Once Jilted, Twice Shy: A Midwinter's Scandal Novella

By Erin Knightley

Lady Juliette Trent has spent the months since becoming London’s most notorious jilted bride in virtual isolation. When the impromptu Frost Fair on the Thames finally draws her out of her self-imposed confinement, the last person she expects to see is the very man who left her standing at the altar. But things aren’t always what they seem, and when Sebastian Holmes, Earl of Haverstan reveals his true reason for abandoning her, Juliette is determined to right the wrong that was done to them both—even if it means causing a scandal the ton won’t soon forget.

This novella is complete at 29,000 words.
**This story was originally released with Heather Snow's Loving Lady Dervish  in a novella 'duet' called A Midwinter's Scandal. The set is no longer available, but I highly recommend reading Heather's complementary story as well in order to enjoy the world to its fullest :) **

• Language: English
• Publisher: Erin Knightley
• Release date: Feb 3, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386448952

Book preview

Chapter One

Smiling when she didn’t feel like doing so was becoming a particular talent for Lady Juliette Trent.

She’d called upon it many times in the past eight months, like when friends asked how she was doing, or when she passed a fellow member of the ton and they watched her a little too closely, looking for a sign of any emotional turmoil about which they could gossip . . . or at that very moment, when her cousin scowled down at her with both hands set at her hips, her green eyes alight with mischief.

What could possibly be more important than the Frost Fair? Of course you must come. The likes of this have not been seen in a generation, for pity’s sake!

Georgiana was only eighteen, a good four years younger than Juliette, but she spoke with the authority of a woman twice her age. She was deuced good at convincing others to do what they might otherwise avoid. It was rather amusing to see Georgie, at all of five feet two inches, pushing around her older and substantially larger brothers, but Juliette had absolutely no intention of being coerced.

Keeping her customary smile firmly in place, she said, Yes, I realize. But I have entirely too much to see to this week. Your father’s dinner is to be attended not only by the regular members of the London Botanical Society, but by one of the most respected botanists in the whole world who will be in the country only for a short time. Uncle Gregory wishes for everything to be perfect.

Georgie rolled her eyes, unimpressed. "Men who muck about in dirt all day could scarcely have high standards when it comes to linen choice and place settings. And I’m quite certain that you’ve had the entire event planned to the last detail for weeks.

Therefore, she said, settling onto the sofa beside Juliette and pinning her with a determined gaze, an hour or two on the Thames won’t make a bit of difference. And it will do you good, what with the brisk air and good company.

Despite her cousin’s lighthearted teasing, Juliette’s stomach tightened. She looked down at her teacup, which she clasped more firmly than any delicate bone china should ever have to endure, and took a calming breath before shaking her head. "My standards are the only ones that matter, thank you. And though much is prepared, I certainly don’t have every detail in place."

It was possible she wasn’t lying. Surely one or two details had managed to escape her careful planning.

Footsteps in the corridor made both of them glance to the doorway just as Uncle Gregory strolled in.

Papa, Georgie exclaimed, her whole countenance brightening as she popped up to greet her father, what positively perfect timing. Do say I can borrow Juliette this afternoon for an excursion to the fair.

Uncle Gregory blinked, his moss-green gaze sliding between them in confusion. A fair, you say?

He looked as though he’d been awakened from a dream, which probably wasn’t far from the truth. Lord Gregory Pickford had never been like many of his peers, whose disapproving scowls and cold, imposing figures were legendary. He was a thinker and a dreamer. If Juliette were to guess, he’d likely been lost in thought over some tropical species of fern he wanted to add to the new conservatory.

It was one of the many things she loved about the man who had taken her in five years ago after her parents’ deaths. She could have gone to live with one of her older siblings, all three of whom were already married at the time, but her mother’s kindly older brother had made her feel the most wanted. Plus, she loved helping him with his household, something Georgiana, his only daughter, seemed to have absolutely no interest in.

Georgie’s brow puckered with consternation. Don’t say you haven’t heard of it, Papa. It’s not every day the Thames freezes solid.

