Degrees of Hope (35 page)

“How did you get this?” she asked, approaching the painting that had hung in her father's study for the past six years.

“Well, I had to promise that you would sit for a new portrait when we get back, but I thought that with six weeks, I would be able to talk you into it.”

Hope turned and laughed.

“What?” James looked perplexed.

“I'm sorry, it's just that Papa must think that he's got the better of you; I hated sitting for portraits. So much so that he had to bribe me with Shelly to get me to sit for this one.”

“Oh, well, I still have six weeks to talk you into it. Perhaps I could bribe you will a genuine cowboy horse.”

Hope laughed again and put her arms around his neck. “You don't need to bribe me,” she assured him. “Consider it my wedding present to you.”

James smiled. “So, are you ready to see the first floor?”

Hope's smile faded slightly.

“Don't worry, darling, I know you're nervous but you have nothing to fear.”

“I know,” she put on a brave smile. “I trust you.”

James swept her into his arms and carried her up the staircase. The bedroom door was ajar so he kicked it open, then set Hope back onto her feet.

“Oh, Lord,” she said, stepping towards the four poster bed. “That's my bed! And my fireside chairs! And that painting was in my room this morning. That doll was a present from Papa. And that's the sampler that Charity made for me last year.”

James couldn't help but smile.

“The staff went to work the moment you left, dismantling the bed; we had a cart and horse waiting by the stable block to bring the bed here. I asked your mother to make a list of possessions that were sentimental to you and your lady's maid collected them and brought them here. You can collect anything else you want of course but I wanted you to feel at home. I'm sorry for the deception.”

“Sorry?” She turned to him, incredulous. “This was so thoughtful. Thank you so much, James, this means the world to me.”

“
You
mean the world to me, my dear.” He leaned down and kissed her softly.

Hope melted into his embrace, her arms going around him and her hands running over the planes of his back. Suddenly she felt a pull at the laces of her dress as James untied the bow.

Hope pulled back, blushing and looking down.

“I should call Hopkins,” she said.

James cupped her face and gently tilted her head up.

“I gave her the rest of the day off,” he said. “I'm your lady's maid today. You don't need to blush around me, my love.”

His expression was full of such adoration that Hope couldn't help but feel calm under his gaze. Her nervous smile turned teasing.

“All right, but I do hope that you know how to do a chignon, or I'm afraid that I may have to dispense with your services.”

“I don't know about that, but I am very good at removing garters.”

“Oh, are you now? And how did you discover this talent?” she asked, playfully crossing her arms in mock anger.

James actually blushed. “It's a natural gift. I'm told that all the men in my family have it, going back ten generations.”

Hope giggled and turned around. “Very well, Ashdown, you may help me disrobe for my husband.”

James began loosening the laces of the dress until it was loose enough that he could push it off one shoulder, then he became distracted by the creamy skin at her neck. He leaned down and placed a series of feather-light kisses from her neck, along her shoulder.

The last of her nerves evaporated under his gentle touch and Hope leaned back into him, her head tilting to one side, allowing him to kiss her neck.

James undressed her slowly, exploring her body as he went and savouring the experience, as if she were a priceless present. Taking her lead from her husband, Hope returned the favour, undressing James and caressing each new area of skin that she exposed.

As Hope looked back at the shores of England, she couldn’t help but muse on how much her life had changed since Honoria had come into her life.

“You aren’t home sick already, are you?” Honoria asked as she came up behind Hope and leaned against the railing.

Most of the passengers had gone inside once faces were no longer visible in the crowd. Now England was barely visible and Hope was the only person left up on deck.

“No,” she smiled at her friend. “I was just thinking about how you changed my life. I could never have imagined that a little over a year after meeting you, I would be sailing with you to America on honeymoon, married to James, no less!”

“I must say, the change in James is startling.” Honoria smiled. “You and your family effected a big change in him.”

“That’s all down to you,” Hope assured her. “He was devastated when he discovered your diaries.”

“He has always been a good man at heart, that I cannot deny, but it was you who awakened his humanity. Hope, it was you who showed him the error of his beliefs. I was just an example of what can happen to women.”

“Well, perhaps we both played a part,” Hope said, linking her arm through Honoria’s. “Either way, thank you for bringing him into my life.”

“I must say, you also changed my life, and I think my debt is probably the larger.”

“Well, I took you from your husband but you gave me mine, so perhaps we’re even?”

“Perhaps,” Honoria agreed with a smile. “Now, dinner will be served shortly, so we should probably head inside and get ready.”

They went inside and along the corridors to their rooms.

Between them, Hopkins and James’ valet had unpacked most of their belongings, so James was reading when she entered their room.

“There you are,” he said, putting the book down and coming to great her with a kiss. “I had begun to think that you had fallen overboard.”

“Just enjoying the view,” she assured him. “And Honoria says that we should be getting ready for dinner.”

“Oh, I’m certain that we still have time to spare,” James assured her, taking her in his arms and kissing her deeply.

Hope kissed him back with equal passion and was feeling slightly breathless when they separated.

“Are you sure that we can’t be a little late?” he asked, his voice deep with desire.

“They know that we’re on our honeymoon, remember? They will know exactly why we‘re late.”

