Book Title: THE EARL’S CINDERELLA COUNTESS
Character Name: Eleanor (Ella) St. Aubin
How would you describe your family or your childhood?
Hello! I am so pleased to be invited there today. My childhood was lovely—until my darling mother died. My father was the vicar of a small village, next to the Earl of Fleetwood’s grand estate, and my mother was the heart of everything. She ran our home and made it beautiful, was beloved by all the parishioners, and was a wonderful mother to my sister Mary and myself. When she was died, I had to leave school and look after the vicarage and Mary, as well as our father (he was a dear man, but very distracted!) My dearest friend was Frederick, the younger son of the earl, until he left for the Army.
What was your greatest talent?
Organization! A lady just had to be in such circumstances! There was constantly something going awry in the house or the parish, and my dear sister Mary was very energetic. But I could never be as serene about it as Mama. Organization has served me well now, though, in running the Confidential Agency (we make marital matches!)
Significant other?
My Fred! We were such friends growing up, both of us feeling we didn’t quite fit in our families, until we were sadly parted, and he went into the Army. I missed him terrible for years, dreamed about him, until at last he appeared in my new hometown of Bath.
Biggest challenge in relationships?
Communication! My Fred was quite wounded in the war but hates to talk about it. He feels he is burdening others with his wounds, his troubles running the estate, but I loved helping him and being by his side.
Where do you live?
After my father died and we left the vicarage, we went to Bath and set up our Confidential Agency to help people find their perfect matches. Mary enjoys the assemblies and parties so much, though I still feel a bit shy! Once Fred and I found our way back to each other, we live most of the year at his country estate.
Do you have any enemies?
My mother taught me how to see what is in people’s hearts, why they are driven to behave as they do, so I have no real enemies. I would fight anyone who tried to part me from my husband, though!
How do you feel about the place where you are now? Is there something you are particularly attached to, or particularly repelled by, in this place?
I love this estate, its’ really where I grew up and the fields and woods are beautiful to me. I also love the community of the people, and how we all work together for the estate. But I admit I sometimes miss the crescents and tearooms of Bath!
Do you have children, pets, both, or neither?
My sister and I share a darling terrier dog named Miss Muffins, who is sometimes too mischievous for her own good…
What do you do for a living?
I create marital matches! (And now am a countess)
Greatest disappointment?
Not being with my Fred sooner
Greatest source of joy?
My husband and my sister, and the world we create around us. I also love flowers and gardening!
What do you do to entertain yourself or have fun? I enjoy dancing and music! It quite takes a person out of themselves, doesn’t it? And watching the faces of two people as they fall in love…
What is your greatest personal failing, in your view?
I can be too shy and reserved, and now share my feelings when I should.
What keeps you awake at night?
Worrying about the house (the roof is constantly falling apart!)
What is the most pressing problem you have at the moment?
Hoping my sister finds just such a joyful marriage as my own.
Is there something that you need or want that you don’t have?
For yourself or for someone important to you? I think it’s the same as the last question—my sister is so beautiful, so vivacious, she deserves a fine match! But who can be good enough for her?
Why don’t you have it? What is in the way?
Mary herself is in the way! So very stubborn. But I was stubborn, too, and it kept me away from my love for too long. I must make sure that doesn’t happen with her.
Enjoy this friends-to-lovers romance set in Regency Bath
The one match
She doesn’t want to make…
The Earl of Fleetwood was Eleanor St. Aubin’s first love, but being a mere vicar’s daughter held her back from admitting her feelings. Now she's a successful matchmaker, and the prospect of finding Frederick the wealthy wife he needs to settle his inherited debts is a nightmare come true! But returning from war, Frederick’s facing nightmares of his own. Eleanor feels compelled to help him, but could she ever be his Cinderella countess?
From Harlequin Historical: Your romantic escape to the past.
Romance Historical [Harlequin Historical Romance, On Sale: March 26, 2024, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9781335596079 / eISBN: 9780369739704]
Amanda McCabe lives in Oklahoma with two very spoiled cats, surrounded by large collections of books and antiques. When not reading or writing romances, she loves doing needlework, taking dancing lessons, and digging through antique stores in search of new treasures.
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