A chance at love (The Winter Sisters Box Set) : Special Edition Regency Romance Read online

  The Winters Sisters - Special Collection Edition

  Book 1. The Way to a Duke’s Heart - Theodora

  Book 2. A Faithful Maiden for the Broken Earl - Caroline

  Book 3. To Love a Marquess - Ann

  Book 4. Forget me not - Beatrice

  KEEP IN TOUCH!

  Book 1. The Way to a Duke’s Heart - Theodora

  Copyright © Regina Darcy 2020

  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.

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  ONE

  Miss Theodora Winters sighed to herself as she meandered along the cobbled streets of Shepperton village in Somerset, listlessly taking her time to look at all the beautiful trinkets in the windows. It had been some time since she’d last had the opportunity to come to the local town, given that their home was some distance away.

  It was of great annoyance to her that none of her three younger sisters, Caroline, Beatrice and Ann Winters had wanted to accompany her, forcing her to take a maid.

  She grimaced.

  Truth be told their reluctance was not without cause. They were worried about what their father would say when he discovered that Theodora had gone to town without his express permission.

  Theodora did not particularly care what her father said, for he had been very heavy-handed of late.

  Protective, he called it, whereas she found him much too controlling.

  Ever since their dear mama had passed away only two years prior, her father had become quite determined to ensure that his daughters follow propriety to the letter. It was as though he expected them to become quite wild without the security of a mother to guide them when he should have known better.

  Their mother had been both beautiful and kind and had taught her daughters well. They were all instructed in correct decorum of course, but she had also instilled in each of them a compassionate heart and caring nature. Theodora knew she would never forget what her mother had taught her.

  Oh how I miss you dearly mama.

  Sighing heavily, Theodora tried not to let her spirits descend into melancholy. Thoughts about her mama, inevitably led to thoughts about her future.

  Her current unmarried status only highlighted the loss of her mother even more so.

  She bit her lower lip.

  To be honest the issue of matrimony had been plaguing her mind lately. Theodora had very few prospects and, without a mother to chaperone her at the few events that took place in the county, she was quite without aid.

  Her father would accompany them all, of course, but would inevitably end up in the card-room or engaged in some discussion that lasted almost half the night, leaving Theodora to look out for and guide her younger sisters.

  She did not want to think that her father did such things on purpose, for he was doing his very best for them in all other respects.

  Theodore sighed again; she knew that he missed their mother greatly, for she had been the love of his life. Their affection for one another had never been hidden. It had been evident for all to see, and Theodora had always been happy to witness it.

  Theodora was convinced that to marry without such an affection must be the very worst thing in life.

  Yes, she was determined that she would follow in her mother’s footsteps and marry someone whom she held great affection for. Whether she would ever fulfil such a lofty aspiration, she was not quite sure, but at least for the time being, she held out some hope that it might one day happen for her.

  Smiling to herself, and with her maid, Martha, trailing behind her, laden down with the small gifts Theodora had already bought for her sisters, she continued to look into each and every window of the shops that she passed. She was finding delight in almost everything she saw, despite it being the second time she was viewing them.

  She had already lingered for some time in the local bookshop and knew that she would have to return to her carriage soon to be home before dark. There was not too much else to explore, she thought to herself, her steps slowing as she reached the second to last shop.

  “Oh my!” She stopped dead in her tracks.

  Her eyes caught sight of a beautiful locket, so delicate that it made Theodora catch her breath. It was almost the very same as her mother’s precious locket, the one that had been buried with her.

  Her mother had worn it every day since she had been married, and Theodora had heard the story more than once of how her father had given it to her mother as a wedding gift.

  It had seemed fitting that she wore it to her final resting place, and neither Theodora nor any of her sisters had raised any qualms when her father had made the decision. Now, however, it was as though she were staring at her mama’s legacy. Her eyes blurred with a sudden rush of tears.

  Before she knew it, Theodora found herself inside the shop, babbling almost incoherently to the shopkeeper. He studied her with some bemusement before realising that she was speaking of the locket.

  Theodora caught her breath as she held the locket with gentle fingers, popping open the clasp to find it empty inside. Her mother’s locket had contained a miniature of her father, and Theodora found herself wondering if she might one day have a miniature of her own husband inside this one.

  “It is almost the same as the one my mother wore,” she explained to the slightly bewildered shopkeeper, placing it carefully around her neck. “I simply must have it.”

  The shopkeeper smiled, his eyes softening under his bushy eyebrows. Naming his price, Theodora haggled only for a few moments, before handing him the sum they had agreed upon. She touched the locket carefully, her heart filling with happiness as she accepted her change from the shopkeeper.

  “Feel free to spend as much time here as you wish,” the shopkeeper said upon seeing her slight discomposure. “I can see that this locket means a great deal to you.”

  Theodora nodded and managed a watery smile, quite overcome with the sight of the locket around her neck.

  She would not be able to return to her carriage with tears pouring down her face that certainly might start some rumours should any of her father’s acquaintances see her in such a state.

  Sniffing, she patted her cheeks to ensure there was no sign of moisture, taking in a few deep breaths to settle herself.

  “I thank you,” she said to the merchant as Martha held open the door. “I am quite sure I will be back to visit you again. Your shop is quite wonderful!”

  The shopkeeper bowed and smiled as her maid cleared her throat discreetly, making Theodora aware that she was already late. Taking her leave, she made to hurry to her carriage, only to be stopped by a stranger standing near the shop doorway.

  “Got any spare change for an old beggar, miss?”

  Theodora stopped in her tracks and looked at the man in question, thinking that he certainly did not look old in the least. Nor did he have the ragged clothes she would expect to see on a man wandering the streets. Tipping her head a little, she looked into his face and saw, to her very great surprise, that the man was looking directly back at her, his dark blue
eyes meeting hers without a single qualm.

  “I am hungry,” he said as a way of explanation. “It’s been a few days since I had a good meal.”

  “You do not look particularly worse for wear,” Theodora replied wryly, taking in his stocky build and height.

  He smiled, revealing a full set of white teeth. This did not look like a man who had been begging, but still Theodora’s sympathy was awakened. There was something in his expression that told her he was still a little wary over his situation, for his gaze at times shifted to her right and then her left as though looking for something – or someone.

  A slight tremor coursed through her body as she felt a frisson of danger almost emanate from him, making her step back slightly.

  “I promise you I will not spend it on liquor,” he murmured quietly. “Truly, I need the money to transport me somewhere where I can get help and sustenance.” It was clear from the look in his eyes that the man was uncomfortable with having to ask for money. Somehow, Theresa suspected that this was not an everyday occurrence for him. Perhaps he was a gentleman who had fallen on hard times?

  “Very well,” she replied, pulling out her reticule and feeling for the change the shopkeeper had only just given her. “I do hope this will assist you in getting to where you are going to!”

  With a smile, the man accepted the coins she held out to him with a grateful bow, sweeping down as a gentleman might. It was all Theodora could do to stop herself from curtsying.

  “I thank you,” he said, sounding most grateful. “You are very kind, my lady.”

  With a nod and a brief smile, Theodora made her way towards her carriage, the maid impatiently waiting as the sun slowly began to draw closer to the horizon. She could not help but throw the so-called beggar one more glance before she entered the carriage, seeing that he continued to watch her as she climbed in.

  The slight trembling in her soul did not dissipate until she had finally reached home, as though she expected the man to appear alongside her carriage, riding a stallion and aiming a gun at her coachman. As she stepped out of the carriage, she could not help but consider his features and the strangeness of his request, for by all appearances, he was certainly not a beggar but neither could he be a gentleman. It was all very strange.

  ***

  As Theodora practically ran into the dining room, having had no time to either change her attire or dress her hair for dinner, she almost tripped over her hem.

  “Theodora Philippa Winters!” her father, the Viscount of Lockley, exclaimed, “We have been waiting. Where have you been?”

  Theodora took her seat breathless.

  “To the village, Papa.”

  “To Shepperton?” he exclaimed, his eyes wide with surprise. “And you are back after dark?”

  Theodora smiled and patted his hand, unafraid of his gruff manner. It only came from his concern over her, which he always tried to hide under a crotchety demeanour.

  “I am quite well, Papa. In fact, I have gifts for all of you.”

  Her sisters exclaimed words of delight as the maid, stepped in and handed the small packages to Theodora, who in turn gave them to her sisters. She even gave a small gift to her father, who did not open it at once as her sisters had done.

  “Papa,” she exclaimed, her mouth curving into a smile.

  “You cannot be so cross with me now that I have brought you a surprise. Why do you not open it?”

  He shook his head, although his eyes began to twinkle.

  “After I have dined, my dear. Despite spending my coin, I thank you for remembering your old papa.”

  Smiling, Theodora nodded and accepted the grateful thanks of each of her sisters, her heart lifting at their delight. Realising that she was quite hungry, she began to dine almost as soon as the food was served.

  Soon her thoughts turned to the man she had met in the street, wondering if he was, as he had said, enjoying a good meal himself. She did hope that he would not spend her coins on liquor. At once she realised that, despite not knowing the man in the least, she quite trusted him to keep his word.

  “Papa,” she began once the meal was well underway. “I was wondering if you had time to consider my request?”

  “Request?” Lord Lockley looked at her from under his bushy brows, making hope begin to dwindle away in her chest.

