How to Seduce an Earl at Christmas (Preview)

Prologue

London, December, 1814

“Oh, Papa.” Lady Georgina Winship’s voice was full of sorrow and pain as she gazed at the slumped figure of her father sitting across the table from her. “How could it have come to this?”

Her father, Lord Edward Winship, the Viscount Ashdown, sighed heavily, but had no reply for his daughter. His blue eyes, which were usually shining and filled with kindness and laughter, were dull and leaden, looking more gray than blue in the wan light of the small room. His brown hair, usually immaculately combed and coiffed, was bedraggled, sticking up in wiry tufts. Her heart lurched.

He has aged ten years in ten days. The stress and horror of the arrest and upcoming trial have taken a great toll on him.

Georgina’s eyes flickered around the room. It was as bare as a monk’s cell, with fading white walls. A rickety table and two chairs were the only furniture within it. Outside the door, Georgina knew that a guard had been posted to make sure that her father didn’t make a desperate dash for freedom. Although how he would ever get out of this holding prison was beyond Georgina. It was heavily guarded and surrounded by high, fortressed walls that she doubted a stray insect that stumbled into it would be able to escape.

Her father looked at her sadly. “You should not be here, Georgie,” he said, in a low voice laced with sorrow. “Aside from the fact it is no place for an eighteen-year-old lady to be by herself, you know there is no use.” He ran a hand through his hair. “The trial is in three days. My solicitor says the evidence against me is overwhelming. There is no doubt that I shall be sent to jail for a very long time indeed…”

Georgina reached across the table, taking her father’s hand, squeezing it tightly. “No, I will not accept that,” she said in a fierce voice. “Something must be done! Your solicitor is not doing his job! You are innocent…”

“You and your mother and sister are the only people in this world who believe that now,” interjected her father in a mild voice. “And your faith in me is the only thing that has gotten me through this ordeal.” His eyes flickered to the small window, watching tiny white snowflakes drifting through the air before turning back to her. “But it is over, Georgina. I will be tried and convicted. You must learn to live without me, daughter. I am sorrier than I can ever express.”

Georgina felt a pang of pure pain pierce her heart. To hear her kind, clever and painfully honest father talk in such a defeatist way broke her heart. Ever since he had been arrested on charges of fraud and taken here to await trial, she had been living with this dreadful ache, her mind awhirl with confusion and fear, unable to believe that it was truly happening. 

Georgina gazed around the awful room again. But it was happening. The nightmare was real. She could pinch herself all she liked, but she wasn’t going to wake up from it. 

“Does your mother know you are here, Georgie?” asked her father suddenly. “Or did you manage to slip out before she realized where you were going?”

Georgina flushed, then raised her chin in a defiant way. “She does not know,” she admitted, her flush deepening. “I told Mama that I was visiting Regina. She would never have let me come here by myself. She barely lets me out the front door these days.”

Georgina’s voice caught at the end of the words, and she bit her lip to stop herself from bursting into noisy tears. She didn’t want to cry. Her father needed her to be strong, and he didn’t need to hear how hard it had been for the family since his shock arrest. He needed his family to support him unwaveringly and champion him.

But it had been hard. Very hard. The furore was intense and Georgina knew it would not abate for a long time. Her family were caught like flies within the sticky web of a great scandal and could not extract themselves, no matter how hard they tried.

It was the Christmas season, and usually, her family would have been in the midst of celebrations, attending balls and soirees, with barely a moment to spare. But, of course, all the invitations had dried up as soon as her father had been arrested. She and her mother and sister were not welcome anywhere. They were social pariahs, now, holed up in their London residence while they awaited the trial, barely having the courage to walk down their own street, never mind showing their faces on Bond Street or in Hyde Park.

It was going to be a very grim Christmas indeed. The saddest Christmas she had ever known.

No, do not think that way! Papa will be freed and everything will go back to normal. He is innocent. Even if the case against him is strong, his solicitor will find a way to make sure that he is not proven guilty. He will come back to us.

