Once Upon a Dickens Christmas by Griep Michelle;

Author:Griep, Michelle;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2019-09-14T14:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

That was a memorable day to me, for it made great changes in me. But it is the same with any life. Imagine one selected day struck out of it, and think how different its course would have been. Pause you who read this, and think for a moment of the long chain of iron or gold, of thorns or flowers, that would never have bound you, but for the formation of the first link on one memorable day.

Great Expectations

Mina? Come in here, girl. I know ye’re out there!”

Mina clutched great bunches of her skirt as Father’s voice boomed out his office door. Fatigue harshened his words. The timing of this conversation couldn’t have been worse, for her father was ever ill tempered after having suffered the inconveniences of travel. What would he say? What had been said? The milk she’d taken in her tea with Miss Whymsy soured in her stomach. Reading about such intrigues was far different from living it—and she wasn’t sure she liked it. At all.

Leaving behind the safety of the narrow corridor, she stepped into the lion’s den. Mr. Grimlock turned toward her, looking as if he might pounce at any moment. His hair stood on end in patches where he’d tugged it.

Father paced behind his desk, hands clasped at his back. His clothes were wrinkled, and he had yet to remove his hat.

And Will, God bless him … Will stood tall and proud, an island of strength in this sea of tension. He stepped aside, making enough room for her wide skirt, the reassurance in his blue gaze lending her support.

“Mina.” Father halted his pacing and faced her. “It’s come to this. Ye know I would see ye married, child. Ye must choose between these two suitors. Will you have Mr. Barlow or Mr. Grimlock?”

She pressed her lips tight to keep her jaw from dropping. Of course there was no contest, for Will had ever been her hero since the first day he’d sauntered into the Golden Egg. Was her dream really about to come true?

“This is preposterous!” A fine spray of spittle flew out along with Mr. Grimlock’s objection. “You hardly know the man.”

“Mr. Grimlock, if ye please.” Father skewered the fellow with a scowl. “Mr. Barlow has been a regular patron this past year, is a law clerk of good standing, and I’d wager makes the same amount to care for Mina as you. Am I right, sir?”

“Yes, sir.” William nodded. “And there’s the distinct possibility I am in line to inherit an estate.”

“What a load of tosh.” Mr. Grimlock turned to her, the movement wafting a sour odour of mouldered oranges. The stains beneath his arms spread in ever-darkening circles, especially when he threw up his hands. “That young swell could be saying anything to fill your head with fanciful thoughts. I offer you stability. The good Grimlock name. A life of pattern, predictability, and solid parameters. Don’t be a fool.”

Her hands curled into fists. He knew nothing of Will

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