, a scratch sounded at the window, startling her. It had grown dark outside. It was only a branch tossed by the wind brushing against the glass.

  Her mind fell back to the moment in the carriage with Benjamin. It had happened so fast, reacting to the sudden rain, their only thought to raise the top and stop the deluge, and then she found her hands braced against his shoulders to keep her upright, her fists clutched his lapels. An unwanted embrace…unplanned, and shockingly intimate.

  What would have happened if he’d kissed her? His hands on her hips searing her before he gently guided her back to her seat. Her cheeks flooded with heat at the memory.

  The butler entered carrying an oil lamp and set it by the settee casting light across Lillian’s book. She raised her hand to her cheek. It was warm in here. Her nerves were jangled as she tossed back the cover from her lap.

  Gilbert took the poker and stirred the embers before adding another log. Lillian was mesmerized by his movements. He took the tongs and added a few lumps of coal before retreating from the room again.

  “Miss Lillian, the mistress is staying in for the evening. I can send for a carriage if you would care to dine with Lord Egerton’s family.” Beatrix bent over, clipping Cyrus’s lead to his collar.

  The thought of seeing Benjamin again tonight was a little too much. “I am a little tired, I think I will stay in as well.” Lillian uncurled her legs from the sofa.

  “Very well, miss. I will ring when dinner is served.” Beatrix followed the bulldog into the hall where she could be heard passing Cyrus off to the lower footman.

  Lillian stood and returned the book to its nook. Probably not a good idea to read a romance with thoughts of Benjamin running through her head.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Lillian walked to the stables the next morning, determined to get her exercise early before she helped Aunt Mary with the Christmas boxes. She had agreed to help wrap the gifts for the servants. She breathed the cool clean breeze. Lillian liked mornings such as this where the rain had washed the air sparkly clean. She swung her wine-colored skirt across her arm and walked the quarter-mile to the main house enjoying the twenty minutes of solitary quiet by herself.

  A dog barked in the distance, it was hunters that frequented the stables, the faint yap, yap, yap, could be heard of other dogs joining in. Lillian preferred this to the fog-laden ports of Bristol and the tussle and bustle of the city. A doe cleared the trees, and Lillian stilled, watching the animal pick its way toward the tall grass. The doe raised its head, scenting the air, bolting back toward cover as it caught sight of her.

  Lillian sighed as she absorbed the surrounding peace. Her heart jolted as Benjamin came into view. He was heading toward the stables and hadn’t seen her. Something had simmered between them the day before, and she deliberately suppressed the feelings, if she gave in to it, she would soon find herself married and then it would be over. She would surrender control over her life forever.

  Benjamin strode into the stables. His mount was just being brought out of his stall. The fresh scent of hay filled the air as the animals munched on their first meal of the day.

  “Hims mighty restless this morning, sir.” The groomsman brought his mount alongside Benjamin, handing him the reins.

  Benjamin missed exercising his horse the day before because of his errand in town and the gathering of donations with Lillian, which ended in the welcome embrace. He chuckled to himself. He would have liked to kiss the temptress, but he had remained a gentleman and protected her reputation.

  He adjusted the straps and made sure the saddle was secured the way he liked, then proceeded to lift the horse's legs checking the shoes. He had two appointments to look at homes. Benjamin hoped to find a house by the end of Twelfth Night, so he could begin setting up his own place. He wanted to be near his sister and nieces.

  The stable hand was walking his sister's mare past him when he heard the rustle of skirts behind him. A tingling sensation enveloped his being when he caught sight of Lillian dressed in a wine-colored riding habit, the skirt tossed across her feminine arm. The rich jewel tones highlighted her flawless complexion. Who would have thought this little imp he rescued from his mother would capture his heart?

  “Benjamin, you’re taking exercise this morning?”

  “I am on an errand. Lord Egerton’s land agent has procured two appointments for me to see some properties I am considering.”

  “Oh?” Her eyes widened just a bit. He had wet her interest.

  “You are shopping for a place than.”

  “Yes, I had planned to when I visited my sister for the Holidays. When I attended her wedding, I decided then I wanted to live close to her. It’s close enough to Bristol that I can still manage my business dealings.”

  “I envy you. I would love to have a place of my own.” She sighed. “I will have to wait for my inheritance before I can afford a home.”

  Benjamin followed her as they led their mounts into the yard. She moved toward the mounting block.

  “I heard your inheritance will be released upon your marriage.” Benjamin watched as she stepped up on the block. The groom held the reins while Benjamin stood beside her in case she needed assistance. Lillian was a competent horsewoman, and he’d learned in the short months of their acq
uaintance that she valued her independence. He admired her for it.

  She almost bristled. “Marry and then give up control to a husband?” She adjusted her skirts after lifting her leg over the pommel. “Besides, I am too young yet. I have just come out.”

  “I see your point, you are too young, you should enjoy life, say over the next five or six years before making a choice as serious as matrimony.” He quirked his brow, repressing a grin.

  “I feel you are laughing at me, Benjamin.”

  “I most certainly am not. Do you know Isabella didn’t marry until she was past her twenty-fourth year? I think she is happy.” He wouldn’t mention it was his mother’s doing not Isabella's that she found her true love so late. He managed to keep a straight face.

  Lillian’s eyes widened. “Truly? I agree. I find your sister quite content with Lord Egerton.”

  “Lillian, why don’t you come with me. I could use a female perspective on the house. After all, I would hate my future bride to be disappointed.”

  She dithered, her horse pranced from side to side, ready to be off. Benjamin mounted his horse letting Lillian mull it over in her mind. He could see her waring with herself as the emotions crossed her face. Lillian had passion in her veins, not always able to keep to the decorum at all times like most young ladies. That’s one of the things he admired about her, it kept her interesting. Finally, making up her mind, she agreed.

  Benjamin spurred his horse forward. He had his first appointment with Mr. Jennings, the caretaker of Holden manor at ten this morning, and then off to town to a manor house that boasted one acre tucked away on Middling Street. It was quiet enough from the noise of the growing city, yet close enough to afford himself of the theater and blacksmith as well as other conveniences. He wasn’t looking to run a farm.