A Bride for the Baron

By Harris Channing

Martha Arden has left England to escape the humiliation of a broken engagement. Going to Virginia to visit her cousin Jude, and his wife, Chloe, Martha becomes an unwitting pawn in their game to find a wife for their jilted friend, Frederick Von Richter. Will the ploy work? Will Martha be a bride for the baron?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Harris Channing
• Release date: Jun 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311932532

Harris Channing

An Army brat, Harris Channing traveled around the Southern US and Europe as a child before settling in Tennessee as an adult. Married with two children, she enjoys her family, reading, writing, and gardening.

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A Bride for the Baron

By Harris Channing

Copyright 2014 Harris Channing

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To Lori, Kimberly and Karen. Thank you for everything...

CHAPTER ONE

Hampton, Virginia 1824

Chloe smiled at her and Martha didn’t like it. What was going on in her head? Something was amiss. Both she and Martha’s cousin Jude had been odd all day. And not odd in the way Colonials were odd. But odd all together. They’d been whispering when she walked in at breakfast and now at tea Chloe’s gaze kept darting about the room.

Martha’s manners were impeccable but she had to know what was going on. After all, she had come to America for a change and being bolder would definitely be a change. She set her tea cup down, the sound of the cup rattling against the saucer bringing Chloe’s wild brown eyes to rest upon her.

Is there something you need to tell me? she asked, her tone sharper than she intended. The question seemed to catch Chloe off guard and her tanned cheeks flushed crimson. That was another thing about the colonies. The women seemed more comfortable, less inhibited. Why even Chloe’s auburn hair had lightened under the intense Virginia sun. There was a robust, healthy glow about her that made her even more beautiful.

No, why do you ask? Chloe’s voice trembled just the littlest bit and to the untrained ear of a novice, that may have gone unnoticed. But to a governess to three of the most conniving, lovable brats to ever trample the English countryside, Martha heard it.

It’s obvious. Both you and Jude are behaving strangely. Have I done something to offend? Should I not have come?

Chloe’s mouth opened and snapped shut at the sound of the front door opening. She stood. Not at all, my dear Martha. I am so glad to have you here. Moving around the tea cart, she gripped her hands together. She was excited about something, but about what, Martha had no clue.

Why the intrigue then?

Don’t be silly, Chloe said, her skirts rustling as she walked toward the parlor door. An old friend has only just arrived from Germany and I long to see him. I have so many things to thank him for.

Him?

Yes.

I see. Why didn’t you tell me? Martha took a step back.

Chloe’s attention came to rest upon her. Because after what happened with Lord Sexton I knew you’d want to leave. Her expression softened. I want you to stay. I want you to be happy and I know you’ll adore Frederick as I do. The baron is nothing like Sexton.

Martha’s mouth went dry and her chest grew tight. Lord Sexton. The widower father of her charges. He had made promises. Had told lies and left her hard fought reputation in ruins. She had held off his advances, had accepted his proposal only to have him break the engagement at the bequest of his father. Heat rushed to her cheeks at the reminder of her humiliation.

I don’t want you planning my destiny, Martha said, anger taking control of her usually composed demeanor. And isn’t he the one you cast off in favor of Jude?

Chloe visibly stiffened. That was a very harmful thing to say indeed. Please do not speak of him as if he weren’t worthy of the most triumphant woman in all of England…or America.

Her defense of him astounded her and Martha smoothed her gown. Ashamed. I’ll be out in the garden. The sun is nearly set and I imagine it’s cool enough now for me to enjoy the weather.

At the sound of the front door slamming to a close, Chloe rushed to Martha’s side. Please don’t be rude to him. I should have given you more warning. I simply wanted to…

Catch me off guard?

Chloe’s awkward smile should have annoyed her. But she found it rather charming that the woman she had known but three weeks’ time could read her so very well.

Yes. We need a companion for him. Not a wife. Just so he doesn’t feel uncomfortable. Her brow creased with emotion. He loved me and it took us years of asking for him to finally agree to visit. Now that he’s here I don’t want him to feel like…

An intruder? Martha inserted and inwardly agreed. Even though they were kind to her and generous, she made sure to go to bed early, and go for walks as often as the heat allowed. The love between them had her aching with a jealousy she loathed and Jude was her cousin and not the object of her affection. All right. As long as you don’t think I’m a bride for the baron.

Only if that’s what fate has in store, Chloe said in a rush before turning her back and giving Martha no chance at recourse. She hurried toward the door, her frame lithe, and her step light. She was so very elegant and Martha felt like a Clydesdale in comparison.

Chloe pulled open the door and upon the man’s entrance, Martha’s entire body shook. Every bit of her came to life. For in walked possibly, the most beautiful man, she had ever had the pleasure to lay eyes upon.

Dark hair, longer than the custom, full, well-trimmed beard. Bright blue eyes that sparkled as they came to rest upon Chloe. Sparkled with a warmth a man should only reserve for his lover. She swallowed the idea and suddenly had the urge to run to the door that would take her out into the garden.

Oh Baron! It is so wonderful to see you. Thank you so much for coming. Chloe enveloped his hand in hers.

My pleasure. He bowed his head and when he stood a dark curl rested upon his forehead giving him an almost boyish quality. A quality that would have gone unnoticed had the strand stayed tucked in place.

Jude followed close behind the baron, the joy on his face mirroring that of his wife’s.

Jude tells me you’ve come to love Virginia? His voice was deep, the timbre rich and powerful. It’s sound soothing to her ear…soothing, yet pleasantly chill inducing.

I do. It’s a very interesting place with many different sorts of insects.

The baron’s laughter was robust and when he turned his head and his eyes came to rest upon her, Martha’s heart shuddered in her chest. The stare was intense. The scrutiny, the boldness of it, caused her skin to heat. She’d never been looked at like that before and his expression was anything but pleasant. It was as if he realized Chloe and Jude’s marital intention. For hadn’t she? The two were nothing, if not obvious.

Come in, come in, Chloe said, and meet our cousin Martha Arden.

Frederick stepped forward and offered his hand. Martha slid her cool fingers into the warmth of his palm and when he leaned forward and brushed his lips across her knuckles, her body electrified.

Frederick Von Richter, he said against her fingers, his breath hot upon her flesh. He straightened. It is a pleasure to meet you. You are all Jude spoke of on the carriage ride from town.

I’m sure that was a rather boring trip, she said, pulling her hand free and setting it atop her roiling stomach.

Not at all. For you see, he believes that we will be very suitable dinner partners.

Martha didn’t like the way he looked at her now. No. He seemed bitterly angry and irate. Why that anger was directed upon her she couldn’t fathom and the unfairness of it had her seething.

Only dinner partners, sir? Her tone dripped with her own animosity. I thought for certain you had come all the way from Germany just to marry me. I am sorely disappointed that dinner is the very best you can offer.

She didn’t know why she said it. Perhaps it was to stun him or to stop his unfair assumptions. Whatever her purpose, his growling demeanor seemed to ease, if only the littlest bit.

They stared at one another for a long moment and as childish as it was, she refused to drop her gaze. She had seen Lewis and Lucy playing this game many times and had chastised them for it and yet she still held her eyes locked to his. Refusing to grant him even the smallest of victories.

Finally, Jude stepped up behind Frederick and patted him on the back, ending the ridiculous contest. Come sit down, man. Have some tea.

Chloe signaled Martha with a wave of her hand. "Cousin, let us find Maggie and freshen up the tea? I’m sure we can locate more