When Love Finds a Way (Once Upon a Regency Christmas Book 1) Read online

  Table of Contents

  EPILOGUE

  EPILOGUE

  EPILOGUE

  EPILOGUE

  1.THE CHRISTMAS WISH (New)

  2.Rescuing the Marquise

  3.Once Upon a Christmas Ball

  4.Enchanting the laird

  5.A Bartered Bride For Christmas

  6.The Captain’s Redemption

  7.THE MAIDEN & HER CAPTOR (new)

  KEEP IN TOUCH!

  PROLOGUE

  ONE

  TWO

  THREE

  FOUR

  FIVE

  SIX

  SEVEN

  EIGHT

  NINE

  TEN

  ELEVEN

  TWELVE

  AUTHOR’S NOTE

  THIRTEEN

  SIV

  Table of Contents

  1.THE CHRISTMAS WISH (New)

  2.Rescuing the Marquise

  3.Once Upon a Christmas Ball

  4.Enchanting the laird

  5.A Bartered Bride For Christmas

  6.The Captain’s Redemption

  7.THE MAIDEN & HER CAPTOR (new)

  KEEP IN TOUCH!

  1.

  THE CHRISTMAS WISH (New)

  Copyright © Regina Darcy 2017

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher and writer except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This is a contemporary work of fiction. All characters, names, places and events are the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously.

  For queries, comments or feedback please use the following contact details:

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  Table of Content

  PROLOGUE

  ONE

  TWO

  THREE

  FOUR

  FIVE

  SIX

  SEVEN

  EIGHT

  NINE

  TEN

  ELEVEN

  TWELVE

  EPILOGUE

  PROLOGUE

  The girl did not know how she was to go about it, but she knew she just had to find a way out of her predicament. No fate could be worse than what awaited her.

  At the thought of her imminent future, she shuddered, and it had nothing to do with the fact that it was freezing cold outside. As the December cold front continued to batter her lithe body, the girl closed her eyes.

  “Dear God, if you can hear me way up in heaven, please help. This Christmas all I want is someone to love me… just a little bit.”

  Her whispered wish was stolen away by the wind. But with thirty-five days left until Christmas, she had hope that events could still be changed. She watched as the first snow of the year fell and marvelled at the winter wonderland it created. Soon she grew too cold though. With a deep sigh she turned around and walked back into the manor house.

  ONE

  David Granger, the Marquess of Garencourt, known to be one of the most eligible bachelors amongst the ton, sighed heavily as he saw yet another young debutante send a soft smile in his direction, her eyes practically glowing.

  “Do move along,” he muttered to himself, as she began to advance, arm-in-arm with another young lady whose cheeks appeared to be on fire. “Can you not tell that I am exceedingly disinterested?”

  “I do not think they can,” his friend, Lord Trentworth interjected, apparently overhearing him. “Would you like me to distract them for you?”

  David snorted, well aware that his friend would be more than a little delighted to take one of these ladies onto the dance floor.

  “I do not think I could stop you, even if I was enamoured with their company.”

  Trentworth chuckled and stepped in front of David, effectively blocking the Marquess from the ladies’ view. Taking the opportunity, David moved away from them completely, making his way through the crowd of guests and wondering, with each and every step, why he had agreed to come this evening.

  This was not what he had intended for his life. He was already bored with his new title and often found himself wishing that he were back on the battlefield, using his skills to try and defeat the enemy. Of course, that in itself had brought a great deal of scandal and surprise, for a gentleman of his standing did not do such things as go to war! Instead, he had been expected to remain on his father’s estate, go to London at the start of the Season and find himself a bride. The heir and the spare were to follow along in a few years’ time and everyone would be happy and settled with that.

  Except David had chosen a very different path, and did not, for one moment, regret his choice. He had thrown off the shackles of nobility and run, headlong, into the war against the French, desperate to help his country and to do something more with his life than simply enjoy his wealth. Of course, his parents had been quite upset with his decision, and his mother in particular had tried everything in her power to try to get him to come home. She had not succeeded, of course, as David had been quite determined to remain where he was.

  He had managed to do so for a good few years and had, despite the appalling conditions, found contentment in what he was doing. He put everything he had into fighting the war, discovering that titles and nobility meant nothing when war was upon you.

  He fought alongside a great many men, and learned not to think of himself as superior to any. Respect was not given but earned. David had built friendships with those he would never even have met had he remained in England. Life had been very different out on the fields.

  Sighing, David found himself making his way out of the French doors and into the cool, crisp night air. The truth was, he was struggling to find his place back within society. It had been a shock to be pulled from one world back into the other. It had only been due to his father’s sudden illness that he’d been requested–nay, summoned–back to England. His father had passed away by the time he’d reached the county of Suffolk, and within a few minutes of reaching his father’s home, he had been declared the new Marquess of Garencourt.

