An Earl for Charlotte: The Harcourt Sisters, #1

By Ava Rose

A reluctant earl desperate to recover from the ravages of war... and the woman whose love for her childhood friend might not be enough to save him.

Charlotte Harcourt feels the weight of her family on her shoulders. As the eldest Harcourt sister and the first to launch into society, she needs a good match to secure a future for her mother and younger sisters. But her heart is pining for her childhood friend and neighbor, Hugh Dempsey, Earl of Milcheston.

The man who stole her heart.

The man who has been missing, presumed dead, for months, until his return to inherit the earldom from his father.

But Hugh is a changed man. Damaged both physically and in his very soul.

Will their childhood love be strong enough to survive the ravages of war?

This is the first book in the Harcourt Sisters trilogy -- perfect for those who love sweet and clean Regency romance with a hint of mystery.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Flourish Books
• Release date: Oct 9, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223960645

Book preview

An Earl for Charlotte

The Harcourt Sisters

Book 1

A Sweet & Clean Historical Regency Romance

By

Ava Rose

An Earl for Charlotte (The Harcourt Sisters) © Copyright 2023 Ava Rose

All rights reserved

Published by Flourish Books (Jen Katemi)

Cover design by Covers by Combs

This book is a work of fiction. Any names, characters, places and events portrayed in this work are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, places or persons, living or dead, is coincidental. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form whatsoever in any country whatsoever without the express written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

Table of Contents

Part 1: Harcourt Manor

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Part 2: The Season

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-one

Chapter Twenty-two

Chapter Twenty-three

Chapter Twenty-four

Chapter Twenty-five

A Viscount for Lucy – Chapter One

About the Author

Part 1: Harcourt Manor

Chapter One

Late January, 1816

You are invading my personal space.

It is I who should feel invaded. You are constantly in my way.

Charlotte Harcourt rolled her eyes at the to-and-fro bickering between her two younger sisters. The arguments had been continuous ever since they began to pack their belongings. Lucy and Georgiana had been swapping barbs their entire lives, but this morning they had surpassed themselves—at least to Charlotte’s ears.

As soon as the family’s preparations to return to their estate in Essex had commenced, the younger sisters had been very unhelpful. Even the sisters’ maid Millie looked frazzled and harassed.

As the eldest daughter, Charlotte had taken it upon herself to assist Millie, and had managed to ensure that her sisters’ belongings were packed, and within a fraction of the time had it been left to them.

Their mother, Lady Marian Harcourt, was not as strict as her late husband, but she did not allow her three daughters to behave disrespectfully, especially not after Charlotte and Lucy’s presentation at St. James’s Palace the previous day. Their cousin Elizabeth had been presented at the same time, and Georgiana was most put out that Mother had considered her too young, at sixteen, to join the others this year.

That fact had probably fueled the sisterly jibes today. But two out of the three Harcourt sisters had been presented. They had to act as proper ladies, now more than ever.

Charlotte pursed her lips as she closed the final trunk with Millie’s assistance, while her sisters continued to engage in snide comments.

Thank you for the kind assistance, Miss, Millie said, wiping her brow. Although it was entirely unnecessary.

It is my pleasure, Millie. It was not as though Lucy or Georgiana were actively doing anything productive, Charlotte said, only just managing to contain a huff. Sisters could be so annoying!

She smoothed the skirt of her yellow day dress, taking a couple of calming breaths, before proceeding out of the bedchambers she shared with Lucy and into the hallway. Langton House, her uncle’s London town home, was in a state of flurry and disarray, as maids and servants scurried about to ensure that all the necessary preparations were complete before tomorrow’s departure to Essex.

Charlotte hurried down the stairs and stepped inside the downstairs parlor, her approach directly aimed at the table beside the door, where the daily post had been delivered minutes earlier. The tobacco scent of the mail carrier still lingered in the hallway, much to Charlotte’s relief, as that meant her mother would not yet have had the opportunity to collect the mail and take it to her sitting room.

She quickly flipped through the envelopes, feeling both nervous and hopeful. Would a letter for her be present in the pile today? Much to her delight—and shock—there was indeed a letter addressed to Charlotte. She quickly retrieved it from the silver tray and retreated to the library.

She closed the doors behind her and found a secluded spot in the corner, isolating herself away from the prying eyes of her sisters, and avoiding the abundance of questions her mother would surely have if she were to discover what Charlotte had been doing.

It was nothing scandalous—at least, Charlotte did not believe it was—but of course her mother likely would not agree. She thought everything was scandalous, and would certainly have much to say regarding this, and probably make a mountain out of a molehill.

Charlotte sat on the leather sofa and opened the missive. Her heart pounded and an involuntary smile formed on her lips as she glanced at the bottom of the page. The letter was signed by a Captain Springer, an officer in the regiment of someone she had once known.

Hugh Dempsey.

Her neighbor in Essex, and her childhood friend.

The man who had stolen her heart the moment he presented her with a somewhat mangled daisy chain when she was five years old. He had been perhaps four years older than her, but the age difference hadn’t seemed to matter.

After the ton gossipmongers had mentioned at a soiree that he had been injured in the line of duty, she had waited for his return. It hadn’t happened. She had then written to various officers in Hugh’s old regiment in an attempt to find out where he was now, and what had happened to him. Thus far, she had not received return correspondence from any of them. Until today.

Miss Harcourt,

I do hope this letter finds you well. My apologies that it has taken some time to correspond with you. As you can imagine, it is a time filled with turmoil and danger, as well as fatalities and loss.

