A Countess to Remember

by Sherry Ewing

Genres: Regency Romance

Synopsis

Sometimes love finds you when you least expect it…

Patience, the young Dowager Countess of Seahaven has the weight of the world on her shoulders. With a bevy of stepdaughters under her care, a Season to find them all husbands is completely out of reach. But with the help of her family, they'll scrap up enough money to see to a Season in York for the younger eligible daughters. Still… there's been no chance at all for romance for Patience until fate intervenes. Will she allow herself time for love?

Richard, Viscount Cranfield has no desire to find a wife. He’s been perfectly content leading his carefree life until he’s charged with finding a suitable husband for his sister. He'll travel to York for the Season only to become enchanted with a lovely young widow. Can he look past a ready-made family to possibly find love to fill his heart?

When several events have Patience and Richard crossing paths, she is hard pressed to forget her infatuation with the gentleman. Then there is the matter of her many responsibilities, along with Richard’s jealous ex-mistress who just may put an end to any sort of a relationship blossoming between Patience and Richard. Only time will tell if they can overlook their differences and allow love to conquer all.

 

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Release date: March 14, 2023

Publisher: Kingsburg Press

Print pages: 108

Sample

Chapter 1

London, England

December, 1816

Richard, Viscount Cranfield peered out the window to the neat row of brick town houses before his carriage came to a stop at one that was familiar to him. He briefly leaned his head back upon the soft leather of the seat, dreading the confrontation he knew awaited him inside. He had been putting this off for months but he knew he couldn’t delay the inevitable any longer.

Mrs. Penelope Lenox had been his mistress for the past several years. Unfortunately, Richard had been preoccupied with business matters of late, and he justified this excuse to not visit her more often at her town house. But it was more than just business that kept him away. Penelope had become increasingly possessive of his time, and she had made it perfectly clear she wanted more from him than he was able to give. She never mentioned that she was in love with him. Richard had his doubts she was even capable of such sentiment, and he certainly wasn’t in love with his mistress.

His closest friends had warned him of what he himself hadn’t seen at the time they had come to an understanding. She was an ambitious woman who had her sights on finding a gentleman who was not only rich but could also bring her a title. He should have listened to the men instead of attempting to convince them that their worries on his behalf were unfounded. He shook his head with the realization his friends had been right all along, and he had been the fool. He was tired of feeling as if he was nothing more than a financial means in order for her to have a better life. He needed to end their arrangement without further delay, hence his arrival to finish this once and for all.

The footman opened the door, let down the step and Richard left the carriage with a determined stride. He had barely knocked upon the front door when Penelope’s butler welcomed him inside.

“Good to see you, my lord,” Branson said taking his hat. “My lady is still upstairs.”

Even though it was almost noon, Richard wasn’t surprised the woman was still in bed. “No need to announce me, Branson. I can see myself up.”

“Very well, sir. Should I send up refreshments?” he asked.

“Perhaps for your mistress but nothing for me. I won’t be here long,” Richard answered, before taking the steps up to the second floor. When he entered her bedroom after a brief knock, his mistress was quickly folding down the sheet covering her naked form just enough to expose the tops of her full breasts.

“Richard, darling. I wasn’t expecting you today. I hope you can stay for an early dinner. I can have cook fix anything you desire.” Penelope flashed an encouraging smile, patting the mattress next to her. Seductive brown eyes held a promise of what was in store for him if he but accepted her invitation.

He made his way across the room to sit in a chair near the fireplace. Her eyes followed his every move. “Not today, Penelope. I’m only here for a short visit.”

“You look far too serious, darling, for this hour of the morning,” she whispered. A wo

rried frown marred her face.

“It’s noon, my dear,” Richard reminded her before taking out his pocket watch to note the time. He was going to be late for his next appointment, and keeping his parents waiting would result in a set down as though he was just out of the nursery. But there was no help for it. ...