Snug in a Snowstorm

By Cynthia Moore

Lady Isabella Porter and Lord Gerard Malden have known each other since they were children. Isabella thinks of Gerard as someone who teased her unmercifully and made her feel inadequate as a young girl. But Gerard has loved Isabella for many years.

A sudden, fierce snowstorm and misplaced notes informing both of a change of plan mean Isabella and Gerard are forced to spend the Christmas holidays together in very unusual circumstances.

Gerard realizes he must use the time he's been given with Isabella to change the opinions she formed as a girl so she may look upon him with favor and, if he is fortunate, lasting affection.

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
• Release date: Dec 3, 2018
• ISBN: 9781509223442

Cynthia Moore

Cynthia Moore grew up in a small, southern California beach town. While many hours were spent lying on the sand, she always had a book in hand or a paperback tucked inside a bag ready to pull out and read after a quick splash in the waves. Cynthia discovered British literature as a teenager. After reading most of the Victorian classics, she was introduced to English Regency period novels in 1987. It was love at first read. Since that time, Cynthia has read over four thousand fiction novels and owns a large collection of research books about the fascinating era. She is extremely proud to have several published stories set during the Regency and resides in Southern California with her dog who is, not surprisingly, named Austen.

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He pulled the door open and indicated she should precede him. Take whatever you need.

She was momentarily astounded as she observed the pile of bags gathered on the porch. Equally surprising was the sight of the thick white blanket of snow rapidly covering everything outside. She retrained her gaze on the bags and glimpsed the black leather handle of the satchel she required. She hastily moved forward to pick it up. My groom should also be available to help you.

He bent over to grab a few of the cases. Don’t concern yourself. Because of the scarcity of servants, I’m sure all of us are going to have to pitch in and do things we normally don’t do while we are here.

Still, she hesitated, somewhat unsure of how to act with him at present when their roles were changed in such an extreme manner. Well, I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me.

He followed her into the house. I know where to find you. Let’s try to make the most out of this Christmas together.

Snug in a Snowstorm

by

Cynthia Moore

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

Snug in a Snowstorm

COPYRIGHT © 2018 by Cynthia Moore

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Contact Information: [e-mail]

Cover Art by RJMorris

The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

PO Box 708

Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708

Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com

Publishing History

First Tea Rose Edition, 2018

Digital ISBN 978-1-5092-2344-2

Published in the United States of America

Dedication

To MG. You’re the one.

Thank you for the wonderful romance.

Chapter One

Early December, 1813

Do you know how delighted I would be if you and Gerard were to fall in love and get married?

What? Lady Isabella Porter’s hand shook, and she spilled some of her beverage. How strange! Her father mentioned something similar to her not long ago. She was presently having tea in the drawing room of her childhood friend’s home in London, and the subject came up once again. She slowly lowered her cup to a nearby table and tried to act nonchalant. Where did such a farfetched and laughable idea come from?

It’s hardly an impossible scheme. My brother is very handsome, and you are beautiful. We have all grown up together; you know each other very well. Julia patted her rounded belly, swollen with child. She was the only daughter of the Earl and Countess Foster and had fallen in love and married Viscount Clayton in a lavish ceremony a little over a year ago just before Isabella’s father passed away.

Isabella sighed with exasperation. Perhaps the impending birth of her first baby was making her friend unusually sentimental. Exactly right. I’m very aware of all your brother’s worst habits and traits. Obviously, I would never consider marrying him.

Julia shook her head and her blonde curls bounced jauntily. You know you exaggerate. He can be an amusing companion. You remember all the laughs we had when we were young.

She glanced down at her hands that were clasped tightly together in her lap before looking up to answer. Yes, I do. But you and your brother were doing most of the laughing because both of you were making fun of me.

Her friend looked smug. Well, you have to admit you were an easy target. You were so trusting. You believed almost everything we said.

She snorted indelicately. Until I got older and wiser. I’ll never forgive him for getting me stuck in that tree.

Julia giggled. You always had a weakness for helpless animals! You were determined to rescue that cat.

I didn’t realize how high up I was until I looked down. That was when my limbs seemed to freeze up, and I knew I wouldn’t be able to move from that spot. Isabella frowned as she remembered the incident.

But my brother was close by ready to save you even though you told him you didn’t need his help. Julia struggled to rise from the sofa and abruptly sat back down. Hand me one of those lemon cakes. I’m getting lazy as this baby grows larger inside me.

Here, allow me. She put one of the pastries on the plate and poured them both more tea. How was I to know the kitten would ignore me and climb to one of the top limbs on the tree once I positioned myself to grab her?

What about the time you chased the baby ducks into the pond, and he pushed you in after them? She laughed and took a bite of her cake.

Little bumps suddenly appeared on Isabella’s arms. She reached for her shawl, pulling it tightly around herself. Remember, I caught a chill after that escapade and was very ill for almost a fortnight.

Her friend grimaced. Yes, that was very unfortunate. They wouldn’t let me visit you in your sickbed for fear I might catch it. My brother was very worried about you.

She couldn’t stop herself from