Setting down her teacup, Juliette rose as well. "It’s nothing, Uncle. I’m sure you have much more important things to think of than ice-skating and novelty-shopping on the river. I certainly do," she added with a pointed look to her cousin. Not that it mattered; the girl was utterly irrepressible.

Uncle Gregory’s rusty chuckle interrupted her glare. Ah, a Frost Fair! I missed the news, I’m sorry to say. He sent a fond look toward Georgiana. Your mother and I enjoyed the last one so very much. It was several years before you were born and Nathanial was still very young, but Elizabeth insisted that we take the two older boys. It was a splendid, splendid day, he said on a sigh, his soft gaze lost to a different time altogether.

Juliette and Georgiana exchanged wide-eyed glances. Uncle Gregory rarely reminisced about his wife, who had died when Georgiana was only three. He smiled warmly at them both. Of course you must go, my dears. And do bring back some roasted chestnuts. They are never so good as when prepared at a fair. He patted his daughter’s hand, nodded to Juliette, and took his leave.

As much as Juliette wanted to argue with him, she was simply too astonished to do so. The tenderness and nostalgia in her uncle’s expression was enough to warm even her heart.

Well, Georgie said after a moment, turning a sly grin toward Juliette, it appears that we are going.

Juliette knew when she’d been beat. Letting out a great sigh, she nodded. It appears we are. I suppose I should ring for my coat.

More than that, her cousin replied, clearly quite pleased with herself. Go up and change into your warmest stockings. I plan to take every advantage of our outing, and I won’t have you bowing out from frostbite.

A flutter of anxiety started deep in Juliette’s belly. The longer she was there, the greater the chance she would run into someone who wished to gossip. Or, God forbid, she could run into him.

She blew out a shaky breath. The chances of that were quite slim. Most of the ton were away at their country houses for the winter. Besides, the only person less inclined than Juliette to squander the day at some silly Frost Fair was most certainly her former betrothed. He couldn’t care less for the diversions of society.

Squaring her shoulders, she pinned her cousin with her most resolute stare. One hour. Not a moment longer. And the hour begins when we get in the carriage.

Georgie’s grin was much too mischievous for Juliette’s peace of mind. If you say so, dear cousin. I’ll just finish my tea while you go change.

Half an hour later, Juliette was outfitted in her warmest gown, a sturdy wool traveling costume. The thing was substantial enough to survive a trip to the Arctic. She ignored the looks of surprise from the servants she passed. It hadn’t been that long since she’d gone out on an excursion. Excluding church and a handful of trips to the bookstore, she’d gone out . . . two, maybe three months ago?

All right, so perhaps the surprise wasn’t completely unwarranted.

Still, neither was her reluctance to leave the house. After the disastrous end of her Season, she’d happily never show her face in London again. Unfortunately for her, her uncle was one of only a handful of peers who preferred the city almost exclusively.

Don’t you look splendid, Georgiana declared, her smile as wide as her lips would allow. Her bonnet was already in place, leaving a few of her light brown curls pushed forward to frame her face, and she pulled on her gloves as she came to her feet. And just so you know, I’ve decided the hour will begin when we alight from the carriage, and not a moment before. I’m quite firm in my decision, so you might as well agree.

Juliette’s customary well-practiced smile lifted the corners of her mouth. Very well. But be advised that I brought my own watch, so don’t even attempt to stretch the minutes.

She could do this. With any luck, gossip—much like the Thames—chilled with the winter air, and no one would even think of her humiliation. As an extra precaution, however, she had worn her largest bonnet and brought the longest scarf she could find. These days, anonymity was her friend.

Perhaps this would be a pleasant excursion after all. So long as no one mentioned the name of Sebastian Holmes anywhere in her vicinity, it was conceivable that all might actually be well.

***

As I live and breathe, is that you, Holmes?

Sebastian paused mid-step and turned, already grinning at the booming voice that could only belong to Captain James Winbrook, an old friend from his days at Eton.

It is indeed, Winbrook, he said, slapping