Warming Winter's Heart: An Historical Romance Novella by Carter Elizabeth Ellen

Author:Carter, Elizabeth Ellen [Carter, Elizabeth Ellen]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Tags: Romance, Anthology, Historical, Fiction
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2020-07-17T16:00:00+00:00

After the third article was published, the entire city was talking about The Nightingale. Sales of The Argus had gone through the roof. Caroline knew this because the publisher had sent her a large bouquet of hothouse flowers to thank her for the increase in circulation.

As she walked down the street with Lucas to order him some new shoes, it seemed every second person had a copy of the newspaper in their hands or under their arms.

After their errand, she visited a tearoom and ordered a cup of tea for herself and a warm cup of milk for Lucas. As they sat there, she overheard two gentlemen discussing the story of a young matchgirl found frozen to death last winter, her body laid to rest in a pauper’s grave as no one came to claim her.

Only then did Caroline feel trepidation about what she had done. It was all too easy to get a rush of blood to the head, dash out the words and cast them out onto the world. As hopeful as she had been that people might feel the same dismay she felt on first hearing these stories, she had no expectation about how they would be received.

Was it possible she could she do more harm than good?

Their journey home would see them cross the corner of Hyde Park. There, not far from where the old Tyburn gallows had been, a large man stood on a box, shouting at a group of people. On a large board next to him was pinned a newspaper spread.

She didn’t need to venture any closer to know which newspaper it was and what page was pinned there. The man yelled out with a thick Scottish burr.

“Then shall they also answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when saw we thee ahungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?’. Then shall He answer them, saying, ‘Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me’.”

The man was beginning to draw a crowd and not everyone appreciated his sermon. Hecklers jostled those who had gathered simply to listen. Some of them had taken to yelling to drown the man out.

Caroline turned Lucas away from the spectacle and directed him towards Grosvenor Square. A barouche moved past them; the canvas head dropped on both sides to give the passengers the best of the day’s sunshine.

The conveyance slowed.

“Lady Lavene!” Margaret Erskin waved enthusiastically. “What a treat to see you again. I never thought we should so soon.”

Caroline approached and found Miss Margaret beside her mother with Miss Stonely opposite beside Julian Winter.

“It is a most pleasant surprise, indeed,” she agreed. “It is certainly a fine day for a ride. We elected to walk today. It’s been quite fortunate this winter has been exceedingly mild.”

“Are you off anywhere in particular, Lady Lavene?”

Oh, she wished Julian hadn’t spoken. There was something about his voice that resonated within her, like a harp string vibrating in perfect pitch.

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