The Wrong Earl for Christmas by Rebecca Dash

Author:Rebecca Dash
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2017-12-22T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

The Wishful

Elizabeth felt the satin of the red dress she would wear for the Christmas Eve party. It was smooth and cool to the touch. Golden hellebore flowers were embroidered down its center line with swirls of golden ivy at its sides. The dressmaker created it especially for the occasion.

“No one will attend a finer party,” said her mother. “And your gown will be the talk of it.”

There were only a few days left until Christmas Eve, the night when Elizabeth would meet the man she would give her life, mind, body, and spirit to. The trollish man from Lortan. Hopefully she would learn to love him in time. That was all there was left to do now. She had not heard anything from Gareth since he came to her window. Her brother had even come by to offer his sympathy when he found out about the news of Father catching them in such an awkward situation. Elizabeth didn’t have enough tears for what happened. Was that the last time she would ever see him? Lord Bainford wouldn’t be welcome at the party after that. Was that really their final, short goodbye?

Elizabeth had been confined to the house since that night. It wasn’t fair. Her father had no right to keep her imprisoned to await her most dreadful day. Yet he had every reason to. She would have escaped to find Gareth again. She would have kissed him and held him as long as it was possible. Who knew what was right anymore? Elizabeth still thought running away with him would be a scandal her family could never forgive her for. But was staying in their good graces worth her entire life?

Charles was the only one giving her any information about Gareth, but anything he mentioned only seemed to add to her unhappiness. He told her that their parents had paid a visit to Lord Bainford. What they all spoke about exactly was kept between them. Mrs. Harris, especially, loved her secrets. Gareth was probably ready to move on.

Elizabeth could not believe he would give up after what had passed between them. She blamed herself for that. Rejection by starlight is the worst kind of all. But the thought of him wrapping his arms around another woman the way he wrapped them around her made the ground underneath wobble and shake. As she sat in the parlor, examining that Christmas gown, she could only stare at it filled with despair.

“It is perfect,” said her mother. “You should have the maid take it up to your room until the big day. I think so, at least. It needs to be kept safe.”

“From what?”

“Random acts of tea.”

Elizabeth nodded without lifting her gaze from the floor. “I want to go outside.”

“Your father was specific in his instructions.”

“You cannot expect me to stay trapped in this house. It is not right.”

Mrs. Harris sighed. “Things would be so much easier if you were not such a willful girl.”

“I am who I must be, Mother.”

“Very well.

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