Page 1 of An Icy Christmas Engagement
Chapter One
Heavy fog and a deep chill in the air meant that Caroline should have been in her bed, curled up with a good novel, and sipping warm milk until she inevitably fell asleep.
Not bundled up with too many layers trying to traverse the London streets on foot. Yet here she was, her hands tucked into her underarm, her coat billowing behind her, and her eyes squinting to see a few paces ahead of her.
The carriage that had taken her to this side of London was lingering a few blocks away, ready to take her back to the comfort of her own home. It was not too late yet. Dusk had only just descended, which meant that many people were preparing their supper or heading home from their long days drinking their sorrows away at the tavern.
Caroline didn’t mind being out this late. She didn’t mind the quiet. What she minded was the cold, the bitter chill that seemed to be seeping through her boots. It was a wonder snow hadn’t begun falling tonight even though it was already early December.
She let out a breath into her coat and savored the few seconds of warmth it gave her as she delved down another street. Relief flooded her when she spotted the building at the end of the street still lit, which meant that they hadn’t closed for the night. She’d taken a chance coming out here so late.
One year ago, this time, she would have been in the countryside, enjoying the last vestiges of warmth England had to offer during the winter months. Curling up in front of a fire with three blankets draped over her legs while the crackling wood served as soothing music while she read. Pure bliss. How things had changed. No one would expect the Viscountess of Winterbourne to be in these parts of London.
Dowager Viscountess now, sadly.
She drew to a halt in front of the cold door, pulling her hands free from the warmth of her armpits. The heavy knocker was cold to the touch and Caroline sucked in a breath, already uncomfortable. She knocked three times then waited. Rocked backand forth on her heels to keep her blood rushing through her veins and waited a bit more.
Just when her impatience had worn thin, the door opened, revealing a burly man with heavy scowl on his face. He looked her up and down. Caroline could only imagine what he was thinking. Not every day did one open the door of their establishment to see a woman bundled up from head to toe with only her eyes visible.
“Pardon me, sir,” she said. “But if I remain out here any longer, I may lose a few of my appendages.”
He grunted and stepped aside. Caroline murmured her thanks as she slipped into the warm space. She spied the lit fireplace on the other side of the room and made a beeline for it, sinking into the chair closest to it to absorb its warmth.
“It’s late.”
Caroline glanced over her shoulder at the man, then returned her attention to the fire. In hindsight, it might not have been a good idea coming here alone, even if she was no longer expected to have a chaperone at all times. She was still a lady, after all. And she did not know this man well.
Sure, she knew his name—Mr. Edwin Holloway, her publisher. She knew he was a lover of literature, like she was, and took his position in the literary world very seriously. Right now, that felt like all she needed to know.
He didn't know she was the Dowager Viscountess of Winterbourne. He didn’t even know that she was a lady. All Edwin knew about her was that she’d once provided a riveting romance novel that had been well received by the public, which she hoped gave her the potential for future publications.
“I know it’s late,” she responded. “And perhaps I should have chosen a more appropriate time to see you.”
“It’s fine. I work late, as you can see.” Edwin lumbered over to the only other armchair by the fireplace. “I assume it’s about your book?”
“Not entirely.” She shifted to face him. “You told me that it has grown in popularity since it was first published. And because of that, I am seeking the chance to publish another with you again.”
Edwin tilted his head to the side, the balding spot on the top of his head shining under the glow of the fire. “Do you already have a manuscript?”
“I have an idea,” she confessed.
“An idea?” Edwin scoffed in disbelief. “Books are only half ideas and half execution. Your ideas are nothing to me if you do not have anything to show for it.”
“Oh, Heavens, and here I thought you had a little more faith in me.” She rolled her eyes dramatically, pulling free the bundle of pages she’d tucked into her coat before leaving the house. She hadn’t wanted to show him but… “I already have a few chapters finished. Pray, share your thoughts.”
Edwin’s scowl seemed to deepen at the pages she held out to him. But he reached forward with a grunt and took it from her anyway. Caroline studied him for a few moments as he began to read then, feeling anxious suddenly, she turned her attention back to the fire.
Others reading her work had always excited her. When her first book began being sold in the shops, and she heard of the reviews, she felt an exhilaration unlike anything else before. She’d finally found her true purpose in life, bringing titillating and heartwarming romances to life for others to enjoy. Writing was the only thing that brought her joy lately and it certainly helped that she could earn a pretty pence from it.
But Edwin’s scrutiny was unlike anything else she’d endured. Her first draft of the first few chapters was not going to be her best work but she hoped it was good enough for him to decide to work with her again.
“Requires refinement,” he said at last, thrusting the pages back at her.
Caroline’s heart sank. “Does that mean you do not intend to publish my work again?”
He only stared at her for a long, tense moment before he said, “It is in need of improvement, but it has potential. The tone is rather contrived, and the male protagonist exhibits a certain lack of vitality. Amend these aspects in the finished manuscript and return it to me at your earliest convenience.”
Caroline grinned. This went far better than she’d expected it to. “It shall take me a few months but I will be able to—”
