The Hidden Prince by Nadine Millard

Author:Nadine Millard [Millard, Nadine]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Blue Tulip Publishing
Published: 2016-12-26T16:00:00+00:00

THE NEXT MORNING, Lydia rose with a much more positive mindset.

The day was crisp and bright.

Fresh snow had fallen in the night and blanketed the estate in its white, clean beauty.

Yesterday, her behaviour had been truly bizarre.

Today, she would be sophisticated and everything that was proper.

There was plenty to keep her occupied in any case.

She wanted to see Huntsforth, then she would set out to find yet more holly and ivy, perhaps even some mistletoe, with which to decorate the house.

She was absolutely determined to make the place as festive and cheery as possible so that when Huntsforth felt better, he would be able to enjoy the season.

There was a cup of chocolate by her bedside, and her serviceable dimity gown was laid out, so her maid had obviously been in and gone.

Lydia was glad of it. She didn’t want anyone fussing at her hair or dress today. She wanted to get out into the fresh air and clear her mind of the awfully distracting dreams she’d had last night, featuring a particularly handsome stranger.

Sipping the rapidly cooling chocolate, she thought about her plans for the day.

In all honesty, she should make an effort to entertain Mr. Farago and Harriet.

But she felt as though she needed some time to herself if only to prepare for the impact of seeing him again.

The last thing she needed was to start dashing around the place challenging him to races again.

Her cheeks heated as she remembered her odd behaviour from the night before.

Never before had anyone had such an effect on her.

It was most disconcerting.

Lydia quickly dressed and pinned her hair into a simple chignon.

She rushed downstairs and straight to the breakfast room.

It was mercifully empty, so she didn’t have to watch her manners and could eat breakfast with all haste and then get outside.

Lydia had always been outdoorsy, much to Mama’s despair and Father’s delight.

After donning her heavy winter cloak, Lydia fetched a wicker basket and a pair of shears and made her way outside.

The air was freezing, and the winter sunlight glinted off the white snow, almost blinding Lydia as she stood taking in the scene. But it didn’t bother her. Nothing, to Lydia’s mind, was as beautiful as a fresh snow.

She swiftly made her way to the edge of the formal gardens, where she knew the holly grew in abandonment.

It was so quiet at this time of day. Peaceful, undisturbed…

“Good morning, Lydia.”

Lydia let out a scream of fright as the voice sounded behind her.

She spun around to face her unexpected companion, nearly falling over in the process.

A pair of strong hands reached out and clasped her around the arms, steadying her on her feet.

“What do you think you’re doing?” she bit out, glaring into the handsome face of Alex Farago. “You scared me half to death.”

“My deepest apologies,” he said with a bow that didn’t seem all that contrite to Lydia’s mind. “I didn’t know you would be concentrating so hard on a holly bush.”

She wasn’t. In point of fact, she’d been thinking of him.

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