The Heiress He's Been Waiting For

Book 1: Hamilton Cousins

by Kaitlin O'Riley

Genres: American Romance; Tudor Romance

Synopsis

For fans of HBO’s The Gilded Age, explore the dazzling world of America’s 19th century elite in this lush series of sparkling, page-turning love stories…

In Victorian London, the Hamilton sisters are known for their bookshops—and for finding their happily ever afters on their own terms. Now, much to their chagrin, their offspring are following in their unconventional footsteps—in life and in love . . .
 
Raised in New York, shipping heiress Sara Fleming was ready to elope—until her disapproving parents tricked her onto a boat heading to England. Her only consolation is getting to see her beloved aunts and cousins. Even the start of London’s Season—and a strikingly handsome earl—can’t make her forget the man she left behind . . .
 
Considered one of London’s most eligible bachelors, Christopher Townsend, the Earl of Bridgeton, is not what he seems. Having inherited his father’s crushing debt, he must choose a wealthy bride to save his family’s estate. Though rumored to be penniless and committed to another, Sara takes his breath away—and makes him question what he truly needs to be free of the past. But he’ll have to win the headstrong beauty’s heart one kiss at a time . . .
 
Praise for the Novels of Kaitlin O’Riley
 
“O’Riley’s believable, charismatic characters and fast-paced plotline set this novel well apart from the usual romance fare.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Reverberates with lighthearted humor, witty repartee and endearing characters that capture the era to the enchantment of readers.”  —RT Book Reviews

“A well written, lively romance!” —Kat Martin, New York Times bestselling author

 

Release date: August 28, 2018

Publisher: Zebra Books

Print pages: 320

Sample

May 1894

Sara Fleming’s only recourse was to fling herself over the side of the ship and into the ocean.

She was a captive. Trapped. Held against her will. Hot tears pricked her eyes and her heart pounded wildly in her chest.

With expensively gloved fingers clinging to the railing, she stared down at the gray water sweeping below her, the salt spray splashing up and stinging her cheeks. Despair surged through her and the idea of throwing herself over the railing and into the sea seemed her only option. If only she had jumped sooner, before the ship had left New York Harbor! She would have had a much better chance of swimming to shore safely then, but she was only just realizing they were not returning to port. It was more than likely too late to jump now.

As she glanced backward, the bustling, crowded city that was her home faded farther and farther from view.

Sara would surely drown before she made it back to land, her heavy mauve brocade dress weighing her down, pulling her into the cold depths of the Atlantic Ocean. Perhaps drowning would be preferable to being held against her will and carried away to God only knew where? Outrage flooded through her veins.

How had this happened? How had she been so foolish as to get taken away like this? It wasn’t fair! She hadn’t done anything to deserve being treated so cruelly. So viciously.

Trapped! Good heavens, she was trapped. There was no way out. Nowhere to go. No way to return home. She might as well jump into the swirling sea below her.

Her heart ached too. She couldn’t see how she could possibly go on without him. There hadn’t been a chance to say good-bye to him, not even a hastily penned note. The very thought of him ringing the bell at her New York town house this evening to take her to the theater as they had planned and discovering that she had sailed away, caused tears to spill down and sting her cheeks. Great sobs of longing and grief wrenched from her chest.

Then she burned with impotent fury at her heartless parents.

They had tricked her!

She never would have suspected them of such an underhanded maneuver. They lured her out to sea under false pretenses. It would surely qualify as kidnapping if they weren’t her very own parents!

“Come see your father’s new ship,” her mother had suggested innocently enough that morning, a bright smile on her face. “The Captain’s Daughter was christened yesterday and he wants you to see it.”

Sara had felt slightly guilty that she had missed the ship’s christening, because she had been an attendant in her friend Jennie’s wedding. It was doubly disappointing since the name of the new steamship was in reference to her.

So like any trusting child, Sara had acquiesced, never imagining she would be callously whisked away against her will. How many times had she visited one of her father’s ships before? She’d spent most of her young life on the decks of one type of ship or another, sailing around the world with her parents. The past two years they had been staying at their town house in New York City, and so the prospect of seeing her father’s newest steamship was exciting to Sara, as it always was. But it all had been a ruse. A clever ruse to lure her away from the man she loved.

Stunned that her mother and father had tricked her so easily, Sara was deeply wounded by their betrayal. Oh, she had not been unaware of their disapproval of the man she loved, but she assumed that they were merely being overprotective, believing that no man was good enough for their precious daughter. They had not been overjoyed by her courtship with Alexander Drake, but they had not forbidden it either. They were friendly with him, cordial even. So their deception this afternoon came as a devastating blow.

