Creath had burst into tears. Racking, heart-rending, inconsolable tears.
Chrystabel had turned her eyes heavenward. “Matthew, you’re an idiot.”
“I’m inclined to agree,” Arabel had put in politely.
The new Lord and Lady Grosmont had gone away to Moore Manor—where they meant to reside for the time being—and returned the next day smiling, holding hands, and saying nothing of an annulment. Which Chrystabel took to mean the marriage had been enthusiastically consummated.
Now the two were drawing up plans for a new house on Creath’s mother’s land. Since the authorities had taken nearly a year to verify Sir Leonard’s claim to the baronetcy, the couple expected they’d have plenty of time to build before the next baronet ousted them from Moore Manor.
Creath’s son wouldn’t inherit her father’s title, but eventually he’d inherit Matthew’s title instead. He’d be an earl instead of a mere baronet. She was fine with that.
And Matthew was more than fine with the resolution to his financial troubles. His income from Grosmont in Wales added to the income from his wife’s inheritance put them well on their way to rebuilding the Trevor family fortune.
But that was not why he’d married Creath, of course. Anyone with eyes in their head could see how much he loved her. And everyone who knew them remarked on how well they were suited—both having similarly levelheaded and affable dispositions. Chrystabel reckoned theirs would be an exceptionally polite and agreeable marriage.
Arabel and Creath had become great friends, a convenient turn of events since they were now sharing a home. Arabel would naturally continue living under her brother’s roof until she married. At fifteen and one-half, she was in no hurry to wed.
And given that it would be four or five years until the bookish nephew was old enough to marry, her matchmaking sister saw no reason to rush her.
In the meantime, Arabel was happy to not be in Wales and to have her brother and sister close by. As ever, she was easy to please.
As Chrystabel had dreamed, she’d be living at Tremayne Castle when Joseph’s Tudor gardens bloomed in the summer. But she hadn’t dared to dream of living just a mile from her siblings.
It was clear that she, Arabel, and Matthew had been sorely in need of a fresh start. While they’d always treasure fond memories of their old life at Grosmont Grange, Chrystabel knew they’d make even better memories in their new homes, surrounded by those who held family as their first priority.
“…so long as ye both shall live?” the vicar concluded expectantly.
In the hush that followed, Chrystabel drew a deep breath. “I will,” she pledged, her voice ringing clear and true through the sanctuary.
A few more words, a family heirloom ring slid onto her finger, and she was astonished to find she felt married, the new Viscountess Tremayne.
She felt married. Before the wedding breakfast.
It was, unmistakably, the most wonderful feeling ever.
When her new husband lowered his lips to hers, Arabel burst into applause. But Chrystabel didn’t allow the kiss to be as long or energetic as their usual kisses.
They were in a church, after all.
When he released her, she saw that Matthew and Creath had been kissing as well. And that Arabel was grinning at them like a lunatic, clearly overjoyed for both her siblings.
Chrystabel saw that Lady Trentingham—no, make that Mother—looked thrilled.
And that Lord Trentingham looked cheerful, but perplexed.
He’d been wearing that expression a lot lately.
“I still don’t understand,” he sighed as they all walked back to Tremayne, looking forward to Chrystabel’s masterpiece of a wedding breakfast. “You all met just three days before Christmas. How can it be that four people fell in love so fast?”
Feeling happier than she’d thought possible, Chrystabel linked arms with her new father-in-law. “Obviously, it was a Christmas miracle.”
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To see more of Chrystabel and Joseph, look for the three Chase Brides series books about their daughters! The first one is The Viscount’s Wallflower Bride. Please read on for an excerpt.
If you’ve already read the rest of our Chase Brides series, you might enjoy reading about descendants of the Chase family. Start with Alexandra, Book 1 in our Regency Chase Brides series. In the following pages, you’ll find an excerpt for that book, too!
If you'd like to learn more about the real people, places, and events in The Cavalier’s Christmas Bride, turn the page for Lauren’s Author's Note...
BONUS MATERIAL
Author’s Note
Explore the Chase Family World
Excerpt from The Viscount’s Wallflower Bride
Excerpt from Alexandra
Books by Lauren & Devon Royal
Contest
About the Authors
Acknowledgments
Contact Information
AUTHOR'S NOTE
Dear Reader,
Oliver Cromwell is one of the most controversial figures in British history. Depending upon viewpoint, he’s been described as both a regicidal military dictator and a revolutionary hero of liberty. But few people today would support his decision to ban Christmas.
Following the execution of King Charles I in 1649, England was ruled by Parliament. Prior to the end of the English Civil War in September 1651, three months before this story starts, Cromwell had become the country's de facto leader. He was officially Lord Protector from 1653 until his death in 1658.
Cromwell and his fellow Puritans believed that everyone should lead their lives according to a strict interpretation of the Bible. They felt it was their mission to cleanse the country of decadence, and their decrees affected all aspects of society.
They believed that women and girls should dress in a “proper” manner. Dresses that were too
