Shakespeare and the Three Kings by Victoria Alexander

Author:Victoria Alexander [Alexander, Victoria]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Christmas, dogs, dukes, historical fiction, historical romance, holiday novella, puppies, regency, regency romance, romance, second-chance romance, short read
ISBN: 9781943772339
Publisher: NYLA
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

***

Oliver swirled the brandy in his glass and stared at the flames licking at the logs in the fireplace. He’d planned on dining downstairs tonight but both Miles and Mrs. Collins, the housekeeper, had insisted he and Diana go straight to bed after bathing and a light supper.

Oliver and Diana had not exchanged more than a few words on the brisk walk back to the manor. Oliver was not entirely certain what he wished to say. Diana shivered at his side, cold and miserable. He could do little but offer her a coat that was not substantially better than what she had. The temperature had dropped and a stiff breeze carried the scent of snow. He’d wanted to wrap his arms around her but...

Miles had greeted them at the door with no more comment than an upraised brow. Apparently, he’d seen the kings in this state before. Within seconds, the Yorkies were handed over to kitchen maids, Shakespeare was on his way to the stables and servants were drawing baths. Miles always knew what he needed.

But did Oliver?

He pulled a thoughtful sip and considered the day’s events. Yes, Diana had changed with the years and to an equal, if not greater, extent, so had he. Gone was the foolhardy youth who wore his heart on his sleeve and fell in love with a shy, dark-eyed American. Vanished was the very proper, well- behaved young lady who had just enough of a hint of passion in those eyes to tantalize the equally respectable young man. But he could no longer deny that whatever had pulled them together once before lingered now.

He still wanted to know exactly why she was back in his life. Could she possibly want him again after all these years? The answer, one way or another, would make what he had to do so much easier. At least he would know. He’d almost done it today, grabbed her and jerked her into his arms and demanded the truth. Had she left him of her own accord? Did she break his heart for her own amusement? Or were they both victims of another’s deceit? But his courage failed. The words simply wouldn’t come.

Oliver emptied his glass in one long swallow and set it carefully on the table at his side. He was not a man easily frightened. He considered himself possessed of a certain moral fiber and a satisfactory physical presence. He did not doubt his own capabilities. Oliver Thornton Stanhope was not one to run from a fight.

But today when he’d said her name and stared into the endless depths of her eyes, fear such as he’d never imagined, intense and primitive and heart- stopping, rushed through him. Fear triggered at the moment he realized the past no longer mattered. The moment he knew with clarity that stunned his senses and his soul that once again he loved her.

And very likely, always had.

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