His Mistletoe Proposal by Christy McKellen

Author:Christy McKellen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2017-11-23T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

THE NEXT MORNING Alex got up later than he’d intended after not sleeping well, despite the ultracomfortable bed he’d been given in the guest room. He stumbled down to the sunlit Breakfast Room to find Flora there drinking coffee and looking as though she’d been up for hours. Her hair appeared freshly blow-dried, her cashmere jumper and linen trousers were pristine and she was perfectly, and heavily, made-up. In stark comparison, he’d barely glanced in the mirror as he’d brushed his teeth and had only run his fingers quickly through his hair after showering before giving up on it.

‘Good morning, or should I say afternoon?’ Flora quipped good-humouredly, making a show of looking at her watch as he slumped into the chair opposite her.

‘Merry Christmas,’ he replied, looking around the well-appointed, high-ceilinged room that was empty of people except for them. ‘Is your sister not up yet?’

She seemed to bristle at the question. ‘No. She always sleeps in late.’

‘And your parents?’

‘They went to the morning church service.’

A young woman with a kitchen apron wrapped around her waist came in and gave him a friendly smile. ‘What can I get you for breakfast? I can do eggs Benedict or a full English breakfast if you’d like.’

‘This is Penny, my parents’ housekeeper, who’s very generously agreed to do the food today,’ Flora said, giving the young woman a kind smile.

‘It’s actually my pleasure to be here,’ Penny said. ‘Anything to get away from the rows and tetchiness at home,’ she added with a grimace. ‘My parents don’t get on at the best of times and Christmas Day seems to bring out the worst in them.’

‘Well, in that case, I’d love eggs Benedict and a cup of very strong coffee if you’ve got some on,’ Alex said to her.

Penny gave him a nod of approval and left the room. He yawned behind his hand, hoping she wouldn’t be too long with the coffee.

‘Didn’t you sleep well?’ Flora asked, her brow wrinkling.

‘Not really. It’s a very comfy bed,’ he added quickly when her face fell, ‘but I’m still having trouble sleeping for more than a couple of hours on the trot.’ He thought back to how he’d tossed and turned all night, his blood rushing with adrenaline and his mind whirring with tangled thoughts about Amy, his career, Tia and the band—and Flora.

‘I have some relaxation music I can lend you—whale song and pan pipes, very soothing,’ Flora suggested with a totally straight face.

He fought back a look of horror and forced himself to smile at her instead. ‘Uh...no, I’m okay, thanks.’

She flashed him a wicked grin, making it clear she was teasing him.

He narrowed his eyes at her. ‘Very funny.’

To his relief, Penny came back in then with a large mug of black coffee filled to the brim, which she placed in front of him.

‘You are a truly magnificent woman,’ he said to her, a little bemused to see a blush rise to her cheeks as she returned the smile, then scurried out of the room.

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