A Cup of Cheer by Deb Marlowe

Author:Deb Marlowe [Marlowe, Deb]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781735799124
Publisher: Deb Marlowe

Chapter 7

Julia woke with a start. Had she heard something? The snick of a door closing? It was still dark, though. She listened, but the house lay quiet, so far as she could tell. The wind blew fiercely outside, though. Perhaps that was the noise she heard.

Rolling over, she tried to get comfortable again. It was likely just her worries jolting her awake. Worries and restless dreams of large hands, soft whispers, blue eyes and muscled backs.

With a groan, she turned again. She had no business having such dreams. Or harboring such thoughts. Or giving way to yearning, fretful hope.

She knew better. Experience had taught her better. Lord Chester was a titled nobleman known for his wild habits and rakish ways. Though he had so far been respectful of her status as an upper servant in his grandmother’s home. He might turn out to be the first man of her acquaintance, not related to her, who did not expect something inappropriate and turn ugly when he didn’t get it. He might indeed be at a crossroads in his life and in need of friendly ear to talk him through it—but it would never amount to more and she just shouldn’t entertain any other notion.

Closing her eyes, she tried to doze again. She drifted in and out, but still kept hearing the rumble of the earl’s laughter, feeling the race of her heart when his warm hand took hers, and smelling the tang of evergreen that had lingered about them in the tack room.

She didn’t know how long she lay there before she realized thickening congestion was making it difficult to breathe, but dawn lit the room when she sat up, reaching for a handkerchief.

She froze. The soft light illuminated the mixed garland that adorned her mantel. More greenery circled the candle stick by her bed and draped above her, along her simple headboard.

Oh! What a lovely surprise! Her heart melted even as her nose began to run. Had the earl done this? She’d seen him watching her closely as they discussed how to bring Christmas to the house. She blinked her stinging eyes and just as she noticed the heavy amount of fir amongst the garlands above her head, she began to sneeze.

Good heavens. Eyes watering, she dashed for the window, threw it open, stuck her head out and gulped in the cold, fresh, clean air. She glanced back, still touched. It was a lovely surprise, even if her congested head could not appreciate it.

Shivering, she turned back and reached for her dressing gown. A large sneeze caught her—and then once she started, she couldn’t stop. Nose streaming, she headed for the door. It swung open and Susan stood there, aghast.

“Oh, Miss!” She looked horrified.

“It’s fine,” she said thickly, blowing her nose and moving toward the door. “I’m fine.” She sneezed again. “It’s just the fir. It makes me . . . Achoo! Achoo!”

“Yes,” the maid said wryly. “So I see.”

Wiping her eyes, Julia emerged into the passageway. A little way down, the dowager countess stepped out, frowning and pushing her nightcap away from her face.

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