From the Belles’ 2023 Christmastide Kisses:

Alicia’s story begins in The Third MacPherson Sister, where her unkindness results in Rebecca MacPherson’s unceremonious removal from London. But the spoiled duke’s daughter suffers repercussions as well, and for the first time she yearns to be a better person. Perhaps the handsome young vicar might be able to help her.

Evan and Alicia are strongly attracted to each other, but she’s not for him. Her wealth and status—and his past—stand between them.

What will it take for this pair to realize that love is the only thing that matters?

Available in digital and print versions.

“My ankle,” she said, wincing as she pointed to her left boot. “I think it’s swollen because I can’t get the boot off. Watch out for the marshy spots!” She warned him as he came to a clump of high grass. “I forgot the fens extended into Blackburn land. Merlin—that’s my horse—stepped into one and unseated me when he pulled out his foot to escape.”

“I see. And Merlin-er-bailed out on you?”

“Not at all,” she said with a superior look. “Merlin is a highly-trained stallion, you know. I sent him home to fetch help. But it’s much better that you have come along. It will be dark soon, and I wasn’t sure how long it would take them to find me.”

He caught a hint of fear in her golden-brown eyes before it was replaced with confident self-assurance.

“It would be my pleasure to escort you home, Miss—?” Then he realized she didn’t know him either, so he added hurriedly, “Evan Campbell, at your service.”

“Lady Alicia Howland, from Huntingdon Manor,” she said with a bright smile on her imminently kissable lips. Where had that thought come from?

He bent down and examined the boot. “It will have to be cut off. I’m afraid I don’t have a knife with me, however. I suppose the thing to do is to carry you to my cart”—he was suddenly embarrassed by his humble equipage— “and convey you to Blackburn Court where a doctor may be summoned.”

She nodded hesitantly. “I suppose you are right. Huntingdon is only a mile from here as the crow flies, but this little mishap has caused me to recall that it’s best to take the road than risk the fens this time of year.”

As he bent down to gather her in his arms, she added, “I think you’d best use the gate this time. I hope I’m not too heavy.”

“I’ll manage,” he said shortly. At six feet two and broad-shouldered, he was hardly a weakling. Was she afraid he would drop her?

She was no lightweight, though. Taller than average, with curves in all the right places, she was a pleasing armful rather than a burden. The feel of her arms around his neck and the proximity of her chest to his made his body stir with desires he hadn’t felt since… well, not for a very long time. He thought he’d managed to drive out the old Evan, the dissolute young man with nothing to do but seek his own pleasure. But there were times when his nemesis came back to haunt him. Like now, when he held a beautiful woman in his arms.

Susana Ellis is a retired teacher, part-time caregiver, sewist, cook, and fashion print collector. Lifelong reading and a fascination with history led her to writing historical romances. She is one of the original Bluestocking Belles and a member of Regency Fiction Writers and the Maumee Valley Romance Authors Inc.

You can contact Susana Ellis at these social media links: