The Earl’s Mistletoe Match by Ashtyn Newbold

Author:Ashtyn Newbold
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2019-11-04T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 9

A ndrew had always wondered why his mother had the library so heavily decorated for Christmas, as it was very rarely occupied. She had chosen to put up the decorations a day early that year, rather than wait until Christmas Eve as she usually did. Year after year, Andrew saw the strings of greenery and ribbons strung about the bookcases and mantle, only to be taken down less than a fortnight later on Twelfth Night.

He could blame his sour mood on the indecision that had plagued him ever since three days before, when he had spoken with Olivia on the hilltop.

His broken heart had healed enough over the last year to recognize that it was being stolen all over again. With each conversation he had with her, each glance, and each bout of laughter, he was made even more uncertain over the path he wished to take. But how could he prioritize fickle feelings over the expectations of his family? It did not make sense, yet nothing else did either. He set his forehead in his palm, listening to the soft crackle from the hearth. His moment of peaceful silence was interrupted by a sigh, and he glanced up to meet Fusgrove’s impatient gaze.

“Are your thoughts wandering again?”

“No.”

“Then why, pray tell, did you ignore my question for the second time?”

He frowned. “Did I?”

“Yes.”

Andrew groaned, resting his elbows on the table. Fusgrove had come to Knotwood Abbey to discuss the details of their traditional fox hunt the day following Christmas, and Andrew had been less than attentive.

“Shall I repeat myself a third time?” Fusgrove asked, interlocking his fingers in front of him with raised eyebrows.

“I’m listening.” Andrew focused on his friend’s intentionally tousled hair in order to keep his attention from shifting away from the matter at hand.

Fusgrove smiled. “What time shall we depart on boxing day? The hunting lodge has already been prepared for our stay of at least four days. The hunt will be quick so we will be able to return by the new year.”

Andrew rubbed the back of his neck. “Four days? I am expected to be engaged to Esther by January the sixth. I don’t think I can afford to be away for so long.”

Fusgrove crossed his arms, leaning against the back of his chair. Rarely did Andrew see his friend’s expression serious, but today there seemed to be something troubling him. “You are expected to be engaged to Miss Esther.”

Andrew blinked to clear the ache behind his eyes. “That is what I said.”

“That does not mean you are required to. What are the consequences if you fail?”

Andrew raised his eyebrows. Fusgrove knew the consequences better than anyone. Andrew had complained of them over and over again. A surge of annoyance rose inside him at having to repeat them. “Disappointing my parents again is not an option. They have faced enough disappointment from their children.”

Fusgrove let out a long breath, his eyes casting downward. “I must admit that at times I envied you the attention of parents that cared so much for your future.

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