Title:
His Christmas Violet: A Second Chance Regency Romance
Author:
Regina Jeffers
Genre:
Regency romance, second chance romance, historical fiction, Regency historical, women authors, novella, classic literature and fiction
Book Blurb:
Sir Frederick Nolan stayed true to his late wife through all their years of marriage, but now he is widower and has waited the proper mourning period, he sees no reason he should not finally know the happiness of having Lady Violet Graham at his side. He meant to marry Violet when he was fresh from his university years and she was but a young lady; however, the realization she was perfect for him had come too late, and Violet had already accepted the proposal of Lord Graham.
Lady Violet Graham never strayed from the love she held for Sir Frederick, but she had proven herself a good wife to her late husband, serving dutifully as Lord Giles Graham’s chatelaine and presenting him three sons. Now, her widow’s pension and the use of the dower house will provide her the only freedom she has ever known as a woman. She cannot think to become another man’s “property,” even when that man is the only one she has every loved. Enough is enough when it comes to having no voice in her future.
They have been in each others’ pockets, so to speak, since they were children, but how does Sir Frederick convince Lady Violet to marry him, when she is most determined never again to permit any man dominion over her person, even though they both know they would be great together?
Excerpt:
Sir Frederick stopped before her, removed his hat and bowed. “Good afternoon, my lady. Mrs. Bowers,” he said politely. “Might I join you?”
Emily responded before Violet could gather her wits about her. “Please do, sir.” Violet noted Emily’s use of coquettish tones, and she turned to her friend to present Emily a “how dare you” glare, but Emily was too busy batting her eyelashes at Sir Frederick to take note of Violet’s disapproval. Thankfully, Frederick had yet to present Emily more than a cursory glance. Instead, his attention had landed fully on Violet, and she resisted the urge to squirm.
He adjusted his chair and sat between her and Emily before motioning the owner to deliver a fresh pot of tea. “And what are you ladies doing in town?”
Violet said, “I was just about to ask the same of you.”
He smiled at her. “I came to speak to my man of business and thought I might also call in at the stable. You see, my lady, I am seriously considering in acquiring both a new horse and a new wife. I wish to make certain the lady will be provided for properly.”
His news was a shock for Violet, but, before she could compose her thoughts, Emily asked, “You have already chosen a new mate?” Her friend appeared quite dumbfounded by the possibility.
“I have, ma’am,” he said simply.
“Have you made an offer of your hand?” Emily continued to question him.
He glanced to Violet, but appeared quite satisfied in answering Emily’s inquiries. “I have yet to win the lady’s permission to court her, but I pray she will agree. She is the only woman I might consider marrying.”
“I . . . I see,” Emily stammered, as she gathered her belongings. “Then . . . then I wish you success, sir.” She turned to Violet. “I despise leaving so suddenly. I just took note of the time and realized I promised Mrs. Williams I would call upon her today about the charity’s need to assist the poor.”
Violet knew Emily had already called upon the vicar’s wife on this day, but she assumed her friend knew a bit of mortification for flirting with a man who meant to marry another. “I am sorry you must leave so soon. I shall send a note around later in the week, and we may continue our conversation then.”
Emily nodded her agreement and rose quickly. Frederick also rose to bid her a ‘“Farewell,” and within seconds Emily was gone.
“That was odd,” Sir Frederick said as he resumed his seat. “Was it something I said which offended her?”
Violet frowned again. “Emily is at sixes and sevens since her widowhood. The Williamses provide her counsel, and she finds the church’s charities worthy of her time.”
Frederick tilted his head in serious consideration. “Then she was truly flittering with me? I assumed so, but I did not want to appear presumptuous.”
“Some women are lost without a man’s guidance,” Violet observed.
The tea arrived, and their conversation paused until they were alone again.
“I assume you are not one of those women,” he observed with a lift of his brows.
“If you are asking if I ever see myself remarrying, I would be remiss if I did not dissuade you or anyone else foolish enough to ask. Lord Giles Graham was a good man, but you and I are both aware my late husband was also a very regimented man, who despised any sort of spontaneity or disorder. You have known me since I was a child and will likely realize ‘perfect order’ was often difficult for me. Therefore, I do not wish to place myself under the rule of another man.”
