Christmas Eve at Etford Park by Erin Grace

Author:Erin Grace [Grace, Erin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Knox Robinson Publishing
Published: 2012-11-29T16:50:52+00:00

“My dear little brat. You are far from turning old. In fact, I shall be the one to tell you when you are considered old.”

She pressed her forefinger into her chin and gave him a thoughtful stare. “Very well. But, can I trust you to always be there for me?”

His chest ached suddenly, as her words dragged him back to a time he’d much rather forget.

His beloved Sophia had been in labor for two days. So terrible was her pain, he couldn’t bear to witness it for too long and would instead wander aimlessly into the gardens, praying that she would deliver the baby and finally be at ease.

But his precious angel couldn’t sustain the strength to carry on. On the third morning she finally gave birth to a boy. He’d held her delicate hand, wishing to the heavens to take him instead of her. Anything but her.

But she’d just smiled at him and whispered that she loved him and would wait for him always. Then, with her dying breath she asked him to always be there for their children.

Guilt, buried for decades, surfaced and pricked his conscience like a bear prodding a hive of bees. Soon he would no longer be able to avoid the painful sting of his past.

“My lord? Are you all right?”

He swallowed thickly and found it hard to meet the girl’s concerned gaze. “Yes, yes. I’m fine. I was just thinking that perhaps it was time for you to tell me how you came to be in Speckles Wood.”

“So, now you wish to know? I had, in fact, come to see you nearly a year ago when Mama, Lily and I first came here. But, you weren’t very nice, I must say. Quite rude, in fact.”

He shifted, uncomfortable beneath her critical gaze. Impertinent chit. Come to think of it, he had never once seen the little brat smile. “Well. I can’t change the past. But, for what it’s worth, you have my deepest apologies, madam.”

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