The Christmas Ball

By Sherrill Bodine

A shy stepsister finds her happily ever after when she plays Cinderella at a Christmas masquerade ball in this Regency romance novella.
 
Outshone by a gregarious stepsister and overbearing stepmother, Lady Athena Cummins is accustomed to fading into the shadows. Beloved only by her youngest sister Persephone, Athena has accepted her destiny as a spinster. But Persephone has a different scheme in mind, and conspires to send Athena out for one night of fun at Lord Finchley’s masquerade Christmas Ball.
 
The masked beauty immediately catches the Lord’s eye. But after a magical night of dancing and conversation, the charming mystery woman disappears. Determined to avoid the wrath of her stepsister, Athena must lead Lord Finchley on a wild chase to discover her true identity.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Apr 27, 2014
• ISBN: 9781626812055

Book preview

Chapter 1

Lady Athena Cummins drew aside the leather curtain that covered the carriage window, keeping out the chilly draft so that her youngest sister, Lady Persephone, might view the bustling streets of Burnham-on-Crouch. A sparkling layer of ice frosted every bare tree branch and etched designs upon the rooftops. Snow scrunched under the boots of three village children who dashed past, their laughter echoing in the cool, still air, with arms full of fir boughs to decorate their homes for Christmas.

Athena viewed the rapt expression on Persephone’s face with an aching heart and forced a smile. Do you feel chilled with the curtain open?

I am chilled to the bone! Facing them, Minerva, their sixteen-year-old sister, pouted. Do close the curtain. We do not want to be seen gaping like the veriest commoners. What can be keeping Mama?

She is searching for a feather the exact shade of puce to compliment your costume for the Christmas ball. Athena, whose back was to the driver, nudged the warming brick over to Persephone’s slipper-shod feet. She worried constantly that the cold made her sister’s legs weaker; and despite the fact that Persephone couldn’t walk, she should have sturdier boots, no matter the cost.

"Persephone, would you like me to close the curtain?"

Persephone lifted a pinched little face from the folds of a cashmere shawl Athena had found in the attic and presented to her for this outing. Her peaked cheeks held just a tinge of pink, but her enormous sherry brown eyes sparkled. No. I do so enjoy watching everyone prepare for Christmas. It is so festive—

Oh, look, there are Squire Randolph and Gregory! Minerva’s squeal of delight interrupted. Athena had to crane her neck to see out of the window. And fancy that! His lordship, Gregory’s own lieutenant, is with them!

Even out here in Essex the rumor mill had been busy for weeks with tales of Lord Andrew Finchley’s visit to Willowwood for the squire’s masked Christmas ball. Although she very properly pulled her head away from the window, Athena couldn’t take her gaze from him as the trio strode by. His fine black riding boots shone to perfection, and a many-caped coat swung with his gait. She caught only a glimpse of a snowy cravat folded in such a brilliant fall, she felt sure half the young men in the county would be attempting it by morning. The biting wind swept his glossy black hair off his chiseled, arrogant face. Catching a glimpse of cold sapphire eyes, she suddenly believed every tale repeated of his rakish ways in London and the Peninsula.

For a moment the object of her attention appeared to glance straight at her, a faint smile playing at one corner of his mouth. Just as she had done at age five—when dear, sweet Papa brought home a new Mama for her—and had continued doing ever since, Athena tried to make herself invisible. She shrank back against the crimson squabs and tucked her chin into her woolen scarf.

Why would such an august personage travel to the wilds of Essex for a mere ball, particularly one as unusual as Squire Randolph’s and just one week before Christmas?

Ain’t that the Cumminses’ town carriage? Must pay our respects. Squire Randolph, having just returned from the local surgeon, had Gregory’s arm supported in his own strong grasp.

Drew wasn’t sure why he had agreed to come to this off-the-mail-route little town, but he had promised Gregory; and Gregory had saved his life, in a roundabout way. So here he was, having to do the pretty, when he could have been snug at home with any number of highfliers.

Gregory turned with as much animation as Drew had seen since the Pyrenees toward a stately black carriage, its wheels picked out in scarlet. His first impression was that the carriage contained two females, an insipid miss straight out of the schoolroom and a young girl whose lively expression and remarkable eyes showed promise of beauty.

Only after Gregory leaned down to speak into the window did Drew notice the third occupant. From the way she buried her face between her bonnet and her scarf, he could tell neither her age nor her appearance, just a pair of green eyes, begging to be ignored. If not for the quality of the fur edging her cloak, he would have taken her for a serving girl.

Dash it, Persephone, been meaning to pay a morning call. Gregory’s wide mouth curled up into a smile. For which young lady did his friend feel such an attachment? Must have you meet Lord Andrew Finchley. Drew and I served together on the Peninsula, you know. These are the Ladies Athena, Minerva, and Persephone Cummins, Lord Finchley.

He inclined his head slightly. The quiet third female a sister to this lively pair? Now why should that strike him odd?

The child, Persephone, craned her head toward the open window. My lord, we are so pleased you have brought Gregory back to us for Christmas. Lady Minerva, not to be outdone, nudged her

Reviews for The Christmas Ball

[bookworm2bookworm · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Here’s another ‘new to me author’ that’s worth checking out, and you have that ability too now because it’s FREE!

Okay, who doesn’t love Cinderella’s story? Anyone?! Didn’t think so.

In this story, Cinderella is actually Athena who is helped by her half-sister Persephone by arranging for her to attend a masked ball where she falls in love.

Yes it’s predictable, yes we have the wicked step-mother and sister, but in all honesty, I kind of enjoyed this story despite of it.

If you’d like to find out how this tale develops and who helps our couple, you should read it. It’s FREE!

*Melanie for b2b

*Books provided by the publisher through NetGalley & purchased by me.

[arlenadean · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Title: The Christmas BallAuthor: Sherrill BodinePublished: Diversion BookReviewed By: Arlena DeanRating: 5Review:"The Christmas Ball" by Sherrill Bodine was a wonderful written Christmas novella. This one was definitely a 'twist on Cinderella.' We find that with the help of her half sister Persephone(playingthe 'fairy godmother,' Athena is going to attend a masked ball where she will really fall in love. The story had a wicked step mother and sister that was very similar to the story of 'Cinderella.' You will find read somewhat predictable but still a wonderfully told story. The sister Persephone will help Athena into attending the ball but all the rest will have to be to for love. Will Athena be able to find 'happiness and love? The characters were all very well developed and with this story being so well intriguing you will only to given a beautiful told story. This novel will warn your heart as you are read through "The Christmas Ball." So, if you are into reading a sweet romantic read for the Christmas holiday I would definitely recommend this one to you.

[pnrlist · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Super simple, sugary, short, not quite my cup of tea. Cute enough but I'm not a huge insta-love person, and there was zero angst.