Snowfall Sleigh Ride for Lady Serena: Sweet Regency Romance (Seasons of Love Book 3) by Maggie Dallen & Katherine Ann Madison

Author:Maggie Dallen & Katherine Ann Madison [Dallen, Maggie & Madison, Katherine Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Swift Romance Publishing Corp
Published: 2021-12-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Rush tried to wipe his face of the foolish grin. He truly did. But it was no use. Even after he left Serena so they might both prepare to meet again mere hours later before dinner, he still wore the silly expression.

He caught sight of his reflection as he entered his rooms and had to laugh at the sight. He hardly recognized himself.

With a shake of his head, he shed his jacket and went to unfasten his cufflinks so he might freshen up and change for dinner when he was interrupted by a knock on the door.

He opened it to find a footman holding a missive. “For you, my lord,” he said. “It arrived this morning.”

“Thank you.” The grin fled fast, replaced by a frown of concern, as he slid open the sealed parchment and realized the letter was from his solicitor.

His stomach sank and his chest knotted.

One glance at the familiar scrawl and all the joyful relaxation fled as if it had never been there at all.

His afternoon with Serena felt like a farfetched, distant memory by the time he was done reading what his solicitor had written.

Despite the formal language, the message was dire.

No, his situation was dire.

Creditors were nipping at his heels. Threats of legal action had been issued. Would he be sent to debtors’ prison? He leaned over the desk on his elbows, pinching the bridge of his nose as he tried to shake the sensation of panic that threatened to consume him.

There was no need to panic. He’d come here to find a wife with a sizeable dowry, and that was precisely what he’d done.

He straightened, tucking the missive away and out of sight.

He had a dinner party to get ready for, and before that, a tête-à-tête with the woman he hoped to marry.

As he dressed, he replayed every moment of the afternoon. This time without the giddy delight of an infatuated young man but with the cold, clinical eye of an earl in need of a dowry.

She’d been receptive, there was no doubt about that. It might be a blessing that he so enjoyed himself, but what truly mattered was that she had been amenable. Surely any reservations she might have had were done away with after today’s successful outing.

He drew in a deep breath as he straightened his cravat. He’d never cared for being dressed by others, and right now he was grateful for the methodical rhythm of preparing his own wardrobe. Like a knight of old putting on his armor, he thought with a rueful smirk as he studied his reflection.

He was an earl first, man second. He’d always known that was the way his life would be when he inherited. It was the way it ought to be.

And while he could celebrate his good fortune in acquiring a bride he actually liked, respected, and desired after the marriage logistics had been decided, until then, he could not afford to lose his focus.

He straightened and took one last look at his reflection in the full-length dressing mirror.

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