All Things Merry and Bright: A Very Special Christmas Tale Collection by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Romance, Christmas, Anthology, Fiction
Publisher: Kathryn Le Veque Novels, Inc.
Published: 2018-11-27T00:00:00+00:00

ORABILIS KNEW HER sister’s true heart and feelings toward Willem McCullum. For years, Mariote had harbored more than just a tender regard for the young man. However, she firmly believed that Willem was not the right man for her sister. ’Twas not to say he was not an honorable and decent man, for he was. However, he was also a scoundrel of the highest proportions. Orabilis might be young, but she was not stupid. She knew all about Willem and his love of women.

There was someone better, someone far more suited to Mariote’s sensibilities, and her sister was certain he cared about Mariote. Still, she’d rather the girl married Willem instead of a MacGavin.

While Orabilis was convinced she’d never fall prey to such a deadly force as love, she knew her sisters were not as stalwart or strong as she. Each and every one of them had already fallen victim to their own hearts more times than she could count.

But Mariote? She was different. She was not like Esa—who was in love with a new lad every other sennight. Muriale was almost as bad, but not nearly as vocal about it.

Orabilis watched as Mariote stood taller, looking appalled at the idea her sister had just presented to her.

“Willem has absolutely no interest in me,” Mariote said. “Besides, it matters not at this juncture. I’ve made up my mind. I will marry Conner MacGavin, with or without our parents’ blessing.”

“’Tis yer funeral,” Orabilis said with a shrug.

Mariote rolled her eyes heavenward. “’Tis nay a funeral, ye daft child. ’Tis a marriage.”

“Explain to me the difference?” Orabilis challenged.

Frustrated, Mariote pursed her lips. “Ye would stand in the way of love, wouldn’t ye?”

“Nay,” she replied softly. “No’ true love. But I do no’ think ye love Conner.”

Ignoring the twinge of recognition deep inside, Mariote turned back to the trunk and began to push it aside. “I be done arguin’ with ye,” she replied angrily. “But if ye tell Mam or Da what I be doin’, then I shall tell them who really set the chicken coop afire last summer.”

Orabilis knew full well what her sister was doing. She actually felt rather proud of Mariote’s attempt at extortion. Oh, she truly did not want her parents to learn how the fire actually started or why or by whose hand, but she was not so foolish as to believe if they did learn the truth, ’twould be akin to signing her own death warrant. For amusement, she decided to play along. “Ye would no’ dare.”

Mariote spun around, a murderous gleam in her eyes. “I would.”

Realizing that come hell or high-water, Mariote would find a way to marry Conner—which would be the same as issuing one’s own death warrant as far as she was concerned—Orabilis pretended to be unconcerned. “Verra well,” she said dismissively. “Do what ye wish. I’ll no’ tell Mam or Da.”

“Or our sisters,” Mariote added. Aye, she knew Orabilis well enough to ask for that clarification.

“Or our sisters,” she replied. “I just hope he is worth it.

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