A Duke For Lady Eve (Belles 0f Christmas Book 5) by Kasey Stockton

Author:Kasey Stockton [Stockton, Kasey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Romance, Women's Fiction, Victorian Era, 19th Century, Forever Love, Bachelor, Single Woman, Love Possibility, Hearts Desire, American West, Clean & Wholesome, Christian Stories, Faith Based, Inspirational Reads, Love Inspired, Life-Changes, Second Chance Reunion, Honesty & Trust, Home & Family, Lifetime Love, Romantic Schemes, Love-Family & Forever, Action & Adventure, Small Town & Rural Area, Christmas Holidays & Celebration, Christmas Time, Holiday Whimsy, Festive Season, Winter Weather, Belles 0f Christmas, Multi-Author, Novellas, short Storys
Publisher: Kasey Stockton
Published: 2019-12-02T05:00:00+00:00

* * *

Christmas dinner had been quite the same as always. Julia and Dr. Cooper were pleasant company, the former keeping Father in conversation and the latter doing her part to visit with Evelyn and Aunt Edith both. Mr. Hart arrived, rounding out their numbers and conversation.

But Evelyn was far from pleasant that evening. She knew she was far more reticent than usual, but it seemed to escape her father. Aunt Edith, on the other hand, eyed her closely, suspicion gleaming in the older woman’s gaze.

Sitting in the library, the Yule log blazing in the fireplace, the conversation turned to politics between the men, as it usually did when Father, Dr. Cooper, and Mr. Hart got together.

“When shall they learn to speak of those things when they are not in the same room as the women?” Aunt Edith complained. “It is always this way, and I find it so tedious.”

“Then it is good we are here to distract you,” Julia replied. “Did you hear of the new visitors at Chesford Place?”

“Only what your brother shared with us yesterday,” Evelyn replied. “There was a fine carriage seen traveling toward the earl’s estate.”

“A fine carriage, indeed,” Julia said, leaning closer. “Containing a duchess and two women.”

“Alverton’s mother,” Evelyn said at once. But she saw him just that morning and he hadn’t even mentioned it. “And who are the women?”

Julia looked between Aunt Edith and Evelyn. “I do not know this to be certain, but I was informed that one of the women is the duchess’s sister, the other woman her daughter.”

“But Alverton does not have any sisters,” Evelyn said.

“Not the duke’s sister, Evelyn,” Aunt Edith snapped. “His cousin.”

Realization dawned on her and she sat back in her seat, her fingers playing with the fringe of her shawl. It was no wonder the man had been on edge that morning—the very women he was hoping to escape had brought themselves to his doorstep. It was horrible how blatantly they did not seem to care about Alverton, the man, and merely sought Alverton, the duke.

And his own mother was part of it all.

“I invited them to dine this evening,” Aunt Edith said, causing Evelyn to grow still. “But Lord Sanders claimed a prior engagement. Perhaps he already knew of their impending arrival.”

He had seemed surprised to hear that a carriage was on its way to his house, but Evelyn supposed he could have been play acting.

Although, that did not seem right to her.

“I am sure I’ve never seen so handsome a man as Lord Sanders,” Julia said, surprising Evelyn. She was usually so quick to blush, but her cheeks were not the slightest bit pink.

“Perhaps I ought to try again,” Aunt Edith said, a hungry look in her beady eyes. “If we extend the invitation to include their guests, then surely the men will not refuse.”

“A duke has every right to refuse condescending to dine in our home,” Evelyn argued. She could not share the finer points of the development between Alverton and herself

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