She kept telling herself that, over and over. But looking at the sad, defeated face of her father now, it was getting so much harder to convince herself it was true.

“How is your mother?” he asked in a gentle voice.

Georgina sighed. “You know Mama,” she replied eventually, in a tight voice. “She is confined to her room with the vapors, calling for her smelling salts. She fainted clean away after you were taken into custody.”

“Do not be so harsh on her, Georgina,” said her father in a deceptively mild voice. “She is your mother and you must show respect. She is not as strong in character as you are, but she has manifest qualities, nonetheless. A thing such as this is simply beyond her. Do not judge her because she copes in a different way to you.”

Georgina flushed hard, feeling terrible. Her father always gently rebuked her whenever she criticized Mama, even if the criticism was justified. Georgina knew that her father loved her mother dearly. He was protective of his wife–the strong, powerful presence to her feeble, weak one. Her mother worshipped her husband and did whatever he said. Georgina felt a pang of sudden sympathy for her mother, which was so unusual that it made her jump.

Poor Mama. How is she going to survive without Papa by her side, constantly telling her what to do? How is she going to live at all?

“I am sorry,” muttered Georgina. “You know that I love Mama. She just gets upon my nerves. That is all.”

“You are such different characters,” said her father, nodding. “Promise me you will look after her, Georgie…if the worst comes to the worst.”

Georgina stuck out her bottom lip, feeling mutinous again. She had just turned eighteen years old; she had barely made her debut and come out into society. And now, her youth was being robbed. Why must she languish at home, the victim of scandal, looking after her mother? Surely, it should be the other way around.

“And how is your sister?” continued her father. “How is Tatiana?”

Georgina rolled her eyes. “She is weeping and bellowing and shouting. It is not fair,” she replied. “She says she will never make her debut now and her life is ruined. She and Mama make a fine pair.”

Her father laughed quietly. “Tatty has taken after your mother. They are both dramatic and given to bouts of weeping when they feel overwhelmed. But they are kind, loyal souls, Georgina. Your sister loves you very much and looks up to you. Never forget it.”

Georgina harrumphed, but felt her heart turn over in her chest. She really did love her little sister very much, even if Tatiana annoyed her with her constant wailing and histrionics. And it was unfair that perhaps her sister would never get to make her debut now and live under the shadow of scandal her entire life. Tatiana was only sixteen years old.

Do not think that way. Papa will be proved innocent. He will come home. And everything will be back to the way it was.

Her heart pulsed with sorrow. She leaned across the table, staring at her father intently.

“Papa, there must be some way to prove your innocence,” she said slowly. “Please, I know you do not wish to burden us with talk of what happened, but how can I help you if you remain tight-lipped about it?”

Her father frowned. “I made a vow to myself to shield you, your sister and mother from my legal battle, Georgina,” he said in a firm voice. “My solicitor, Mr. Carruthers, has all the necessary information to mount my case…”

“Except Mr. Carruthers is useless,” barked Georgina, her frustration threatening to overwhelm her, making her tongue loose. “He is going around saying that he fully expects that you will serve time, Papa. He is not confident at all that you will be released. How can you hand your fate over to such a man?”

Her father turned brick red. “It is a matter of loyalty. William Carruthers is the son of my father’s late solicitor, who served him most loyally and well.” He hesitated. “Our family has always used Carruthers and Sons Solicitors…”

Georgina felt a flash of uncharacteristic frustration with her father. Normally, he was so wise about everything. But sometimes, he was stubborn in the extreme with his loyalty to people, and his judgement erred. She believed that this was one of those occasions. William Carruthers wasn’t the man his late father was, nor was he half the solicitor his father was. Everyone knew that Carruthers and Sons wasn’t the law firm it had once been. Most members of the ton took their legal business elsewhere now.

