A Christmas In Bath Read online

  He reached down and lifted the bag.

  "What is that?" she asked.

  "It's your Christmas present."

  Her face collapsed. "But I have nothing for you."

  "How can you say that? You've given me the most precious of all gifts. And when you see your present, you'll know how much your gift is also a present to me."

  Her brows lowered. "What can you mean?"

  "Let us sit upon the sofa."

  They sat very close together, then he reached into the bag and withdrew a slender book bound in soft green leather.

  "Oh, you're giving me a printed copy of your essays! How delightful." She took it, eagerly opened up to the title page, and she went deadly still as her eye ran along the printing, then teared up. "It's not your writings."

  "No, love. As I prepared to go to the printers, I realized how conceited I must appear. Then I knew that out of my love for you—which I was still not fully aware of—I must have your poems bound. I should like to share you and your incredible talent with the world. I've sent a copy to a London publisher, and I had enough copies made to present them to members of our respective families as Christmas gifts."

  She did not want to bawl in front of him, but she could not help it. No one had ever done anything for her in her entire life. Only Mama had ever given her a Christmas gift. Nothing could have affected her more profoundly. There in black and white read The Golden Bough and Other Poems by Mary Arbuckle.

  She flung her arms around him and wept into his fine woolen coat.

  * * *

  As he and Mary were leaving the church on Christmas morning, Jonathan glimpsed Archie on the back row. But where was the lad's mother? He hoped to God she hadn't not availed herself of the holiday to get a nip of gin. When they drew abreast of the lad, Jonathan was stunned to realize the woman beside Archie was his mother. Layers of grime had been removed from her skin to reveal a complexion nearly as pretty as Mary's ivory skin, with a hint of rose upon the woman's cheeks. Even the woman's hair was clean and tidily arranged. He recalled that Glee had bought her a new cloak for Christmas, and she must be excessively fond of it for she'd worn the blue woolen cape-like thing all through the Christmas service.

  What a lovely Christmas this was proving to be!

  A short time later he and Mary, along with Mrs. Arbuckle and his own mother, were greeting Thomas and Felicity Moreland and Lord and Lady Sedgewick at Winston Hall. Children were scurrying all about. His precious little niece was thrilled to be with her Moreland cousins. The fact that all three of them were male in no way prevented her from following them about.

  Glee had spread out a blanket for the babies to crawl up. Sedgewick's older son and daughter were down on their knees playing with their new twin siblings. The twins—a boy and girl—looked nothing like each other, but each looked remarkably like their elder brother, who was a miniature version of his blond and burly father.

  Though Glee had desired that baby Gregory crawl with his cousins, Jonathan's mother was reluctant to have the babe removed from her lap. Jonathan had never known his mother could act so foolish. She kept remarking on how strong was the family resemblance. "I see your dear Papa's face in the little darling," she said. More than once.

  Later, whilst they were sitting in the Moreland's opulent dinner room eating the Christmas goose from heavily gilded plates beneath a row of sparkling chandeliers, a heavy knock sounded at the front door. Thomas got to his feet. "I've given most of the servants a Christmas holiday. Allow me to get the door."

  A moment later, he returned, a letter in this hand. "A special messenger brought this for Sedgewick."

  Lord Sedgewick's brows lowered when Moreland handed it to him.

  Why would someone send a special messenger on Christmas Day? What could be so bloody important, Jonathan wondered. All conversation ceased as all eyes went to Sedgewick. When he finished reading, he shook his head in bewilderment as he handed the letter to his wife.

  "Pray, what is it?" Felicity asked. "Is everything all right?"

  "Indeed it is," a stunned Sedgewick said. "This may very well be my best Christmas ever."

  The man already had a wife he loved most potently and four lovely children. What else could a man want, Jonathan wondered.

  Sally Sedgewick erupted into tears, burying her face in her hands, her husband drawing her into his chest. "There now, love. Everything will be wonderful from now on."

  "You must tell us," Felicity demanded.

  George Pembroke, the Earl of Sedgewick, regarded his elder sister. "It's a letter from Mr. Johnson's solicitor with specific instructions that it be delivered to me on Christmas Day."

  "Not that Mr. Johnson? Evil Becky Johnson's papa?" Felicity asked.

  Sedgewick nodded grimly. "It seems that Mr. Johnson intends to leave me his entire fortune to make restitution for the wrongs committed to me by his daughter."

  Lady Sedgewick still had not pulled herself together, and her husband was most concerned. "It is all right, love."

  "I know. I'm just overcome," she whimpered.

