Her Heart's Christmas Wish by Erin Grace

Author:Erin Grace [Grace, Erin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Erin Grace

Chapter Six

As the snow lightly began to fall, the carriage paused at the entrance to Wryte Park.

Charlotte peered out the window and drew in a deep, steadying breath.

It had been More than two years since she’d been there, and even then it had only been for the funeral of Jonas’s father. His mother had passed three years before that.

In the past, she had not been there on any social occasion. Although they’d generally been affable, Jonas’s parents had not been condescending enough to invite the local gentry of moderate means for any gatherings.

That hadn’t stopped Jonas from visiting her household at any given moment, their cook more than happy to accommodate a growing young man’s hearty appetite.

As they approached the front steps, another carriage was already parked further along the driveway.

Miss Kingstone and party?

They were early—very early.

Though she had no right to think ill of Miss Kingstone, she couldn’t help but think the young woman was trying to trap Jonas into marriage.

A footman in deep blue livery approached the carriage, opened the door and lowered the step, but there was no one in sight to greet them.

“Where on Earth is Mr. Garwood? It is most ungentlemanly not to meet your guests.” Marion alighted first, then turned to face her. “Don’t you think, Charlotte? I know we are old acquaintances, but manners are manners.”

She shook her head. “Oh, I’m sure he must be unavoidably detained, Marion. Do have a little patience.”

As she alighted from the carriage, she joined Marion and ascended the steps to the grand front doors.

Enormous wreathes of Cyprus pine branches, tied with red ribbons at the top, adorned the doors, though there was little else to suggest it was the Christmas season.

“Should we simply go in, Charlotte?” Marion rubbed her gloved hands together, as a fine mist billowed from her sister’s mouth. “I don’t feel right, without our host, but it is rather cold out here.”

“I agree.” And, furthermore, Marion had been looking rather pale these past few days. She didn’t like the idea of leaving her outside for too long. “Perhaps he isn’t very far away?”

She turned to the door and reached for the ornate, brass knocker, when a very red-faced butler opened the door to greet them

Panting, the poor man bowed. “My deepest apologies for keeping you both waiting. But I’m afraid there had been a rather strange incident.”

Concern etched her brow. “Incident? Is everything all right? Is Mr. Garwood ill?”

“No, ma’am. He is quite well. I speak of Miss Kingstone. Oh, please do come in.” He stood back and gestured for her and Marion to enter the beautiful black and white marble foyer.

She began to remove her gloves as the butler assisted with her cloak. “Miss Kingstone?” She glanced at Marion. “I do hope she is all right?”

“I do believe she will be fine, Miss Grey.” The butler appeared rather flummoxed. “It appears she was quite...er...undone by the size of the house, and had become lost within it.”

The corner of her mouth curled, but she held back the laugher.

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