Her eyes looked longingly back at the grand city she loved and called home, while the tears continued to spill down her cheeks. Somewhere in that New York hustle and bustle of buildings and streets and people, Alexander alone was waiting for her, the man who held her heart. She should be with him now.

It wasn’t fair! It simply wasn’t fair!

A frustrated scream of helpless rage welled within her, surging much like the waves that crashed below against the hull of the elegant ship. How could they do this to her? Their only daughter! Didn’t they care about her feelings? She was no longer a child, but a grown woman of twenty. Why, she would be turning twenty-one in the fall! How dared they treat her this way? Maybe she should throw herself over? They would be sorry then. When she was no longer alive, they would regret hurting her and breaking her heart.

The vast water swirled cold and dark gray, far below her.

She placed her stylishly and expensively booted foot upon the polished railing of the boat, gripping tightly with her kid-gloved hands. If she pushed up, she could swing her legs over the side, taking her long, heavy skirt with her, and just slip quietly into the sea and disappear forever. Her absence might not be noticed for hours, since her parents thought she had locked herself in her suite in a fit of temper.

But when they finally discovered she was gone, her mother and father would be wracked with regret and guilt over what they had done to her. And it would serve them right, because they had hurt her far worse than they could imagine.

The time was now or never. She took a deep breath and—

“Stop being so melodramatic, Sara.”

Startled, she turned to see her mother standing beside her.

Although her facial expression was one of annoyance, Juliette Hamilton Fleming was an unmistakably beautiful woman. With her dark hair elegantly coiffed under a fashionable bonnet and wrapped in an expensive fur jacket to ward off the chill of the early May sea air, her heart-shaped face was relatively unlined for a woman in her forties and her blue eyes were clear and full of life. She carried herself with grace, ease, and confidence. People always said that Sara favored her mother, but Sara didn’t see the resemblance at all.

Juliette stared at her daughter in sympathetic understanding. “It’s not the end of the world. And he’s certainly not a man worthy of throwing yourself overboard.”

Ignoring her mother, Sara turned her face away. Slowly she removed her foot from the railing. She continued to stare off at the sea, feeling more than a bit embarrassed to be caught contemplating something so foolish.

“I know you’re upset with us,” Juliette continued, “and to be honest, I would be upset too if I were you. Believe it or not, I am sorry for hurting you like this.”

Sara glanced at her mother for the briefest of moments. As she looked back to the horizon, New York was no longer visible at all and her heart sank. Her parents had betrayed her. Most dreadfully. Sara didn’t know if she would ever forgive them. She wiped at the cold tears on her cheeks, the wind whipping loose strands of hair around her face.

“It had to be done. He wasn’t the right man for you. There were things you were not aware of and he would have only broken your heart. Please trust your father and me in this matter.” Juliette’s voice held a firm note.

“Trust you?” Sara flung back, her voice incredulous. “You tricked me! You and Father deceived me! You led me to believe we were just look—”

Juliette placed a calming hand on Sara’s arm. “I am terribly sorry we hurt you, but I am not sorry about what your father and I did today. It’s our duty to protect you. And you definitely needed protecting.”

“Protection from what? From the man I love?” Sara cried, an anguished sob wrenching her throat. When would she ever see Alexander Drake again? Would he understand that her parents had taken her away against her wishes? Would he know that she had not left of her own volition? Would he think she had simply run off? Would he forgive her? Would he still love her? Doubt and heartache filled her with sorrow.

Her mother gave her a rueful smile. “You’ll thank me for this one day, I promise you.”

Sara looked away again, trying to stop the tears that were welling again. How dared her mother be so nice to her? “I shall never forgive you for this.” Her words were icy.

“How you feel now is quite understandable,” Juliette said softly, patting her daughter’s arm in an attempt to comfort, not patronize.

Sara was too upset to speak. Her parents were wrong. So terribly, terribly wrong. They had deliberately ruined the only love of her life. How could she ever forgive them for doing this to her? How could she continue to go on? Her every moment was consumed by thoughts of Alexander Drake.

It wasn’t possible to forget him, and even if she could, she wouldn’t ever, couldn’t ever, love anyone else. He was far too handsome. With his deep green eyes, golden blond hair, captivating boyish smile, and dashingly romantic ways. Oh, when he looked at her, she knew he loved her. She could see it in his eyes.

Now poor Alexander would be frantic with worry over her, brokenhearted too. He would wonder where she had gone to and would be desperate to find her . . .

