Christmas Countdown 2018 #Day 4

 

Arabella Sheraton grew up on a diet of Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, and many other writers of that period. From Jane Austen to Georgette Heyer, Arabella has found both enjoyment and inspiration in sparkling, witty Regency novels. She also loves history and generally finds the past more fascinating than the future. Arabella wrote her first Regency romance to entertain her aged mom who loved the genre. Arabella is honoured to share the adventures of her heroes and heroines with readers.

 


In this delightful traditional Regency romance, Miss Diana Dashwood accepts an invitation to Lady Prescott’s Christmas party at Camden House, in the countryside. But things do not go quite as she imagined. Through an unexpected event, she is forced to spend the night in a woodsman’s hut with one of the guests. What a scandal! 
Of course, Sir Gareth Blakely must propose, and he does. Unfortunately, Miss Diana Dashwood has already been engaged to and broken off her engagement from Sir Gareth Blakely after a bitter quarrel. Is it likely she will bow to social pressure and accept his proposal, one made only to save her reputation, and if they marry, does their union stand a chance of survival? 
And what about the pretty heiress, Miss Jemima Plymstock, whom everyone thinks is the lady Sir Gareth had his eye upon? Headstrong and proud, Miss Diana Dashwood is caught in a dreadful dilemma. A must-read for Regency fans!
Snippet:
“Well, Miss Dashwood,” he murmured, “will you rise to the challenge? Will you kiss me under the mistletoe in front of everyone? Miss Dalton managed to catch Mr. Crane easily enough and we all know why.”
He looked up; she followed his gaze and spied the cluster of dark green leaves with white berries. She had quite forgotten about the mistletoe. How infuriating and smug he was to insinuate she was so desperate to kiss him that a parlour game was her only means. How dare he compare her to that silly Drusilla Dalton? Well, she would show him and everyone else just how much he did not matter to her. She would not be humiliated by old gossip being raked up. Diana kissed the fingertips on her right hand and pressed them onto his lips.
“There,” she said, twirling around in a flourish to face the others. “A Christmas kiss for Sir Gareth and that’s as much as he deserves from me.”

 

Her actions made everyone burst out laughing and clapping again.
 

 

To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Part 1 Official Event page 
and
Part 2 Official Event page