Anthology
Much Ado about a Storme by Sandra Sookoo
Love is even sweeter when it’s found later in life, and quite by accident.
Now that Lavinia Storme’s—the Dowager Countess of Hadleigh—family is settled and content, she doesn’t need to worry over them anymore, which leaves her a bit confused. When she meets a silver-haired duke and old feelings she once thought dead awake, she wonders all the more.
Allan Montrosse, 4th Duke of Tattersham has been waylaid on a snowy lane near Hadleigh Hall when his traveling coach breaks an axle. It doesn’t matter because his life has been much the same since he lost his wife, and perhaps an adventure will help liven things up. But the moment he sets eyes on the dowager, he is immediately smitten.
In the days leading up to a masquerade ball on Christmas Eve, Lavinia and Tattersham are thrown together. An attraction springs between them—as does scandal—but when a bit of contretemps at the ball worthy of Shakespeare himself threatens the budding romance, it will take charm and a bit of encouragement—Storme family style—to make certain the Christmastide match takes.