But not her father. He refused to even entertain the notion of any other solicitor mounting his legal defence. With a shiver of foreboding, Georgina knew that the decision might cost him his freedom. 

Not if I can help it. Even if Mr. Carruthers loses the case, there might be some way I can secure Papa’s freedom later. If only Papa will talk to me about what happened.

“Please,” she begged, staring at her father. “Just tell me where I might go if all else fails, Papa. Give me a clue as to where I should look to prove your innocence.” She paused. “I can prompt Mr. Carruthers, if nothing else.”

Her father sighed heavily, looking stonily ahead. Georgina felt another pang of sorrow. It was no use–he wasn’t going to talk about it with her. Not now, not ever. Even though he loved her dearly, and constantly told her how clever she was, he would not trust her with this in his desire to shield her from it. And that hurt more than anything in this world.

“I know you are innocent,” she said, choking on the words. “I have never doubted it for a moment and I never will. You are the most honest person I have ever met, Papa. I know you never did what they claim you have done. But I need evidence to back that up. The judge at the Old Bailey is not going to take my word for it, Papa.”

Suddenly, the door swung open. The porky, mean faced guard who had led her into this room stood there, glaring at them, through his small piggy eyes.

“Time’s up,” he drawled, glaring at Georgina, as if he hated her. “You have to go.”

Georgina and her father stood up. She stared at him pleadingly. This might be the last time she saw him before the trial. 

“Please, Papa,” she cried, trying not to burst into tears again. “Tell me something.”

Her father was pale. His eyes flickered.

“My most recent business dealings have been with the Haverly family,” he said slowly, looking as if the words hurt him. “That is as much as I can say, Georgina.”

“Come on,” barked the guard, taking her by the arm. “I have not got all day…!”

Georgina was led out of the room. Her mind was spinning.

The Haverly family. I will remember that.

 

Chapter One

Wembley Hall, Kent, two years later

“Checkmate,” cried Georgina, sitting back in her chair near the fire, and gazing steadily at her grandfather over the chessboard. “You are off your game tonight, Grandpapa!”

Her grandfather, Lord Alfred Winship, the Earl of Rutherford, chuckled faintly, his rheumy blue eyes filled with affection as he gazed at her.

“Perhaps I let you win, Georgina,” he replied with a small smile. “I have taught you everything that you know about the game, granddaughter. Did that possibility ever cross your mind?”

Georgina laughed. “I will concede it is possible,” she said, shrugging her shoulders. “It feels like I have done nothing but play chess with you ever since we moved into Wembley Hall two years ago.”

Her grandfather laughed, but didn’t contradict her. It was only a slight exaggeration, after all. Georgina’s eyes flickered to the fire, watching the orange flames licking toward the chimney. It was warm and cozy in the parlor. Outside, she could hear a snowstorm raging, but inside, all was calm and warm and perfect.

Except that it isn’t, and it never will be. It is almost two years since Papa’s trial and imprisonment. And no matter how wonderful it is living with Grandpapa now; life has never been the same since that happened.

Georgina sighed heavily. After the trial, where her father had been convicted of fraud and sentenced to ten years in jail, her family had floundered. That was until her grandfather, her father’s father, stepped in. He had just purchased a new house in Kent, saying he would offer them protection, that they could all move there and be far removed from the eye of the storm.

It had been the reprieve her family had sorely needed. The new house in Kent, Wembley Hall, was far removed from the vicious gossip in London, which had followed them like a black cloud while they had been in the city, forcing them to become social hermits.

And that was when Georgina and her grandfather had established their nightly ritual of a game of chess. It was something she looked forward to immensely. It hadn’t even seemed to matter that she had never gone out to balls and parties or had suitors like normal ladies her age. 

She had grown used to the solitude so much that when the taint of scandal had started to fade and invitations had finally started to arrive again, it had slightly alarmed her.

I just want to stay here doing this forever. It is far safer and more comfortable than being out in society. Why must I pretend that I enjoy it when I do not and never will?

