Winning Lady Jane: A Christmas Regency Romance (Ladies of Bath Book 0)
Page 1
Contents
Also By Isabella Thorne
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Winning Lady Jane
I. Merriment & Mistletoe
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
II. Holly & Heartbreak
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
III. Friends & Finery
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
IV. Sapphires & Snow
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Epilogue
Don’t Miss The Ladies of Bath
Sneak Peek of The Baron in Bath
Chapter 1
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Also By Isabella Thorne
Also By Isabella Thorne
The Ladies of Bath
Winning Lady Jane ~ A Christmas Regency Romance
The Duke’s Daughter ~ Lady Amelia Atherton
The Baron in Bath ~ Miss Julia Bellevue
The Deceptive Earl ~ Lady Charity Abernathy
The Hawthorne Sisters
The Forbidden Valentine ~ Lady Eleanor
The Baggington Sisters
The Countess and the Baron ~ Prudence
Almost Promised ~ Temperance
The Healing Heart ~ Mercy
The Lady to Match a Rogue ~ Faith
Nettlefold Chronicles
Not Quite a Lady; Not Quite a Knight
Stitched in Love
Other Novels by Isabella Thorne
The Mad Heiress and the Duke ~ Miss Georgette Quinby
The Duke’s Wicked Wager ~ Lady Evelyn Evering
Short Stories by Isabella Thorne
Love Springs Anew
The Mad Heiress' Cousin and the Hunt
Mischief, Mayhem and Murder: A Marquess of Evermont
Mistletoe and Masquerade ~ 2-in-1 Short Story Collection
Colonial Cressida and the Secret Duke ~ A Short Story
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Winning Lady Jane
A Christmas Regency Romance
All rights reserved.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Winning Lady Jane © 2019 by Isabella Thorne
Cover Art by Mary Lepiane
2019 Mikita Associates Publishing
Published in the United States of America.
www.isabellathorne.com
1
The sun was shining on a cold December morning, and the day was full of possibilities. Miss Jane Bellevue fastened her last button and smoothed her travel frock, thinking about how unlikely it was that she would be dressing herself again any time soon.
Fancier dresses took more care than her simple robe. Jane took pride in the task today, reminding herself that she was not noble, but neither was she helpless. No matter how exciting her trip, nor how esteemed her new companions, she would not allow her head to be turned by such things as servants performing simple tasks for her.
Jane found it a satisfying pleasure to see a task well done, not at all like some ladies who could do nothing without a ladies’ maid or a man to hold their hand. After her mother died in a carriage accident, Jane’s father had taken her into his confidence. He had relied upon her in her mother’s absence, and Jane saw the advantages of his tutelage. He had taught her sums and shared all manner of his business practices, ensuring that his daughter grew into a clever and capable young woman. Jane had to laugh at herself for even considering that perhaps a servant would be undertaking mundane tasks for her in the future. She was having grand designs again.
Her family was not of noble birth, but she loved them all the same. Jane knew that neither money, property, nor even a title, could provide a guarantee of gentle nature. Her father was simply Mr. Bellevue, the second son of the second son of a viscount. Jane loved him dearly, and her little sister Julia was a joy. So what that Jane’s family was not the crème de le crème of the Beau Monde Ton? They were hers.
If truth be told, her extended family did possess some gems. Not that Jane had ever spent much time with her more esteemed relatives. She had met briefly with several, but there was no love lost between them. Although she sometimes envied the bustle of her friends’ houses, her father and Julia were enough family for Jane.
Still, I should have seen my cousins in Bath, she thought. I should have made connections as Father wished. The viscount still had a house there, as did Jane’s father. For some time now she had been certain their paths would cross naturally.
Jane would not insinuate herself into higher circles simply to find a match. Such action seemed disingenuous, so she had left the matter to fate. Surely serendipity would strike, and her more noble relatives would invite her to join their number, but Jane and her esteemed cousins had missed one another at every turn.
No matter, Jane told herself. They were likely in London for the season now; not that she would see them there either. The expense of a season was too great for one such as plain Jane Bellevue.
Although her father affectionately called her Lady Jane in jest when she was feeling particularly high-minded, the truth was she was only a simple miss. Mr. Bellevue was no pauper, but neither was he overly wealthy. Jane knew she must be temperate in her desires.
