A Gentleman to Avoid: Sweet Regency Romance (Sherton Sisters Book 3) Read online

  A Gentleman

  to

  Avoid

  Wendy May Andrews

  ∞∞∞

  Sparrow Ink

  www.sparrowdeck.com

  Copyright © 2021 Wendy May Andrews

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced, transmitted, or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  ISBN - 978-1-989634-25-7

  www.wendymayandrews.com

  To save her reputation, she’ll have to marry the one man she said she never would.

  Mr. Ashford Northcott, fourth son of the Earl of Everleigh, has been highly successful in business. The only thing missing is a partner for the life he’s built. Ash can’t seem to stay away from Lady Vigilia. Too bad she doesn’t seem to return his regard.

  Lady Vigilia Sherton—Vicky to her friends—thinks being a debutante is a dead bore. Stuck in London for her third Season, she’s hoping to find a suitable husband, but she can’t get the charming Mr. Northcott out of her mind--even if she knows too much to consider a match.

  When Vicky finds herself at a house party with Ashford Northcott, circumstances get even trickier. Can she extricate herself with both her heart and her reputation intact? Or might she had been wrong about the assumptions she had made?

  Dedication

  In A Gentleman to Avoid Vicky feels torn in all directions trying to keep everyone happy and making a bigger mess than necessary because she didn’t rely on the friends who were willing to help her. I can fully relate to this and I’m sure I’m not alone in that. So this book is dedicated to all the middle children who feel the need to make peace and all the independent souls who would rather sell a kidney than ask for help. I see you ;-)

  Acknowledgements

  First and foremost, Mr. Andrews deserves to be recognized for his constant support of my writing and life. It feels like he knows the Sherton sisters almost as well as I do, even though he hasn’t read this manuscript yet.

  By beta team, Alfred, Monique, Suzanne, and Christina, are so supportive and helpful in finding any plot holes as well as helping me out all along the way. Thanks so much!

  My gorgeous cover is compliments of the skilled photography of Envision Literary Photography and the graphic design skills of Verdeli Design & Illustration. I’m thrilled with the results of this new collaboration.

  And as always, my lovely editor, Julie Sherwood, helped me iron out the kinks in this story and put in all the commas. Any remaining mistakes are entirely the fault of the author.

  Chapter One

  Vicky stared out the window onto the quiet street and tried not to sigh. She couldn’t quite put a finger on why she was feeling so disconsolate. She should be beside herself with delight. And she was. Really. But her time in London just wasn’t turning out to be quite as delightful as she had expected or hoped. Perhaps it was because she was getting a little long in the tooth for being a debutante. She actually hoped it was that. But Vicky was rather afraid that it was jealousy, pure and simple, or impure and simple, depending on how sticky you wanted to be about words.

  That thought finally did produce a sigh. Lady Vigilia Sherton, the middle of the Earl of Sherton’s five daughters, was jealous of her best friend.

  It was a terribly lowering thing to discover about oneself. It most certainly wasn’t anyone’s fault but her own.

  Georgia was the most generous of hostesses. And she didn’t even have to sponsor Vicky. She was kindness personified, and Vicky felt most dreadful for being jealous of her dear friend.

  But one couldn’t get around the fact that Georgia, or rather Countess Crossley, Vicky corrected herself mentally, had exactly the sort of life that Vicky wished for herself – a devoted husband, a sweet stepson, and as they’d just discovered, a baby on the way. Vicky was thrilled for her friend. Especially since Georgia and her husband had begun to worry why there hadn’t been a baby sooner, as they’d been married now for almost two years. Vicky knew Georgia would make a wonderful mother since she had observed her with the earl’s son, Christopher, after she had taken up residence with Georgia and the earl.

  Vicky should actually be counting her blessings. The fact that they’d only just found out about the baby meant that Georgia could continue to sponsor Vicky for at least a couple more months. Vick didn’t know what she was going to do if she didn’t have a suitor by the time Crossley decided he couldn’t allow his wife to be gadding about any longer. As it was, the instant he found out he had wanted to sweep Georgia off to his estate and keep her confined for the next six or seven months. Fortunately, Georgia had her husband quite tied around her fingers and was able to insist that she wouldn’t be able to bear the boredom that would ensue after so long in the country.

  “I can’t believe he accepted me at my word, Vick,” Georgia had said with a laugh. “He knows I love the country and Crossley. But I’m glad he did. It wasn’t a total lie. If he wants me to take to my bed until the babe arrives, I really do fear for my sanity.”

  “Perhaps you ought to listen to him, George. If it took you this long to get with child, perhaps you really should cosset yourself as he’d like.”

  “Don’t be a looby, Vick. I feel as healthy as a horse. I’m sure to get as big as one soon, too, with how my appetite has been. But for now, I’m perfectly fit and have no desire to miss out on this time with you. I know it’s only the strange combination of circumstances that has even allowed it. Fate forced your mother’s hand, and I’m not about to take that gift for granted.”

  “Your babe on the way is a gift that ought not be taken for granted, either.”

