Arrogance & Conceit

By Trisha Fuentes

Who is that Mysterious Man staying at Thanet Manor?

John Cassaway was sold as an indentured servant in the Saint Lucy parish on the island of Barbados. Living in a thatched roof hut on the Cotz sugar plantation, he learned to live with African slaves, was kept warm by the arms of an African woman and eventually fell in love with a slave owner’s daughter. His life was exhausting, mundane till he caught yellow fever.

There is a surprise in-store for the Duke and Duchess of Norwin.
Book 3 in a series of maritime fiction. Includes crossover characters from Dare To Love, A Matchless Match, and Impropriety. Read The Hollinger Series today!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ardent Artist Books
• Release date: Sep 8, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463309261

Trisha Fuentes

Hey, it's Trish...I've always loved romance, I am a romantic at heart and writing Happily Ever After makes me smile. I wrote a few books back in 2008, then stopped completely because of writer's block (yep, it does happen!) I've tried my hand at Contemporary Modern romance and published a few Novellas in that genre, however, Historical Romance, especially Regency, is my passion and what I am most comfortable with writing. Expect to see dozens--no hundreds!--of more Regency Novellas published by Ardent Artist Books (my parent company).

Book preview

Chapter 1

The Thanet Manor was built in 1610 by the first Earl, Richard Harper. His son, Carl had extended the library to include several additional built in ten-foot bookcases and an immense fireplace with corner-side sitting area. The third Earl's mistress asked for an arbitrary greenhouse and the atrium was built at her request and design. Under increased construction, the Fourth Earl knocked out walls to add several bay windows to bring in the natural sunlight and the current Earl, Lord Harland Harper held the Hollinger homecoming in the enhanced span.

Everyone was silent for the moment, and the dead air was tense; the unexpected, impatient. The family reunion was not a joyful one.

Jordan locked eyes with his brother first. The last time he had seen him, he had been attending his wedding on board the Junia. It was on that voyage the pirates seized their ship and the captain killed their family, and everyone aboard, including the Drummonds were murdered or drowned at sea. Jordan had already been in the ocean treading the waves when he spotted his little brother hanging onto a crate for dear life. The rough surge made it impossible for him to paddle towards his brother and the ocean current swept them further apart. Thomas, was called Tommy back then and the only memories he had of them together were when they were younger. His baby brother was thin and scrawny back then and Jordan was always told to look after him.

The stranger standing before him was a man he never met. Jordan was also ten years older than Tommy, so imagine his surprise to see his own reflection staring back at him? Tommy had grown into just a younger version of himself, identical height and physique, same colored hair, eyes and general outward appearance and Jordan wondered if anyone ever believed Tommy was he.

His eyes then focused on the lady standing next to him. She, he recognized. Gwendolyn hadn't changed much, just an enhanced version of the beautiful young miss he once remembered. Fuller breasts and waist, her original debut outweighed her small flaws. She was still lovelier than ever and instantly, the buried feelings he held for Gwendolyn came rushing back to the surface.

There was so much to discuss, so much to say, he did not know where to begin. Questions had been melted away years ago from the hot burning Caribbean sun on an island surrounded by the North Atlantic. There really was no need for answers under the hardship of labor and service, all had been forgotten. Standing there now, inside the Thanet Library, he knew he needed to liberate the past and how he arrived to this very moment.

His eyes danced from one face to the other, he honestly did not know how to initiate! He was almost relieved when Lord Harper's voice came ringing through the stillness.

Shall I call for some tea? Harland looked at Jordan first, then Thomas, then his sister.

Thomas eyed Lord Harper, Yes, thank you. Then Thomas surveyed the room once more until he could no longer keep his sentiment in. You look well, brother.

Not used to the ties, he jested, loosening the darn fabric and releasing himself of the garment.

Thomas smiled, Spend much time outdoors? He asked, noticing the nice honey-colored tan on his brother’s face and neck.

Jordan stared at Thomas for a few seconds more before lunging into his long lost relative. Grabbing hold his body, he wrapped one arm under his shoulder while the other flung up across his back. Never in his life was he happier to see another human being. A familiar face. Relations, kin. Missed you, little brother.

Thomas held onto to Jordan for the longest time and closed his eyes. How many years had he wished he had his family back...yearning for the day that would never arrive...dreaming the same dream wishing it would turned into reality. His prayers were finally answered...not everyone...but in a way, all that he could ever hope for.

They broke apart, but by inches. Jordan shook his head and looked into Thomas’ eyes. By God, you are a handsome lad! He smiled graciously, hugging him once more.

Thomas couldn’t contain his happiness. It was just too much to bear and tears swarmed his eyes. You don't know how long I wished for a day like this.

Jordan brought him in and squeezed one more time, I too, brother. Releasing him fast, he swerved around and walked towards DeeDee. May I introduce my wife, Lady DeeDee Hollinger.

DeeDee curtsied, It is very nice to meet you.

Gwendolyn eyed the young miss. She wasn’t much older than her own daughter, Mary. Quite odd as well, they made an unlikely pairing. Lord Jordan Hollinger was always too particular in the females he was seen with. The new Mrs. Hollinger was in all respects rare in her appearance. Dark brown hair with golden shades, her eyes hazel flecks, her skin a tawny glowing tone. Gwendolyn’s inspection of her brought on more questions than answers and decided to focus on Jordan at last. Strange to see him with much older eyes. Now she can see why so many hopefuls fell over themselves craving his attention, the man was strikingly handsome! Dark brown hair, nearly black like her husbands, the same eye hue, only a brighter shade of green, sun-touched skin plus one deadly smile. Blinking back her attraction, she finally asked, Do I play a part in this happy homecoming?

