An Impossible Bride

By Caylen McQueen

Plain Violet Sewell has been a wallflower her entire life. She's often found cowering in the corner, never dancing, socializing or flirting. Her unpopularity has not escaped the notice of her adoring father, Sir Henry, who takes it upon himself to boost his daughter's confidence.

Sir Henry enlists the help of two very different gentlemen: rakish John Kierney and socially awkward Thomas Kitson. He secretly asks both men to pursue his daughter. Violet has no idea her father put them up to it, and enjoys being courted by two very handsome men. 

Just as the gentlemen find they might be getting attached to Violet, a third suitor appears on the scene... and changes everything. 

Sensuality Level: Sweet
Word Count: 30,000 (novella)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Caylen McQueen
• Release date: Nov 8, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386597841

Book preview

Chapter One

OH, YOUR POOR, MOTHERLESS daughter! Lady Southdown squawked. With her sharp nose, shrill voice and pale blue turban, which was overstuffed with brightly colored plumage, she looked like she belonged in an aviary. If I said I pitied her, would you think me too liberal with my opinions?

As he observed the woman standing beside him, Sir Henry pushed his spectacles to the bridge of his nose. She was a curious sort, squat and stout, with hair the color of an apricot. The fact that she waved her arms as she spoke only made her look more bird-like. Keeping his silence, he turned toward his daughter and sighed. He had been watching her the entire time, and there was certainly nothing enviable about Violet's situation. She was, in a word, a wallflower.

Oh dear! Lady Southdown sucked her lower lip between her teeth and inhaled sharply. Why are you silent, Sir Henry? Have I said too much? Are you cross with me?

I am not cross, my lady, Sir Henry quickly put her mind at ease. I do, however, wonder why you would pity her.

I hate to see such a lovely young woman get ignored, Lady Southdown unabashedly explained. Violet Sewell has many admirable qualities. Your daughter is a clever young woman with an even temperament and an exceedingly pleasant disposition. She may not be a great beauty, but she is more than passably pretty.

Her last statement furrowed the father's brow. "Not a beauty?"

Oh dear! Lady Southdown repeated the exclamation. "Oh dear, now you are cross with me! Please forgive my bluntness, Sir Henry. I have always been unfavorably disposed toward brutal honesty. I mean no offense, I assure you."

Sir Henry stroked his rust-colored beard and examined his daughter from afar. Passably pretty was at least somewhat kind. Over the years, he had heard a few less flattering descriptions of his daughter. Plain. Uncomely. A bit plump. She might not have been conventionally pretty, but in her father's eyes, she put the supposed beauties to shame. Violet Sewell looked very much like her mother. With her dark blue eyes, porcelain skin and ebony hair, Sir Henry thought she was beautiful, and he failed to see any flaws. The father was blind to his daughter's thick forearms, dense eyebrows, and lack of a neck.

B-but... I assure you, Sir Henry, Lady Southdown stammered, I-I... I find your daughter to be very charming indeed! That is why her unpopularity seems so very unfair.

"She has been a bit... ignored," the father conceded. They had been at the ball for nearly an hour, and Violet hadn't danced once, nor had she been asked to dance. Sadly, Violet's only male companion was a bust of David. The statue generously provided her with shelter from the crowd, but he wasn't likely to woo her.

To Sir Henry's dismay, his daughter was even shunned by the friends she had known since childhood. It was as if the entire room had an unjust aversion to his daughter.

The girl could benefit from a woman's guidance, Lady Southdown continued. A father doesn't understand society as a woman does.

Violet is usually accompanied by her aunt, Sir Henry explained, but Griselda is visiting a niece in Scotland.

Hm. Well... I see. When Lady Southdown nodded, the feathers on her turban waggled comically. When she is with the aunt, is she more social?

I'm afraid I haven't the slightest idea. His response was followed by a deep sigh.

Regardless, Violet Sewell is lacking stability. She needs a constant guiding hand. She requires a... Lady Southdown's gray eyes lit up excitedly. Have you ever considered remarrying, Sir Henry?

The widow's lack of subtlety was amusing, if nothing else. And one could hardly blame her. At five and fifty, the baronet was still a handsome man, even if his hair had thinned considerably. Unfortunately for Lady Southdown, his heart had remained with Violet's mother, who had been gone for nearly a decade.

I have considered it, Sir Henry confessed, but I always shrink from the idea of it.

Perhaps you could be more... open-minded? Lady Southdown's eyes twinkled hopefully as she smiled at the man beside her. If not for Miss Sewell's sake, you should consider your own happiness. The value of companionship is not to be underestimated, and a devoted wife would certainly be a pleasant companion.

I can think of nothing more pleasant than my daughter's company, the baronet countered.

B-but... surely... I... I... The lady clicked her tongue and tried to think of a retort. But what if she was to find a husband, Sir Henry? What then?

Considering your recent remarks about my daughter's uninspiring visage, I am sure I have nothing to worry about on that account. He bowed to Lady Southdown and took a step backward. Good day, my lady.

But... Sir Henry! He could hear the lady squawking after him. "Sir Henry!"

He knew it was bad form to turn his back on an earl's widow, but he hardly cared. The woman was insufferable and silly, and he had his daughter's well-being to consider. If no one else wanted to enjoy the company of the lovely Violet Sewell, it fell to her father to rescue her.

Miss Sewell? Sir Henry addressed his daughter with a bow. You look very fetching this evening.

Fetching? When Violet shook her head, her dark ringlets bobbed. Father, you needn't pour the butter boat over me. Your flattery accomplishes nothing.

It accomplishes something, her father objected. You're smiling now. You weren't smiling before I arrived.

It is not a smile on my face, I assure you. It's more of a grimace, really.

On the contrary, dear. I know a grin when I see it, her father claimed. And it's a broad grin, at that.

"Are you that oblivious when it comes to expressions, Father? My lips wear a grimace. A pained one, Violet insisted. It is very nearly a glower."

Oh, how you tease me. Sir Henry's eyebrow raised as he observed his daughter's countenance. "That is, I hope you are teasing me?"

Indeed. Violet's lips were stretched by a much fuller smile. I am happy, as always, to see you.

There are quite a few handsome young men in attendance. Her father's attempt at conversation was met with a blank stare. Not that I would be the best judge of that... but... well... He nervously scratched the back of his head. Are you acquainted with these men?

Most of them.

Ah. He had hoped his daughter hadn't been properly introduced to the lot of them, as it might have explained their lack of attention. The fact that Violet evaded their notice was an enigma to her father. You are not dancing, I see.

Indeed I am not, Violet sighed. And I am grateful to you for bringing that unfortunate fact to my attention.

Sir Henry extended his hand toward his daughter. Would you dance with me?

Dance with you? My own father? Are you serious? When his expression didn't waver, Violet's nose wrinkled with disgust. "You are serious. Good gracious! My own father seeks to slay me with a ridiculous suggestion!"

The baronet crossed his arms over his chest and pouted. Is it really such a ludicrous thing to suggest?

Father... Violet thrust her thumb in the direction of the bust of David. If I danced with this statue, I believe I would be less likely to die of shame! Lud! When she saw his hurt expression, Violet made an attempt to soften her tone. But I do appreciate the offer. Truly.

"Very well. I will