She had known there would be no London season from the time she was old enough to consider it. The dresses alone would be a terrible expense. One she knew her father could not bear; despite his wish to give his daughters everything. Still, luck had been with Jane this summer past, and now, who knew where her new friendships would take her.
Perhaps she would find love. The thought made her giddy and she hoped that it would be true. Jane was not yet considered a spinster, but time was ominously ticking by. Her task as eldest daughter was to marry and to marry well. She knew this and did not mind it, but she wished for someone she could get on with.
She was looking for a friend and true life companion. A good match would provide her younger sister, Julia with greater opportunities than were afforded to Jane herself.
Jane examined her face in the glass. She was no great beauty, but neither was
she unappealing. She was on the petite side, with a full and bountiful figure. She had dark hair and dark eyes, which were not the current fashion. Blondes were more likely to be viewed with approval. Still, Jane looked carefully and could find no sign of wrinkles about her eyes or forehead.
She still looked young and fresh, not at all the spinster. Surely, there was some gentleman who wanted a woman of real substance, rather than one possessing mere monetary gain and pale fragile beauty. She had met no such man.
Jane stood back from the glass and shook her head to clear such thoughts. She surveyed her bedchamber critically, wondering at the person she would be when she next returned. Would she be changed by noble association? She had left this room before, with such high hopes. This summer past she had thought, surely, she would return a lady spoken for. She was not.
She had met no gentleman to her liking in Bath, although she had met several ladies of quality. She knew Lady Charity Abernathy, the daughter of the Earl of Shalace, from their shared association with the Poppy family. Lady Charity visited Bath often when her father came to take the waters.
Also last summer she met Lady Charlotte Keening, younger sister to the Earl of Keegain. Lady Charlotte was outgoing, friendly and did not seem to mind Jane’s lower birth. Jane had enjoyed Lady Charlotte’s company since she had quite literally run into the young lady upon the streets of Bath.
Lady Charlotte admitted that her family did not often summer in Bath, preferring Brighton, but a potential suitor had convinced Lady Charlotte to reconsider her travel plans, and with Charlotte’s persuasion, the family had decided to let a house in Bath instead of Brighton for their summer holiday.
Jane took it upon herself to show Lady Charlotte all of the best shops in Bath. In turn, Charlotte introduced Jane to some of her London friends, who regularly summered in the city.
In addition to Lady Charity, there was Lady Patience Beatram, the redheaded daughter of the Earl of Battonsbury. Lady Patience was sweet and welcoming. Her friend, Lady Amelia Atherton, the only daughter of the Duke of Ely, was a bit more detached.
Lady Amelia was blonde, coolly disaffected and unutterably beautiful. Lady Amelia thought it her task to bring all her companions up to her high standard, which both Lady Charity and Lady Charlotte eschewed with much amusement.
Jane however, did not argue that she could use a bit more polish, and she was grateful to the duke’s daughter for her assistance. Even though, Lady Amelia was sometimes abrasive with her opinions, Jane thought she meant well and officiousness was somewhat expected of one so high born. Jane did not take offense at Lady Amelia’s candor.
Jane had not found a husband while society progressed in Bath, but she had made friends and that was certainly a step in the right direction. Lady Amelia and Lady Charlotte and most especially Lady Patience did not look down upon Jane for her humble beginnings, nor did Lady Charity and Jane was grateful to be accepted into their circle of friends.
Still, Jane was not sure how she felt about being in the company of ladies of such renown. At summer’s end when Lady Charlotte promised she would invite Jane to visit her at her country home, Jane had tried not to be overly excited. Jane did not know the ladies well and, although she had enjoyed their summer together immensely, she had a sinking feeling that Lady Charlotte would forget all about her plain companion once she returned home.
Jane was overjoyed when Lady Charlotte had remembered her promise and invited Jane to celebrate the Christmas season with her family at their country manor, Kennett Park. She had hesitated at the thought of spending Christmas away from home, but Charlotte spoke of a visit to London afterwards once the weather cleared if Jane so wished. It was a taste of a true London season, and Jane could not refuse. She would rejoin her Father and sister before long.
The trip had now captured Jane’s utmost attention. She whirled around the room, searching for any small item left unpacked, but nothing was out of place. Jane would have hated to leave a mess behind for their elderly maid, and she liked having everything in proper order. She checked once more to be sure that the small gifts she had chosen for Lady Charlotte and her sisters were all wrapped and ready.
