Introducing Mr. Winterbourne: Winterbourne, #1

By Joanna Chambers

Lysander Winterbourne appears to lead a charmed life. Handsome, amiable, and a renowned sportsman, he is the darling of London society. As far as Adam Freeman is concerned though, Lysander is just another spoiled aristocrat. 

A wealthy mill owner, Adam has no time for the frivolous world of the ton, but when his younger brother becomes engaged to Althea Winterbourne, he reluctantly agrees to be introduced to society–with the Winterbourne clan's golden boy as his guide. 

Resigning himself to a few days of boredom, Adam is surprised to learn that there is much more to Lysander than his perfect surface. But will Adam have the courage to introduce Lysander Winterbourne to his own secret self?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Joanna Chambers
• Release date: Apr 2, 2018
• ISBN: 9781999709181

Joanna Chambers

Joanna Chambers always wanted to write. In between studying, finding a proper grown up job, getting married and having kids, she spent many hours staring at blank sheets of paper and chewing pens. That changed when she rediscovered her love of romance and found her muse. Joanna's muse likes red wine, coffee and won't let Joanna clean the house or watch television. Connect with Joanna: Newsletter Website: www.joannachambers.com Facebook  Facebook author page Twitter: @ChambersJoanna Goodreads

Book preview

Introducing Mr. Winterbourne

Introducing Mr. Winterbourne

Joanna Chambers

Introducing Mr. Winterbourne

Copyright © 2018 Joanna Chambers

Cover art: Natasha Snow

Published by Joanna Chambers

ISBN: 978-1-9997091-8-1

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or business establishments or organisations is completely coincidental.

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Introducing Mr. Winterbourne

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Lysander Winterbourne appears to lead a charmed life. Handsome, amiable, and a renowned sportsman, he is the darling of London society. As far as Adam Freeman is concerned though, Lysander is just another spoiled aristocrat.

---

A wealthy mill owner, Adam has no time for the frivolous world of the ton, but when his younger brother becomes engaged to Althea Winterbourne, he reluctantly agrees to be introduced to society–with the Winterbourne clan’s golden boy as his guide.

---

Resigning himself to a few days of boredom, Adam is surprised to learn that there is much more to Lysander than his perfect surface. But will Adam have the courage to introduce Lysander Winterbourne to his own secret self?

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Thank you, dear reader

Also by Joanna Chambers

Provoked (Enlightenment #1)

1

March, 1822

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The day on which Lysander Winterbourne’s life changed forever was, for the most part, a very ordinary one.

In the morning, he rose early and went for a bruising ride with his friend, Lord Perry Cavendish. He’d been stuck in Town for months, and it was good to get out into the country. Thankfully it wouldn’t be for much longer. In fact, he planned to be on his way to Winterbourne Abbey on the morrow, and to avoid coming back to Town for a good long while.

After a hearty gallop, Lysander and Perry partook of kippers and ale in their favourite inn, then drove Perry’s curricle out along the Brighton Road to watch a boxing match being held in an open field.

A quantity of ale was consumed—mainly by Perry—and they were very lucky he didn’t overturn his curricle on the way back to Town. By the time Lysander rolled back home, it was almost six o’clock.

His Lordship has asked that you attend him in Her Ladyship’s private drawing room, Quincy, his father’s humourless butler, informed Lysander. He delivered the news in a doom-laden tone, as though the purpose of Lysander’s father’s request was to deliver some terrible news, but Lysander had known old Quince for too many years to worry much about that.

When he entered the sitting room, it was to find his mother, Lady Jemima, reclining on a chaise longue, reading a novel, while his father sat, somewhat incongruously, at his wife’s dainty escritoire, reading a letter, a frown on his face.

They both looked up at Lysander’s entrance.

Lady Jemima, who at one-and-fifty was still beautiful, albeit somewhat rounder than the willowy subject of the portrait on the wall behind her, smiled warmly at him. He was her favourite child, the youngest of the family. Lord Winterbourne hadn’t worn quite so well as his wife. Too many good dinners were stretching the limits of his plum-coloured waistcoat, and the blue eyes Lysander had inherited were rheumy from too many brandy-fuelled late nights at the tables.

Lysander, darling, Lady Jemima said, putting down her book. An inveterately lazy woman, she made no move to rise but merely held her hands out, and Lysander stepped forward to take them, bending his head to press a quick kiss to each set of fine knuckles.

Mama, he said. You look lovely today.

It wasn’t a lie, and besides, she loved compliments. His words made her beam with pleasure.

"Thank you, darling. Have you had a nice day? How is dear little Perry? Did he mention his mother? It’s simply years since I’ve seen Julia Cavendish."

Lysander chuckled. ‘Dear little Perry’ is six foot two and weighs fourteen stone, Mama. And it’s difficult to get more than a grunt out of him, never mind news of his mother.

Lady Jemima looked surprised. Really? It doesn’t seem so very long since the two of you nearly set the stables at Winterbourne Abbey on fire.

For goodness sake, Mimi, Lord Winterbourne sighed. That was ten years ago.

Lady Jemima looked comically surprised.

Quince told me you wanted to talk to me, Lysander said to the earl, taking the chair next to the escritoire and stretching out his long legs. Was it something in particular?

Ah, said Lord Winterbourne. He cleared his throat. Yes, it is rather.

He sounded so serious that Lysander was struck by a sudden worry that this was going

Reviews for Introducing Mr. Winterbourne

[Laura M · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A nice, short read. It did well in sticking to the historical setting, and the romance happened quickly, yet satisfactorily.