The Duke Beneath Her Mistletoe by Nicki Pascarella

Author:Nicki Pascarella [Pascarella, Nicki]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FIC027070 FICTION / Romance / Historical / Regency
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 2023-10-23T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

December 28th, 1816

“Mmm.” Goldcount’s balls tightened in anticipation as the fragrant spices swirled around him. At last, he spied the pie. He dropped to his knees, closed his eyes, and inhaled. Unable to take it a second longer, he shoved his snout into the dish.

From Tattle’s Tales

It was late afternoon when Georgie cuddled next to her twin and rested her head on his shoulder. The flames from the Yule log still burned hot, enveloping her in holiday warmth. She scooted closer to Stephen, and he kissed her on the top of her head. Closing her eyes, she willed the moment to last forever.

“Georgie.” Stephen moved his shoulder, jostling her. “My arm is falling asleep.”

“Humph,” she murmured, ignoring him and shoving her head back where it had previously rested.

He bombarded her with a dozen finger flicks that were so annoying that she had to sit up.

“Your arm obviously has enough blood pumping into it to do this.” She flicked him back and rolled onto her back, placing her head in his lap. “Napoleon was defeated. Why must you go to London?”

The index finger and thumb that had been tormenting her pushed the corners of her mouth into a smile.

She swatted his hand away. “Do you not want to come home?”

“Well, yes. I suppose.” Stephen stared into the fire with an indecipherable expression.

“But?”

“Alistair is running the estate, so there is little for me to do here. I will be continuing my military appointment in London.”

Georgie’s protests puffed up her cheeks. London was closer than France, but it was not Trent Castle.

“Eventually I want to marry and have a family. This war has taught me what is precious. And ’tis what Mother and Father would have wanted.” Stephen pushed up on her jaw, the same way he did when they were little, and he wanted to stop her from pouting. “Georgie, we cannot stay children forever. We have to embrace change and growth.”

“I plan to stay here with Alistair. I will never marry. This is my home.” She sighed because Stephen was correct. She was behaving like a child instead of a woman of one-and-twenty.

He peered down at her, forcing her to look into his eyes. “Trent Castle will always be a part of you. But keep in mind, Alistair will not marry before you.”

“Stop talking in riddles. What does that mean?”

Stephen chuckled. “You, my dear sister, can fend for yourself. So, the three of us are in no way trying to find a man to take care of you.” He tapped her nose. “However, ’tis Alistair’s responsibility to make sure you have a family of your own to love. You know Mother and Father loved each other. And although Grandmother was forced into an arranged marriage, she came to love Grandfather. I think she feels the same will happen for you.”

How could she articulate her feelings?

“Benjamin Calhoun is a good person. He is only a fourth son, but I know you don’t care about money or land, and his family is quite respected.

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