Christmas By Candlelight: Two Regency Holiday Novellas by Andrea Pickens

Author:Andrea Pickens [Pickens, Andrea]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Andrea Pickens
Published: 2016-09-27T21:00:00+00:00

It was not snow but a blur of bright silks and satins, that swirled through the ballroom, and the brilliant sparkling of light came from a myriad of crystal chandeliers rather than ice.

“It is like a scene from a fairy tale,” whispered Anna as Nicholas spun her through another series of twirls.

“Our journey most certainly had a storybook ending, my love,” he replied, his eyes dancing with a depth of emotion that made her heart skip a beat.

“Complete with a dashing hero who sweeps the lady off her feet,” she whispered.

How had she ever viewed him as just another pompous prig? Now she saw only his kindness, his strength, his humor. His chiseled features, softened by the curl of golden locks and a devilish smile, were not bad to look at either. “You had a few small details of your story wrong. Your father is not such an ogre after all.”

The Earl of Royster, resplendent in ivory silk waistcoat embroidered with a forest of fir trees, appeared not at all perturbed to be holding a glass of champagne instead of a sheaf of government papers. “He dances quite beautifully and told me several very amusing stories about you and your first pony.”

Nicholas gave a mock wince. “Yet another instance of me falling smack on my rump.”

“As for your mother. . . “ Anna touched the pale peach flower pinned to his lapel, then glanced at the countess, who was dancing with Count Federov. “To think she spent the summer and fall creating a new species of roses specially for you. And it was very ingenious of her to design a portable greenhouse so that several of the bushes could be transported from Yorkshire.”

“Yes, I have learned much these past few days, not only about myself, but about those around me. We all have facets we have grown used to keeping under wraps. Sometimes what we need is a challenge to bring them to light.”

“And sometimes what we need is a miracle from above.” Anna could not help but think back on her own doubts and fears. “When I saw that first star in the heavens, I wished for a guardian angel instead of a guardian uncle. What I got was an even greater blessing—I got you.”

“We have both been blessed,” he murmured. “I trust that we shall look out for each other. I hope I shall always be a guardian of your happiness, my love, and you of mine. But I do not mean for this to be a one-sided match. You have my solemn promise that your opinions and wishes shall always be as important as mine.”

He grinned. “After all, my experience in the art of diplomacy has shown me that the prospect for harmony is always best when both parties have an equal say in things.”

“Be careful what you wish for,” teased Anna.

“Truly, I have nothing more to ask for.”

The curl of his lips sent a sizzle of heat right down to the toes of her dancing slippers.

“I’ve been given the most precious gifts of all.

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.