Finding the Bluestocking’s Heart: The Colchester Sisters Read online

  “Then thank goodness you are so modest,” Verity said, settling her wedding gown about her in the carriage so as not to crease it.

  “Oh, Verity, it was such a beautiful service.” Jane leaned against the door of the open-top carriage with a tear-stained face full of absolute joy. “And what a wonderful little bride you make. So small and pretty, like a little doll.”

  “Oh, Jane, do not cry again,” Verity said in an amusingly strained tone.

  “Let her have her fun,” Esme said, standing at Jane’s side and smiling brightly. “She has been looking forward to this moment almost as much as she looked forward to her own wedding. Do not deny her the simple pleasure.”

  “Goodness, Esme, we are all married now, are we not? Every single one of the Colchester girls are now spoken for,” Verity said and realized that she could not be happier.

  “This is why I took such a lenient approach, you see,” Edward said as he and his wife stood at the other side of the carriage. “I knew that my daughters would sort themselves out very nicely,” he went on and Mrs. Colchester looked at him askance.

  “Is it any wonder that we have a son who would take credit for the sky being blue when the father is thus?” she said and shook her head from side to side. “Really, my husband.”

  “I will miss you both very much,” Verity said, looking at her parents and holding back her unexpected tears. “But I shall not be very far away.”

  “We know, my sweet,” Mrs. Colchester said. “But your life is for living, my dear. It is for making your own and for doing things in your own way. We know that we shall see you again.”

  “We are a family still, are we not?” Esme said as Jane nodded vigorously, tears streaming down her face. “And we shall always be a family. It is just that there are a few more of us now and I daresay there are more to come in the future.”

  “Oh dear,” Verity said and stared thoughtfully into space. “Do you know, I had not really thought about that.” And, as everybody began to laugh, she stared at them sincerely. “What is so funny now?”

  “It is just you, my darling. It is your wonderful way of putting things,” Irving whispered into her ear. “And having children does not put a stop to your interests. It just gives you more people to share them with, that is all.”

  “Oh, now that sounds like a fine idea,” Verity said thoughtfully after a moment or two of mulling it over.

  “And you are happy? Really happy?” he whispered again, taking her hand in his.

  “I could not be happier, Irving. I love you with all my heart and I could never imagine my life without you.”

  “In that case, shall we go home?”

  “Yes, let us go home.”

  “I will love you forever,” he said, before they turned to their family and friends to bid them farewell.

  * * *

  If you enjoyed this book don’t miss the other 2 Colchester Sister’s books. Get Esme’s book here

  Or Jane’s book here

  The Beast and the Baron’s Daughter Preview

  “Now then, we really must start packing. I know we shall not be leaving until Friday, but one can never be too well prepared,” Lady Ariadne Milford said as she heaved herself to her feet with her customary noisy groan. “Goodness, old age is catching up with me.”

  “Shall I ask the housekeeper to have your wooden trunk laid out in your room, My Lady?” Jane asked and hoped that she was being helpful. “And then, perhaps, you could tell me what you need, and I could help you pack.”

  “Not at all, my dear. The housekeeper has everything under control and my lady’s maid will pack for me. She is well versed on my traveling needs, Jane.” Lady Ariadne gave Jane a reassuring smile. “No, I think you and I shall take tea instead and discuss this nephew of mine. I daresay it will be of some use to you to know a little something of him before we arrive at Sotheby Hall.” She looked across the drawing room to the bell rope hanging neatly by the side of the chimney breast. “I know it is early, my dear, but what-say you ring for tea anyway?”

  “Of course, Lady Ariadne,” Jane said and dutifully rose from her perch on the couch and silently hurried across the room.

  “My dear, you are always so keen to help with everything.” Lady Ariadne was studying Jane as she made her way back across the room. “But you really are only my companion, Jane. You must try not to be one of my servants, for you are not. I know the circumstances of your father’s passing have made you nervous, but you are still a well-bred young woman. None of us know in our youth how the world is going to treat us, but we always have our breeding to fall back upon.”

  “You are very kind, Lady Ariadne.” Jane settled back on the very edge of the couch opposite her mistress.

  “Oh, do sit comfortably, Jane. You make me feel as if there is some emergency that I am not yet aware of.” Lady Ariadne waved her companion back into her seat. “That’s it, lean back a little at least. Is that not more comfortable?”

  “Yes, thank you,” Jane said and wished she could find some way to feel at her ease.

  But her life had been turned upside down with the passing of her father and she felt like a fish out of water.

