by Charlie Lane
“My Christian name.”
Allison leaned into Carson. “I never thought of her as having a name.”
He elbowed her. “Of course, she has a name!”
“Children, children!” Lady Hemsworth scrutinized them, demanding and gaining silence in a moment. “No squabbling. Focus. I went to Lord Hellwater to demand satisfaction for a wrong I thought he had committed against me. But it wasn’t his fault. And it wasn’t your fault, Allison. The blame for my son’s actions rests squarely on my shoulders and my shoulders alone. But more so, there is no blame to place.” She rested her palm against her son’s cheek. “You’ve done nothing but give your heart away to a woman who is your equal in temperament, intellect, and spirit. And I …” She swallowed. “And I …” She inhaled deeply. “And I accept your union and hope you accept mine. With the earl.”
Carson hesitated before responding. “An affair isn’t exactly a moral union.”
Allison raised her eyebrows. She often liked it when he played the proper lord with her. In bed, at least. If the mood was right. But this wouldn’t do. She sighed. “Don’t be a prude, Carson.”
Lady Hemsworth kept Carson’s gaze. “If I’d been able to get out of my marriage, I would have. Long ago.”
Allison’s heart reached out to the other woman. Lady Hemsworth’s only chance for happiness, for love, for joy, lay outside the boundaries of propriety, the very establishment she’d all but worshipped for years. Allison had no other choice. She rose, walked across the room, and wrapped her arms around her mother-in-law.
The older woman went rigid, then melted into the hug. She whispered so low Allison almost didn’t hear it. “Thank you.”
Carson must have felt it too, the sorrow. Before Allison could respond to Lady Hemsworth’s expression of gratitude, a strange gurgle emitted from his throat, and he gathered them both into an embrace so intense it stole Allison’s breath.
Allison gasped. “Don’t crush us! Don’t crush the baby!”
He pulled back, and they stared at one another, wide-eyed. Oops. She’d not meant to say that.
She turned a cautious glance to her mother-in-law, whose glowing smile was … quite strange, as if the muscles used to make merry were out of practice.
“A grandbaby!” Ida hurried across the room to Lord Hellwater. “Did you hear, Peter!”
“I did, indeed, Ida my love!” Hellwater pulled her into an embrace.
“Peter?” Carson asked.
Allison returned his quizzical stare. “Your mother’s name is Ida? Why didn’t I know?”
Carson shrugged and pulled her toward the door. “Perhaps we should leave them. I’ve had enough shock for one day.”
“I wholeheartedly agree,” Allison took his proffered arm. “I’m hungry. And tired. And queasy. I just want to—”
A hand wrapped like a vice around Allison’s wrist, stopping their escape.
Ida smiled shyly at Allison, loosening her grip on her wrist. “Stay. Please. I’ve spent too much time telling everyone how they should be and not enough getting to know who they really are. Please?” She reached for Carson’s hand.
When he hesitated, Allison nudged him forward. “As long as there’s tea. And biscuits … nothing would delight us more.” She spoke true. About the tea and biscuits, of course, but about delight as well. With an authoress, a mad earl, a book fairy, and a baby on the way, she had no need to look for delight and life elsewhere. Her own story, her own life, traipsed along, improbable, ecstatic, and magical enough.
About the Author
Charlie Lane traded in academic databases and scholarly journals for writing steamy Regency romcoms like the ones she’s always loved to read. Her favorite authors are Jane Austen (who else?), Toni Morrison, and William Blake, and when she’s not writing humorous conversations, dramatic confrontations, or sexy times, she’s flying high in the air as a circus-obsessed acrobat.
If you love the historical aspect of historical romance, follow Charlie’s newsletter! You’ll get not only insight into the history that informs her novels, but deals on free books and updates on her next publications.
You can connect with me on:
https://www.charlielaneauthor.com
https://www.instagram.com/charlielaneromance
Subscribe to my newsletter:
https://mailchi.mp/55869ccf04e8/charlielanenewsletter
Also by Charlie Lane
Regency romance that is lighthearted and hot!
A Secret Desire (Available July 20, 2020)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08C7Q7GJ1
He’s searching for approval, not love.
To prove himself a worthy heir to the Duke of Devonmere, Grayson Maxwell, Viscount Rigsby will marry the perfect lady. But first, he must recover the family’s heirloom necklace from his former fiancée.
She needs clients, not complications of the heart.
At the annual Stonefield house party, Henrietta hopes to woo the wealthiest and most respected clientele to her London dress shop. But the irresistible Grayson’s pleas for assistance threaten the pristine reputation she’s cultivated to win the goodwill of the ton.
As Grayson searches for the necklace, he discovers something better: a second chance at love with the woman searching by his side. But can he convince Henrietta to give in to the desires of the heart she hides even from herself?
Pre-order A Secret Desire to find out!
Or, Sign up for the Charlie Lane Newsletter to learn about new releases and the historical research that goes into writing a Regency romance!
Sinning in Secret (Available November 1, 2020)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CHLFMH1
When a Lady intends to avoid marriage …
Lady Willow, the powerful Duke of Valingford’s daughter, has two options: marry the man her parents chose for her or spend the rest of her days in a madhouse. Determined to shape her own future, Willow plots a secret escape.
… can the lord who loves her change her mind?
The Viscount Cordell takes a methodical and scientific approach to everything, including his search for a wife. Anxious to discover the formula for a happy and successful marriage, he agrees to marry the beautiful and impulsive Lady Willow, a woman who challenges his every hypothesis.
Cordell knows Willow is the key to his marriage formula; she’s not convinced. Will she marry the man her parents have chosen or find another way to escape the madhouse?
Pre-order now to make sure you don’t miss it!