Finally Sara gave a defeated sigh. “Can you at least tell me where we are sailing to?”

A delighted smile lit her mother’s face and her eyes danced with happiness. Juliette answered in one word, which explained everything. “Home.”

Of course, that’s where they were headed! But with her parents, they could have been sailing to China or Australia for all she knew. However, Sara also understood that home meant London for her mother. Juliette had been born and raised in England and only moved to the United States when she’d married Sara’s father, Captain Harrison Fleming.

Sara had been to London many times, and she loved it there too. Her heart lifted slightly at the thought of visiting Devon House and seeing all her Hamilton cousins again. It had been over two years since she was last there. Under normal circumstances she would be looking forward to a wonderful visit with her mother’s family, but now . . .

Now all she could think about was that she had been callously ripped from the man she loved.

Alexander had been on the verge of proposing to her. She had known that with every fiber of her being. He’d even said that he had something important to discuss with her. What else could it have been except marriage? They had begun courting last fall. He’d proven his love and constancy to her. And just when the most exciting experience in her life was about to happen to her, just when the handsomest, most dashing man in all the world was about to ask her to marry him, her parents carried her off against her will! She didn’t even have time to send a message to Alexander before the ship set sail.

Another sob caught in her throat at the thought of him.

“You’ll be happy and have fun in London, Sara,” her mother offered gently. “The Season is just beginning and there will be plenty for you to do. We’ll even get some new ball gowns made. All your cousins will be so excited to see you and introduce you to their friends. And, of course you know, Mara will be thrilled.”

Yes, thought Sara, seeing Mara again would be wonderful. Her closest cousin and dearest friend was guaranteed to be very sympathetic to her current plight. Mara would understand her heartbreak and comfort her and commiserate with her, which was just what Sara needed now. Yes, she looked forward to seeing Mara! In spite of the circumstances, she had to admit to herself that it would be fun to see her cousins Phillip and Simon again. And Aunt Colette and Uncle Lucien. Of course, Uncle Jeffrey was always great fun. And the little girls must be so grown-up by now!

Still . . . Her heart was not in this trip to London.

All things considered, she would rather be in New York as planned, attending the theater with Alexander this evening, looking into his divine green eyes and knowing he would kiss her when she agreed to be his wife. That special excitement, that romantic thrill, that she had been yearning for her whole life had been cruelly stolen away from her. Now she longed only to be with the love of her life. Her Alexander. Oh, how she missed him so much already! Pined to be in his arms . . . to have him tell her again how he loved her and couldn’t live without her by his side . . .

“How are my two beautiful girls doing over here?”

Her father’s voice startled Sara from her musings of Alexander’s kisses.

Captain Harrison Fleming stood beside her, his eyes moving between his wife’s face and his daughter’s, assessing the situation with concern. He was a tall, handsome man, his tawny hair tousled by the wind and his skin golden from years at sea.

Juliette Fleming gave her husband a rueful smile. “Well, Harrison, I managed to prevent our daughter from throwing herself overboard.”

Harrison looked at Sara with disappointment in his eyes. “Drowning?” He shook his head in disbelief. “Quite honestly, Sara, I expected better from you.”

A sting of embarrassment flooded her cheeks. Disappointing her father was definitely not something Sara was used to doing. She adored him and was inordinately proud of him, and in turn he was immensely proud of his only daughter and doted on her.

He was a self-made man, her father. Born into hellish poverty in the slums of New York City, Harrison Fleming survived a brutal childhood with hard work and determination. He made his way up in the world, becoming a successful and wealthy shipping magnate. After he married Juliette Hamilton, the three of them spent a great deal of time sailing around the world on his clipper ship, the Sea Minx. Oh, how Sara had loved that ship! She knew every inch of it by heart, from its lofty sails to the polished railings. This new steamship was lovely to be sure. But it wasn’t the same as the clipper ship.

Sara and her father enjoyed a close bond, and when she was a child, he had always indulged all of Sara’s whims, even against her mother’s wishes at times. He used to let her run wild about his ship, from climbing the rigging and chatting with the sailors to sitting beside him at the helm. He’d even had a little captain’s hat specially made for her to match the one he wore. Sara was the captain’s daughter and loved every minute of it. She and her father had had many adventures, as her family traveled the world together.

But in spite of everything, Sara wasn’t ready to forgive him for what he’d done to her this day. She was still far too angry with him.

