His Yuletide Dove: Christmas Wallflowers, page 1
His Yuletide Dove
Christmas Wallflowers
Tabetha Waite
Copyright © 2022 Tabetha Waite
Cover Design by Victoria Miller
This title is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to similarly named places or to persons living or deceased is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever, including but not limited to photocopy, digital, auditory, and/or in print, without the express written permission of the author except for the use of brief quotations for a review.
Also by Tabetha Waite
Ways of Love Historical Romance Series
How it All Began for the Baron (Christmas prequel novella)
Why the Earl is After the Girl (Book 1)
Where the Viscount Met His Match (Book 2)
When a Duke Pursues a Lady (Book 3)
Who the Marquess Dares to Desire (Book 4)
What a Gentleman Does for Love (Book 5)
Season of the Spinster Series
Triana’s Spring Seduction (Book 1)
Isabella’s Secret Summer (Book 2)
The Spinster’s Alluring Season (Book 2.5)
Alyssa’s Autumn Affair (Book 3)
Korina’s Wild Winter (Book 4)
Wanton Wastrels
The Rapscallion’s Romance
The Marauder’s Mistress
Sensual Scandals
A Jolly Little Scandal (0.5 prequel)
An Innocent Little Scandal (Book 1)
A Promising Little Scandal (Book 2)
A Dangerous Little Scandal (Book 3)
Novellas
The Harlot’s Hero
Frozen Fancy
The Piper’s Paramour
His Yuletide Dove
How to Choose the Perfect Scoundrel
Novels
Behind a Moonlit Veil
The Secrets of Shadows
Kiernan Fantasy Series
The Kingdoms of Kiernan (Kiernan – Book 1)
Shared Worlds
Vanquished (K Bromberg’s Driven World)
Collections
An Everlasting Amour (A collection of short stories)
An Everlasting Christmas Amour
An Everlasting Regency Amour
An Everlasting Regency Amour – Volume 2
The Wedding Wager
Lords & Lace
Christmas in Cumbria
Tempting a Lady
Wicked Christmas Nights
Heyer Society (non-fiction essays)
The Garden Wedding (children’s book for charity)
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Epilogue
Afterword
About the Author
For anyone who might be struggling. Remember, you are never alone.
Chapter One
Meriden, England
December 1811
* * *
Lord Cain Wyndham, Viscount Markel, was on the hunt for salvation—particularly for his libertine soul. While most of his fellow peers in London were proud to be rakish ne’er-do-wells, a life of debauchery and sin was starting to catch up to his conscience, so he decided it was time to make a change. He couldn’t count how many times he’d woken up in the bed of a barmaid he could not remember swiving, with a pounding headache that felt as though the local blacksmith had taken a hammer to his skull. But when the pints of ale continued to flow like the River Jordan, it was no wonder he generally had no recollection of the previous night’s events.
Not until he was on his way back from Birmingham where he’d attended the funeral of his old school friend who had perished from his salacious lifestyle, suffering the horrid fate of syphilis, had Cain realized he needed to adjust his current path. Granted, his mother had long noticed the signs of danger and had likely been praying for his soul the past several years, ever since the death of his father. After he’d inherited the title, she’d been harping continuously about doing his duty and settling down, which was why he seldom spent his time in London anymore, because it was a den of conniving mothers eager to gain a wealthy viscount for a son-in-law.
Forever eschewing the dreaded matrimonial state, Cain had paused when he had received news of James’ death. Suddenly, everything was… different. The earl had been a member of Cain’s inner circle, and they had shared every confidence during their school years and beyond. They would have given the Hellfire Club some steep competition had their licentious ceremonies still been in practice. The affairs Cain and James had conducted had been the stuff of legend, but a few months ago, the earl had retired to his country estate after complaining of an “ailment.” He had kept the secret of his diagnosis quiet, but Cain had eventually discovered the truth. It wasn’t until he’d made plans to visit James, that he’d received word of his demise. He’d been too late.
The visit to the estate for the funeral had been strained and awkward, for James’ parents had never cared for their son’s friendship with Cain, but they had greeted him nevertheless and thanked him for attending. Not until Cain had ridden away from the lonely gravesite, which was already being covered with the cold, winter earth, did he realize that could have, just as easily, been him being laid to rest that morning.
It was enough to make him veer off course on his journey to London, where he fully intended to lay himself at his mother’s feet and beg for mercy and find a wife posthaste. First, however, his intentions were to seek forgiveness with the closest vicar—and his heavenly employer.
Riding along the “Old Road,” he found himself deposited at the village of Meriden. He hadn’t really chosen this particular place to plead on behalf of his wicked soul, as Coventry would have likely been a better choice since it was rumored to be the birthplace of St. George, a dragon slayer and patron saint of England. For someone so selfless, surely Cain could find his path to redemption there—as long as he didn’t come across any versions of Lady Godiva, who had ridden naked through the streets to protest the injustice of oppressive taxations.
