One Christmas Disaster (Singular Sensation Book 10) by Sandra Sookoo

Author:Sandra Sookoo [Sookoo, Sandra]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: New Independence Books
Published: 2024-12-17T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

December 20, 1818

Harding House

Manchester Square, Mayfair

London

“Uh, the sapphire superfine jacket this afternoon, if you please, Burton,” Cornelius told his valet as he put the finishing touches to an intricate knot in his cravat. It was a task of his toilette he enjoyed doing himself at times, for it allowed him to focus his mind on the puzzle and that prevented him from being lost in a day terror. “It will pair well with the silver waistcoat.”

Of which he’d already donned. It was his only concession to the season with the white embroidered snowflakes on the silver satin.

“Of course, my lord.” Moments later, the red-haired man brought the garment into the bedchamber where Cornelius attached his cuffs and collar. “Is there a special reason why you’ve requested this jacket today?”

“Not truly.” Except the color reminded him of the dark blue ring around Samantha’s irises. “Just felt like wearing that hue.”

“Ah.” Burton held it up for him to shove his arms into the sleeves. “You seem as though your spirits are quite lifted today. Is there a reason for that? Perhaps you are rubbing along well with Miss Marchington?”

“Cheeky, aren’t you?” But he didn’t mind the teasing from his friend. “As a matter of course, yes, Miss Marchington does have much to do with it. The past few days have been… interesting.” And all manner of rubbing had been quite pleasurable.

After he’d left her home yesterday, his life hadn’t felt real. It had been ages since his steps had been so light or his mind so clear. Had he been a nodcock because he’d bedded her yesterday in her family’s parlor while her father had napped upstairs? Perhaps, but that time with her, seeing her sans clothing and knowing she trusted him enough to do intimate things to her had affected him more deeply than he’d anticipated.

Slowly, she was burrowing her way beneath his skin and under the wall he’d erected around his heart, and what was more, it didn’t pain him as much as he’d previously thought.

“That is encouraging news.” As Burton took a brush to the arms of the jacket in order to remove lint, he said, “What is the state of the engagement at this time?”

Cornelius frowned. “There is not much to tell. Things are progressing as expected.”

Surprise jumped into the valet’s eyes. “But they are progressing? When we last spoke regarding your engagement, you were adamant that the two of you remain separate. Enemies, almost, and you had accused her of stealing your aunt’s bracelet.”

“Yes.” Heat sneaked up the back of his neck. “Which was true at the time. Since then, I have had cause to ponder a bit and don’t truly believe she is a thief.”

“Mmm.” Burton left off with the sleeves. After he stowed the brush into a velvet lined case, he crossed the room to retrieve Cornelius’ recently shined boots. “Have you and she found common ground?”

“We have, I think.”

“Have you kissed her?”

“What difference does that make?” While a hint of annoyance stabbed through

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