Goodwill for the Gentleman

by Martha Keyes

Formats

Included in Subscription

He jilted her sister. She will never forgive him for it. Can her anger survive a snowing in and a Christmas truce?

Emma Caldwell doesn’t hate anyone—except for Hugh Warrilow, the man who jilted her older sister and left like a coward to join the army. Men are clearly not to be trusted, and Emma is determined not to give her heart to one. No, a marriage of convenience is the very thing to suit her.

Hugh Warrilow has been secretly in love with Emma Caldwell for years, so when the time comes to live up to both families’ expectations and marry her sister, he can’t find it in himself to do it. Disgraced and misunderstood, he joins to fight Napoleon on the Continent, hoping he will forget Emma and be forgotten by everyone he has disappointed.

An injury brings Hugh home—just in time for Christmas and the snowstorm that leaves him trapped under the same roof as Emma. How will he explain that his unforgivable act was motivated by how desperately he loved her? Her icy reception doesn’t leave him the chance, nor does it offer much hope for the season’s expectation of peace on earth and goodwill to men.

Formats

Open reader Upgrade Account

Included in Subscription

Book Details

Genre

Historical Romance

Subgenre

Regency (1811–1820), General Historical, Georgian (1714–1837), Holiday (Christmas, Valentine’s, etc.)

Series

Belles of Christmas • Book 2

Audience

Adult

Bell Peppers

🫑

Profanity

2 Mild

Violence

2 Mild

Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco

2 Mild

Publication Date

October 22, 2019

Language Versions

English

Narration Type

Human

Fiction Form

Novella

Overcoming past hurt.

Hugh Warrilow was supposed to marry Lucy. It had been arranged by their parents years ago. The problem was, he was in love with her sister Emma. To avoid hurt, he broke off the arrangement and joined the military to escape. He thought that would be the least painful option for everyone. However, his retreat made Emma hate him. When he returned home 3 years later after an injury, he hoped to make amends and do the right thing. When He returned to his home that first night he was surprised to find Emma there at dinner with his family. The weather prevented her from leaving for several days so they were forced to see each other. Emma began to realize Hugh was not the monster she thought and Hugh realized he was still very much in love with her.

Perfect for Christmas

This is a perfect read for the upcoming holidays! Such a fun and cute book.
My only desire was for a less quick resolution at the end. But that is a personal preference.

Emma and Hugh

Martha Keyes did a fabulous job with her storytelling. The words flow. The story flows. No akward nothing pages.

Emma and Hugh grew up together; he's loved her forever - she's completely oblivious.

Kudos for keeping it clean!

Clean Christmas romance

The author holds true to wonderful characters and well developed settings and plot.
A sweet story of a man (Hugh) who struggles to right some wrongs in his life but feels inept at accomplishing that very deed.
A strong willed lady who struggles to see what others see in that very man who, in her eyes, wronged a beloved sister.
This tale is of hope and Christmas magic and love.
I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

Christmas Forgiveness & Romance

Emma Caldwell thinks she hates Hugh Warrilow because he refused the marriage arrangement with her sister. Hugh was in a quandary because he loved the wrong sister, so he joined the army. He is mistreated and misunderstood at home, but loved on the battlefields by his fellow soldiers. A snowstorm changes things a bit. A sweet story of forgiveness and understanding.