  "I heard Mr. Johnson was in Bath to take the waters because he's been very ill," Felicity said.

  "And he was awfully old when his only child was born. He must be at least seventy," Glee added.

  "Well, I'm going to wish him continued good health," George said.

  Lady Sedgewick's calm was soon restored, and the meal resumed.

  "My dear brother-in-law has an announcement to make," Glee said, eying Jonathan, mirth flashing in those vivid green eyes of hers.

  Everyone turned to him. He cleared his throat, flashed a smile at Mary, then said, "Miss Arbuckle and I should like to request your presence at the church tomorrow morning. For our wedding." He looked lovingly down at her. "Mary has done me the goodness to consent to be my wife."

  Felicity Moreland squealed with delight. "I've been expecting that announcement for years since we all knew you two were perfect for one another."

  Lord Sedgewick and Thomas Moreland both left their seats and came to shake Jonathan's hand. "I hope you'll be as happy as Felicity and I," Moreland said.

  Lord Sedgewick smiled down upon him as he offered his sturdy handshake. "Felicitations, old boy. I cannot recommend marriage too enthusiastically."

  "Now practically every one of our friends will be happily wed," Felicity said.

  "There's Appleton," Glee said dryly. "We shall have to find a nice girl for him."

  "And for Sir Elvin," Lady Sedgewick added.

  "Oh, my goodness! I forgot to tell you," Felicity said. "I got a message last night from Catherine Steffington telling me she was uncommonly happy to announce that yesterday she was delivered of a beautiful baby boy!"

  All at once, Felicity was barraged with questions. What did they name the babe? How was Catherine getting along? Was Melvin a proud papa?

  Jonathan found himself a bit envious of his old friend Melvin Steffington. Jonathan realized he would enjoy having a son of his own. A son of his and Mary's. He looked up from his plate, feasting his eyes on Mary's sweet profile.

  She turned to him, her eyelids shyly downcast.

  He lowered his voice to just a whisper, a whisper no one save his beloved could hear. "I should like us to have a child by next Christmas."

  Beneath the table, their hands met. He squeezed hers most lovingly, as he watched her pretty brown eyes moistening. "Will I sound bold if I say I should love it above all things to oblige you?"

  "Not one of your beautiful poems could sound any lovelier to my ears, dearest."

  THE END

  Win a $50 Gift Certificate

  I hope you enjoyed A Christmas In Bath. If you did, would you please consider posting a review by the book's listing at Amazon.com or another a site where you might have read it? If you do, please send me an email at [email protected] and I will enter your name in one of my quarterly drawings for a $50 gift certificate to iTunes or another eBook retailer of your choice. Each time you review one of my books, l
et me know, and you will get another entry for each review. There will be a drawing each quarter.

  Thank you from Cheryl Bolen

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  Christmas Brides

  If you enjoyed reading A Christmas In Bath, you may also enjoy reading Christmas Brides, a collection of three heart-warming Christmas novellas, including Christmas at Farley Manor (voted Best Historical Novella of 2011). (Available at Amazon.com.)

  The Brides of Bath Series

  If you enjoyed reading A Christmas In Bath, you may also enjoy the other five installments of The Brides of Bath series. (Available at Amazon.com.)

  The Bride Wore Blue

  (The Brides of Bath, Book 1)

  Cheryl Bolen's writing draws you into her fast-paced story. 4 Stars – Romantic Times

  Cheryl Bolen returns to the Regency England she knows so well. . .If you love a steamy Regency with a fast pace, be sure to pick up The Bride Wore Blue. – Happily Ever After

  * * *

  For six long years Thomas Moreland has dreamed of the beautiful young noblewoman who rescued him from death. While amassing his fortune in India, not a day passed he did not recall Felicity's fair loveliness, did not recall the silken tones of her sweet voice, did not desire to possess her.

  Now a widow, Felicity Harrison does not recognize the handsome nabob as the young man left for dead by highwayman years earlier. Though she wants nothing more than to snub the arrogant man who promises to rescue her family from financial ruin in exchange for presenting his sister to Society, she cannot snub him. She must force herself to bear his company. But the longer she is with him, the more she has to force herself to remain true to her dead husband's memory. Why is it the humbly born Thomas Moreland possesses more nobility that any man of her class? And why is it she finds it harder and harder to mourn a dead man when Thomas's virility awakens her deepest desires?