“Hmm,” he frowned. “I suppose you’re right.”

Hope smiled, reached behind her head and pulled out the comb that was holding her hair in its chignon.

“Then again, since when have I bothered about gossip?”

James’ frown transformed into a wide grin. Maybe having an unconventional wife wouldn’t be such a bad thing after all.

Hope for Tomorrow

by

Catherine Winchester

When housemaid Martha began an affair with her Master's son, Lucien, the future Earl of Marchwood, it was always destined to end badly.

Single, pregnant and unemployed, Martha struggles to forge a new life for herself and her daughter, only for Lucien to inadvertently destroy it.

She and her daughter are homeless and starving when they come to the aid of a man who proves to be their salvation.

Lucien is still obsessed with his lost love, the only woman who has ever rejected him.

A chance meeting seven years later could spell disaster but can they put their pain and pride behind them and seize this opportunity, or will old ghosts ruin their last chance at happiness?

Northern Light – A sequel to North and South

by

Catherine Winchester

Sometimes described as the female Dickens, Elizabeth Gaskell's classic novel, North and South, dealt with issues of class, feminism, social reform and the plight of the working classes, entwining those themes seamlessly with a timeless romance between Margaret Hale and John Thornton. Northern Light is a continuation of that novel which sees John and Margaret embarking on their lives together whilst working to improve the lives of their work force.

With the threat of another strike, a series of bad mill accidents, a lethal fire and failed speculation, life in Milton is not easy for anyone and it won't be long before the mill masters and their workers clash once more, with devastating consequences.

Getting married and starting a family is difficult enough at the best of times but for John and Margaret, married life will present unique challenges and despite the reforms they are making, even they will not escape Milton's troubles unscathed.

What You Wish For

by

Catherine Winchester

Carrie Preston is desperately trying to stand up to her pushy family and failing badly. When her favourite aunt dies she retreats into her favourite book, Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South, only to find herself suddenly stuck in that story and seriously messing with her favourite romance of all time!

When Carrie's kooky aunt bequeaths her a pair of amethyst earrings in her will and says that they will grant her her hearts desire, she has no idea that she will end up in the middle of the 19th century, slap bang in the middle of her favourite book. With nothing but the clothes on her back and her rucksack, she is taken in by the Hale family and soon finds herself living in the dirty, smoky industrial town of Milton.

The only bright spot on the horizon is that she gets to meet the romantic hero of the story, John Thornton but it's not long before he starts setting his sights on her rather than Margaret Hale! Far from living her dream, she is appalled to realise that she is about to destroy the greatest romance since Elizabeth Bennett met Mr Darcy!

“
North & South was like chocolate to her; her comfort food in literary form, a safe haven she could dip into whenever she needed a respite from her troubles or even just a distraction for a while.”

Bemused

by

Catherine Winchester

When self-made property developer, Niall, is attacked by vampires on his way home, his neat and ordered life soon begins to fall apart. His rescuer, the effervescent Mel, declares herself to be his Muse - better known in modern times as a Guardian Angel - and offers him a business proposition; she wants them to go into business as supernatural detectives,

Slightly sceptical to say the least, Niall eventually agrees to work one case with her - helped in no small part by his rather strong attraction to Mel.

Mrs Hart's house has been plagued by a series of deadly and inexplicable events, culminating in the death of a local boy. As they look into possible causes, Niall finds himself growing even more fond of Mel, although she seems determined to keep him at arm's length.

He discovers why she she is so reticent but that is soon overshadowed by the cause of Mrs Hart's problems; a foe so powerful that even the immortal Mel seems terrified!

How to Train Your Zombie

by

Catherine Winchester

The zombie apocalypse, which has devastated the world, is in its final throes when Meg's husband is bitten. She has lost so much already that she simply can't face losing him too, so when it becomes apparent that he is about to join the ranks of the walking dead, she decides to employ her skills as a dog trainer and takes it upon herself to train him.

Not only must she face the dangers inherent in close contact with a zombie, she must also protect him from outside forces that mean him harm. Can she convince the handsome yet stern Colonel MacDonald that he deserves a chance? Can she stop him being used for vivisection? What about those who want to use him as bait for other zombies?

Join Meg during the final few months of the Zombie war, as she shares her, at times, gruesome, sad and darkly humorous story.

Past Due

by

C.S. Winchester

Francis 'Frankie' Wright thought she was an old hat at dealing with the supernatural, until she was reassigned to Edinburgh, the most haunted city in the world.

Her latest case soon takes a deadly turn. Young women are being slain in satanic rituals and it's up to Frankie to find the murderer before he kills again.

Frankie must juggle vampires, shapeshifters, witches and zombies, all the while trying to keep the truth from her sceptical ex-boyfriend, Will Campbell, who just happens to be heading up the police investigation.

The clock is ticking and she soon finds herself forced to team up with the vampires and shapeshifters in order to stop the killer before he can literally unleash hell on earth.

Half Past

by

C.S. Winchester

Simon Hamm was a run of the mill con man, lying, cheating and stealing his way through life until met Marilyn, a vampire. Enthralled by her power, he courted her and made her fall in love with him, whereupon Hamm was reborn as a child of the night and Marilyn was dead by his hand.