She gave him a dismissive wave. “I meet a lot of men like the duke and I can handle them just fine.”
“Will you tell me what you and your grandfather talked about?”
She drew a finger along his cravat. “He welcomed me into the family and I told him I’d give it a try.”
Calvin laughed. “Give it a try? Pray, what does that mean?”
Her blue eyes twinkled. “That means I need to decide if my brother can fare for himself in New York so I can live see if living in England is what I truly want.”
“The doctor assured me before we left New York, your brother would recover quickly.” He stroked her cheek lovingly. “But do you even know what you truly want?”
“Yes, I think I do.” Leaning into him, she brushed her fingertip across his mustache. “I want to become a lady.”
“You are a lady now.”
“Not yet. There is one last thing that will make me truly feel complete.”
“And what is that?”
“Do you remember what happened that one night on the ship? That magical night I’ll never forget?”
His heart jumped to his throat and his loins roared to attention. “Yes.”
“Take me, Calvin, and make me a woman.”
Breathless, he cupped her face. “Are you certain this is what you want?”
“Yes. Since that night, I’ve thought of nothing but sharing this with you.”
“Dorothy,” he muttered into her hair and pulled her closer. “I, too, have thought of you, and wanting this.” He kissed her ear then trailed his lips to hers where he hungrily kissed her. But before she had time to respond the way he wanted, he pulled back. “I cannot, Dorothy.”
Slowly, her happy expression disappeared. “Why?”
“Because you are a lady, and I shan’t take your innocence and ruin you. Unless…”
She cocked her head. “Unless what?”
“Unless you say you’ll marry me tomorrow.”
Squealing with joy, she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him soundly. He lifted her and brought her to his bed before laying her down. Once he joined her, he stroked her hair and stared into her dreamy eyes. “I take that as a yes.”
“Yes, my dearest Calvin. Marrying you will be a dream come true. But…” Her smile dropped again. “Why do you want to marry me? Just because you ruined me?”
“No. I want to marry you because you make me laugh. You make me feel whole, which is something I haven’t felt for quite a while. I can be myself around you without anyone ridiculing me. Plus, I love listening to you. I love watching you. I love…you.”
She sighed and threaded her fingers through his hair. “I love you, Calvin Seton, and I’ll live wherever you want to live. If you’re not comfortable around these stuffy noblemen, then we’ll return to America and live above the inn.”
“Is that where you live?”
“Yes.”
He shook his head. “My sweet, as long as you are beside me, I’ll be the happiest man alive.”
“And beside you will be the happiest woman.”
“Mmm…” He cupped her buttocks and pulled her closer. “That sounds perfect to me.”
He kissed her again, but this time did not plan on stopping. He couldn’t wait to make her a woman, because in return, she would make him a man.
Regency Christmas Summons Collection
A Summons From Yorkshire
A Summons From the Duke
A Summons From the Castle
A Summons From His Grace
~ Epilogue ~
Jonathan Whitton, the Duke of Danby, settled into the over-stuffed leather chair across from the roaring fire in his study, a nice French brandy in his hand. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes as the recent holiday memories flashed in his mind, and he couldn’t help but smile. Truly, it had been the best damn Christmas he could remember, and he’d survived eight decades of Christmases thus far.
A scratch sounded at his door. Danby didn’t even bother to open his eyes as he called, “Come in, Milne.”
His butler cleared his throat from the threshold. “You wanted to see me, Your Grace?”
The duke opened one eye to peer at his loyal servant. “Pour yourself some brandy, Milne, and take a seat, will you?” Then he promptly closed his eye once more, letting the warmth of the fire seep into his bones.
From the sideboard, brandy splashed into a glass, and then he heard Milne settle across from him in a second leather chair.
The duke heaved a sigh. “The place has certainly quieted down this evening, hasn’t it?” After all the excitement and after everyone had departed, the castle felt a little empty, truth be told.
The twins, Emma and Isabel, had both begun a southward journey with their new husbands.
Harriet and her betrothed were on their way to tell his family the news—with her parents in the carriage with them, this time.
Rand and his Caribbean Jewel were headed for a Highland wedding trip.
Elizabeth and her husband were on their way to the Foreign Office, in hopes of a new assignment. Danby hoped otherwise.
Dorothy was headed off for an adventure with her new husband. Preferably somewhere other than a tavern.
Julian was traveling to Bath with his angel and her kin. And Leander… Well, Danby didn’t care to speculate about his situation.
Harry and his doting bride had started westward to manage Whitton Park, along with a few smaller properties.
Philip was on his way to London to open his music schoool with his loving bride finally at his side. Andrew and Charlotte were right behind them, hoping to make the opening of MacBeth.
Alexandra and her poet-minded husband had started for his home, but not before promising Danby that no scandals were in their future.
And Abby and her husband were off to deliver Danby’s message to that idiot Fordingham, telling him what he could do with himself. Then they were to return to Yorkshire, so Danby could, perhaps, change a few of Cavendish’s views.