“You used to complain about it all the time, you know,” said her grandfather, sounding amused. “You used to rail against being stuck here and playing chess with me. Do you remember?”

Georgina nodded, smiling slightly. “I feel far different about the matter than I did two years ago,” she admitted. “I was alarmed about the scandal and being forced to become a hermit then. Now, it is quite the reverse.”

Her grandfather chuckled. “Yes, it is. Your mother and sister are forced to harp at you for hours to accept any invitations at all, Georgina.”

She frowned. “I just want to stay here with you, Grandpapa, and play chess, or ramble the grounds, or ride my horse across the fields.” Her eyes glittered with tears. “I just want to be left alone. And it is becoming increasingly impossible, especially at this time of year, in the lead up to Christmas, with all of the invitations to balls and parties. Mama nags at me constantly.”

“You are being too hard on your mother…”

Georgina sighed heavily. “Am I? Mama is like a demon, a woman possessed, in her relentless quest to find husbands for her daughters and turn back the hands of time.” She blinked rapidly. “It is like she is determined to pretend that our tragedy never happened at all. It is as if she is suffering from selective amnesia, Grandpapa.”

“At least your mother has purpose now,” replied her grandfather, shrugging his shoulders. “At least she is not constantly suffering the vapors and lying in bed with her smelling salts, declaring that her life is over. That is something.”

Georgina sighed, feeling ashamed. “I am sorry,” she said, reddening. “I do want Mama to remain well, but I cannot stop my mind veering to Papa again and how sad it must be for him, spending another Christmas behind bars. It just breaks my heart.”

Her grandfather nodded. “Yes, it is a terrible business,” he said, his face tightening. “I never believed I would see the day when this would happen. Edward never did what they say he did. He was always an honest boy, and he became an honest man. There is not a duplicitous bone in his body. His conviction for fraud is a travesty.”

“There must still be a way to exonerate him,” declared Georgina, her heart beating hard. “I have not given up. I never will.”

“I will never give up either, Georgina,” said her grandfather, looking sad. “I have searched high and low for new evidence to exonerate him, as you know.” He paused, his face thoughtful. “But you must not become obsessed with it. Your mother is right–you must start living your own life now. You cannot let this affect your chances of finding a husband and start your own family, granddaughter. Your father would never want that.”

Georgina pressed her lips together, not replying. Mama had clearly roped her grandfather into her scheme to find her daughters’ husbands–to make up for all that lost time, now that the Winship family were no longer tainted by scandal. Or at least, not as much as they used to be.

“The ton in this district may have grudgingly accepted our family back into society,” she said eventually, her heart tightening. “But there are still people who spurn us. Not everyone has forgiven and forgotten what happened, and perhaps they never will. The taint of the scandal might linger forever, you know.” She shrugged. “There might never be husbands for Tatiana and me.”

“Have faith, Georgina,” replied her grandfather, raising his eyebrows. “You must be patient and you must let the past go. It is the only way.”

Georgina nodded, looking down at the chessboard, but her heart protested.

I do not care and I never will. The ton deserted us in our hour of need, making us social pariahs. I have learnt to live without their good opinion and their society. Why should I crawl to them and beg for them to accept me now? I am quite content with spending my days here for the rest of my life.

“What would you do without me if I married, Grandpapa?” she asked in a light, playful voice. “Who would beat you at chess?”

Her grandfather grinned. “You are cocky, my girl. I am certain I would manage quite well enough.” His face sobered. “I mean it, Georgina. You are a beautiful young lady and this is your time to shine. You do not want to spend your days coddling an old man like me as much as I enjoy your company. You must go out and live your life.”

Georgina stared at him, at his familiar, beloved face, which was creased with wrinkles, but held the same shining, kind blue eyes that her father possessed. She knew she clung to Grandpapa more than she should–she tailed him, really. But she also knew it was because she had lost her father so suddenly. 

