Lady Cecilia Is Cordially Disinvited For Christmas Read online

  Lady Cecilia Is Cordially Disinvited For Christmas

  Sheridan Jeane

  Contents

  Lady Cecilia is Cordially Disinvited For Christmas

  Books By

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Epilogue

  VIP Club

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Thank You For Reading

  Gambling on a Scoundrel

  Reviews help other readers like you

  It Takes a Spy…: Excerpt

  A Flowers and Fullerton Book / published by arrangement with the author

  Copyright 2019 by Sheridan Jeane

  Cover Design by Earthly Charms

  ISBN: 978-1-63303-012-1

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.

  This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance it bears to reality is entirely coincidental.

  Produced by Sheridan Jeane

  at Flowers and Fullerton, LLC

  Cleveland, OH

  [email protected]

  www.SheridanJeane.com

  This book is dedicated to my dear friends. You all know who you are. You’ve been there for me through some difficult times these past few years, and your loving support has meant the world to me.

  This is for you.

  Lady Cecilia is Cordially Disinvited For Christmas

  Home For Christmas

  Weary of the long hours he's been spending on a make-or-break legal case, Devin Montlake, the youngest son of the Earl of Vincent, is thrilled at the prospect of spending Christmas with his childhood love Lady Cecilia. With professional success almost within his grasp, he can finally formalize their understanding. Unfortunately, his interfering family's House Party might well be his last chance.

  Believing they've been disinvited to the Vincent’s Christmas gathering, Lady Cecilia and her family are surprised when they receive Devlin's last-minute plea to attend. Lady Cecilia knows the Vincents want better for Devlin than the daughter of an impoverished earl, and, after months of Devlin's silence, she isn’t sure what to expect. Does Devlin plan to break things off with her in person, or will he ask for her hand in marriage? And if he does propose after so much time apart, how can she be sure she is still first in Devlin's heart?

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  Books By

  - Sheridan Jeane -

  Secrets and Seduction series

  Lady Cecilia is Cordially Disinvited for Christmas

  It Takes a Spy...

  Lady Catherine’s Secret

  Once Upon a Spy

  My Lady, My Spy

  Other books:

  Gambling on a Scoundrel

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  1

  December 24, 1850

  The train slowed as it approached the station, and the change in its rhythm and motion alerted Devin Montlake to his imminent arrival home. It pulled to a screeching halt as he peered out the window. He was surprised to see his older brother Horace, Viscount Tittle, step out of their family carriage.

  On reflection, Horace’s presence really shouldn’t have come as a surprise. He took his role as heir seriously. Father had drilled the importance of family duty into his children from birth, ensuring they all knew what was expected of them. His older sister had done her duty by marrying and producing three children in quick succession. Horace had been married for six months now and would probably soon be announcing the expected arrival of a baby.

  Father expected a great deal from Devin as well.

  Or rather, he had once expected it.

  Devin had always tried to be the model son, but somehow he’d managed to become his parents’ biggest disappointment. Since he always preferred to follow the rules, he’d assumed that pleasing them would be easy.

  He’d been wrong.

  This new role as a renegade simply wasn’t part of his makeup. Unfortunately, they’d really wanted him to be nothing more than a mindless sheep. It hadn’t suited him. He’d eventually come to realize that the more he acquiesced, the more demanding his parents would become. When they’d tried to force him to become a pastor, he’d finally taken a stand. He had to choose his own future as a barrister.

  Sacrilege.

  To make matters worse, he also happened to be the only unmarried one of the lot.

  Fortunately, he had plans to take steps toward rectifying that omission over the holiday.

  He stepped from the train car and onto the platform. The air reeked of coal smoke. He’d need to change into a fresh shirt once he reached his father’s estate. His white collar and cuffs had taken on a grayish shade from the soot.

  “Devin, you rascal. You made it. Mother had nearly given up on you arriving in time for Christmas.” Horace pulled him into a firm hug and then backed away and gave Devin a sharp clap on his back. It was good to know he could always count on his brother.

  “I was handed a big case last week, and I needed to prepare. I’d still be in London if not for—” He reconsidered his next words and glanced at his brother. “Lady Cecilia and her family said they’ll attend Mother’s annual festivities, did they not?”

  Horace took a step back and regarded him. “I was under the impression they hadn’t been invited this year.”

  “So I heard. I took matters into my own hands and contacted Lord Babbage to extend an invitation.”

  The corner of Horace’s mouth twitched in a smirk. “Mother is annoyed with you.”

  “As long as Lady Cecilia comes, I really don’t care.”

