Christmas Cake Kisses: Victorian Holiday Romance (A Short Story)

By Lena Goldfinch

Arabella Ashbury, the new Countess of Kentwick, isn't satisfied with a mere marriage of convenience. Her handsome groom, his lordship Malcolm Ashbury, may be known for his glowers and growls, but she sees through to his softer side. She's in love and longs for his affection.

It's nearly Christmas and her plans to win him over hinge on an outrageous plan, to bake him his favorite Christmas cake, a nearly impossible confection of meringue, genoise, and hazelnut cream. To do this, she faces her first challenge, enlisting the help of the earl's suspicious household staff, who view her as The Dowry, a wealthy, social climbing commoner who cares only for Malcolm's title.

Christmas Cake Kisses is a short-but-sweet Victorian holiday romance. The story was inspired in part by the author's love of Beauty and the Beast themed romance, Victorian and Regency Christmas anthologies, and her near obsession with The Great British Baking Show.

Length: A quick romantic read of 6200 words (approximately 40 print-formatted pages)
Content: a sweet romance, with no graphic content or swearing

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lena Goldfinch
• Release date: Dec 21, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386113249

Lena Goldfinch

LENA GOLDFINCH writes heartwarming romance and romantic fantasy for adults and teens. She's a sucker for a good old-fashioned romance, whether it's a novel, novella, or short story, young adult or adult, fantasy or realistic, contemporary or historical. Elements of romance, fantasy, and mystery have a way of creeping into her writing, whether she's writing historicals or something light and contemporary. Her works include: * THE UNEXPECTED BRIDE (Sweet Historical Romance) -- Coming October 6, 2014, Now Available for Pre-Order! * THE LANGUAGE OF SOULS * AIRE * SONGSTONE * HAUNTING JOY * TAKE A PICTURE: A Novella * CHAIN REACTION: A Short Story (Prequel to HAUNTING JOY) Future works: HAUNTING MELODY (HAUNTING JOY : Part 2) "Danger, magic, romance, and royal intrigue, AIRE is a must read!" --NYT Bestselling Author JESSICA ANDERSEN "Looking for something fresh and new to read? Try Lena Goldfinch's AIRE." --SERENA CHASE, USA Today HEA "SONGSTONE sings with characters who come to life, a story full of magic, heart and adventure, and a world that lets you smell the sea air and feel the tropical sun on your back." --LISA GAIL GREEN, author of The Binding Stone "SONGSTONE...an original fantasy world inhabited by superstitious tribal nations and intriguingly developed characters." --SERENA CHASE, USA Today HEA "THE LANGUAGE OF SOULS...the perfect tiny romantic escape." --Tales of Whimsy Twitter: @lena_goldfinch FB: https://www.facebook.com/lenagoldfinch Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/lenagoldfinch Website: http://www.LenaGoldfinch.com

Book preview

Christmas Cake KissesFull Page Image

Chapter 1

Victorian England, December 1890

Arabella descended the servants’ stair to the kitchens. With each creaking step, the shadows of the narrow passage deepened. She grasped the railing, discomfited by the sensation she was trespassing.

Silly of her, truly. She was mistress here. No matter she’d been wed to their master only two short weeks.

No matter even the potboy viewed her as a lowborn social climber.

Arabella hesitated at the yawning entry to the kitchens. A wave of heat struck her. Blinding daylight streamed through the high-set windows. She blinked, taking in the dizzying bustle of maids in white aprons around an enormous worktable. Wooden bowls, spoons, cleavers, cabbages, potatoes parading down its length. Among other mysterious foodstuffs.

Arabella breathed in the fortifying aroma of baked apples and cinnamon. There, tarts cooling on a three-tiered rack. Her mouth watered.

She spotted Cook standing guard over a bubbling cauldron. She held a ladle aloft like a scepter. Her great black enameled kitchen stove sat back in a copper-lined nook. Crouching like a fire-breathing dragon in a glowing cave.

Arabella’s lips twitched at her fanciful imaginings. Her brothers had often accused her of reading too many fairy tales.

My lady! Cook spun toward her, apparently catching her reflection in the gleaming copper.

Arabella started. She resisted the urge to glance behind her for the dowager Lady Kentwick, Malcolm’s mother, even though she knew the woman disappeared abroad years ago with her French lover. Leaving behind her gambling husband. And a son not nearly grown.

Cook, Arabella acknowledged the stout woman, inclining her head in what she hoped was a suitably noble fashion. Might I have a word?

Cook’s throat muscles tightened in a visible swallow as she approached Arabella. Surely she wasn’t intimidated by her?

In Arabella’s estimation, none of the staff was. That had been made plain upon her arrival to Kentwick Hall.

On the morning after the wedding, her father had sent a coach bearing more personal belongings