Jordan pulled apart from Thomas’ focus and then rested his eyes on his sister by marriage. He extended out his arms for her too and watched in astonishment as she stepped into him and gladly received his embrace. It was nice to finally be welcomed when so many years ago, all she did was run away. It was a different turn of events. He let go of her body but rested his hands on her shoulders. When did you two...?

Gwendolyn finished his sentence, Find out each other was alive? Meet again? She turned to look at Thomas, When dear, eleven-twelve years ago?

Thomas spoke up with a gravelly voice, Eleven.

Jordan hadn’t let go his grip on her. He turned and gazed into her eyes. She was too alluring by far. Russet curls encasing pleasant brown eyes. Children?

Gwendolyn’s smile said it all.

Jordan perked up and finally let go of her to walk over to his new bride. Wrapping his arm around DeeDee’s shoulder, he gushed, Us too, he replied, gazing down at his beaming wife, We are having a baby as well.

Gwendolyn stepped over to Thomas’ side. Our baby is four months now.

Our eldest was married a few weeks back, Thomas spurted out, opening up further puzzlement.

Jordan blinked back his jolt of surprise, "Your eldest, is married?"

Gwendolyn placed her hand on Thomas’ jacket, "Mary...our eldest is seventeen, she will be eighteen next month. She was married a few days ago, the couple are on their honeymoon voyage to Paris."

Thomas gazed down at his wife first, then grabbed her hand in his. Nathaniel is seven, Jordan is six, Millicent is four, Phillip is two and Andrew our baby, is four months.

Jordan was awe-struck. Listening and hearing were two different senses. He listened to him speak but heard what he said. Hearing his little brother mouth out the words brought tears to his very own eyes. The words...were names. Identities for every person who had passed away. He hadn’t heard those names in over a decade. Names for every family member etched inside his memory, his heart, his very soul... Mary, Gwendolyn’s mother. Nathaniel, Gwendolyn’s brother. Millicent, his own sweet mother, Phillip and Andrew their other siblings, all reminiscent of days long gone by. Wait...one of their children was named Jordan?

Chapter 2

T ea?

Lord Harper set eyes on his house-servant, Miss Hampton. Yes, lovely.

Jordan broke away from his wife for the moment and found himself an empty high back chair. Do sit down, he gestured out in front of him. Please, everyone, do sit down.

They all find their seats after being served a cup of tea and all are silent again when Jordan started to chuckle. Jordan, he let go. Is he a handful?

Gwendolyn and Thomas both shot looks at one another.

You have no idea, Gwendolyn chimed in. He’s a rambunctious little boy in a charming sort of way.

Jordan smiled, he liked what he heard. He was also glad to hear that Gwendolyn had a sense of humor. He rather liked women with senses of humor and recalled when she was younger, she never did. She was a serious little girl back then. Full of vinegar when he tried to speak to her. She always seemed to harbor a secret or two and he always wondered what could be so troubling to such a young girl.

He recalled the day his father came to him with the news that the Drummond’s had offered Gwendolyn’s hand in marriage. She was sixteen then, so many moons ago and he held no reservations about marrying her. He was the eldest and the Hollinger heir, it was in due course that he would have been her match. But the Drummond’s insisted that it would be Gwendolyn’s selection and she had her choice of four strapping Hollinger brothers, either one could have been her betrothed. Any one, indeed. He rather hoped no one had noticed the look of disappointment on his face when Gwendolyn settled on Tommy.

He recalled the day after she had made her pick. He had been walking the lawns alone in need of some fresh air at Wilderbrand when out of the blue Gwendolyn rushed towards him and nearly knocked him down. He held her by her shoulders like he did moments ago but she refused to look into his eyes. She had been crying that day and he so wanted to kiss her tears away. He had to strain himself for wanting her and curve his desire to comfort her but she had chosen someone else. It wasn’t meant to be. And he was beaten down at the time but that feeling no longer existed, just the lingering dull ache of wondering what life would look like if she had. But then he met Marie, then later DeeDee and he truly knows now what genuine love was.

Looking at Gwendolyn, he realized that she was just a flight of fancy and certainty was what he had today with his wife. Jordan then rested eyes on his beloved and she looked at him with loving eyes which warmed his heart. He turned to look at his brother and asked, "When exactly did you two reunite? As I recall, you were thrown overboard on the Junia. How did they find you? The storm was rough that night, I thought everyone on board perished at sea, including you Gwendolyn."

Thomas looked at his brother oddly. How did you know that I was thrown overboard?

Jordan looked down at his boots, gazed over at his cup of tea and took a sip. He regarded Gwendolyn first then confessed, I saw you.

Thomas was in shock. "You saw me? You mean you were still within swimming distance of the ship?"

Yes, Jordan calmly replied. I tried to swim towards you but the waves were high and harsh and I wasn’t able to reach you.

Thomas ran his hands up and down his pantaloons. His brother could have saved them? They could have been together all this time and lived a normal life? The uncertainty of it all drove him a little mad. The what-ifs, the whys...the how. Did you see me swim towards the crate?

Yes.

"Did you call