  “There was some doubt. Lady Babbage’s illness has worsened, and she isn’t even feeling up to the mild excitement of a country party, but I was gratified to learn yesterday that Lord Babbage and his daughters decided to attend without her. They plan to return home mid-day on Christmas and will miss the dance.”

  “I’m relieved to know they’re coming, although I’m sorry to hear about Lady Babbage. I have to admit I only came home because I plan to formalize things with Lady Cecilia. I need to speak with her father to finalize our engagement. I hope to set the wedding date for next fall. By then, I’ll be firmly established as a barrister. Between her dowry and my income, I should be able to maintain an independent household.”

  Horace tensed, but he kept his face blank as he absorbed this news. “I didn’t realize you’d decided to marry her.”

  “Of course I’ll marry her. That’s always been my plan.”

  “Yes, but I assumed you’d wait until she’d reached the age of eighteen before asking her. You’ve taken me by surprise.”

  Devin picked up his valise and gestured toward the waiting carriage. “We should go. No reason to stand
here in the cold.”

  “Yes, let’s be off.” Horace glanced around and noticed Devin’s single piece of luggage. “Just the one bag?”

  “I’ve learned to travel light.” Since he’d never bothered to hire a valet after leaving Oxford, keeping things simple had become essential.

  Once inside the opulent carriage, Devin plopped his valise by his feet and settled himself against the comfortable cushions. His brother took the seat opposite him, and a moment later the coach lurched forward.

  Horace used his boot to shove a heated brick that served as a foot warmer closer to Devin and then stared fixedly out the window. A moment later, he turned his gaze on his brother. “Lord Babbage has had some more bad luck.”

  Devin’s stomach lurched. “Don’t tell me he fell for another one of those schemes.”

  “Perhaps not a scheme, per se, but certainly a risky investment.”

  Devin sighed heavily. “You’d think he’d have learned his lesson after losing so much money on that train deal a few years back. It nearly ruined him.”

  “And to lose it all due to a friend’s lies. I’m surprised the man ever trusted anyone again after that.”

  “What happened this time?” Devin asked.

  “His newest scheme was based on England’s increasing demand for sugar. He noticed a small shortage and rushed to bring in a shipment to market before his competitors. It might have worked, but unfortunately the ship hit a bad storm, and the cargo was destroyed. I understand he lost a great deal this time. He’s said to be nearly destitute.”

  A chill ran across Devin’s shoulders. He let out a sigh. “Why the rush? Why take such a chance? Sugar will still be in demand when the seas are calmer.” Did Lord Babbage pursue perilous schemes due to a desperate need for funds, or was it the risk he loved? Devin couldn’t help wondering if someone had played on his weakness. As a barrister, he had seen too much of the ugly underside of the world. In his experience, people weren’t kind. They weren’t good. They were out to get as much as they could for themselves and didn’t care whom they hurt in the process. At least, everyone except Lady Cecilia. She was different— and people like her needed his protection. It was up to men like him to force the predators to play by the rules, such as they were. Unfortunately, too many despicable people took advantage of those rules and ended up lining their pockets.

  Horace cleared his throat. “Lady Cecilia’s dowry—”

  Devin’s gaze snapped to his brother. “Is it gone?”

  “I can’t say for certain, but I suspect so. Tread carefully. You know how Father can be. He sees catastrophes looming at every turn.”

  Devin collapsed back against the cushions. That would certainly sabotage his plans for a future with Cecilia. There would be no way for him to purchase a home without her dowry… not where he’d hoped they could live. He knew better than to hope his parents would help. Based on their increasingly frequent demands and their complaints when he wouldn’t accede to them, even the minimal support they still provided would soon come to an end.

  He would need to devise a new plan.

  The remainder of their short drive to the family estate took place in silence. The train station was quite convenient, even if it made the countryside a bit noisier than it had been when he’d been a boy.

  He stepped into the grand foyer with his valise gripped tightly in his hand.

  “Devin, you’ve finally come home,” Lady Vincent said as she swept down the red-carpeted staircase in an emerald-green silk gown. Her pale hair was swept up in a tight bun. She paused at the last step and peered at his bag with confusion. “But where is your traveling trunk? Don’t tell me that’s all you brought.”

  “I can’t stay long. I need to leave on Boxing Day.”

  “Are you trying to break your mother’s heart?” his father asked as he swept in from the direction of the library, a book clutched in one beefy hand. “You haven’t been home in two years, and now you say you’ll only stay two days?” The man’s hair had turned a bit grayer, but other than that he was relatively unchanged since Devin’s last visit.

  “I know. I’m sorry. I have a case I need to argue next week, and it’s a complicated one. I should be in London right now preparing for it, but I didn’t want to disappoint you.” Or Cecilia.

