A Christmas Match (Landon House #4) - Rose Pearson

Prologue

“Lady Charity?”

Lady Charity Forrest looked up from her book, seeing the maid standing in the doorway.

“Yes?”

“I beg your pardon, but your father has asked to see you.”

A little surprised, Charity set aside her book and rose.

“Is something the matter?” she asked, but the maid only looked back at her blankly. Charity smiled to herself ruefully, realizing, of course, that the Duke of Landon would never say a word to a mere servant about what he intended to speak of to his daughter. That being said, it was rather unusual for her father to have called her in such a manner. The Duke of Landon, whilst always willing to do his best for his daughters, was not a gentleman who had any evident desire to be close to them. Charity enjoyed their conversations around the dinner table but, aside from that, nothing of any particular intimacy was ever discussed. “Where is he at present?”

“In his study, my Lady,” the maid replied, stepping aside so that she might hold the door open for Charity to walk through. “He did say that it was to be at once.”

All the more astonished, Charity made her way quickly towards the study, feeling a slight twist of unease settle itself into her heart. Surely there could be nothing wrong? They had enjoyed a very happy autumn, for her older sister, Lady Selina, had found happiness with the Earl of Barrington and had wed only a few weeks after the Season had ended. It had been joyous for Charity to see her sisters again, for there were now three wed and settled as mistresses of their own estates, whilst Charity, Maria and Dorothea remained at home. Her younger two sisters were, at present, engaged by their governess who had insisted that they practice their painting, whilst Charity, being a little older, was quite ready and prepared for her debut into society come the following summer Season.

Reaching the door of her father’s study, Charity hesitated for a moment before she lifted her hand and rapped sharply upon it. Straightening her shoulders and hearing her father calling her to enter, she took a breath and stepped inside, placing a gentle smile on her face and hiding away the worry which had begun to take hold of her heart.

Thankfully, the Duke smiled at her the moment she stepped inside, and Charity instantly felt her heart lift just a little.

“My dear Charity,” the Duke said, gesturing for her to move closer. “Come in, my dear. Please, do sit down.”

“Thank you, Father,” she replied, sitting down carefully so that she would not wrinkle her skirts. “Is something the matter?”

The Duke lifted his thick eyebrows, his green eyes twinkling.

“Nothing is wrong, my dear, if that is what concerns you. No, indeed, it is that I have had news from Lady Hayward and I thought it best to inform you at once about what has been decided.”

Charity blinked rapidly, her anxiety dissipating.

“Lady Hayward?” she repeated, knowing precisely who the lady was, and wondering what this would mean for her. “I am to see her very soon, am I not?”

Lady Hayward had guided her elder sisters through society and, thus far, had done very well indeed in helping secure each of them an excellent match. She was aiding the Duke of Landon with his daughters in exchange for his guidance, support and aid with her own sons – the eldest of whom had taken on the title at a fairly young age. It was an arrangement which seemed to suit both Lady Hayward and the Duke and Charity had to confess that she was eagerly anticipating when it would be her turn.

“My dear, London is still very busy this time of year,” the Duke replied, as Charity began to frown. “Some may call it the ‘little Season’, but I am of the opinion that it will do you very well indeed.”

Her heart immediately sank low.

“You mean to say that I am not to wait for the spring Season, father?” she asked, knowing full well that winter in London was certainly nowhere near as exciting nor as fulfilling as the spring Season. Yes, there would be balls and the like, but there would not be as many of the ton present and, given the cold and the dark, certainly a good deal less for her to do during the day. There would be no sunlit walks through Hyde Park, no lingering conversations on the London streets. Rather, she would have to set her hopes on all of