“I do not believe I ever want to marry,” she declared abruptly, her heart pounding hard. “It would distract me from my mission to prove Papa’s innocence.” Her face crumpled. “I will never accept the sentence! I am going to find a way…”

The door burst open, and her mother entered, trailed by her younger sister. Tatiana had taken to following Mama everywhere these days. They were like two peas in a pod.

“There you are,” cried Lady Ashdown, fixing her eyes upon her eldest daughter. She shook her head impatiently. “I should have known I would find you here, Georgina, playing chess as if you are a doddering old woman.”

Georgina instantly bristled. Her grandfather shot her a warning look, shaking his head imperceptibly. Georgina bit her lip to stop the instant retort that rose to her lips. It would only cause an argument that would distress everyone. She and her mother were clashing more than ever these days.

“I have wonderful news,” continued Lady Ashdown, coming to stand in front of the fire, staring at Georgina. “We have just received an invitation to the Duke of Elverwood’s annual Christmas ball!”

“And it is a masquerade ball,” declared Tatiana, her eyes shining. “Even better!”

Georgina screwed up her face. “How very tedious. The thought of swanning around with a mask on my face, hot and sweating, fills me with dread.”

There was a tense silence. Tatiana gaped at her sister as if she had just grown another head. Lady Ashdown frowned.

“Must you always see the bad side of everything, Georgina?” she asked in a tight voice. “This ball is the pinnacle of the social season in this district. The invitations are highly sought after. And may I remind you that last year we were not invited at all? We have come far, daughter. We must appreciate every gain that we have made.”

“I do not want to go,” said Georgina, in a firm voice. “But I hope that you and Tatiana have a good time, Mama.”

There was another awkward silence. 

“Oh, do not make her go if she does not wish to, Mama,” said Tatiana suddenly. “It will mean that there is less competition to win the eye of the Earl of Mastine if Georgie is not there. All the young ladies are planning to make a beeline for him.”

“The Earl of Mastine?” Georgina stared at her sister. “And who is he?”

Tatiana gave a bark of laughter, glancing at their mother, who looked amused.

“Really, Georgina,” said Lady Ashdown, raising her eyebrows. “Do you not listen to any local gossip at all?”

“No,” replied Georgina crisply. “Gossip does not interest me, Mama.”

Her mother took a deep breath. “The Earl of Mastine is the oldest son and heir of the Duke of Elverwood,” she said slowly. “He has been abroad for some years now, on his Grand Tour of the continent, but he will be home for the Christmas season…and in attendance at the ball…”

“He is the most eligible of bachelors,” interjected Tatiana, her eyes bright. “Not only is he the heir to the Elverwood duchy, but they say he is devilishly handsome and charming. All the young ladies are dying to see him again after his years abroad and hopefully catch his eye. He is quite a catch!”

Georgina shrugged, already bored with the subject. She had no desire to throw her hat into the ring and compete with the local ladies for this earl who would one day become a duke. Even the thought of it made her head throb. 

“Oh, do not waste your breath, Tatiana,” said their mother, looking aggrieved. “We can all see that your older sister has no interest in Lord Justin Haverly…”

Georgina sat up straighter, her heart pounding painfully. “Who? What did you say his name was?”

Her mother stared at her. “Lord Justin Haverly. That is the Earl of Mastine’s name, my dear…”

“I did not realize that the Duke of Elverwood’s family name is Haverly,” said Georgina, her heart pounding harder. “I had no idea at all.”

Her mother frowned, looking bewildered. Tatiana shrugged, clearly wondering why it mattered. Her grandfather looked mystified as well. Georgina’s head was spinning furiously.

Haverly. That is the name of the family that Papa mentioned that day when I visited him before his trial. The name of the family that he last had business dealings with before he was arrested for fraud. The clue to his innocence.

“Actually,” said Georgina, her voice breathless. “I would be very interested in going to this ball.” She paused. “And I would be very interested to meet Lord Justin Haverly.”