Excerpt: A Beau for Christmas

Excerpt
A Beau for Christmas

Aileen Fish
copyright 2023

 

Chapter One

Lyminster, England

October, 1815

Lady Evelyn Sinclair glanced out the window of the drawing room, watching the villagers go about their daily business in the quaint streets of Lyminster. Though she missed the excitement of her Season in London, for now she was content to stay with her sister-in-law’s aunt, Lady Agnes Phillips, in this sleepy coastal village for a month or two while her companion was away.

“The post has arrived, my lady,” said Lady Agnes’s maid.

Evie eagerly took the stack of letters. Perhaps one was from her friend Charlotte, full of gossip from London. Or news from her mother.

As she shuffled through the pile, her face fell. No letter had come for her, they were all addressed to Lady Agnes. With a sigh, she set the post aside. Another dull day in the country, she thought.

Still, Lyminster had its charms. She could call on her sister-in-law Julianna, who was just beginning to show with her first child. Or explore the shoreline, watching the ships come into port. Perhaps one of those ships would carry the man of her dreams to her.

Somewhere, there was a man worthy of her affections, she was certain. A gentleman as honorable and loving as her brother Nash. He didn’t need a title like her father the earl. He didn’t need to be wealthy. What she longed for was someone to enjoy life with, some shared interests, perhaps. He must be intelligent and kind, of course, and if he were handsome, that would be a delight.

A glance at the clock told her Lady Agnes would likely be napping for another hour, so now was the perfect time to call on Nash and Julianna. They only lived a few blocks away.

When a servant showed her into their home, Evie made her way to the drawing room, where she found Julianna resting on the settee, one hand placed gently on her belly, which to Evie’s eyes looked no larger than before she became pregnant.

“Good morning, dear sister,” Evie said brightly. “How are you feeling today?”

Julianna smiled. “Rather well, thank you. My morning illness is not such a bother anymore.”

Evie sat down beside her. “Have you and Nash thought of any names yet?”

“Oh, it’s far too soon for that,” Julianna laughed. “We’ve barely had time to adjust to the idea that we’re to be parents. I can scarcely believe it’s real sometimes.”

Evie squeezed her sister-in-law’s hand excitedly. “Just imagine—in a few months you’ll be holding your precious babe. You’ll be such a wonderful mother, I just know it.”

Julianna tilted her head. “And someday, hopefully soon, we’ll be celebrating your wedding and anticipating a new arrival for you as well.”

Evie nodded. “I do hope to find the right man next spring while I’m in Town. Someone I can truly build a life with.”

Julianna regarded her sympathetically. She was likely thinking about the heartbreak Evie had endured over Captain Carradine the summer she turned eighteen. Was that really only a year ago?

“It will happen for you, dear,” Julianna said gently. “Have faith. Yours is a loving heart, and you will recognize your perfect match when he comes along.”

“You’re right, of course. I must keep faith that the right gentleman for me is out there. And I am determined to find him during the upcoming Season in London.” She brightened as she thought of the balls, parties, and social events ahead. “Just remembering the dancing, the music, the new gowns . . .” She sighed dreamily.

Julianna smiled indulgently. “You shall outshine them all, I’ve no doubt.”

Evie laughed. “Oh, I don’t know about that. But it will feel wonderful to be back amidst society again. And I am resolved not to pine after Captain Carradine any longer. I cannot fault him, really. He never implied there was more between us than friendship, so his sailing off to the West Indies shouldn’t have been a surprise.”

They continued to make small talk until Evie noticed the time and saw she needed to return to Lady Agnes. She bid Julianna farewell and made her way down the lane, nodding politely to the villagers she passed. She spotted a group of young ladies near a stone bench and altered her course to say hello.

“Good afternoon, Lady Evelyn,” said a pretty brunette named Margaret. “I’m Margaret Mills, and this is my friend, Lucy Edwards. How are you enjoying your visit thus far?”

“Quite well, thank you,” Evie replied, curious. “You know my name.”

The blonde named Lucy leaned in conspiratorially. “We heard you’d arrived with your aunt. She seems intent on making a match for you here in the village.”

Evie flushed. “Does she? I was not aware.”

Margaret smiled sympathetically. “Don’t trouble yourself. We are all well acquainted with Lady Agnes’s matchmaking tendencies.”

Lucy nodded. “She fancies herself an expert in affairs of the heart. I myself narrowly escaped her machinations to pair me with the local blacksmith. My father would never allow such a match.”

The girls tittered in amusement as Evie’s eyes widened.

“Pay her efforts no mind,” Margaret advised kindly. “You need not settle for whomever she deems suitable. Follow your own heart in these matters.”

Evie nodded gratefully. “You are both so kind. I shall remember your wise words.”