Christmas at Pennington’s by Rachel Brimble

Author:Rachel Brimble [Brimble, Rachel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781788546522
Publisher: Head of Zeus
Published: 2019-09-19T04:00:00+00:00

Stephen shifted from one foot to the other as he stared at the closed double doors of the courthouse. A light rain had started to fall, causing a cold dampness to the air, but he couldn’t leave until Cornelia emerged from within the white stone building. Time and again, he’d considered waiting inside, but to do so felt too much like an invasion of her privacy.

After the way things had been left between them at the tea shop, he’d carefully and steadfastly avoided her at Pennington’s, still unsure about her help with the murder investigation. Yet, a small part of him wanted her involved as much for himself as Joseph Carter. He liked Cornelia. Admired her, even. She had a strength that appealed to him. Maybe her stubbornness did a little, too. He had always liked a woman with backbone and direction. A woman who knew her own mind.

So, he decided, if she won her divorce but lost custody of her children, she could join the investigation as a way of providing proof he believed in her, cared about her and wanted her – maybe even needed her – beside him.

Her strength was inspiring and strengthening during his weakest moments and if the investigation could serve as a distraction from her pain, then he wanted to be the one who enabled it. He might even accept her invitation to attend the ball at The Phoenix.

But if she won her divorce and the children … no investigation and no ball. What need would she have to be with him then?

Time passed slowly as he waited for the people just inside the courtroom doors to emerge. Was it Cornelia and her family? Someone else?

At last, the doors opened, and Elizabeth Pennington and Amelia Wakefield stepped outside, their smiles wide and their expressions happy. They had to be here for Cornelia. She must have triumphed.

Yet, he couldn’t leave without being certain.

He stretched his neck, trying to see her as more people spilled outside. Then she appeared through the crowds…

If he’d thought her beautiful before, now she looked nothing short of magnificent. Her blue eyes were alight and her cheeks flushed as she accepted embraces from Elizabeth Pennington and Amelia, before they stood back and allowed a tall, dark-haired man to step closer. He pulled Cornelia into his arms and tightly squeezed her, as though he would never let her go. Ignoring a jolt of unexpected jealousy, Stephen studied the man and his trained eye immediately spotted the family resemblance. Her brother, maybe? A cousin?

Satisfied she had both her divorce and the children, Stephen turned to make his way back to Pennington’s. Joseph Carter had only allowed him an hour away.

‘This isn’t over, Cornelia.’

Stephen stopped.

‘Do you understand?’ the man spat between gritted teeth. ‘This. Isn’t. Over.’

He had to be Cornelia’s husband. Ex-husband. Of medium height and build, with dark blond hair poking out from beneath his top hat, David Parker’s face was mottled with anger as he jabbed his finger at Cornelia.

Stephen stepped forward

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