  Georgia had stared at Vicky with incredulity written all over her pretty features. “I’m fairly certain I can manage to do both at once. In fact, the babe seems to be doing everything for itself. All I need to do is eat and sleep, and he or she does the rest. So no, I’m not running off to the country just yet. I’ve finally gotten you all to myself. I have every intention of enjoying each moment of it before your mother discovers that her own babe needn’t keep her at home.”

  Vicky’s face flooded with heat. She still hadn’t gotten over the embarrassment of her baby brother’s birth. It was nothing short of a miracle. One which should be celebrated. But Vicky found it disconcerting. She was a grown woman. Her two older sisters actually had their own babies on the way, which was why they couldn’t sponsor her for the Season. Rosabel had presented Wexford with his heir more than a year ago and was hoping this one would be a girl. Hilaria was struggling through the final stages of her first pregnancy, but the doctor had told them they were expecting twins. Vicky loved being an aunt to her oldest sister’s baby boy and was looking forward to the three infants on the way. But having a newborn baby brother was just strange. He was younger than his own nephew. Vicky thought her parents were too old for such goings on. Of course, they had thought so, too, which was why Lady Sherton had been in bed for months. The rejoicing on the estate when the boy had arrived safe and sound had been a sight to behold, but it was still strange and Vicky wasn’t disappointed to be away for a while.

  Surely it would pass. Vicky had managed not to allow others to know about her embarrassment. It had been the subject of much discussion when she had finally arrived in Town. Everyone seemed to think it was the best jest, and it wa
s on everyone’s lips. Of course, most were happy for her family. Finally — the long awaited heir had been born after five girls and several losses. Vigilia was only glad she hadn’t been around when their distant cousin had found out. He certainly couldn’t have been pleased, since he had been long expecting to inherit Sherton.

  If only she could find a husband and get on with her life. It seemed to Vicky as though this Season business was just keeping her life in suspension. She ought to have found her husband during her first Season two years ago. But there had been all the weddings – both her sisters and Georgia got married within a few months of each other. And then Grandmother Sherton had died, sending them all into mourning and out of the social whirl.

  Vicky didn’t mind staying at home. She loved their estates. With her sister Hilaria’s marriage, their father had started teaching Vicky more about the running of the estates, since Hil had been such a help to him. Of course, now, with there finally being a boy, Father would have someone to train and leave it all to. He could have left Glendale to his daughters, of course, as it wasn’t entailed. Hilaria would have been the logical choice, but of course, the man wanted to treat his daughters as fairly as possible so had never chosen one of them as his heir. Now, it was a moot point with little Augustus enlivening the nursery. Such a large, auspicious name for such a little creature.

  With another sigh, Vigilia turned away from the uninspiring prospect out the window. She had to face the facts. She just hadn’t taken. Rosabel had been the beauty and, she supposed, Hilaria had been the brains. They had each contracted brilliant matches. And then there was Vicky. Neither spectacularly beautiful nor outstandingly intelligent. She was just herself. And there didn’t appear to be terribly many eligible gentlemen fighting for the privilege of claiming her hand. It was disheartening. Especially when she was forced to witness the joy and marital harmony her friend was enjoying.

  It was true. Lady Vigilia Sherton was a selfish beast. She was even jealous of her sisters. But at least she wasn’t forced to actually witness their bliss on a daily basis, only suffering through pages of it whenever they wrote.

  The tread of heavy footsteps in the hallway broke Vicky out of her negative thoughts and announced the imminent arrival of Crossley onto the scene. Furrowing her brow as she glanced at the clock, Vicky wondered what would have brought him home at such an hour.

  “Parliament has been dissolved,” he declared immediately upon crossing the threshold, as though it were just bursting from him.

  Vicky had to laugh. Crossley did his duty in the House of Lords, but it was obviously not his favourite activity.

  Georgia frowned. “Is that not odd? There is usually at least another month.”

  “Yes, isn’t it delightful? Now, I can take you home to Crossley just as I wished.” He nearly crowed with glee. Suddenly, no doubt in response to some sort of invisible communication from his wife, he glanced at Vicky, almost wincing.

  “My apologies, my lady, I did not in the least wish to imply…”

  Vicky cut him off, waving away his stammering apology. “Never mind that, Crossley, I haven’t taken the least offence, I can assure you. But quickly, you must tell us what has happened and what it all means.”

  She was forced to stifle another sigh when the earl exchanged another expressive glance with his wife. Vicky couldn’t prevent her gaze from flicking between the two of them. She couldn’t interpret what they were communicating between themselves, but it seemed as though they had an entire conversation that excluded Vicky, and without a single word being said. She was reminded once more just how very jealous she was of her friend’s relationship. It was a lowering thought that she wished to ignore.

  “How terribly disappointing,” Georgia finally remarked, breaking the silence and bringing Vicky’s frowning scrutiny toward her when Crossley appeared suddenly at a loss for words.

  “Why disappointing? Crossley is most likely thrilled,” Vicky observed with a smile.

  “Well yes, not disappointing for him, but for us.” When Vicky continued to frown in confusion, Georgia laughed. “You are still the most easy-going of women, Vick. You don’t think about yourself nearly enough. That must come from being in the middle of all you girls.”

