The Earl's Christmas Gift (Mistletoe Miracles Book 1) by Jillian Eaton

Author:Jillian Eaton [Eaton, Jillian]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-11-30T18:30:00+00:00

The winter festival was bigger than Alexandria had even seen it before. There were musicians on stringed instruments playing familiar Christmas carols. A man on enormous stilts swaggering around and handing out peppermint sticks. Colorful tents set up for merchants that were selling everything from intricately carved wooden ornaments to hang in the windowsill to thick wool scarves. More than two dozen people, children and adults alike, were braving the slick ice to varying degrees of success, while others gathered around a large cauldron of drinking chocolate.

A fire burning sticks of pine released the pleasant scent of evergreen into the frosty air and wreaths with red bows decorated nearly every door. There was even a shiny black sleigh draped in garland giving rides for a shilling a piece; Alexandria had seen it circle by several times since she’d arrived.

“It’s a grand afternoon to ye, my lady! What can I help ye find on this fine day?” Dressed in festive green, a storekeeper beamed at Alexandria from behind the counter of a lace and fabric shop. By the sheer amount of coins and paper banknotes stuffed into the pockets of her apron, it was clear why she was in such a good mood. And by the way she took notice of Alexandria’s garments, it was also clear that she anticipated another sale.

“I need a present for my mother.” Walking over to a circular table where silk handkerchiefs trimmed in beautiful Chantilly lace were artfully displayed, Alexandria chose the first one that caught her attention and brought it over to the shopkeeper, who packaged the gift in brown paper tied with a bit of red ribbon and bade her a happy farewell.

A golden bell rang as she opened the door, but the cheerful sound did little to raise her spirits. All around her, people were laughing, smiling, and celebrating. She’d come here to steal some of that holiday spirit for herself. But despite her best efforts, her mind was unable to detach from the dark reality of the dire circumstances that she found herself in.

“Excuse me,” she murmured, her gaze downcast as she moved to step around a trio of red-faced gentlemen passing around a silver flask. Either they didn’t hear her or they were ignoring her, but either way they did not clear a path, forcing her off the busy pavement and onto the street. She stepped down without looking first, a mistake born of distraction, and the wagon, piled high with crates, came out of nowhere.

“LOOK OUT!” the driver shouted, but it was too late.

There was no time to scream.

No time to jump back.

No time to do anything but throw up her arms and squeeze her eyes shut.

Without warning, two strong arms wrapped around her waist and yanked her backwards. She found herself falling, but instead of landing on the icy ground and being run over by a cart horse, she landed safely atop a firm, muscular body.

“I say,” remarked one of the gentlemen who had been imbibing in whatever liquor the flask contained, “that woman almost died.

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