Juli D. Revezzo, author of the Lost Slipper Society series and more

Here, for your reading pleasure, is the next part of the scene from last week’s Bookhooks, from my Victorian Christmas romance, Courting the Stationmaster’s Daughter (Camden Girls, book one). This is Chapter one…continued:

“Honorine, be careful!” Mrs. Camden snapped. “Really, girls. Forgive them, Mr. MacIntyre. My daughters sometimes forget they’re not children anymore.” She glared at her daughters. “And that young ladies don’t run wild!”

No, she certainly wasn’t a child anymore. When they’d found themselves together in the past—for instance, when her father invited him to join them for lunch—Shane had never been so impolite as to ask her exact age. He thought Honorine was around eighteen years old.

Everett’s face lit up with joy and he instantly went to his wife’s side, as if she pulled him by a golden thread. “They’re just having a bit of fun, Adella. Mr. Jefferson, Mr. MacIntyre, you remember my wife and daughters.”

“Of course Shane does,” Isabelle said. “We saw him just yesterday, Father.”

Shane released Honorine’s arms and stepped back, affecting a bow. “Miss Camden, how nice it is to see you again.”

She held his gaze for a moment. “And you, Mr. MacIntyre.” She greeted Mr. Jefferson and mumbled an apology.

“No harm done.” He tipped his hat to them.

“No harm done, except to his shoes.” Isabelle giggled.

“As I was saying, I think your men would appreciate the idea.”

“What idea, Father?”

“We’re thinking of holding a party for them.”

Honorine perked up. “Party? I know just the thing.” She looked at Mr. Jefferson. “If you wouldn’t mind a woman’s input.”

Jefferson glanced from her to Everett, then again to her. “Should you wish to contribute, Miss Camden, I don’t see the harm.” He tipped his hat to her, spoke a farewell to her father and strolled off.

“Well now. How auspicious you should arrive now.” Everett threaded his arm around his wife’s waist. “But I’ll be home in a few hours.”

“True, but we had visits to make,” Mrs. Camden said. “And I thought, why not come back this way? Perhaps we can share a short break with you.”

“Visits, or were you off spending your pin money on trinkets?”

“Visits, dear. We met Viola for lunch.” Mrs. Camden released him and flicked a hair out of her eyes. “Shall I have her corroborate for you?”

He started to say something, then took Isabelle’s hand and slipped it under his arm. “That won’t be necessary. Shane?”

It took a moment for Shane to realize Everett had called his name, and tear his attention away from Honorine, who fussed with a loose, dark hair brushing across her pert nose.

“Yes, sir?”

“Have you plans for dinner tonight?”

“The usual, sir.” Which meant another visit to Half Moon Inn before he returned home. Though, judging by his reflection in the mirror this morning, he could skip a dinner or two in favor of a brisk run like the Camden girls had just executed.

Though he’d hardly be as charming in the endeavor as Honorine was, he was sure.

Everett winked at Honorine. “Change them. Come dine with us tonight.”

What happens at this dinner? You’ll have to read to find out.

Read the first part of the scene here.

Or if you wish, purchase the book yourself here:

Read more about this completed series here. Buy the series here.

image from Stocksnap/Pixabay.

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