A Lady, A Kiss, A Christmas Wish: A Sweet Historical Regency Romance by Collette Cameron

Author:Collette Cameron [Cameron, Collette]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: A Sweet Historical Regency Romance
Publisher: Blue Rose Romance®
Published: 2020-12-13T18:30:00+00:00

The Vines Gardens

Rochester, England

18 December 1817-Mid-morning

Joy darted a surreptitious glance to the strikingly tall man strolling at her side. She couldn’t seem to help herself. Brandon Morrisette was a masculine magnet, and she was but a hapless female unable to withstand his irresistible draw.

A moth to the flame and all of that cliché twaddle.

Cutting him what she hoped were unnoticed sidelong glances from beneath her lashes, she furtively studied him as they walked along.

Brandon’s midnight blue caped greatcoat hugged his broad shoulders, the high collar brushing his slightly too long walnut blond hair. The fine wool slapped against his glossy Hessians as he tempered his stride to match that of the elderly woman clutching his arm.

Joy considered his aristocratic features.

They weren’t all harsh angles and planes, but the strong slope of his square chin— marred by a small white scar—gave way to chiseled cheeks and a high brow.

Was the scar the result of a boyhood injury?

He’d have been a beautiful child, and the yearning for a babe of her own nearly cleaved her heart in two. Companions—spinsters—didn’t have children.

Purposefully refocusing her attention on him to divert herself from her melancholy, she roved her gaze over his face again. Fine lines etched the corners of his lovely deep brown eyes as if he smiled often.

Joy knew that to be true from the times he’d doctored Mrs. Thackpenny.

Her silly heart palpitated in remembrance of that curved mouth after he’d announced it was her feelings that intrigued him. And devil take Doctor Brandon Morrisette, she’d wondered for a week what, exactly, he’d meant by that tantalizing remark.

A tiny, appreciative smile bent her mouth.

Lean, sinewy masculinity.

That was what Brandon was, and she was only mortal, after all.

Joy hadn’t even attempted to resist his charm.

Why deny herself this momentary happiness?

She’d had little enough of it these past five years.

Brandon’s brushed felt top hat, slanted at a rakish angle, gave him a dashing air as he nodded now and again to curious acquaintances of his that they encountered along the wintery broad walk.

He offered neither an introduction nor an explanation, for which Joy was exceedingly grateful. Though she was appreciative of her position, no matter how politely worded, the role of companion held stigma.

Poor or unwanted relation.

Spinster.

Unmarriageable.

Dependent upon others.

A person to pity while being heartily grateful you were not she.

Surely if they had not already, the doctor, Mrs. Thackpenny, and Joy would soon become the topic of many a drawing room conversation. Those they encountered on their strolls would try to contrive a logical reason why the handsome third son of a marquess should be attending the crotchety Mrs. Thackpenny and her mouse of a companion. Neither of whom was often seen in public and never in the company of a man. Let alone a rascally charmer such as he.

Joy walked Poppet, who, despite having endured a lead few times previously, behaved remarkably well. But then, the poor dear was ten years old and her little legs so short, she had to trot to keep up with Brandon’s sedate pace.

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