The Lady's Christmas Proposal: Honorable Rogue, #3.5

By Vikki Vaught

Lord Robert's at his wit's end. His eight-year-old daughter is a wild child, and although it's the last thing he wants, he will travel to London in the spring to find a wife. But...could the fates be shining on him? Lady Mildred just might be…the answer to his dilemma.

After spending years under her brother's abusive control, Lady Mildred no longer expects to find love. Until…she meets Lord Robert and is smitten. Is it possible she might have a suitor, at last?

Vikki Vaught's award-winning series, Honorable Rogue, adds The Lady's Christmas Proposal, a novella based on characters from The Viscount's Salvation. A Regency tale of a woman's redemption after suffering abuse living with her tyrannical brother, the Earl of Melton.

Will a chance meeting between a widower and a spinster lead to love, or will her past stand in the way?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Vikki Vaught
• Release date: Dec 12, 2017
• ISBN: 9781393989424

Vikki Vaught

Vikki Vaught began her writing career when a story invaded her mind and refused leave. Ever since, the stories keep coming and writing is now her passion. Over the last ten years, she has written more than a dozen romances and is presently working on her next, while fighting off the other future characters shouting my turn! Vikki lives in the beautiful foothills of the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee with her husband. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her curled up in a comfortable chair reading, lost in a good book with a cup of tea at her side. She also enjoys walking her little dogs, Marlee and Dolly who have captured her heart! While all her books are love stories, she also writes contemporary inspirational romances as Vikki McCombie.

Book preview

Chapter1

December 1803

AT WIT’S END, LORD Robert stalked from the schoolroom, leaving Melissa, his eight-year-old daughter, with her ineffective governess. Melissa had gone missing yet again, and he’d found her at the pond playing with several of his tenants’ children, all of them boys, and her wearing stolen breeches—no less—with her golden curls stuffed under a cap.

She’d climbed an enormous oak tree, swinging from one of the largest branches, ready to drop to the ground, a fall that could have broken a limb, at the least. His heart stopped as he’d raced to catch her.

Melissa’s glee when she’d landed in his arms, set his blood boiling. That last escapade was it, she left him no choice. He’d return to London in the spring and search for a wife. The child needed a mother, not another milksop governess who could not control her charge.

He stormed into his study and poured a glass of brandy. Normally, he didn’t indulge in spirits so early in the day, but he needed something to calm his rattled nerves. He’d added ten years to his thirty-seven as he’d raced toward his daughter. He could not lose her. His love for her kept him sane. After downing the brandy, he sighed and opened his ledger.

His first day back from London and turmoil beset him. To add to his chaos, he must visit Wallingford Manor to offer his condolences to the late Viscount Hardesty’s widow and meet the man who had inherited the title.

He’d respected the late Lord Hardesty, and his peers would miss him in the House of Lords. He vaguely recalled meeting the new viscount years ago. The man would need to follow the path of a great statesman. Woolgathering accomplished nothing. He closed the ledger with a snap.

Striding from the room, he made his way to his stables. Once on his way, the ride to Wallingford Manor improved his disposition. A solitary ride across his lands on one of his award-winning racehorses calmed his frazzled nerves.

By the time he reached the manor, his usual equilibrium returned. He knocked on the door with his crop. The butler opened it, allowing him entry. The servant bowed. Good afternoon, Lord Robert.

I’m here to visit Viscount Hardesty, he informed the butler.

His lordship is out at the moment, but his wife is in the drawing room. Do you want me to see if she is receiving?

Please. Although he would rather see the viscount, his wife would do. Mayhap, the late Lord Hardesty’s widow was with her, and he could pay his respects.

The butler left him alone while he went to see if the lady would accept his call, and he glanced around the foyer. Nothing looked different yet, however, with a new mistress in residence, that would no doubt change. The servant returned and led him to the drawing room. Fortunately, the late viscount’s widow sat beside the new Lady Hardesty.

He bowed. Good afternoon, ladies. He approached the widow. I’m sorry for your loss, ma’am. All who knew and respected your husband will miss him greatly.

The woman dabbed at her eyes. Thank you, for your kind words. She turned to the new viscountess. Lady Hardesty, this is Lord Robert, our closest neighbor, one of the Marquess of Brockton’s sons.

I’m pleased to meet you. The lady turned to the third woman in the room. Let me introduce my aunt, Lady Mildred.

The woman’s vivid blue eyes caught his attention. Lord Robert. A pleasure.

He executed a bow. A pleasure indeed, ma’am.

Even though the woman looked close to his own age, a flash of desire settled in his belly. Her striking eyes captivated him, and her shining auburn hair looked like silk, her figure­­—voluptuous. While her beauty might be understated for some men, he found her vastly appealing. Her air of innocence surprised him, considering her age. Perhaps there was no need to look for a wife in London after all.

He returned his gaze to his hostess when she said, Please, sit. May I pour you some tea?

Thank you, a cup is most appreciated. After meeting Lady Mildred, he wanted to prolong the visit. He sat beside the woman, hoping to engage her in conversation. An older woman would suit his needs much better than a miss straight from the schoolroom with stars in her eyes. That’s what he’d find in London.

Lady Hardesty handed him his tea. Thank you, ma’am. After several minutes of polite conversation with his hostess, the butler returned, drawing the lady’s attention. He turned to the enchanting woman beside him. Do you live close by or are you visiting your niece?

Her smile faltered slightly, but she quickly recovered. I’ve recently joined the viscount’s household, at least until spring. I’m helping Wallingford— She twisted her handkerchief. Oh, dear, he’s Hardesty now. I must remember to address him as such. I’m helping him with the conservatory.

Probing, he asked, And, where did you live previously?

I managed my brother’s London residence. Since my niece has wed, my brother, the Earl of Melton, no longer needs my help. Her tone held a tinge of anxiety.

What caused it? A riff with her brother? Perhaps he should leave that alone. You mentioned the conservatory. Are you interested in horticulture, ma’am?

Her astonishing eyes lit with an inner fire. Oh, my, yes. It’s my greatest joy, my lord.

Her enthusiasm piqued his interest. I too am fascinated by the study of flora and fauna. My conservatory has an abundance of rare species. He leaned forward. Perhaps you would like to see it?

Her small, round face glowed. I would enjoy that.

Would tomorrow morning do? he asked, her delight intriguing him further.

Yes, please. I look forward to it. Her melodic voice enchanted him further.

A frisson of awareness rushed through him. I shall come for you at ten, if that is acceptable?

I shall be ready. The new Lady Hardesty asked him a question, pulling him away from Lady Mildred. The new viscount and his wife planned to hold a Christmas gala on Christmas Eve, with festivities earlier in the day for the children. Lady Hardesty invited him and included his daughter.

Not wanting to overstay his welcome, he departed after her invitation. On his way home, his thoughts turned to Lady Mildred. He must discover if the lady liked children. If she did, she could make a fine mother for Melissa. God knows, she desperately needed a woman’s attentions.

He would introduce her to his daughter tomorrow and see how things went. Who would have imagined he’d meet a woman who could be the answer to his problems without going to London? And, one who shared an interest in horticulture. Ah, yes, he looked forward to seeing the charming woman on the morrow.

MILDRED WATCHED LORD Robert take his leave. She found the man’s sandy blond hair, streaked with gray,