Christmas Forevermore by Sarah M. Eden

Author:Sarah M. Eden
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc.
Published: 2023-09-11T20:50:37+00:00

Chapter 2

Samuel tore his gaze away from Hannah to focus on William, who had practically leaped out of his seat. “Married? How did I not know of this? At the very least you should have informed your best friend.”

Samuel chuckled under his breath. “You wouldn’t have believed me.”

William gave a hard laugh, his eyebrows lifted with shock. “Who is the lady?”

Samuel raked a hand through his hair, letting a puff of air escape his lips. “The engagement is not official. Banns have not been read. But there was an . . . understanding passed between my uncle and me just before his death. It was agreed upon that I would marry his eldest daughter.” He averted his gaze to the fireplace.

He had known what he was getting himself into when he had accepted the inheritance from his uncle. At the time, it had been worth having a loveless marriage if it meant he could manage an estate like he had always dreamed but never thought possible. But since then, his dreams had evolved. He was content at Cranfield, but he could be truly happy there only if he was able to share it with a woman he loved, not one he was obligated to marry.

He glanced up from the fire, letting his gaze settle briefly on Hannah. He had hardly recognized her when she and her mother had come up the steps. In the last four years she had grown to be a young woman. A beautiful one. Her auburn curls, green eyes, and freckles were the same as they had always been, but her features sparked with more wisdom and confidence. The silly, imaginative girl he had once known must still have been inside her.

For the last several minutes he had been exercising all his discipline not to look at her too frequently, but now when he looked at her face, her eyes were round, her skin pale.

He turned his focus back to William and continued. “The lady, Miss Merchant, will be returning to town after Twelfth Night, and we will proceed with the arrangement then.”

William’s eyebrows were still lifted. Hannah stared down at her gloves.

“It doesn’t seem you are very pleased with this duty,” William said finally.

“It doesn’t matter.” Samuel had made the choice himself; he couldn’t allow himself to regret it now. He needed to maintain a positive attitude. Though he hardly knew Miss Merchant, he had heard that she was amiable. As she was considered a spinster, her father had made arrangements for her to marry Samuel to ensure she was taken care of, as any good father would have done. “I am pleased to be fulfilling my duty.”

William sat back in his chair slowly. “Well, isn’t that what marriage is all about?” He smiled. “Duty? Connections that benefit both parties?” His gaze slid to his sister for a brief moment. “Hannah’s first Season is approaching, and I have high hopes for her.”

Samuel did not doubt that Hannah could make a very good match. Simply by looking at her, it was clear that she was a rare beauty.

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