While the Holy Trinity Church might have been preferable for redemption, as it was a tribute to the Gothic Medieval structures of the time, the moment Cain spied St. Laurence Church, the rectangular, brick Tudor style structure sitting calmly at the base of a hill in the midst of the picturesque village, he couldn’t help but grin.
It was perfect.
He tied his mount outside and walked toward the main entrance. He wasn’t sure if anyone would be around at this time of day, considering it was a brisk, Tuesday morning, but he supposed there was no harm in trying.
He refrained from whistling as he walked up the steps, eager as he was to save his eternal soul, but when he reached the wooden doors, he hesitated. He hadn’t been to a church service since he’d been out of short pants, so he wasn’t sure if he should knock or just walk inside, but the decision was made for him when it abruptly opened for him.
A slight, feminine gasp greeted him from the interior of the chapel, but it was the lady herself that quite took Cain’s breath away. With a few golden curls peeking out from beneath her plain, straw bonnet, the rest pinned into a neat little knot at the nape of her neck, her blue eyes wide with surprise, and her delicate, feminine figure attired in a dark green pelisse, she was quite literally the embodiment of everything that he’d ever made it a point to steer clear from.
And yet…
An innocent, virginial lady couldn’t be more of a perfect quest to test his new resolve.
His grin widened. “Good day, madam. I should hate to trouble you, but is the vicar in? I should like to save my mortal soul.”
Miss Dove Meriwether frowned lightly at the gentleman standing on the church steps, because while she had always greeted anyone who came to her father’s parish with a welcoming smile, she wasn’t sure that this man was a good fit for their congregation. Granted, he was attired smartly in his greatcoat with dark brown trousers and a matching jacket, a gold waistcoat, and white shirt and cravat which proclaimed him to be a man of substance, but it was his direct gaze, a mix of green and gold flecks that quite unsettled her.
And the fact he seemed oddly… delighted about salvation. In her experience, most people had to be led to the altar, but apparently, not this one.
She cleared her throat and said evenly, “I’m sorry, but my father is away at the moment. Perhaps you might leave your card? Or even try the neighboring village of Coventry, which is but a short ride—”
He shook his head and kept that dazzling smile on his face, and she realized it wasn’t the sunny and mild December day that had abruptly taken her breath. “I’m quite content to wait inside.”
Very odd, indeed. “I do apologize,” Dove returned demurely, noticing that his eyebrows were the exact same shade as the thick, mahogany hair on his head. She glanced away. “But I have somewhere I need to be.”
He stood a bit straighter. “In that case, perhaps I could accompany you until your father returns?”
Dove’s eyes widened. “Oh,
“Nonsense. It is no hardship, I assure you.” He held out his arm to her. “Since it appears you don’t have an escort at the ready, and I need to remain here until I am assured of redemption, it shall be no hardship at all to act as your protector.”
Dove slid him a sideways glance, wondering if he wasn’t a bit touched in the head. Never before had she had such a… strange conversation. “I have known most of the people here all of my life. I’m not afraid to walk down the street on my own.”
“That may be so.” He rubbed the back of his neck as if he was actually embarrassed to admit it, and yet she had the feeling that little shocked him. “But perhaps you will grant mercy on a wayward soul hoping to mend his wicked ways?”
She refrained from rolling her eyes but slipped her arm through his. She tried not to react to the strength beneath her gloved fingertips. Focus! She cleared her throat. “The first step toward deliverance is that you are willing to make a change, so that is certainly in your favor.”
“Yes,” he murmured. “Very good point, Miss…?” He lifted his brow as he waited for her to supply her name.
She hesitated only a moment. “Meriwether,” she returned. “And you are?”
“Cain Wyndham, Viscount Markel,” he happily supplied.
She nearly missed a step. It wasn’t often that a member of the peerage appeared in their quiet little hamlet. She yearned to find out how he had managed to end up in Meriden, but since her father had always warned her not to pry into the business of others, especially that of a noble, she remained silent.
He winked at her. “So where are we off to?”
Dove knew, in that instant, that this man was trouble, as his easy mannerisms announced that he was a rake of the first order, but she told herself that he would soon tire of his quest and find his way back to London. However, that didn’t mean she couldn’t make the most of his journey and let him observe how common people spent their days. It certainly wasn’t dancing in a ballroom or riding in Hyde Park like the aristocracy.
“We’re headed to the local dispensary to visit the sick and infirm.”
She noted that this time he was the one who made a misstep. “The… um… what?”
