A Well Written Letter

By B. E. Ganucheau

Rose Belmont is experiencing her first London season with little success, when she receives a mysterious missive from an unknown admirer. Rose begins a secret and scandalous correspondence with this nameless gentleman. As their letters become more detailed and intimate, Rose is convinced their is no other man she could love. After rejecting other suitors from her family, Rose and her mysterious gentleman agree to a clandestine meeting. What she does not realize is that his letter was initially intended for her cousin Eliza, and delivered to Rose by mistake. Will he be disappointed to learn the truth?

• Language: English
• Publisher: B. E. Ganucheau
• Release date: May 8, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311795489

B. E. Ganucheau

Brigitte Ganucheau has toured the Vatican, investigated a homicide and caught the killer, fallen in love in the English countryside and skimmed along the ocean floor- all in the world of books of course. In real life, she is a happily married, mom of three spunky little boys. She has been addicted to the written word from an early age and been inspired to create her own stories since high school. A writer in her spare time and a teacher by profession, Brigitte makes her home in Mobile, Alabama and couldn't be happier.So please curl up to a good book and lose yourself in the moment. Nothing makes this author happier.

Book preview

A Well Written Letter

By

B. E. Ganucheau

This work is property of the author, B.E. Ganucheau and is not to be reproduced in any format.

CHAPTER ONE

My dear lady,

I have desired your conversation for some time. However, I knew not how to make an introduction. For we have not yet been formally acquainted. But I have memorized the curve of your face, ensnared by your beauty. I see those lovely features in my dreams. It cannot be enough however. I desire your thoughts as well. I wish to discover the depth of your mind, as well as your beauty. I understand that our correspondence would be considered quite scandalous which is why I indicated no names in this missive. I propose this. We shall acquaint ourselves with one another through the written word. If you desire to continue our conversation send a reply to 15 Berkley Square tomorrow at noon. My own valet will be waiting and your reply shall make its way to my hands. I wait with anxious heart and mind to continue our conversation.

Ever Devoted,

Yours

Rose stared blankly at the paper within her hand. She examined the now torn envelope but it was blank. She was left with no clues as to the identity of her eloquent admirer. Never in her life had she received such attention from anyone. She almost knew not how to respond to such devoted words. No man had ever sought her attention in such a way. He had indicated he considered her beautiful. Heat bloomed in her cheeks at the notion, as her hand strayed to her chestnut brown hair. She had always felt herself to be quite plain. No match in beauty to one such as her own cousin Eliza. Rose read the letter again, before tucking it into her dress pocket. She brought the remaining mail to her Aunt Charlotte.

Rose scoured the house in search of her maid. If she trusted anyone to keep her confidence, it was Anna. Finally, Rose found her maid in one of the servants’ rooms readying the essentials for her cousin Eliza’s upcoming ride through the park with Lord Gillingham.

Anna, I do so hate to interrupt you, but could you spare a moment? Rose was desperate to know if her maid had any information regarding the mysterious letter which had arrived only moments earlier.

Of course, my lady. How may I be of service to you? Anna turned her full attention to Lady Belmont. Rose had always been a kind and patient lady. Anna had received nothing but the highest praise for all her hard work and she was always more than willing to assist the young deb.

Thank you. I shall be brief. I understand you have other matters to attend to. I only wondered if you might have seen who delivered the mail earlier. I received an unmarked envelope and I just wished to inquire about the sender. Rose tried to keep her voice steady, but she feared she had no talent for masking her emotions. Her eagerness and desperation seeped through her voice

Anna wondered at her lady’s nervousness, but knew a comment would be impertinent. It must have been quite the letter that Lady Belmont was so determined to find the source. I regret to inform my lady that I have no knowledge of the mail delivery. I should be happy to make inquires with the housekeeper, Mrs. Tanner.

Rose was quick to reply. That won’t be necessary. It’s of no consequence really. Promise me you won’t trouble yourself. Rose was immovable until she heard Anna comply.

As you wish, my lady. Anna was unaccustomed to such secretive behavior from Lady Rose. It was something she would not have blinked at with Lady Eliza.

Rose excused herself allowing Anna to return to her work. Anna put the strange encounter out of her mind. She would dwell on such things later. At present, she needed to assist the other ladies of the house.

In a daze, Rose floated to her bedroom. She shut the door smartly behind her, needing privacy to respond to such a missive. She drew the letter from her pocket with care, running her fingers along the smooth script. She admired his penmanship, it seemed he took as much care with his writing as he did with his choice of words. Searching her desk, Rose found a box in which to conceal the letter. She could not imagine sharing this even with her closest confidant, her cousin Eliza. After rereading the enchanting words, she folded the note and tucked it away. Those words had been meant for her eyes only and Rose’s heart swelled at the thought.

Dipping her quill into ink, she began to formulate a reply.

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Benjamin Riley paced his study, unable to remain still in his anxious state. He was currently calling himself all kinds of a fool as he wore down the antique rug beneath his feet. He stopped short at the sound of his valet approaching. In a moment, Benjamin was at the door, a mixture of anticipation and dread upon his face. His valet held out a blank envelope. Benjamin nearly ripped the letter from his valet’s hands, ignoring the disapproving look he received in return. Riley nodded at Jeffers, dismissing him from the study. He could not bear for Jeffers to witness his rejection should that be the case.

Gone half mad from waiting for her reply, Benjamin’s hands now shook as he tore the letter from its enclosure. What would she say to his forward remarks? Would she find it too scandalous? Would she misinterpret his intentions, dismiss his affections? He had debated sending the first letter. He understood fully the risks. Steeling himself against the thought of rejection and silencing the many questions now filling his conscience, Benjamin Riley took a calming breath. If she rejected his words, he had kept his identity secret there would still be a chance to win her in the flesh. He felt so awkward at such society gatherings however. Women put on such a mask of propriety he was never sure he met anything