Feeling a bit uncomfortable with her statement, Violet sipped her tea before saying, “Now, tell me, who is the fortunate woman on the receiving end of your affection?”
He chuckled easily. The sound of his laughter rumbling about in his chest brought a shiver of awareness to Violet’s spine. “After your most eloquent speech, I should likely be silent on the subject, but, as I know how ‘spontaneity’ is part of your nature, you will recognize a certain plainspoken tendency as part of mine.”
“I do,” she murmured, waiting with anticipation for his pronouncement.
“Then you will hear my honesty when I say, I have no wish to remarry unless my next bride is you, Lady Violet.”
The deep timbre of his voice and his closeness set her heart racing.
It was her turn to be dumbfounded, but she had no opportunity to respond, for he stood suddenly. “Think upon it, Violet.” With that, he turned and placed several coins in the hand of the proprietor, before exiting the shop.
All Violet could do was stare at the door through which he had departed. Sir Frederick Nolan wished to marry her? Her? She shook her head in denial. Even for the most compelling gentleman of her acquaintance, and Sir Frederick definitely fit those words perfectly, Violet was not about to abandon her well-earned freedom. Setting her shoulders in renewed resolve, she rose also, gathered her belongings, thanked the proprietor for his service and returned to her carefully constructed life. It would be a cold day in purgatory before she placed her life in the hands of another man, no matter how deliciously handsome her pursuer might be.
* * *
“To where did you disappear?” his best chum, Mr. Lawrence Clements, asked. “One minute we were looking at a horse, and the next you were gone.”
“I noted the Graham coach turning onto the street beyond,” Frederick admitted.
Lawrence grinned widely. “Still dallying with that idea, are we?”
“Afraid so,” Frederick said as he looked back toward the street upon which the tea room sat.
Clements stepped up beside him. “If you wish another wife, why not seek out a younger woman?”
“I do not desire a wife I must tend to all the time and one set on stirring up my comforts. Nor do I wish to subject my grown children to a woman likely younger than are they. I want a woman who knows something of family and trials, but one not focused on the idea of dying.”
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
Available to Read in Kindle Unlimited
BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/books/his-christmas-violet-a-second-chance-regency-romance-by-regina-jeffers
What I love most about the holiday season:
For more years than I care to consider, I made my own Christmas pudding. Starting on Stir-Up Sunday (the last Sunday before the season of Advent), the Christmas pudding was made. Some say the pudding was introduced by Prince Albert, but the meat-less version was introduced from Germany by George I in the early 1700s. The idea of Stir-Up Sunday is all within the household take a turn at stirring the mixture. Believe me, doing so in not for those without muscles, so having lots of people involved is a good idea. Each person stirs the mixture from East to West in honor of the three Wise Men who visited the Baby Jesus. Each person involved is then able to make a special wish for the year ahead.
Why is your featured book a must-read to get you in the holiday mood?
A must-read book has its own unique background, history, and points of reference. It may have a familiar theme, as in “His Christmas Violet,” which is a second chance at romance story. Yet, a sense of originality is essential. The thing about Frederick and Violet is their actions are a mix of their personal histories and the element of surprise. Although both are “old enough to know better,” so to speak, they grow as characters when they are together. As the story unfolds, they become a power with which their families must reckon.
Giveaway –
One lucky reader will win a $75 Amazon gift card:
Open internationally.
Runs July 1 – 31, 2023.
Drawing will be held on August 1, 2023.
Author Biography:
A writer penning more than 60 novels, Regina Jeffers is the award-winning author of stories with dashing heroines and daring heroines, all set in the Regency or early Victorian era. A Smithsonian presenter and a Martha Holden Jennings Scholar, Jeffers has been honored with multiple awards for her tales: She writes full-time, skillfully enveloping her readers in the hearts and minds of her characters. She will have you cheering for her characters, will likely make you cry, will have you laughing aloud, as well as wanting more.
Social Media Links:
Every Woman Dreams (Blog)
Always Austen (Group Blog)