  Her father, Lord Briars, a baron, had struggled for most of his life with a failing estate, doing everything in his power to see it continue for generations to come, even if his heir was to be his nephew. Jane had been his only child and his only relief had been to know that his nephew would have happily kept Jane safe on the estate when the time came. But when the time did come, there was nothing left for Jane’s cousin to inherit and no way for that fine young man to add her to his already great responsibilities. In the end, Jane had taken matters into her own hands and struck out into the world in search of a job. Thinking first to try for a position as a governess, she had found luck at last when the very first post she had been offered had been as a companion to Lady Ariadne Milford. It was better paid and kept her status at least a bit better elevated than if she had become a governess.

  “Now then, about my nephew,” Lady Ariadne began, bringing Jane back into the here and now. “I have not yet told you much about him. The truth is that I did not think he would agree to see me and so I thought there was little point in giving you any of the details before now.”

  “I see,” Jane said, not really seeing but feeling she ought to add to the conversation in some way.

  It wouldn’t do for her to simply smile benignly and stare out of one of Brockett Hall’s ceiling-height windows or to admire the largest fireplace she had ever seen. Lady Ariadne liked her companion to be just that; a companion. She was expected to participate, to give opinions, even offer advice on occasion. But with a woman of such a forceful character as Lady Ariadne, such confidence was not easily found.

  “Oh, but he was such a dear boy to me, Jane. Such a handsome little lad.” Lady Ariadne looked suddenly upset and Jane, unused to dealing with such things, began to fear she had no means by which to manage. “And when he set off for Spain, his father and me pleading with him to reconsider, he was so full of enthusiasm for life and everything in it.” Quite out of the blue, Lady Ariadne dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief.

  “Lady Ariadne, what is it? What is upsetting you?” Jane, feeling certain that her mistress would not want her to dash across the room and comfort her physically, decided to get to the heart of the matter.

  After all, it was Lady Ariadne’s way of doing things and Jane could only hope that she would appreciate a little forthrightness.

  “Oh, I am upset my dear. Very upset. I am always this way when I think of my poor dear Nathaniel.”

  “Your nephew? But why?”

  “He was so terribly wounded out there in Spain. Oh, how I wish he would never have gone.”

  “Lady Ariadne, forgive me, but is your nephew an invalid on account of his wounds? Is that why you are so upset?” Jane spoke gently.

  “No, he is not an invalid, except that he makes himself so.” Lady Ariadne, just as her character dictated, snif
fed in a loud and unladylike manner without apology, forcing Jane to stifle an inappropriate laugh.

  “I do not understand.”

  “He has made himself a recluse. That handsome boy who left home at just twenty is now a man of thirty who might just as well live in a cave for all the people he sees. He has made himself a hermit.”

  “And that is why you did not think he would agree to your visit?”

  “Yes.” Lady Ariadne blew her nose with all the grace of a farmhand. “But he has, and so I must be pleased. And I am, although I suppose it is true to say I am more relieved than anything. I have not seen him for two years. Before that it was three.” She shrugged. “I just hope that he will let me help him this time. Let us help him,” she said and looked meaningfully at Jane.

  As Jane smiled kindly, she wondered just what was going to be expected of her.

  Find out in The Beast and the Baron’s Daughter for just 0.99 and FREE with your Kindle Unlimited subscription.

  More Books by Charlotte Darcy

  If you love Regency romance join my newsletter for exciting new release announcements and to see my visits to British Regency houses join here. You will receive occasional free content.

  A few selected books I hope you will enjoy.

  Charlotte

  All my books are FREE on Kindle Unlimited

  The Lady and the Secret Duke

  Love for the Hidden Lady

  Love for the Hidden Rose

  Box Sets

  Regency Romantic Dreams 4 interlinked novels

  Love at Morley Mills 6 Book Box Set including an exclusive book in one 6 book collection FREE on Kindle Unlimited.

  Love Against the Odds an 11 Book Regency Box Set

  Also by Charlotte Darcy

  More Books by Charlotte Darcy

  If you love Regency romance join my newsletter for exciting new release announcements and to see my visits to British Regency houses join here. You will receive occasional free content.

  A few selected books I hope you will enjoy.

  Charlotte

  All my books are FREE on Kindle Unlimited

  The Lady and the Secret Duke

  Love for the Hidden Lady

  Love for the Hidden Rose

  Box Sets

  Regency Romantic Dreams 4 interlinked novels

  Love at Morley Mills 6 Book Box Set including an exclusive book in one 6 book collection FREE on Kindle Unlimited.

  Love Against the Odds an 11 Book Regency Box Set

  About the Author

  I hope you enjoyed these books by Charlotte Darcy.

  Charlotte is a hopeless romantic. She loves historical romance and the Regency era the most. She has been a writer for many years and can think of nothing better than seeing how her characters can find their happy ever after.

  She lives in Derbyshire, England and when not writing you will find her walking the British countryside with her dog Poppy or visiting stately homes, such as Chatsworth House which is local to her.

  You can contact Charlotte at [email protected] or via facebook at @CharlotteDarcyAuthor

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