A Birmingham Family Christmas (Brazen Brides Book 5) by Cheryl Bolen

Author:Cheryl Bolen [Bolen, Cheryl]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harper & Appleton
Published: 2017-10-29T18:00:00+00:00

Chapter 5

Dinner was far too solemn. Even worse, Spencer once again found himself next to Annabelle. Her sensuous lavender scent infused him with a longing like he hadn't experienced in years. But he could not yearn for this woman who'd made it impossible for him to ever love again. He was determined to be strong against his weakness, his weakness for her.

The Birmingham men were obviously worried about their sister's delayed arrival. The always-joyous Emma Birmingham was determined to divert everyone's attention to happier matters. "We had a great deal of fun today fashioning the toy swords." She sighed. "Unfortunately, it's not looking as if we'll be able to paint them."

"You finished then?" Lady Fiona asked.Emma nodded. "Barely before we lost our daylight."

Their hostess nodded. "It was beastly cold."

Nick glared at his wife. "I didn't like you being out in the cold for so long. Why did you not tell me you were going to Great Acres?"

Her soft smile vanished. "I had hoped to return with happy news."

Emma steered the conversation away from worrisome topics again. "Tell me, Lady Fiona, did you and Emmie finish your baskets?"

"We did, and we're to deliver them tomorrow."

"Your little girl is so lovely--and so well behaved, too," Anna complimented.

Lady Fiona smiled, then met her husband's proud gaze. "We thank you. She has brought us much joy."

"Tomorrow I'll take her to help me get the Yule log," Nick said.

"First, she and I will deliver the baskets and the lads' swords, and then she will help me gather holly to adorn our house, dearest."

A smug smile on his face, Nick could not hide his deep affection for his daughter, though he spoke dryly. "The child won't be able to sleep tonight for her excitement."

Lady Fiona's sparkling eyes met her husband's. "She loves every minute spent with her Papa."

Little Emmie was an extraordinarily lovely child. Spencer had thought, years earlier, that he would enjoy having sons, but now he knew little girls were just as cherished. Seeing Nick and the way he loved that child made Spencer even more aware of the emptiness in his own life. Just thinking of his niece and nephew melted something inside him. And they weren't even his own. They already had a loving father and mother. How gratifying it must be to have children of one's own."You two are very blessed," Annabelle said in solemn voice.

Her words as well as her tone confirmed her regrets that she had no children, no husband. It was as if Anna had once again stolen his own thoughts. It had always been that way with them.More the pity.

Before he softened too much, he reminded himself it was her own fault she was childless."Indeed you are blessed," Emma added. Her looks conveyed so much. She and Adam must also want to become parents.Spencer inwardly sighed. He would have preferred staying home alone in London over being surrounded by three blissfully happy couples who reminded him how lonely and miserable was his own existence.

He shouldn't blame them for the way he felt in their company.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.