His Christmas Reluctant Countess: A Historical Regency Romance Novel (Christmas Matches of Worth Book 4) by Martha Barwood

Author:Martha Barwood [Barwood, Martha]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-11-27T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Nicholas was in his element. Spending all these hours with Clarissa was wonderful. No one was there to interrupt them, so he could bask in her full attention and loved every minute of it.

By the afternoon, he was more captivated by Miss Crompton with each passing moment. Her intelligence shone through at every point of the day.

It was not just the clues she had solved so masterfully, but her quick wit had him laughing more than once. She had often found him amusing and particularly enjoyed his teasing of Henry.

As always, Henry had risen to the occasion and was outrageous with his insults. He knew better than to direct any at the ladies, and Nicholas had born them happily, particularly when Miss Crompton had found them so funny.

He was unsure what he made of Henry being paired with Lady Wilde. After a time, it seemed a contrivance that they should cross paths quite so regularly. Nicholas was becoming increasingly irritated with the lady, and he knew that he needed to school his features for her not to take offense.

Miss Crompton may have been happy to be in his company, but she was guarded and careful in everything she did. The maid that followed them throughout the afternoon was a boon and a curse. Nicholas longed to be alone with her, for when they interacted, a look of uncertainty or sadness always followed her smiles.

The penultimate clue of the day took them into the snow-covered gardens. Since he had looked out of the window only a few hours before, all the paths had been cleared. He was sorry for it. The lawns were decidedly less beautiful with the cobblestones dotted about. He much preferred the thick blanket of white that covered everything beneath it. If only there were such a thing for his own reputation. If only he could remove it from the world.

What has it cost me? And what do I have to show for it? Nothing at all except some stolen memories of those I can barely recall.

“What flows without end, yet aims for the sky?” Clarissa was saying, striking out across the lawn and reading the clue again as she seemed to alight on an idea.

“Perhaps one of these glorious fir trees?” Nicholas attempted, but she shook her head.

“It flows,” she said, looking back at him with a grin. “I believe we are looking for a fountain.”

“Aha! Well then, I have an advantage, for I know just where it is.”

“Lead the way,” she said happily, and he barked out a laugh as he led them beneath the high arch of the privet hedge at the garden's border and through to a small square. In the center was a black fountain. It had once been pale Yorkshire stone, but the edges of it were now darkened, with time and age behind them.

The way was rather uneven, and Nicholas offered his arm to Clarissa for support. As her hand rested against him, he could not prevent the shiver of need that ran through him to have her so close.

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.