Twelve Days in December: A Christmas Novella Read Free

mad.
    Perhaps I have, agreeing to marry a man I know so little of…
    “It is all settled, then.” Lady Cosgrove squared her shoulders. “Perhaps all will yet be well— for all concerned. Come, Charlotte. You must be readied for your wedding. And, Mr. Vancer, I believe Miss Abbott is in need of a carriage.”
    “Yes— please,” Marsali said, sounding focused once more.
    “Godspeed, sister.” Charlotte embraced her and added words of caution for her journey. “I shall give you the name of my employer, and perhaps you can take my place there. They should be happy to have a woman without a child tagging along as she does her work.”
    “Thank you,” Marsali said. “I shall write to let you know what has become of me.”
    “You will do more than that,” Mr. Vancer said. “You shall have an escort.” His eyes strayed to Lady Cosgrove. “So your sister and I will not fear for your safety.”
    He does care for Marsali. Mr. Vancer had been reserved in his affection throughout the courtship, but Charlotte suspected it was only as a courtesy to Marsali. He might have been starting to love her even. How will he regard me?
    “Thank you for your kindness and understanding,” Marsali said. “If circumstances had been different…”
    He smiled sadly. “But they are not, and you must go and find your Mr. Thatcher. I hope that when you do, he realizes how fortunate he is.”

 
    After issuing a few orders, William left the women to take care of preparations and walked swiftly to the wing that held his private suite of rooms. He couldn’t get there fast enough, or so it seemed, and by the time he reached the sanctuary of his bedroom, his fingers trembled then slipped on the knob when he tried to turn it.
    Four times. This cannot be happening. His fingers managed to twist the knob, and on legs that felt weak, he entered the room. The door shut behind him, and he made straight for the chair near the window and the snifter of brandy on the side table. A thoughtful servant had delivered it earlier, saying it was for calming pre-wedding nerves, should William have any.
    If he ever actually had a wedding, he might. Four times. I must be cursed. He sank heavily into the chair then reached for the glass. He brought it to his lips but at the last second thought the better of consuming even one drop of alcohol. Charlotte had nearly two full hours in which to change her mind, and no doubt she would, though he couldn’t help admiring the way she’d stepped in to save her sister, even if Charlotte would come to her senses and back down before all was said and done.
    Brandy would certainly help ease the ache of disappointment he felt at the loss of his impending marriage to Marsali, but it would also impair his ability to handle the situation. He would need all his senses on alert and his wits about him in the upcoming hours, days, and weeks when the gossip columns and society pages would be filled with the news of his latest disaster. Imagining the headlines, he cringed.
    American businessman William Vancer jilted at the altar yet again… Millionaire knows how to make money but can’t seem to keep a bride. And worse— Vancer Furs in trouble after overinvesting leaves Vancer unable to pay creditors.
    William leaned forward, his elbows braced on his knees and his head in his hands. What to do? Was it possible he might turn the story in his favor? After all, he was not only releasing Marsali from their betrothal, he’d vowed to do all he could to help her find her husband. Maybe New York would see his actions as self-sacrificing and noble, and he’d be well regarded for them.
    But of course that didn’t solve the problem of the money he’d been counting on. He already had a ship at sea, on its way around the horn, and he’d hired the guides and purchased equipment for an overland expedition to leave in early spring. He’d signed contracts and made down payments on additional land as well. If William didn’t expand soon,