“I didn’t truly intend to jump,” Sara protested coldly. “Mother is exaggerating.” And to be perfectly honest, when all was said and done, Sara was more than likely not going to throw herself into the ocean, and her mother did have a tendency to overstate the facts of any situation.

“I know you’re angry and hurt, Sara,” her father said, not unkindly. He placed his hand under her chin, forcing her to look up at him. “And I understand why you’re upset with us, but your mother and I only did what we thought was best for you.”

She had heard that before. But they didn’t know what was best for her. It was infuriating to be told that she didn’t know what she wanted. That she couldn’t decide for herself what was best. In their eyes she was simply a silly little child who couldn’t think for herself, not a grown woman who knew her own mind and heart. She pulled away from her father. “Well, you are both quite wrong on this account.”

Her parents exchanged a secretive glance between them.

Sara was used to that behavior. Her mother and father were still ridiculously in love with each other, even after more than twenty years of marriage. Often it felt as if they spoke a different language that only the two of them could understand. It was simply a part of who they were. Sometimes Sara felt a little left out by their connection to each other, slightly jealous even. She’d always longed to find the kind of love her parents shared.

And she believed that she’d found such a relationship with Alexander Drake. The way he treated her, the words he whispered in her ear . . . Sara knew he loved her. And she loved him. Everything about him was perfect.

But now her parents had destroyed it all in one fell swoop. Or so they both thought.

“I just don’t understand why . . .” She gazed at them. “What has Alexander done that is so terrible? Can you at least tell me that much?”

“We shall tell you when the time is right,” Harrison said in a tone so firm that Sara knew it was fruitless to pursue the answers now.

For whatever reason, her parents had made up their minds that Alexander was somehow a threat to her and yet Sara knew without a doubt that they were wrong. “How long are we staying in London?” she managed to ask, desperate to change the subject.

“As long as it takes.” Juliette looked at her with unflinching frankness and there was no mistaking her meaning. Her parents intended to keep her captive on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, far out of reach, until Sara forgot all about Alexander Drake.

Sara took a deep breath, the sea air bracing and invigorating her, as it always did. Once again she turned her eyes to the horizon. So this was how it was going to be. Her mother and father thought this was over. That they had won.

But it wasn’t even close to being over.

As soon as she got to London she would secretly send a message to him, informing him of what happened. Letting him know where she was. Alexander Drake would come for her. And he would come right away, she knew that much. It was merely a change of plans, that’s all. They would be married in London instead of New York. For of course he would still want to marry her. She believed that with all of her heart.

No matter what her parents thought they had accomplished or believed they had changed by taking her to London, this was far from over.

Sara knew how to weather a storm. She wasn’t a captain’s daughter for nothing.

There was a flurry of activity at Devon House when they arrived in London and Sara knew immediately that they were not expected. So her parents’ abduction of her was not quite the well-planned plot she assumed it was. If Aunt Colette was not aware they were coming to stay, perhaps her parents had made the decision to take her away quite suddenly?

“What a marvelous surprise! It’s simply wonderful to see you!” Colette Hamilton Sinclair exclaimed in utter delight. She wrapped them both in warm embraces. Pretty and petite, her aunt looked remarkably similar to her mother. “Where is Harrison? Did he come with you? Why didn’t you let us know you were coming? I would have had everything ready for you!”

Juliette’s eyes met Sara’s briefly. Then she hugged her sister. “Oh, we wanted to surprise you,” she said airily with a wave of her hand. “Harrison is still down at the dock making sure everything is in order. You know how he is when he’s with his ship, checking every last detail, but he’ll be along shortly. Sara and I just couldn’t wait to see you! Besides, everything is always perfectly ready at Devon House!”

Footmen dressed in the Devon House livery were busy taking the trunks and baggage up the wide staircase to their rooms. It had been two years since Sara was last at Devon House, but the beautiful white marble mansion had not changed a bit. Elegant and imposing, it was the family town house of her uncle, Lucien Sinclair, the Marquis of Stancliff. Fond memories of playing with her cousins in the many rooms and along the long corridors flooded her and she couldn’t help but smile. Devon House was like a second home to her. Sara hugged her aunt Colette tightly.

“My goodness, Sara, you’ve grown into a beautiful woman! You remind me of your mother at that age.” Colette turned to her younger sister. “Truly, Juliette, your daughter is the exact image of you at twenty.”

“She does look a little like me, doesn’t she?” Juliette agreed, a note of motherly pride in her voice.