  It had been something of a whirlwind, and David had to admit that he’d struggled. Of course, he hadn’t admitted that to anyone, and especially not to his mother who had found the loss of her husband extremely difficult to bear. In truth, David had been surprised at his mother’s grief, having never thought there was much affection between his parents. However, it appeared that he was quite wrong on that count, for the grief his mother exhibited had been difficult for him to witness. He had no knowledge of how to help her, so he had simply made sure to be present whenever she needed him. It had left him weary, however, for he had no one to speak to of his own pain, and given that men did not usually speak of such things anyway, David had felt himself become quite isolated. His year of mourning had dragged on, and he had become lost, awash in a sea of pain and confusion.

  His mother, too, had lost some of her vitality, and so after the year was ended, David had insisted on taking her to London for the little Season. His grandmother, the Dowager, was already present in town and it did not take much convincing to install his mother with her. Whilst there were certainly fewer families in town, there were enough to make his mother happy once again. He had been glad to see her smile, aware that the long-standing friendships she held were soothing her pain and bringing a fresh gladness to her heart.

  Unfortunately, he had not been able to say the same.

  The moment he had returned t
o town, almost every eye had been on him. Everyone in town seemed to be aware that the Marquess of Garencourt was back in London and, in addition, that he was still quite eligible.

  David was aware that no one was particularly interested in who he was or what kind of husband he would make, but that his wealth and title were of the greatest import. That had not encouraged him to get to know any of the young ladies of the ton, despite their insistence on being introduced to him.

  His mother, unfortunately, was also quite keen for him to wed, aware that he was the last in the family line and reminding him often of his duty to the family. He was to wed soon and produce the required two children–more if there were no males of course–but David lacked the enthusiasm his mother had for the idea. None of the young ladies caught his eye and he was quite disappointed over their simpering and flirtatious ways.

  David took his responsibilities seriously, of course, and knew that he would have to enter the matrimonial state very soon, but he was not about to simply choose whichever of the young ladies presented to him was the most palatable. There would have to be something about her that drew him to her, for he was not about to enter a lifelong union without at least the beginnings of affection! She would have to care little about his fortune or his title and be able to hold an interesting conversation, which was not peppered with flirtatious remarks. A slow wit, he could not abide. That was why he now found himself out of doors, hiding in the shadows. The ladies who pursued him were not worth his time.

  “Well, you shall be glad to know that I danced with both those young ladies and sent them on their way.”

  David rolled his eyes and turned to face his friend, not in the least surprised that Trentworth knew where he was hiding.

  “They were both quite pretty, however,” Trentworth continued, airily. “You missed a small pleasure there.”

  “I can get my pleasure elsewhere if I need to,” David snorted, shaking his head.

  “Yes, but for a price,” Trentworth replied with a chuckle. “Although I have heard that you have not been frequenting their company much of late.”

  “Is my business never to be kept private?” David exploded, as a hot rush of anger suddenly filled him. “Now even my visits to the courtesans are fodder for the ton!”

  Trentworth shrugged, not in the least put off by David’s anger. “You are a marquess,” he said, calmly. “It is to be expected.”

  Muttering darkly, David drew in three long breaths of the cold night air in an attempt to cool his anger.

  “Grown tired of them, have you?”

  “For what it is worth, yes,” David replied, tightly. “I grow tired of all of London.”

  “Then why do you remain?”

  Sighing, David turned to face his friend. “Mama has continued to press me to find a wife.”

  “Ah.” Trentworth’s look of understanding told David that he did not need to explain further.

  “When I left to fight, my family were terrified that I would be killed in battle,” David continued, shaking his head. “I am aware that I am the last in my family line but duty to the crown must come first. It was only when my father died and I was forced to return to England that I realised that my time to find a bride had come.”

  “And now you are willing to do what you must to secure one,” Trentworth murmured, quietly. “Well, that is admirable, I’ll admit. Then why not just wed the first lady that looks at you? You have more admirers than any other gentleman in London!”

  “Because I do not want just anyone,” David replied, spreading his hands. “I am to live with this lady for a good many years, should the Lord bless us with a long life. For goodness sake, she is to bear my children! I need a woman I can talk to, someone I will not grow to hate. She will need to have wit, intelligence and beauty–as well as her own fortune so that she is not singularly obsessed with mine!”

  “Garencourt, that is something of a list you have there!” Trentworth exclaimed. “Are you quite sure you want to be so particular? You might not find the lady you are looking for.”

  “No, I am quite sure she will be out there somewhere,” David replied, firmly. “I am quite set in my expectations–much to my mother’s disappointment, I might add. Should you think of any particular lady who might fulfil my requirements, then I do beg of you to let me know at once so that I might be introduced to her.”