“You might consider it as something of a hospital, Lord Markel, although it is nothing so grand as St. Bartholomew.”
“I know what a dispensary is,” he returned dryly. “But, why must we go there?”
“Because the church is responsible for most of the charitable funding, so I’ve made a point to try to attend to those less fortunate.” She paused to allow that to sink in. “That is why you said you are here, is it not? To save your soul? Part of that process is to put others’ needs before your own.”
“Well, yes, I suppose…” He grimaced slightly. “But I didn’t imagine that it would be quite so… involved.”
She couldn’t stop a laugh from bubbling forth. “Do you think Jesus thought of dirtying his hands when he washed his disciples’ feet?” She looked at him and saw that he was attempting to decipher her words. “You’ll find that kindness goes a long way, my lord,” she added softly.
He rubbed his jaw in apparent thought and then said, “You are rather insightful, Miss Meriwether, for one so young.”
She bristled slightly. She certainly didn’t want to appear as a child in his eyes. “I’m one and twenty, my lord, but I have been a vicar’s daughter my entire life. I’ve merely learned to care for those who require my help since I was very young.”
He snorted. “And your mother doesn’t take objection to her daughter visiting sick rooms rather than setting up her own nursery?”
A pang of longing shot through Dove’s heart. “My mother died several years ago.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” he said quietly, his countenance more solemn than before. “Do you have no siblings, then?”
She shook her head. “No.”
He nodded. “How unfortunate. I daresay I could not imagine life without my younger brother or sister around to bedevil me.” His lips turned upward in the corners, as if recalling some fond memory. “Although it has been some time since I have seen either of them, we were close when we were younger. At one point we were all quite troublesome when it came to one particular governess. But—” He held up a hand. “In all fairness, she wasn’t the most pleasant woman to be around. Entirely too strict.”
She laughed again. “I can certainly imagine what the poor lady had to endure, especially if your siblings are anything like you, my lord.”
He narrowed his gaze and muttered, “I’m not sure if I should be complimented or insulted by that remark.”
“I assure you it was not meant in a disparaging way.”
“That’s a relief.” He gave a mock sigh. “I was starting to worry that I’d lost my ability to converse with a lady with even a modicum of charm.”
Dove did not reply, but in the short time she had known him, there was no danger of him failing in that regard, for he had quite impressed her already.
Chapter Two
Cain wasn’t sure what he’d been expecting when he arrived at Meriden, but it certainly hadn’t been this intriguing, young woman. True, she had beauty, but it was her wit and compassion that intrigued him above all else. Most of the ladies he knew of her age were only interested in the latest fashions, and yet, as he entered the modest hospital at Miss Meriwether’s side, he had to admit that she truly seemed to… care about others.
He attempted to find some sort of fault in her mannerisms as she stopped and visited with each of the patients, some longer than others depending on their illness, but it didn’t take long before he realized there was little about the lady that wasn’t genuine. It was as if he had finally inhaled his first breath of fresh, clean air. Perhaps his search for salvation wouldn’t be so terrible after all.
Once their visit was concluded and they were back outside, she glanced at him and the light hit her eyes just right, turning them a sparkling sapphire. “That wasn’t so bad, was it, my lord?”
He blinked, thinking that she had somehow read his mind, but then he realized she was referring to their visit. “Not at all.” He cleared his throat. “I should like to go back again.”
Her eyebrows rose as she started walking. “Really?”
He fell into step beside her and clasped his hands behind his back. “Don’t look so shocked, Miss Meriwether. I may be a rake when it comes to you and God, but I’m not a complete scoundrel. I have done things for others. Why, there is a charity event each year and I am very generous about emptying my pockets.”
She nodded. “That is very selfless of you, I agree. What is the charity for?”
Cain opened his mouth to answer but found himself at a loss for words. In truth, he had no idea, because he’d never really paid attention, but since he couldn’t admit that to her, he muttered, “Orphaned children of London.”
“Very admirable,” she noted. Cain grimaced, because he was quite sure he would have to do more than just ask forgiveness for his blackened soul for lying to such a pure creature as the lady at his side.
Hoping to maneuver the conversation away from his own failings, he asked, “Where to now?”
“I thought you might like a bite to eat. It is nearly lunchtime, and the Queen’s Head Pub is not to be missed when visiting Meriden.” She hesitated. “Or while just passing through.”
He glanced at her, but she was looking straight ahead. Either way, he discerned that she didn’t expect him to stay in town for long. But then, if the vicar had been around when he’d arrived, who was to say he’d wouldn’t already be on his way to London?
The inn had a charming, two-story white exterior which had adopted the striking Tudor style with half-timber, dark brown beams. Inside, it was the same, with a few chairs and tables scattered about but only a handful of patrons even though it should have been a busy time of day.
