Hearts Beneath The Mistletoe by Jenna Jaxon

Author:Jenna Jaxon [Jaxon, Jenna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Romance, Women's Fiction, Regency & Victorian Romance, London Society, England & Britain, 19th Century, Forever Love, Bachelor, Single Woman, Love Possibility, Hearts Desire, Life-Changes, Second Chances, Honesty & Trust, Home & Family, Lifetime Love, Romantic Schemes, Beautiful & Feisty, Love-Family & Forever, Action & Adventure, Novella Length Story, Handful 0f Hearts Series, Christmas Holidays & Celebration, Christmas Time, Holiday Whimsy, Festive Season, Winter Weather, Marriage Arrangement, Dire Financial Trouble, Christmas House Party, Childhood Friends, Possible Scandal & Ruin
Publisher: Rising Phoenix Publications
Published: 2015-12-07T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

Looking around at all the people staring at her, Jenny blushed, her cheeks fiery as though lit from inside by twin suns. Her heart sped up and her fingers burned with cold. Almost as one, the company craned their necks back to peer at a spot high over her head. She stretched her neck back to stare straight up, shielding her eyes against a bright ray of sun that had penetrated the woods. High in the massive oak a strange plant, oddly shaped, sat entwined with the tree’s limbs. One with deep green leaves sprinkled with small white berries.

She scanned the crowd around her, but no one was leaping out to kiss anyone, although they were all chatting excitedly. Perhaps the custom was harmless. Her aunt and uncle were here, what harm could there be? Surely she could indulge in this bizarre custom with no danger to her reputation. She’d just pray that Mama never found out.

“Ah, Miss Crowley, trying to get an advance on the berries?” Lord Claremont called to her, then elbowed his companion, Mr. Pace, and made a comment under his breath.

That gentleman laughed and eyed her with interest. “Shall I help show you how the game is played?”

“I think you might want to move a bit to your right, Miss Crowley,” Alec said, appearing out of nowhere and grasping her arm. He steered her from directly underneath the plant where Lord Somersby had strategically stopped. “Unless, that is, you want to accommodate all the young gentlemen here. That would gain you a reputation you might regret.”

Jenny frowned and shook off his arm. How dare he suggest her aunt and uncle’s entertainment might ruin her reputation? Any doubts she had melted as indignation filled her breast. “I’ll thank you to mind your own business, Mr. Isley,” Jenny whispered, gritting her teeth and stepping away from him so quickly she bumped into Celinda.

“You should have let Alec kiss you under the mistletoe. He seems quite kissable.” Celinda giggled as Miss Newel, Lady Mary and both the Misses Longworth ran to and fro underneath the ball, laughing and tempting the gentlemen. “What fun.”

“Why don’t you run beneath it, Celinda? Perhaps Alec will catch you.”

Celinda turned sparkling eyes toward her. “Oh, I intend for him to. I’m just waiting for the official game to begin.”

Jenny’s heart thudded in her chest. The thought of Alec kissing Celinda should certainly make no difference to her. Still, a pang of something that might actually be jealousy stabbed at her. Nonsense. She had Alec and didn’t want him. He stood easily beside Lord Somersby, laughing and talking with some of the other gentlemen. From time to time he would shoot a strange look at the young earl. Odd. Did Alec know Somersby?

Despite her pique at him, she had to admit Alec did cut quite a figure. His blond hair glinted in the cold sunshine, his coat accentuated his broad shoulders, and his easy smile drew her attention to his strong jawline. He wore his good smile, not the lopsided one reserved for her.

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.