Mistletoe Masquerade by Sahara Kelly

Author:Sahara Kelly [Kelly, Sahara]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: SK Private Label Publications
Published: 2017-12-13T16:00:00+00:00

*~~*~~*

Harriet had the brandy out and ready to pour when Paul returned.

He nodded at it. “I think we both should have a wee drop. If nothing else, to settle our nerves. It’s been a tense time, these last couple of days.” One eyebrow rose as he watched her fill the glasses more than a third full. “I’m guessing your day has been quite tense as well,” he noted.

“Letitia and James were here.” She took a swig.

“What?” His eyes opened wide. “When? Are they all right?”

Harriet nodded. “They stopped here on their way to London.”

Paul blinked. “Harry, FitzArden Hall is a twenty-minute walk from Ridlington Chase. The Inchworthy hunting box in which we now stand, is perhaps two hours or more away from both of those places and would add those hours to their trip up to town. If they did just stop by, that’s the longest detour I’ve ever heard of.”

“Of course they didn’t. But they’re being very cautious when it comes to us and our whereabouts.” She went on to relate the matters as they stood in London with regard to her sad demise.

“Fuck,” he swore softly without apology. “Those bastards.”

“Quite.” She sighed and dropped down onto one of the small chairs dotting the room. “So you see why Letitia had to be careful. Neither she nor James want one hint of our whereabouts ending up in the wrong ears.”

“Yes, I do see, and I’m very grateful to them.”

“You might possibly be even more grateful when you hear about the family conference that this news brought on at Ridlington. Edmund, Rosaline, Simon, Tabby and the newlyweds.”

“Umm…”

“Yes, they deliberated at length about the best way to handle the current situation. Apparently, we’re considered family and they are now operating under the mandate that if any family member is in trouble in any way, the others will come to the rescue as best they can.”

“Well,” said Paul, “that’s very nice of them. And kind too.”

“Indeed.” She finished her brandy in one long swallow, knowing the burn of the liquor would help the next words that would come out of her mouth. “Their solution was really quite simple.” She rose and faced him. “Paul, would you marry me, please?”

His brow was wrinkled in thought. “Yes of course, I…er…what?”

Harriet drew another breath. “I asked you if you would marry me, please.”

Paul stared at her. He blinked. Twice. Then he cupped a hand around his ear. “I don’t think I’m hearing you aright…”

“Dammit, Paul.” Temper flaring, she stepped in front of him, nose-to-nose. “I said will you marry me, you annoying oaf.”

“Ah.”

“Ah what?” Apparently he understood her question at last.

There was silence for a few moments, as she gazed at him, waiting for his answer.

“I probably should take some time to consider your proposal,” he said. “Isn’t that what a well-bred gentleman would say?”

“Not if he values his continued existence,” she hissed.

Something changed in his eyes, a lick of heat perhaps…she couldn’t quite tell. But his lips began to curve and she felt an arm slide around her waist.

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