  Vicky laughed but wasn’t side tracked. “But why ought I to be disappointed? Now, Crossley will be available to escort us about as you always prefer.”

  “But don’t you see? The Season will be ending early now that Parliament is out.”

  Vicky blinked at her best friend as the confusion cleared, but her heart sank. “Oh, I see.” Georgia was quite correct, this was most disappointing. Another Season without a match. She was never going to find for herself what everyone else had.

  After a brief moment, Vicky pulled her wits back together, turning to her hostess. “Well, surely it won’t end all at once. Will the hostesses cancel their planned entertainments, do you suppose?”

  Georgia frowned anew, but this time as though in thought.

  “No, you’re quite right, Vick. In fact, there is likely to be a flurry of new invitations as everyone plans end-of-Season entertainments. Suddenly everyone will wish to be the last, most memorable event,” she concluded with a laugh. “Perhaps we ought to throw something ourselves. Most certainly, we ought to buy some new gowns.”

  Vigilia wrinkled her nose in consternation. “You have certainly taken to tonnish life with aplomb. You used to hate shopping nearly as much as I did.”

  “Perhaps even more,” Georgia agreed as she watched her husband sneak out of the room. Turning to her guest with a grin, she shrugged. “The thing is, I’m much more acceptable to others when I’m properly attired.”

  “No one considers you in the least bit objectionable. And everything you own is the first stare of fashion. Don’t tell me you’re coming over insecure all of a sudden.”

  “Insecure might be stating it too strongly, but I do worry that Crossley will come to regret his choice.”

  Vicky stared at her friend. “Is being with child addling your brain?”

  Georgia laughed again. “Very well. No shopping. But what do you say to us planning a ball?”

  Hurrying to her friend’s side, Vicky grasped Georgia’s hand. “You are the dearest friend, George, but I cannot allow you to do that for me. You know you hate hosting such large entertainments.”

  Georgia shrugged delicately. “Again, with the strong language, Vick. Hate is much too strong a word for how I feel on the subject.”

  “Don’t try to convince me, my dear. You’ll soon catch cold at that.”

  Georgia made a face at her but then sat in thought, tapping her finger to her tooth, a habit she’d had since childhood, and one that always made Vicky laugh.

  “Come now, George, it’s truly not the end of the world, I can assure you. While it’s true that I’m getting a little older than most of the debutantes, it isn’t such a bad thing. There is always next year for me to enjoy another Season and find myself a husband.”

  Georgia sighed heavily. “But that’s just it, Vick. You aren’t enjoying it, are you?”

  Vicky tried to smile as though she were unconcerned, but her friend cut her off. “Don’t try to gammon me. Don’t forget we’ve been friends since we were girls. I know you’d rather have this part behind you and be settled.”

  “Well, yes, of course, that’s what I would rather. But truly, what are a few months? It doesn’t really change all that much.” She tried to laugh, but it came out more as a sigh. “And really, we might be deceiving ourselves if we think Parliament sitting another month would have made all that much of a difference.” Vicky rose to pace across the room and gaze out the window. “I’ve already met all the eligible gentlemen there are to be met this Season. None have been of particular interest to me, and I haven’t seemed to catch any of their eyes. Perhaps, this is for the best.”

  Georgia rose and joined her friend at the window. “I know you don’t really believe it’s for the best, but I’m glad you’re looking a
t the bright side anyway. I know you think all the eligible gentlemen have overlooked you, but perhaps Parliament’s ending early will give them a greater sense of urgency. Perhaps, this will be just the thing we were hoping for.”

  Vicky laughed and linked her arm through Georgia’s, resting her head on her friend’s shoulder. “You’re the best friend, George, and I appreciate the thought. But you know you just don’t want my mother thinking we’ve been having too much fun to be serious.”

  “Lady Sherton will never let me host you again if I fail her in this.” Vicky didn’t bother trying to deny it.

  “But George, it isn’t your failure. I just have never taken. And surely, we have dutifully written all the details of every event we’ve attended. Mother cannot blame you for this.”

  There was a brief pause as they shared companionable silence, and each lost in their own thoughts as they continued to contemplate the view from the window.

  It was a pleasant view, Vicky thought. Crossley’s townhouse sat across from a rather large parkette so they could see trees, plants, and strolling pedestrians. Vicky was just thinking that it would be nice to return to the country, even if she would have to be someone’s guest for a while longer instead of gaining a house of her own. Perhaps, she ought to start thinking about setting up her own house and accepting that she was to remain a spinster. In another couple years, she would be able to gain access to the moneys left to her upon Grandmother Sherton’s death. The old dowager had left the funds in such a way that it needn’t be a dowry but could be used by her granddaughters however they saw fit once they reached twenty-five years. Vicky had a few years to wait, but she wondered if her father might advance her some funds in the meantime.

  “I have just the thing.” Georgia interrupted Vicky’s thoughts. “We’ll plan a house party. It will be perfect. You will have far more opportunity to get to know a gentleman when we’re a smaller group, and I know you would prefer more casual settings.”