The Most Wonderful Earl of the Year: a Christmas Regency standalone romance (Headstrong Heroines Standalone books) by Sandra Sookoo

Author:Sandra Sookoo [Sookoo, Sandra]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: New Independence Books
Published: 2022-11-22T00:00:00+00:00

Alistair had no idea why Carole was in a temper with him again, but he refused to let that be the undercurrent of their time together. Yes, she had every right to come the crab last night after what the gossips said about her, but to take out that ire on him? It hadn’t set well, and he’d wanted to make it right today.

Yet the meeting hadn’t been as he’d envisioned it, for she was still in a snit. He could practically feel the heated waves of annoyance rolling off her as she sat on the bank of the pond. For whatever reason, she was reluctant to join the twins on the ice, and while she watched their antics, he sat beside Carole with his blades on the winter-dead grass between them.

“Thank you for seeing me today.”

She snorted. “As if I had a choice.”

“There is always a choice, but if my presence is negatively affecting you, I shall take myself off.” A trace of bitterness threaded through his voice. Why was she resisting a revival of their relationship so much? Couldn’t she see that he still cared?

A frown tugged at the corners of her mouth, seen around the shallow brim of her serviceable bonnet. “I promised I would hear you out, and I shall.”

“Good.”

William waved to him. “Come out with us, Lord Reardon!”

He waved back. “I will in a few minutes!” That seemed to satisfy the boy, for he went back to racing his sister across the expanse of the pond that was perhaps ten feet across and fifteen feet wide. It was doubtful the pond itself was very deep, for it only served as an overflow for rain-induced ground water. “I rather like the children. They might be a handful, but I believe their hearts are in the right places.”

Finally, a smile—albeit a tiny one—graced Carole’s kissable lips. “They are a good sort… when they’re not intent on causing trouble. Mostly, I think it’s because they are not properly stimulated, and perhaps I’m not qualified enough to be their governess.”

“Bah. Such gammon. You are quite intelligent. It’s merely how seven-year-olds are.”

“Perhaps.” She turned her head in order to watch the children on the ice. Her eyes were mostly hidden by the brim of her bonnet.

Stop dithering, Reardon. Get on with it. This has been five years overdue.

“I, ah, wish to apologize for last night.” He tugged on his suddenly too tight cravat as the chill from the ground seeped through his greatcoat.

“For what? Coupling with me or for what the gossips said or for you standing there like a nodcock while they completely shredded the remainder of my integrity?” She glanced at him with a raised eyebrow. “Last night was far too emotional for me to settle on one thing.”

“For all of them?” His chest tightened with worry. “Though, if I’m being truthful, I won’t apologize for that coupling. I had long desired knowing you in that way.”

Rosy color infused her cheeks. From the cold or his words? It was too difficult to say.

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