  There was a brief silence, broken only by the sound of Trentworth snapping his fingers together. “Of course!” he exclaimed, suddenly slapping David on the shoulder. “I have just the young lady for you, Garencourt.”

  “I cannot believe it,” David replied with a chuckle. “Only a moment ago you were telling me that I could not succeed and now you say you can think of someone?”

  “I can think of only one,” Trentworth warned, cautioning David that he would have to move quickly. “A Lady Eleanor Rogan.”

  David frowned. “I have not heard of her.”

  “I am not surprised, given how little attention you pay at these events. I know you will tell me that it is because you are too busy dodging the grasping mamas and their daughters, but that is no reason to be rude!”

  Ignoring Trentworth’s criticism, David held his tongue and waited for him to reveal more.

  “As I was saying, Lady Eleanor Rogan is a diamond of first water, but quite a challenge for the gentlemen of the ton! She has turned down every offer she has received without question, and I am not exaggerating when I say she has received a great deal of offers.”

  A ray of hope entered David’s heart. “You say she is pretty?”

  “Beautiful!” Trentworth exclaimed. “And the daughter of an earl with quite a substantive fortune of her own, I believe.” A slightly sly grin came over his face. “What say you? Shall I introduce you?”

  Thinking that this was an opportunity he could not afford to miss out on, David agreed at once.

  “I should be delighted to meet her,” he replied firmly. “And we shall see just how well your accolades match up to the girl.”

  “Wonderful,” Trentworth chuckled, ignoring David’s lack of belief. “You will see that she is everything I have said, if not more. There is a musical evening tomorrow, I believe, hosted by Lord and Lady Donnelly, which I believe she will be attending. I shall introduce you there.”

  TWO

  David was quite surprised to discover that he had a feeling of eagerness on walking into Lord Donnelly’s drawing room. Was he truly so interested in meeting this particular lady? Lady Eleanor Rogan had turned down every proposal of marriage she had received thus far–was he really to think that he would be the one to secure her agreement?

  “You look quite jolly this evening,” Trentworth grinned, as he approached. “Shall I take you to meet her?”

  “She is here?”

  Trentworth nodded and began to walk away, only for David to capture his arm. “Let us wait for a moment. I do not want to look too eager.”

  “Then I shall point her out to you,” Trentworth replied, nodding slightly to the left. “She is of fair complexion, with light hair that is swept up into some kind of elaborate construction. Her dress is a dark red, with–”

  “Yes, I have seen the lady,” David murmured, suddenly captured by the beauty who was busy talking with another gentleman. It was no wonder she was said to be a diamond of the first water, for even from a distance, she was quite breathtaking. Her eyes were bright and keen as she listened to the gentleman speak, and there was no flirtation in her manner. Already, David felt a surge of anticipation.

  Unfortunately, he had to endure the first half of the musical evening before Trentworth was able to introduce him. It was quite right for him to wait, for he did not want his attentions on her to be of note to the rest of the beau monde. However, he could not help but catch his breath as he bowed to the lady, aware of how she was studying him intently.

  “I am delighted to meet you, my lady,” he murmured, pressing her hand for a moment.

  “And I, you,” she re
plied, all grace. “Tell me, have you enjoyed this evening’s performances so far?”

  Were he honest, David would admit that he had not paid even the scantest bit of attention to the music, his desire to meet Lady Rogan overwhelming all else.

  “I have,” he replied lamely. “And what has been your favourite piece?”

  “I did so enjoy some of the carols,” she answered carefully, as though deep in thought. “Although, my preference would be if some were sung with a little more steadiness. Their words can be so thought-provoking that I find a verse can go past before I have time to consider what I have sung!”

  “I quite agree,” David replied, having never considered such a thing before but finding that he agreed nonetheless.

  “I see that the second half is about to begin. Might I escort you to your seat?”

  “You may sit with me, if you wish,” the lady returned, with a laugh. “I would enjoy spending a little more time in your company, Lord Garencourt.”

  David agreed at once–and so began their acquaintance.

  ***

  Over the next few weeks, David found himself spending a great deal of time with Georgiana, growing more and more satisfied with her every day. His mother was more than approving, although for whatever reason, his grandmother remained tight-lipped over the connection.

  There was no affection between himself and the lady, of course, but he was convinced that such a thing would come in time. For her part, she seemed quite glad of his company and they would spend hours talking and laughing together.

  She was everything he could want in a wife: quick-witted, intelligent and beautiful. Being a lady from an important family, she understood the responsibilities that would come with being the wife of a marquess. David felt more than satisfied with his choice and was quite convinced of her regard for him.

  When he spoke to her father, the Earl of Sunderland, about asking for his daughter’s hand, he received such a warmth of reply that he was quite sure she would accept him. At the back of his mind, however, remained the warning that she had turned down a great many suitors before him, but he made every attempt to dismiss that. She would not refuse him! Not when they rubbed along so well together.