  With His Ring

  (The Brides of Bath, Book 2)

  Texas Gold's Runner-up for Best Historical Romance 2002

  Highly recommended. – Under the Covers

  Cheryl Bolen does it again! There is laughter, and the interaction of the characters pulls you right into the book. I look forward to the next in this series. 4 Stars – Romantic Times

  With His Ring is a good book. Once you start reading you will not want to put it down. . .The secondary characters are a blast. They will have you laughing right along with Glee's stunts. – The Romance Readers Connection

  If you liked Cheryl Bolen's first installment in her Brides of Bath series set in Regency England, you'll like this one. With His Ring has plenty of sensuality. – Happily Ever After

  * * *

  Glee Pembroke has turned down countless offers of marriage because she has secretly been in love with her brother's best friend, Gregory Blankenship, all her life. When she learns Gregory will lose his considerable fortune if he's not wed by his twenty-fifth birthday, she persuades him to enter into a sham marriage with her. What he doesn't know is that she plans to win his heart. She will do everything in her power to make him happy—including mimicking the ways of a "fast" woman since he's noted for alliances with women of that sort.

  Why did he ever allow himself to marry the maddening Glee? He'd thought they would have great fun, but at every turn, she exasperates him. Why does she persist in wearing the bodice of her dresses so blasted low? Why do other men persist in flirting with her, his wife? And why in the blazes has his heretofore complacent life been turned upside down by this sham marriage? He finds himself longing for a real marriage, but for reasons he cannot divulge, that can never happen.

  The Bride’s Secret

  (The Brides of Bath, Book 3)

  (Previously titled A Fallen Woman)

  You'll fall for A Fallen Woman, the latest Regency romance by Cheryl Bolen. .this emotional story of a woman's journey from despair to triumph has what we all want from a love story. – In Print

  A story of healing, forgiveness and change that will make readers cheer. – Romantic Times

  I would recommend A Fallen Woman to anyone." – Escape to Romance

  * * *

  Since his commanding officer in the Peninsula took a bullet meant for him, James Moore, now the Earl of Rutledge, feels responsible for the dead man's young son and the boy's exquisite mother, Carlotta Ennis—so responsible that he offers to marry the lavender-eyed beauty. Though their marriage was not to be a love match, Carlotta's torturing presence has James yearning to make her his true wife.

  Though she did not love his lordship, her desperate situation forced her to accept his proposal. Little did she know she would come to crave being with him, would hunger for his every touch. If only she could be worthy of the fine man she's married, if only she can keep him from learning her dark secret . . .

  To Take This Lord

  (The Brides of Bath, Book 4)

  (Previously titled An Improper Proposal)

  "Wonderfully Crafted... Highly recommended... 5 stars." – Huntress Book Reviews

  "Bolen's writing... creates the perfect atmosphere for her enchanting romances." –

  Romantic Times

  "Bolen does a wonderful job building simmering sexual tension." – Booklist

  * * *

  Even though it's been two years since his cherished wife died on childbed, George Pembroke, the Viscount Sedgewick, continues to rely on liquor to blunt his grief.

  Worried about him and his children, George's sisters urge him to ask spinster Sally Spenser—a longtime family friend—to help care for his daughter and son. Sally's the perfect person. She's of high birth (but has no money) and she adores Lord Sedgewick's children. It's her deep love of the motherless children and fear that their father might marry an unfeeling stepmother that prompt Sally to consider George's proposal. Even though it will be unbearable living under the roof of the man she loves and knowing she can never have him.

  Love In The Library

  (The Brides of Bath, Book 5)

  The Beauty and the Scholar. . .

  Certain the "smart" Steffington twin is the person who can help her recover her late husband's nearly priceless stolen Chaucer manuscript, Catherine Bexley tearfully persuades the scholar to assist her. A deal is struck. She's particularly pleased that the Doctor of Letters is not interested in seducing her because she's finished with men (owing to her late husband's multitude of unfortunate alliances with. . .doxies). Regaining the manuscript and its subsequent sale will give her independence to ensure she never has to marry again.

  Once he learns the poor, delicate widow is in danger of losing her heavily mortgaged home if they cannot find the valuable hologram, Dr. Melvin Steffington vows to do everything in his power to restore the rare Canterbury Tales to her. It's obvious the pretty little thing needs a man to help her. Not normally the twin to take note of pretty little things, Melvin can't help but to observe that Mrs. Bexley's physical appearance is much like the beauties so admired by his twin brother.

  He hadn’t counted on the fact he would have to pose as her husband as they race against the banker's ticking clock. He hadn’t counted on the mysterious thief attempting to kill him. Most of all, he hadn't counted on how close he would become to the lovely widow or how the kissing of said widow would become the most pleasant experience in his entire seven and twenty years...