With regards to your inquiry about Hugh, we both were injured on Belgian soil and taken to a hospital in the area. Once we began to recover, we were sent to different camps for further treatment and recovery. At the date of writing this letter, I know not what happened to him, nor where he may possibly be now. I regret not being able to provide you with more news in this regard, but I will gladly send further word if I do receive information regarding Hugh. I can tell you that he was much recovered from his injuries, the last time we were together.

Best Wishes,

Captain Wallace Springer

Charlotte’s smile faded and warm tears stung her eyes. Although there was nothing substantial to ease her persistent worry over Hugh’s whereabouts and wellbeing, this at least was more news than she had heard thus far. She was grateful to hear that he had recovered, but where was he now?

She lowered the letter onto her lap, not certain why she had expected a better result or resolution from Captain Springer’s response. She released a sigh and leaned back against the sofa, her thoughts immediately wandering back to a time when she was still able to gaze upon Hugh’s handsome face. Disappointment filled her, yet what else could she do except continue to hold onto hope that the man she had fallen in love with, would return to her one day?

She recalled the wonderful afternoons she had spent with Hugh strolling through the gardens of his father’s estate in Essex, and the evenings they spent together when their families received each other for dinner. Although they were young at the time, Charlotte knew in her heart that Hugh was the man she would marry.

In fact, after he had received orders to join his regiment in Belgium, he had promised her that, upon his return, he would officially ask for her hand and make her his wife. Of course, she had agreed without a moment’s hesitation.

Her heart fluttered with every letter she received from Hugh, but after a few months, the missives ceased to arrive. Charlotte feared that something terrible had happened to the man who held her heart.

Today’s letter from Captain Springer had been the first news in a long time.

The doors of the library abruptly swung open, startling Charlotte immensely. Mother! She wiped the tears from her cheeks as her mother marched purposefully toward her.

Charlotte rose to her feet. What are you doing here?

I ought to ask you that very same question, my dear, Marian Harcourt said, her gaze lowering to the letter that had dropped from Charlotte’s lap to the floor. And what is that?

Charlotte glanced down, and her cheeks heated. Oh, it is nothing of importance.

That cannot be true, as you have clearly made a point of hiding away to read it.

Her mother reached down and snatched up the letter.

Mother, before you say anything, please allow me to explain, Charlotte began.

Marian read a few lines of the letter and her brow furrowed. Charlotte...

Please, Charlotte said, and raised one hand defensively. I only wished to know whether or not Hugh is all right, and if any of his regiment knows of his current whereabouts.

Her mother lowered the paper and stared at Charlotte. It is improper to be contacting strangers in such a manner.

But I only want to know where Hugh is, Mother.

"If anyone were to discover this...this obsession of yours, your reputation could be tainted even before your first season ends. I cannot allow this to happen. Marian’s lips thinned as she crumpled the letter into a ball. You are to cease this nonsense at once."

It is not an obsession, and it is not nons—

Do not answer back! I am not certain why you insist on being so defiant. You are no longer young, Charlotte, and this is an important time in your life.

"I am only nineteen, Mother." Not so old, surely? And besides, she had already accepted the promise from Hugh. Not that her mother would count marriage with Hugh to be of any importance whatsoever, were she to be made aware of the promise. As the oldest Harcourt sister, she knew that her family expected her to marry well, and the second son of an earl—the spare as Hugh had once jokingly called himself—was not the kind of husband her mother had in mind for her firstborn daughter.

The weight of that family expectation sat heavily on Charlotte’s shoulders. She held back a sigh as her mother added, You cannot do anything to jeopardize your position. Especially not after yesterday. I am not blind, child, nor was anyone else in that room. You deliberately failed to hide your boredom during the court presentation.

We waited in line for hours. Not to mention the uncomfortable tight dresses we were forced to wear.

That matters not, her mother exclaimed, in a voice that echoed ominously through the quiet library.

Am I not allowed comfort?

Not during your presentation at court, when your very future is at stake.

"My future? Do you not mean the family name and fortune?"

Much to Charlotte’s shock, her mother grabbed her by the arms and shook her.

I will not tolerate such insolence and disrespect.

Charlotte’s eyes filled again with tears. I do not mean to be disrespectful, Mother. I was just concerned about Hugh, and... She paused, unsure whether or not to reveal the truth about the betrothal promise. So many times she had almost blurted it out, but she was afraid that if her mother knew about the promise, she would do something to sabotage it. Once again, she held her tongue.

Marian’s countenance softened slightly and she released her hold on Charlotte’s arms. Do you not think that Hugh would have written to you himself, if he wished for you to know where he is? I know you were childhood friends, but that is a long time ago. Perhaps there is a reason why you have not heard from him, and that reason is Hugh himself. Had you thought of that?

Charlotte took a deep breath, and then blurted out her secret. He promised to marry me once he returned from the war!

There, the words were out, and she could not take them back.

Her mother clutched at her bosom. No! Oh, my dear child. She shook her head. Charlotte, Hugh was merely a boy when he left for the war. He is likely much changed now. Do you not know that a man will promise you the moon and the stars without taking it to heart? They will say anything, to get what they want.

Is that so? Charlotte’s insides churned with sudden uncertainty. What if her mother spoke the truth? In response to that thought, she lashed out more viciously than intended. Do you have experience with men such as that, Mother?

Marian’s face turned a deep crimson. Young lady! You will go to your room without supper for that comment.

After being handled in such a brutish manner I have lost my appetite, so you are, in fact, doing me a favor. Charlotte couldn’t seem to stop the flood of horrid words coming out of her mouth. But when her mother had