  “Hmph.” His father’s disdain was both loud and obvious.

  “That certainly puts a damper on my plans,” his mother complained. “So many of our guests were looking forward to seeing you. Miss Glassford in particular.”

  “Miss Glassford? I don’t recall meeting her.” Devin glanced at his brother for help, but Horace assiduously avoided his gaze. Something was going on here.

  “She’s simply a young lady with whom I think you’ll have much in common. Mr. Glassford recently moved to the county. We’ve invited him along with his wife and daughter to be our guests for the house party.”

  If Devin were a betting man, he’d gamble that the father was wealthy and the girl was in search of a husband. He forced himself not to react. “I look forward to meeting Mr. Glassford and his family.” The tight smile he offered should have conveyed all his annoyance, but she chose to ignore it.

  “Quite so,” his mother said. “I hope you’ll make them feel welcome. Miss Glassford is such a pleasant young woman. I quite admire her.”

  “I’ll do what I can. Unfortunately, since my visit is so short, I already won’t have much time to devote to Lady Cecilia. I’m hopeful I’ll be able to finalize matters with her father.”

  “You what?” his father interrupted. “What on earth are you babbling on about? What matters? What could you possibly be planning that includes Lord Babbage? The man is a soft-headed imbecile. Don’t tell me you’re getting yourself involved in one of his schemes.”

  Devin straightened his spine. “I’m referring to the arrangements I plan to make with Lord Babbage to secure Lady Cecilia’s hand in marriage.”

  His mother let out a soft moan. “Don’t tell me that’s why you went behind my back and invited them. I thought we’d convinced you of the rashness of that plan. Her family—”

  “Her family has had more than its fair share of bad luck. Between Lady Babbage’s ill health, the lack of a direct male heir to inherit the title, and Lord Babbage’s poorly chosen investments, I’d say they’ve been extremely unfortunate,” Devin said.

  “Why would you want to tie yourself to such people?” his mother asked. “Don’t you realize that Cecilia will try to pass them money— your money— at every opportunity? And what of your children? That sister of hers is much too precocious. They’ve let Evangeline run wild. She has no idea how to speak to her betters.”

  “I’ve seen it over and over again with horses. Bad breeding makes bad foals,” Father intoned.

  Devin narrowed his eyes. “Are you suggesting Cecilia is in some way deficient? She’s the picture of good health.”

  “Not of good sense,” his mother muttered.

  “I think I’ve heard more than enough.” Devin grabbed his valise from where he’d set it on the floor. “I insist you stop criticizing the woman I plan to marry.”

  His mother’s face paled. “Devin, be reasonable. You can’t still plan to—”

  “I do, Mother. I plan to make Cecilia my wife. You need to accept it.”

  * * *

  Cecilia jolted awake when their carriage shook so hard her head bounced against the threadbare backrest.

  “Ow,” Evangeline shrieked from the seat opposite She shot Cecilia an accusatory glance as she rubbed a spot behind her ear.

  “Don’t look at me,” Cecilia told her sister. “I didn’t drive the carriage through a rut.”

  Father let out a faint grunt of agreement without lifting his eyes from his book, An Illustrated Historical Atlas of the Mediterranean Region. Was he already hatching some new scheme? She didn’t want to know.

  Cecilia tucked the wool blanket more tightly around her feet so the heat from the brick foot warmer couldn’t escape. She gla
nced out the window and was disappointed to realize she could only have been dozing for ten minutes at most.

  “You look tired,” Evangeline said.

  Cecilia turned to find her sister staring at her. “I didn’t sleep well last night.” She leaned her head to one side to stretch her stiff neck.

  “Are you nervous about seeing Devin?”

  Cecilia shifted on the seat. “More than I care to admit.” If not for Devin’s unexpected note, she would have slept soundly last night. In it, he said he “needed to speak with her” during the Christmas festivities at his parents’ estate.

  “If I were you, I’d be vexed with him,” Evangeline said as she leaned comfortably against their father.

  “Of course I’m vexed with him. That was his first letter in six months.” More than vexed. Unsettled. Couldn’t he have been bothered to include some softer words? Perhaps something to reassure her?

  “Truly, Cecilia. How dare he send such a cryptic message after remaining silent for so long? If you aren’t offended, I’ll be offended on your behalf.”

  The corner of Cecilia’s mouth twitched up in a half smile. “I’m offended enough on my own, but thank you.”

  What did his message even mean?

  What if he planned to break things off with her face-to-face? He wasn’t the sort of man to let things fade away, nor did he seem the kind of man to write her a letter to if he wanted to end things. He’d feel compelled to speak with her directly.