Holiday Bride: Brides of Somerset Book Five by Lynne Karen

Author:Lynne, Karen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-11-25T16:00:00+00:00

It was midway through the night, and Lillian found her stomach in want of food. Heather and Mr. Brent Fitzhugh were conversing with Aunt Mary when her partner returned her.

“Miss Heather and I were just talking about retiring to the supper-room for a bit to eat. Would you two care to join us?”

Lillian looked at Aunt Mary.

“Yes, Dear, I shall be along in a minute.” Aunt Mary waved them on.

They entered the room and stood in line at the buffet, waiting their turn. “Mr. Fitzhugh, are you to be here long in our part of England?”

“Miss Lillian, do call me Stuart, this Mr. Fitzhugh will get confusing as to which of us you refer, my brother or I.”

“Oh, I don’t know, we have only just met.” Lillian looked around as if to seek some advice. “How about if I refer to you as Mr. Stuart?” Lillian had noted the color of his pin. Mr. Stuart’s was ruby red, and Mr. Brent’s was emerald green, surely, she could tell them apart if they didn’t change up their pins.

“Splendid, jolly as the English say. That is a clever idea.” Mr. Stuart wiggled his eyebrows.

Lillian and Heather laughed at Mr. Stuart’s attempt to sound like an Englishman. His American accent spoiled the effect, but he was delightful in his humor. They filled their plates and found a vacant table.

“My brother and I will be leaving for London after the Holidays, and in the spring, we are traveling into the north country. We finished our tour of Wales this summer, and we had a devil of a time understanding each other, the people that is.”

Mr. Stuart’s thick drawl must have been an oddity to the people of Wales indeed. The gentlemen finished their dinners with gusto, not seeming to worry about the amount they consumed.

Mr. Stuart stood. “May I get you more to eat, Miss Lillian, Miss Heather?”

Heather shook her head. “I am fine, thank you.”

“I should like some more punch, Mr. Stuart.” The watered-down mulled wine had warmed her as she watched the gentlemen retreat toward the buffet. Her Aunt was across the room, visiting with the dowager Countess of Malmesbury. Lillian didn’t see Lady Susan or Lady Eliza. They could be dancing or in the card room.

Lillian watched as Mr. Stuart and his brother retreated, they were hard of muscle, with sunburned faces, and dark auburn hair, which showed their passion for outdoor activities.

The twins were clothed in identical green coats and mustard-colored breeches, only a jeweled neck pin distinguished them apart. If Lillian could just remember the color and keep them separate. What pranks they must have played as boys.

“Lillian, don’t you find Mr. Brent so distinguishingly original?” Heather breathed softly.

“Well, if you don’t count that he is the exact replica of his brother, you are correct, the two of them are quite different than the gentlemen we are used to.” Lillian agreed.

“Mr. Stuart, why have to set out to tour England?” Lillian asked when the brothers returned.

“We were expelled from the University of Virginia, the third in two years.

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