  She had asked her father some time ago to consider her desire to learn how to fence – something her own mother had done with great vigour. It was not precisely something a lady would usually learn, given that ladylike pursuits included embroidery and watercolours, but then again her mother had not exactly been one to stick to tradition!

  She had thought that her father would immediately allow such a thing, given how much his own wife had pursued the sport, but as of yet he had not granted her request.

  “My fencing lessons, Papa,” she said, quietly so that her sisters would not hear. “You said you would consider my request.”

  He let out a long sigh, frowning heavily.

  “Theodora, I have considered it and I am inclined to refuse it.”

  “But Mama –”

  “No, Theodora,” he exclaimed, all happiness gone from his eyes as he frowned at her. “I have heard your request, and I have decided that it is not something you should pursue, regardless of what your mother did.”

  Theodora huffed indignantly, frowning back at her father.

  “You did not refuse Mother. In fact, you told her that she was quite a remarkable woman for pursuing such things!”

  “And she was.”

  “Then why can I not do the same? After all, I do intend to be just as remarkable as she some day!”

  Lord Lockley paused then shook his head.

  “The matter is closed, Theodora. You are not to bring it up again.”

  Theodora wanted to argue further, but seeing the steely look in her father’s eye, she was forced to sit back and simply endure his unfair decision.

  More than anything, she wished to learn how to wield a rapier, especially since it was a love her dear mother had once had. Why her father would refuse, she simply could not understand. Caroline, Beatrice and Ann slowly quietened their eager chatter, aware of the growing tension between Theodora and their father. Soon the table was reduced to almost complete silence.

  Once everyone had completed their meal, the sisters rose as one to leave their father to his port, choosing to take their tea in the drawing room.

  “That is a beautiful locket,” Beatrice commented as they walked into the drawing room. “Wherever did you find it? It looks very much like the one mama had.”

  “It does indeed,” Theodora replied, her frustration with her father flying out of her mind. “I simply had to buy it, and fortunately for me, I had more than enough pin money to purchase it.”

  “That is because you do not spend it on anything else!” Beatrice replied teasingly. “No new bonnets or new ribbons for you!”

  Theodora laughed, knowing that her sister spoke the truth. “I do not care for such things. I would much rather walk the hillsides and take in the country air or go galloping across the open fields.”

  “Despite Father’s disapproval,” her youngest sister, Ann, commented, lifting one eyebrow. “Are you disappointed that he will not allow you to fence?”

  “Very,” Theodora replied truthfully.

  Ann laughed, shaking her head. “But I doubt that will stop you, although I for one cannot see the enjoyment one would get from such a sport.”

  “Only Theodora would enjoy such a manly sport!” Caroline exclaimed as she laughingly walked to the bay window in the room.

  Theodora smiled at her sibling. Truly her sisters knew her too well. She would not meekly comply with her father’s edicts. Sitting down carefully and smoothing her skirts over her knees, Theodora thought carefully about what her next course of action might be.

  Could she find someone to teach her such a skill without her father’s knowledge? It would not be difficult to hide, given that she alread
y spent so much time out of doors, either walking or riding in the nearby countryside. However, her chances of finding a suitable gentleman to teach her to fence were slim to none. No real gentleman would agree to carry on in such a manner under her father’s nose. Moreover, even if she found someone who did, how was she to pay him? Although she had a large portion of her pin money secured away, for she did not spend it often, would it be enough to allow her to secure a reasonable number of lessons?

  Her mind whirling, Theodora let her sisters talk amongst themselves and continued to consider how she might find a way to learn how to fence, just as her mother had done so long ago. If spinsterhood was her destiny, she intended to embrace it and live it her way.

  TWO

  Theodora kissed her father good morning, only for him to narrow his eyes at her as she walked towards the front door.

  “Where are you going at this hour, Theodora?”

  Knowing that he fully expected her to protest about his accusatory question, Theodora turned back and smiled to assure him that nothing was amiss despite his suspicions.

  “I am merely going to visit Louisa, Father.”

  Lord Lockley frowned at his daughter. “That is some distance away.”

  “And yet she is a friend of mine,” Theodora replied with a sigh. “I am taking the maid and the carriage, Papa, there is no need for concern.”

  “Very well. Ensure you are back before sunset.”

  “I will,” she replied, promising herself that she would not be tardy this time. “Louisa has been ill, Papa, so I must see for myself that she is recovering well.”

  Lord Lockley seemed to accept this, his bushy eyebrows lifting.

  “Very good,” he replied solemnly. “You have a kind heart, Theodora.”

  Theodora smiled, her eyes growing a little dim with sadness. “Mama’s greatest gift,” she said quietly before exiting the room.

  In truth, Theodora, whilst intent on seeing her dear friend, was also hoping that she might have some advice with regards to her fencing conundrum.