The yuletide celebrations were fast approaching. Jane would miss the celebration with her family, but she had a quiet farewell dinner last evening with Julia and their father and celebrated in their own way. Still, she felt neglectful leaving her little sister at home. She fretted about Julia having a solemn Christmas alone.
Julia was four years her junior and since their mother had died, Jane had felt that the girl was her charge. To ease her mind, Father had promised to take Julia to the Poppy’s home for their yuletide frivolity. Julia could not feel alone amongst such a large and welcoming family. Jane was headed for greater things, which in the long run would benefit Julia too, but right now, the thought of traveling was both exhilarating and unnerving.
Jane was excited to join Lady Charlotte along with Charlotte’s sisters and elder brother for the Christmas season. Of course, she would be properly chaperoned by Lady Charlotte’s mother, the Dowager Lady Keegain, but Jane had never met the woman. Most of all, she was nervous about the carriage ride to the Keegain estate, but she would not allow her fear of travel to stop her. This trip was too important.
Jane reminded herself she had no guarantee of a noble husband, although her company did increase her chances. She felt a little giddy with the thought, and then a bit guilty for her joy. She would enjoy the experience: husband or no husband. After all, when again would she get the opportunity to attend such events as Lady Charlotte frequented?
She knew she was being obsessive, but she bent to examine the contents of her trunk more closely, tucking in a stray ribbon that fluttered over the edge in danger of being crushed. Her gowns were not grandiose, but they were appealing and well made. She thought an understated elegance suited her better than frills anyway.
She had put careful consideration into every gown that had been packed, every accessory, bonnet, and even the multiple pairs of gloves she would need. It was so easy to soil them; she wanted to have extras and not to have to ask one of the maids to wash them for her too often. She did not want to be a bother.
Tucked into the side of her largest trunk, tied into the fabric, was her mother’s pearl necklace. She reached in and felt the pearls underneath her fingers, reassured to feel them there. She may be making this adventure alone, but she would have her mother’s spirit with her. Wish me luck Mother, she thought as she fingered the necklace. I will make you proud.
2
Jane took a deep breath, and closed the trunk as her little sister Julia bounced into the room with a spot of paint on her nose.
“Oh, Jane, I shall miss you terribly!” Julia flung herself at her older sister and hugged her fiercely.
Jane returned the hug. “And I you,” Jane said holding her sister close and stroking her dark hair. It was the only feature the two girls shared. Julia was tall and stately while Jane was short and buxom. Already, Julia was nearly a head taller than her elder sister.
“You are up early,” Jane noted.
“I wanted to paint the sunrise,” Julia said with a shrug. “The clouds are so perfect. I have been awake for hours awaiting the dawn.”
“Oh,” Jane said and could not help but smile for it was so like Julia to do as she pleased. “And will you sleep the afternoon away?” Jane teased.
“Perhaps,” Julia said with a shrug and a yawn. “Oh, I shan’t know what to do without you here, Jane. I know it is a great honor to have this visit with all the fine ladies, but I shall miss you terribly, especially on Christmas.” Julia stuck her lip out in a pout.
“Father has said you are to visit the Poppys in a fortnight. There are so many sisters there, you shall not miss me.”
“I shall. The Poppys are not you.” Jane gave her sister another hug, and a melancholy pout.
“If the weather holds, perhaps Connie will ride with you,” Jane said. “Tell her I said she must,” Jane added
.
Julia wrinkled her nose. Jane knew her younger sister would much rather be inside with her paints than out of doors. Still, Jane’s friend Constance Poppy was an excellent horsewoman and had taught Jane all she knew about horses. The Poppys were good friends.
“You know that my connections will benefit you too. Soon enough you will be preparing for your own season,” Jane said pushing down Julia’s mass of tangled hair, fighting the urge to fix it for her. Julia would not appreciate Jane’s fussing. “I shall miss you as well, but we shall be back together soon enough.”
Julia bounced on the bed, messing the coverlet, and ran a hand through her hair, pulling some of the tangles out with her fingers. “Are you nervous?” she asked.
“Just a bit,” Jane said handing Julia her own hairbrush from the tray in the top of the trunk. “But it is only a short trip.”