“Most definitely. I’ll send word to the girls that you’ve arrived. They will be just as surprised and thrilled as I am that you’re all in town.” Aunt Colette gave detailed instructions to the butler. Then Sara’s pretty and stylish aunt ushered them down the wide hallway. “Well, your timing is excellent nonetheless! Phillip and I were just sitting down to tea! Come to my drawing room. Lucien and Simon are out this afternoon, but Phillip is here and has a friend with him.” She turned to Sara with a sparkle in her eye. “Oh, this is wonderful! Phillip’s friend is quite handsome, Sara. Do you have a beau?”

“As a matter of fact, I d—”

“No, she doesn’t,” Juliette said smoothly, cutting her daughter off before Sara could properly answer and say she did indeed have a beau.

Anger and annoyance surged within her again, overwhelming the initial joy she felt at being back at Devon House. Sara gave her mother a sharp look. Her aunt was already trying to play matchmaker and she hadn’t been in London a day! Sara was not interested in meeting any Englishman, no matter how handsome.

Her heart was already taken by Alexander Drake!

Sara gave a heavy sigh, reluctantly following her aunt and mother down the stately corridor. She was certainly in no mood for this, but she pasted a smile on her face.

“Well, if you’re staying for the Season, which I can only assume that you are, we can certainly remedy that situation! We shall have men fighting over you, Sara!” Colette said with a knowing glance.

Juliette said softly, “We’re not sure yet exactly how long we’re staying in London.”

“Well, you know you’re welcome to stay at Devon House as long as you like, but you must promise not to leave at least until Yvette and Jeffrey’s annual masked ball next month! You haven’t attended one in years, Juliette! And now Sara is old enough to attend!” Aunt Colette was fairly bursting with excitement, as she ushered them into her large and elegant drawing room. Two gentlemen were seated in comfortable chairs at a table.

“Look who I found on our doorstep!” Colette announced with a flourish.

“Why, it’s Aunt Juliette! And Cousin Sara!” A good-looking young man of twenty-three or so immediately stood and hurried across the room to greet them. A wide grin lit his face and his green eyes sparkled. There was a bit of the Hamilton look about him, but he clearly favored his father, with his dark hair and broad shoulders.

“Phillip!” Sara and her mother both cried in unison. He hugged and kissed his aunt and then turned to Sara.

She squealed in delight as her eldest cousin wrapped her in a hug and then twirled her around in excitement. They had been fond playmates from an early age and adored each other. Sara more often thought of Phillip and his younger brother, Simon, as her very own brothers. As an only child she often wished for siblings and clung to her beloved Hamilton cousins to fill that void. Her terrible mood evaporated instantly upon seeing her beloved cousin.

Phillip Sinclair, who was also the Earl of Waverly, put her down and Sara cried, “I’d have recognized you anywhere, Phillip! You look just as handsome as ever.”

“And you!” The exuberant young man paused to take in the changes in his younger cousin over the last two years. “And you, Sara . . . But my Lord, it’s hardly possible but you have grown even prettier since I saw you last!” he commented with his usual, easygoing charm, his smile lighting up his face.

Sara simply laughed at his words. Phillip always had that way about him. He could captivate anyone and lighten the mood in any situation. Sara always felt happier just being in his presence.

Turning his attention to the other gentleman in the room, Phillip said to him, “Did I ever tell you about my pretty American cousin from New York? Sara, let me introduce you to my good friend, Christopher Townsend, the Earl of Bridgeton. This is my aunt, Mrs. Harrison Fleming, and her daughter, Miss Sara Fleming.”

Sara glanced toward the gentleman who stood somewhat uncomfortably in the presence of this unexpected little family reunion. He was much taller than average, with jet-black hair and the deepest brown eyes she had ever seen. Aunt Colette was quite right when she mentioned that Phillip’s friend was handsome. This Christopher Townsend, the Earl of Bridgeton, was very handsome, indeed. Sara was not so despondent over Alexander Drake that she couldn’t admire a fine-looking gentleman. Of course, she preferred Alexander’s golden-blond, boyish looks to this man’s dark and commanding appearance. Admittedly, Lord Bridgeton’s height was impressive, as was the cut of his clean-shaven jaw, and the quiet power of his presence. His handsomeness was thoroughly different from that of Alexander Drake’s. Sara almost wished she could study the two men side by side to do a proper comparison.

Phillip’s friend stepped toward her, and taking her hand in his, said, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Fleming. And no, Waverly never mentioned he had such a beautiful American cousin.”

“Why, thank you, Lord Bridgeton. It’s nice to meet you also.” She gave him a mischievous smile. “But I must admit I’m a bit suspicious of your character if you’re friends with the likes . . .