Burke - The Red Hot Earl

The Earl of Buckleigh was once an untitled misfit, tormented at Oxford. Now, hes overcome his challenges and is eager for the future, especially when his oldest and dearest friend, Bianca, needs help to save the annual holiday party. Ash has a plan to rescue the event, but when the bullies from his youth are up to their old tricks, he must risk everything to put the past behind him and find true love.

Furious when her brother refuses to host the St. Stephens Day party, Lady Bianca Stafford is committed to giving the villagers their celebration. In Ash, she sees salvation for their local tradition, and perhaps a future she never expected. But her brother has other plans for hera Season and marriage, and not to Ash. When disaster strikes, everything she cares about is threatened and it will take a miracleor a heroto save the day.

The Red Hot Earl is inspired by the song and story, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Be sure to check out the Red Hot Earl version of the song on my website at darcyburke.com!

County Durham, England

November 1811

C ome to Thornabys house party with me. Please. Lady Bianca Stafford didnt want to beg her brother, but she was close to doing so.

Calder Stafford, the eighth Duke of Hartwell, pressed his lips into a thin white line, absolutely unmoved by her passionate pleas. There is no reason for me to attend, nor do I have any desire.

Bianca walked around his desk, forcing him to turn his head to follow her movements. She stood next to his chair and gave him her most earnest stare. Theres every reason. This is the start of the holiday season. Its where the informal planning for the annual St. Stephens Day party happens. You must come.

He pinched the bridge of his aquiline nose. Bianca, I am not going to host a St. Stephens Day party.

She couldnt keep herself from gasping. You cant be serious. We always host the St. Stephens Day party. It wasnt a party, it was the party. The entire town came, and it was the very center of the Christmas season.

He dropped his hand to the arm of his chair and stared up at her unblinking, his dark gray eyes as cold and unyielding as the nickname some still used for him: Chill. Because hed been the Earl of Chilton his whole life. Until their fathers death seven months ago.

Regret and sadness squeezed Biancas heart, because of the loss of their father and because of the vast breach between him and Calder that had never been healed.

I am not hosting it, and that is the end of it. His tone was soft but sharp.

She gaped at him, unable to find words for what seemed an eternity. But, but she stuttered before snapping her lips closed at the distaste in her brothers eyes. How hed become such a remote, unfeeling person was beyond her. But then shed rarely seen him the past ten years while hed lived in London. Hed never come home, not once.

Taking a deep breath, she sought to calm her racing heart and outraged mind. Calder. She used the name their sister Poppy had always called him. The name their mother, who had died a few days after giving birth to Bianca, had used, or so Poppy had told her. You have a duty as the duke.

I have many duties, and none of them include hosting a St. Stephens Day party. He turned his attention back to his desk and the papers upon it. Now, run along to your house party.

His condescending tone grated. She would go as soon as Poppy, who was the Marchioness of Darlington, arrived to act as her chaperone. Your tenants adore the St. Stephens Day party. It is the highlight of their year. Surely thats important.

He didnt look up. It is not.

Grumbling low in her throat, Bianca glared at her older brothers bent head. Papa would be disappointed. Hes likely spinning in his grave.

Silence was her answer, and so she turned and stalked from his study, not stopping until she nearly ran into Poppy in the entrance hall.

Goodness, you look as if you want to commit murder, Poppy said, her gray-blue eyes wide. Well, perhaps not murder. Thats rather gruesome.

In this case, however, its accurate. I would cheerfully choke our brother if I could manage it.

Poppy exhaled. Should I go and speak with him?

You dont even know why I wish to strangle him, Bianca said.

I feel certain you will tell me.

Yes, yes, I talk too much. Bianca waved her hand. In this case, I could talk until my tongue fell out, and Im afraid it wouldnt matter. Calder refuses to host the St. Stephens Day party. Just saying it aloud deepened her anger.

Poppys delicate dark brows arched high upon her forehead. You found this surprising given his behavior the past six months since he returned?

Yes. But she shouldnt have. Still, shed hoped. How can he not care about the tenants and how important that day is to them? The day after Christmas, it was a time for everyone in and around the village of Hartwell and the estate of Hartwood to come together and celebrate, to cast off their cares and responsibilities and rejoice in fellowship and love.

The day can still be important. It will just be up to you to make it that way. Poppy gave her a supportive smile. I would offer to help, but Her voice faltered, and a shadow dashed through her eyes.

Bianca reached for her sisters gloved hand and gave it a squeeze. I wouldnt ask. Poppy was going through a difficult time, and it was more than enough that shed consented to accompany Bianca to this three-day party at Thornhill, the Viscount Thornabys estate an hour away.