“The castle has been lively the last sennight, sir.”
Indeed it had. Marriages left and right. Danby’s errant grandchildren finally finding love and doing their duty. About damn time for all that. “Glorious, wasn’t it?” Danby opened both his eyes and leaned forwards in his seat.
His butler agreed with an incline of his head.
“Next Christmas we should have bundles of little ones to dote on.”
A twinkle flashed in Milne’s light eyes. “God willing.”
“And I do still have a few grandchildren who escaped my reach this holiday.”
The butler’s lip twitched in a reluctant smile. “I’m certain you’ll bring them to task next year, Your Grace.”
Indeed he would. Danby already had plans for his still un-wed grandchildren. It wouldn’t be long before everything was the way it should be, and that included dealing with his butler. “The time has come for me to pension you off, Milne.”
The man’s eyes flashed in surprise. “But, Your Grace—”
“Enough of that,” Danby ordered. “Your daughter is a countess now, my old friend. Some day she’ll be a duchess. And you are retired.”
Milne sputtered, though no actual words came out.
“You’ve run this castle like clockwork. I’ll expect you to pick your successor amongst the footmen. I don’t care about longevity. I simply want the best. Do you hear me?”
“I-I don’t know what to say.”
“Say you’ll have the staff move you into the family wing, Milne. Just because you’re retiring doesn’t mean I don’t need your counsel. Best bloody adviser I have.”
“Well, thank you, sir, but—”
“No buts. We’ll soon have grandchildren, and in my case great-grandchildren, to share. And you’re family now.”
“Thank you, sir.” His soon-to-be-retired butler sipped a bit of his brandy.
Danby nodded and closed his eyes once more. “Best bloody Christmas ever, wasn’t it?”
>
“I do believe it was,” Milne agreed.
THE END
About the Authors
As a child, JANE CHARLES would more likely be found outside with a baseball than a book in her hand. In fact, Jane hated reading until she was sixteen. Out of boredom on a long road trip she borrowed her older sister’s historical romance and fell in love with reading and her love for them never died. Writing romance soon became a passion as well, which has been fully supported by her awesome husband, children and three cats.
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This is OLIVIA KELLY’s debut foray into the world of Regency Romance. Although always an artist at heart, Olivia actually graduated college with a culinary degree, intending to use her flair for creativity and her need to direct other people’s lives to become the dictator of the kitchen- a chef! Instead, she now cooks up ways to get her characters fascinated, frustrated and falling headlong into love. She lives in North Carolina, with her husband and two young children. You can find her on Facebook as Olivia Kelly.
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PHYLLIS CAMPBELL is an award-winning, multi-published and best-selling author of romance; from the dark and mysterious hero who sends shivers up your spine to the fiesty heroines who somehow manage to keep them in line. Most of her reviewers have given her the title of “Queen Of Sexual Tension”, and she strives to live up to that title. Married with kids (and three grandchildren), Phyllis has lived in Utah all of her life and enjoys family activities when she’s not writing her next sensual story.
A Summons From Yorkshire
Regency Christmas Summons Collection 1
© 2011 Ava Stone, Aileen Fish, Julie Johnstone
In AVA STONE’s The Counterfeit Christmas Summons, Lady Emma Whitton has decided its time to take her future in her own hands. She has been in love with Viscount Heathfield since she was in leading strings. Unfortunately, it's been almost that long since she's laid eyes on her brother's old friend and vice versa. Tired of waiting for him to remember her, Emma pens a holiday invitation (in her brother's hand) to Heathfield and waits as patiently as she is able for her one true love to arrive. * Heath isn't quite certain what to make of the very strange summons he received, but his curiosity is most definitely piqued. He heads north to Danby Castle, only to find that his very orderly life is about to be turned upside down.
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In AILEEN FISH’s The Viscount’s Sweet Temptation, Lady Harriet Thornhill knows the summons from her grandfather means he’s decided whom she must marry. Determined that she’d only marry a man of her choosing, she stows away in her friend’s father’s carriage, only to find herself alone with young Archibald Napier,Viscount Morley. * Morley’s plans for a quiet Christmas vanish when he discovers the sweet young lady hiding under the blankets in his carriage. As she claims an acquaintance with his sister, he feels duty-bound to see her safely back to her family.* A broken carriage wheel leaves them stranded, and Harriet’s reputation is at stake. Morley’s not ready to take a wife, until he’s told he wouldn’t be a suitable husband for her. With memories of her sweet, tempting kiss filling his thoughts, he prepares to fight for the hand of the woman he believes he could love.
