A Mistletoe Vow to Lord Lovell by Joanna Johnson

Author:Joanna Johnson
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2020-07-10T13:59:15+00:00

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The panes in Honora’s bedroom window shook with the ferocity of the gale outside, great flakes of snow hurling themselves against the glass as if they’d shatter it if they could. Moaning gusts of wind echoed eerily in the darkness, but Honora merely stretched beneath her warm blankets, snuggling deeper like a forest creature in its nest. Timbers creaked and somewhere a loose shutter banged closed over and over again, although floating deliciously between waking and sleep Honora barely heard it.

What had roused her from the deeper slumber she’d been enjoying a few moments before? She didn’t know and hardly cared, sleep creeping over her again to return her to oblivion. Some noise, probably, some howl of the wind down a chimney had disturbed her, but no matter. Soon she would be gone again, curled up in the most comfortable bed she’d ever slept in, and the next time she opened her eyes it would be another day closer to Christmas.

From somewhere in the murky depths of her unconscious Honora became aware of something else, some other intruder from the waking world that stopped her from sinking back under. Her brows twitched together and she frowned without opening her eyes, trying to ignore the nagging sensation that something stirred out there in the night that she should be aware of.

It’s nothing. One of the maids moving about, perhaps. Go back to sleep.

She rolled over, burying her head until only a cluster of dishevelled curls showed atop the covers. So warm, so contented, Honora couldn’t help a little sigh as she surrendered to the velvet voice of sleep.

Her eyes snapped open like a china doll’s and she lay still, staring into the darkness as the noise that had woken her came again to fling her pulse up to the ceiling. It was a faint cry, long and drawn-out like an animal in pain, and the moment she heard it Honora knew exactly what it meant.

She was out of bed and flying across the carpet before she realised she’d moved, not even stopping to catch up a shawl to cover her thin nightgown as she flung open her door. The sounds of the blizzard outside accompanied her down the landing to Charlotte’s rooms, the soft cry ended again, but replaced by uncanny shrieking of the wind that did nothing to calm Honora’s thumping heart. All around her Marlow Manor was cloaked in night, not a flicker of light to be found as she raced to Charlotte’s door and burst through without pausing to knock.

‘Charlotte?’

Searching through the gloom, Honora just made out the shape of Charlotte sitting up in her bed, her face the vaguest pale smudge in the darkened room. Although she couldn’t make out her expression Honora heard the gasping breaths as the girl fought back panic, her voice high and terrified when she spoke.

‘Oh, Honora—help! Please help me! I think... I think I’m dying!’

Honora was at Charlotte’s side in a moment, feeling for her hand and taking the icy fingers in a firm grasp.

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