BookQW = MORNING

DECEITFUL PROMISES

(A Letters to Santa Story)

This Christmas promises may deceive, but love could be the miracle they never expected.

“Miss Blackwell,” Caroline greeted, noting Lydia as cold and calculating as when they’d first met. “Thank you for meeting me here.”

Caroline knew Miss Blackwell’s blackened reputation of attempted seduction. The desire not to be in service for the rest of her life to the women she longed to become one day led her straight into Oscar’s plans. It was even rumored she’d attempted murder on several occasions as a means of revenge for being rejected. Fortunately for Miss Blackwell, there wasn’t any proof.

Lydia grew up knowing what it meant being a servant. Her childhood had been spent observing her mother working in the kitchen of a highly influential family in New York City. As she grew older, Lydia herself worked her way up to become a lady’s maid; several steps up from the kitchen maid her mother had been. After years of attempted seduction of her various mistresses’ husbands to elevate her social standing, followed by several dismissals, it was her misguided ambition to be part of society that led her to her current situation—and into the clutches of The Lion of 5th Avenue.

“I was beginning to think I’d been abandoned,” Lydia snipped.

“Have your trunks arrived?” Caroline asked, ignoring the snide remark.

“Yes, I believe Mr. Dawson had everything sent down this morning,” Lydia replied, smoothing her already perfect coiffured hair. “There were several trunks, if I recall.”

“Very well,” Caroline said, reaching for Lydia’s elbow only to have it withdrawn. “Shall we find your compartment, Miss Blackwell?”

“I’m sure the private compartment will be easy to locate, Madam Harper,” Lydia sneered, waving a hand in dismissal.

“Of course it is! Now, we should go, or you might miss the train altogether,” Caroline suggested, clasping her hands together. “I gather you have all you need for your journey?”

“Mr. Dawson has provided me with money, new clothes, and a future rich husband. What else would you think I’d need?” Lydia replied, tugging at the white suit with pink appliques.

“I heard Mr. Dawson had taken ill the past few days. How did he seem to you?” Caroline asked. She may not care for Oscar Dawson, but she didn’t wish an illness even on someone like him.

“How should I know? Whatever it is I’m sure he will be feeling much better soon,” Lydia replied, not an ounce of compassion in her cold eyes.

~ ~ ~ ~

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US https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FPGL6NCT

UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FPGL6NCT

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BookQW = HELP

DECEITFUL PROMISES

(A Letters to Santa Story)

This Christmas promises may deceive, but love could be the miracle they never expected.

 

Clara Wakefield arrived at her aunt’s residence earlier in the day after having received a rather urgent request the day before. She knew from Amelia's demeanor that something was terribly wrong; otherwise, she’d never have asked Clara to help with a rather delicate situation.

Taking a deep breath, she walked down the stairs and into the dining room where her aunt waited for her.

“Ah, there you are,” Amelia said, as if she had been waiting and watching for hours for Clara to appear. “Fitz, you may serve lunch now.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Fitz waved unspoken instructions to the only footman left to service the household.

“A dear friend of mine is in dire need of your skill and services.” Amelia started, her words a bit shaky.

“Who is this dear friend?” Clara looked at her aunt, shocked at seeing fear running through her eyes. Unafraid of anything or anyone, the obvious distress coursing through Amelia Wakefield gave Clara a cause of concern.

“Please, Clara, sit down. It will be so much easier for me to tell you what the situation is,” Amelia suggested, with that familiar tone of authority lacing her request.

Clara did as her aunt asked, taking the seat to the left of her. She sat quietly and waited as Fitz served lunch, then left them until needed. Clara knew her aunt well enough that Amelia carefully weighed her words before speaking. It had been how she was brought up, and although Clara was quite the opposite, she gave Amelia the respect she deserved.

“Oscar Dawson,” Amelia divulged softly.

“The Lion of 5th Avenue needs my assistance? What has he done? Murdered someone and is looking to get away with it?” Clara asked, only to be hushed by the look on her aunt’s face. Always a mystery to her, Amelia Wakefield was Clara’s father’s sister and shrouded in stories. Stories that had her thinking she may be a deeply wounded woman for what another family had done to their father, Clara’s grandfather, among a list of other things Clara’s mother didn’t go into. Could Oscar Dawson also be behind her aunt’s pain?

~ ~ ~

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US https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FPGL6NCT 

UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FPGL6NCT

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5/13/26 BookQW = Wonder

DECEITFUL PROMISES

(A Letters to Santa Story)

This Christmas promises may deceive, but love could be the miracle they never expected.

“I haven’t asked you for money, Father. I have merely told you that I plan on going west to start a life of my own,” Kit said.

“I understand that and since you want to make your own way, I would like to suggest a business arrangement,” Oscar said softly. “Your mother would have my head if I didn’t finance your adventure for one year at, shall we say, a four percent interest. This is in lieu of your allowance, of course.”

Kit leaned deep into the chair. He knew Larry would want to be in on this decision, but it was between Kit and his father; with no mention of Larry in the offer at all. And it was a generous one from a business point of view. His father gave him an opportunity to make his own way; but in his heart, Kit knew there would be a clause to the agreement. That’s how Oscar Dawson became the success he was.

“Draw up the financial papers. I’ll look them over and sign them if they are agreeable,” Kit said, pushing out of the chair. “Thank you, Father.

“I remember what it’s like to sow my oats.” Oscar stood, matching Kit’s height of six feet. “There is a condition though.”

“I wondered when you’d get to that,” Kit said, standing over his father’s desk, waiting.

“It’s the same one your grandfather gave me. You have one year from the date of the agreement to be successful enough to repay the loan.” In an uncharacteristic manner, Oscar sat down and reclined in the chair with his feet propped on the desk. “If you haven’t successfully paid back the loan by at the end of the agreement, you will come home and learn the family business.

“Oh, and one more thing, and this is to make your mother happy, you shall find a suitable bride as well.” Oscar stood, his gaze matching Kit’s. “A year is long enough to court a woman and fall in love.”

“I have no wish to marry for several years,” Kit reiterated, his gaze fixed on his father.

“There is no room for compromise on that one condition, Christopher. I intend to continue making your mother as happy as I can. So, you either agree or not. Your future is in your hands at this point, not mine.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Amazon

US https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FPGL6NCT 

UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FPGL6NCT 

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