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JULIE JOHNSTONE’s Gift of Seduction - The day Andrew Whitton, Earl of Hardwick chooses his fortune over the woman he loves, Drew discovers that money makes for a cold bed partner. Now, no matter how far he runs, the memory of his betrayal haunts him, and there’s not enough liquor to dull the past or diminish his disgust. * Charlotte Milne trusted in happily ever after until her knight turned out to be wearing rusty armor. Drew, the scoundrel, seduced her, though she very much enjoyed the seduction by the man she’s loved since childhood. Left scandalously ruined, Char flees her home intent upon forgetting Drew and proving her worth. * Separated by disloyalty and pain, each struggle to bury the memories of the other until a mandatory summons from the Duke of Danby sets them on a path of collision to Danby Castle. With the tides of irrevocable change rising, Drew must find a way to show Char that even the most selfish of rakes can be redeemed by love before the woman of his heart becomes the wife of another.
A Summons From the Duke
Regency Christmas Summons Collection 2
© 2011 Jerrica Knight-Catania, Lilia Birney, Samantha Grace
In JERRICA KNIGHT-CATANIA’s Loving Mister Lockwell, Lady Isabel Whitton has no use for people other than her twin sister -- she much prefers the company of her books. So when she discovers that all her cousins from near and far have been summoned to her home, Danby Castle, for Christmas, she isn't pleased. To make matters even worse, the deplorable Mister Lockwell has come uninvited. * Damien Lockwell, 3rd son of the Earl of Totterdown, has invited himself to Yorkshire for Christmas. Spending the holiday with the Whittons seems far preferable to watching his father drink himself into a stupor. And Lady Isabel proves to be just the kind of entertainment he was looking for -- she's smart as a whip and quite the most unique creature he's ever met -- not to mention she despises him, which is the most thrilling part of all for a man like Damien.
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In LILIA BIRNEY’s A Second Chance For Christmas, Philip Whitton has been summoned back home by his grandfather after a wastrel existence in Italy, studying music and trying to forget his first love. Emily Barlow, nee Ware, is picking up the pieces of her shattered existence following her husband's death. Thrown together by chance on the road back home to Danby, Emily and Philip rekindle the flames of their old passion. Will the fire burn itself out like it did before, or are they ready to follow their hearts and live out the truth of their love?
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In SAMANTHA GRACE’s Twice Upon a Time - since her father’s untimely death, Felicity Halliday has relied on the medical knowledge learned at his side to treat London’s most disreputable in order to support her family. Life has been hard, but everything changes the night she is snatched from an alley behind a theatre and tossed into a nobleman’s carriage. * It has been less than a fortnight since Julian Beckford returned to London after a sojourn in India, and he’s already up to his top-boots in one of his cousin’s mad schemes. When his foolish cousin decides to engage an actress to play his wife over the holidays at Danby Castle, Julian becomes an unwilling party to the lady’s abduction. Along their journey to Yorkshire, Julian makes a stunning discovery about his cousin's pretend wife....and finds it’s possible to love Twice Upon a Time.
A Summons From the Castle
Regency Christmas Summons Collection 3
© 2011 Catherine Gayle, Suzie Grant, Christi Caldwell
In CATHERINE GAYLE’s An Unintended Journey, Abby Goddard’s life is going along just swimmingly, apart from the disappearance of her life’s love—Wesley Cavendish, a man well above her station. Just before Christmas, Grandmama dies after revealing the identity of Abby’s grandfather. The Duke of Danby, no less. Now the entire family will travel to Yorkshire to confront Danby, hoping to gain a dowry for Abby. But then Wesley reemerges, sparking a hope Abby thought long destroyed. * Shall the prodigal son’s sole inheritance be an unsightly gash? Wesley Cavendish aspires to the political realm, despite his father’s near-murderous opposition…not to mention his opposition to Abby Goddard. But since Father died, will the new Earl of Fordingham rescind Father’s disgraceful allegations? Fordingham thwarts Wesley at every turn, threatening marriage to a prominent Tory family—which precludes Abby—to put an end to Wesley’s Whig involvement…unless Wesley can find a loophole.
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In SUZIE GRANT’s A Caribbean Jewel for Christmas, blackmailed by a British Naval Commander, Captain Randall Whitton, a smuggler with a penchant for gold is rescued by Jewel Derington, a feisty plantation owner and the very woman who betrayed him in the jungles of Barbados. Escaping danger has never been so thrilling. Together they are drawn into a political game of winner takes all from which only his grandfather, the Duke of Danby, can rescue them.
* Fascinated by the glitter of his Caribbean Jewel, Randall's lust for gold soon fades. His q
uest to tame this fiery treasure catapults them both into an adventure where the stakes are higher and the prize greater than either of them have ever dared dream.
~ * ~
In CHRISTI CALDWELL’s Winning a Lady’s Heart, for Lady Alexandra being the source of a cold, calculated wager is bad enough....but when it is waged by Nathaniel Michael Winters, 5th Earl of Pembroke, the man she's in love with, it results in a broken heart, the scandal of the season, and a summons from her grandfather--the Duke of Danby. To escape Society's gossip, she hurries to her meeting with the duke , determined to put memories of the earl far behind. Except the duke has other plans for Alexandra....plans which include the 5th Earl of Pembroke!
A Summons From His Grace (Regency Christmas Summons Collection 4) Page 19