The Captain Who Saved Christmas by Bronwyn Scott

Author:Bronwyn Scott
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2023-07-10T19:27:43+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

‘I was wondering if you were ever coming home.’ Julien passed him a snifter. ‘It’s cognac from a new importer I’m hoping to contract with. Tell me what you think.’

Tristan swirled the amber liquid and held it to the light before taking an experimental sip. ‘It’s good. It’s heavy on the nuttiness, though.’ It reminded him too much of the nutty flavours on Elanora’s tongue when he kissed her at the market, of chestnuts eaten as they strolled the booths.

‘And you’re gone again.’ Julien sighed and slouched in the club chair set before the fire in the study. ‘You are one distracted man. While I agree with your assessment of the cognac, I find I’m curious about what was happening in your head just now and does it have anything to do with that letter you opened but have barely glanced at.’ He gestured to his desk, where the letter lay.

‘It’s complicated, Jules.’ Tristan rubbed a hand over his eyes and took the chair opposite. ‘I wouldn’t know where to start.’

Julien held up the decanted cognac. ‘I’ve got all night and a case of this stuff. Start where you like, or maybe, start where I like. What’s in the letter?’

Well, that was easy. ‘The army would like to contract me, as a private citizen, to procure and train horses for the cavalry. It would require some travel around Europe and spending time in London at Horseguards.’ Up until earlier this week it had been a position he coveted, the perfect post-military career.

Julien raised an eyebrow, looking impressed. ‘Celebrations are in order indeed. Congratulations, brother. Although, I assume this means I will be losing my active business partner.’ He started to raise his glass in a toast and then stopped. ‘Why so glum, then? I sense this letter doesn’t meet with your approval? Although I can’t fathom why not.’ Julien slid him a sly look. ‘Does it have anything to do with where you’ve been since yesterday or even all week, for that matter? You’ve hardly been around here.’ There was censorious scold in his tone, and Tristan felt a twinge of guilt. ‘You were going to help me with my business venture. But you’re up early and gone before I’ve even been out of bed.’

‘Elanora needed my help more than you did. I’ve been at Heartsease,’ Tristan confessed, knowing Julien would hardly hold that against him.

Julien nodded. ‘I’m glad to hear she’s permitting a little help.’ He sat back in his chair. ‘You always could persuade even the hardest-headed people to see things your way.’ If only that were true, Tristan thought. The only hard head he wanted to persuade these days was Elanora’s and the going was slow.

Tristan shrugged. ‘It was nothing, just some lawn work, some whitewashing, and a few nails for loose shutters, cutting a little ivy. Oh, and I got the fountain to work. The place looks better and it’s all ready for hosting the Christmas panto.’

‘Impressive.’ Julien swirled his cognac. ‘That doesn’t sound like nothing to me.

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