Snowflakes for an Earl by Sandra Sookoo

Author:Sandra Sookoo [Sookoo, Sandra]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Christmas Wallflowers, Regency Romance, christmas romance, holiday romance, earl, wallflower, Christmastide, female vet, male astronomer, historical romance
Publisher: New Independence Books
Published: 2022-12-01T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

December 23, 1817

Stanton Hall

“I have it on good authority you have been spending time with the daughter of Squire Smythe recently.”

Evan couldn’t resist pointing his gaze at the ceiling. It didn’t matter that he tried to read his copy of The Times or that he’d ignored his mother for the last half hour while they both occupied the drawing room, she still persisted in badgering him. “What of it? She’s a charming young lady, and she attended to George after he fell out the upstairs window a few days ago.” He shrugged as he folded his paper. “Now, she has consented to help decorate the manor house with Christmas finery, because I know how busy you are preparing for the ball.”

One of his mother’s eyebrows rose. “Since when have you thrown yourself into Christmastide with any sort of enthusiasm?” She laid her embroidery work aside to stare. “This is highly unlike you.”

Heat crept up the back of his neck, but he ignored that. “Is not a man allowed to change his mind on a notion?”

“You can, of course, but it’s suspect, since you’ve been adamant that we do not acknowledge the holiday for more years than I can count.”

“Yes, well, I have my reasons.” Evan focused his gaze on the newspaper print while George snored happily beside him on the sofa.

“Hmph.” Her stare grew more intense. “Is one of those reasons a sudden interest in that woman? From what I understand, she has nothing to recommend her, and she certainly has no looks to speak of.” When she frowned, he bristled and tossed his paper to the table at his elbow. “Or are you doing this to get back at me for suggesting you need to marry?”

“What are you saying, Mother? That Miss Smythe is not a good candidate?” Why had he said that? It wasn’t as if he were contemplating marriage to Christiana. That notion hadn’t even crossed his mind.

For the space of a few heartbeats, she regarded him with speculation. “My dear boy, don’t think to throw your life or your title away on a woman of no social standing.”

He snorted. “As if that matters.”

“It matters to me. I want you to make an advantageous match, so your children can do the same. That is how it works in our world.”

Dear God. Children. But the thought of having offspring with Christiana—to say nothing of the act that would lead to such—sent heat into his blood. “Do stop. As with the last time I promised to pledge myself to a woman, I will do so for love or not at all. Everything else cannot be contemplated, for life is difficult enough without having to wake up to a woman more concerned about wealth and position than the softer, more important things.”

“You will get absolutely nowhere with that attitude.” With a huff, she picked up her embroidery once more. “Marry for position, Stanton, then take a mistress for love. That is how the ton operates.”

“Perhaps it is time for my generation to changes the rules.

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