The Heiress And The Hothead by Sabrina Jeffries

Author:Sabrina Jeffries
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Pocket Star
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

Christmas Eve was generally Amanda’s favorite day of the year, with all the anticipation of Christmas and none of the tumult. But when she rose early, after a night trying to beat thoughts of Stephen from her head, she was too heartsore to even think of Yule logs and feasts and carols sung by roaring fires.

So with a footman accompanying her, she took her brother’s carriage over to Mrs. Chapel’s. Maybe giving joy to someone else would help drown out her despair. And considering the nature of her errand, no one would think it amiss this time if she drove right up to the cottage, especially since the sky threatened snow.

Before Amanda could even knock, Mrs. Chapel opened her door and stood beaming at her. “Miss Keane, what a welcome surprise! I couldn’t believe it when I saw your carriage coming up the road. After the many visits you’ve already paid us, I didn’t expect you on Christmas Eve.”

“I know.” She forced a smile to her lips. “But I have some happy news for you, and I just couldn’t wait to tell you.”

“How very kind of you to come all this way for that, miss.” Mrs. Chapel peered beyond her to where the footman stood with the horses. “Where’s your mother? And his lordship?”

“I’m afraid Mama has a bit of a cold. And his lordship—” The emotions were still too raw; she couldn’t even drum up an excuse. And to her horror, that made tears start in her eyes.

“Oh, my dear Miss Keane.” Mrs. Chapel drew her into the cottage and urged her to sit at the table. Then. handing little Mary a doll, the woman checked on the babe sleeping in the crib and then went to fetch the kettle off the hob. “You just tell me all about it while I make you a nice hot cup of tea.”

For some reason, that simple kindness started the tears flowing that Amanda had suppressed ever since yesterday’s encounter with Stephen. She couldn’t speak, much less lay out all the intricacies of her tangled relationship—such as it was—with Stephen. All she seemed able to do was cry.

Mrs. Chapel bore it all with sweet generosity. She urged tea on Amanda and offered her honey for it, a luxury that Amanda knew she could ill afford.

“No, no,” Amanda protested. “You keep the honey for your little ones. I won’t be the cause of you . . . of you . . .”

Tears burned her eyes again, and she swept them ruthlessly away.

Mrs. Chapel sat down to pat her hand awkwardly. “There, there. Can’t be as bad as all that. Surely his lordship weren’t so cruel as to break your heart.”

Amanda drew out her handkerchief to dab at her eyes and nose. “What makes you think . . . this has to do with his lordship?”

As Mary climbed into her mother’s lap, Mrs. Chapel shook her head. “Any fool can see that he’s sweet on you.”

“I wish you’d tell him that.” Amanda scowled. “I don’t think he knows.

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