Tempted at Christmas by Kate Pearce & Jane Charles & Elizabeth Essex

Author:Kate Pearce & Jane Charles & Elizabeth Essex [Pearce, Kate & Charles, Jane & Essex, Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-09-26T04:00:00+00:00

Benjamin’s indignation as to Henrietta’s invasion of his privacy lasted all the way to the stables, which was where he finally slowed down and considered what he’d done. She probably thought he was up to no good now, when, in reality, he’d simply been worried that she’d recognized the coat of arms engraved in his signet ring and worked out exactly who he was.

If she had realized who he was, wouldn’t she have addressed the matter? Had he even given her the opportunity? Benjamin groaned and punched the stone wall with his clenched fist.

“Can I help you?”

He glanced up from rubbing his knuckles to see one of the Keyvnor stable lads grinning at him.

“Yes. I wanted to know if the Saxelby carriage has arrived yet.”

“No, it hasn’t, but there is a note here to be delivered to you.”

“Thank you.” Benjamin waited until the stable boy came back with a much-folded letter.

“There’s one for Miss Henrietta, too. All the way from London.”

“Then I’ll take that to her as well.”

The stable lad winked. “Maybe she’ll thank you with a kiss under the mistletoe, eh mister?”

“You never know,” Benjamin replied glumly, aware that the possibility Henrietta might ever kiss him again had probably been lost forever because of his guilty conscience. ”Thank you.”

He opened his letter as he walked slowly back to the house and paused to read the contents.

Sir, the roads are impassable for the carriage. I intend to hire a horse or gig and will endeavor to bring as much of your baggage with me as I can in order for you to attend the festivities in good order. Yours, Robert Fletcher.

Benjamin stared up at the massive bulk of the castle. Well, there was the end of his adventure. Knowing his valet’s dedication to duty, Benjamin’s wedding finery would be here with him on the morrow, if not sooner, and he would no longer be welcome in the kitchens. Two days of being a different man would have to do.

But it was not enough.

Benjamin’s fist closed around the letter as he floundered through a series of conflicting emotions. He wanted more time with Henrietta. He wanted to explain. He had a sense that she might be the only woman on earth who would understand him. But to what cause? She didn’t need him, and what could he offer her?

He abruptly stepped off the path to allow the Duke of Iverfyre and one of the Goodenham sisters to walk past him. They were deep in conversation and quite oblivious to his presence.

Wearily, he continued on to the kitchens, aware that his time was running out and that he owed it to Henrietta to at least tell her the truth before he was revealed as a fraud. He pushed open the massive back door and stepped into the flagstone entrance hall. And what version of the truth would he tell her? That he’d stupidly fallen in love with her the moment he’d seen her? That he wasn’t who he said he was? Which

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