A Victorian Family Christmas by Carla Kelly

Author:Carla Kelly
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2021-06-29T13:17:53+00:00

Chapter Six

Within half an hour Hugh was dry, warm and, in spite of everything that had just happened, content. He drummed his fingers on his stomach because even his belly was satisfied.

Moments ago, Louisa had limped into the parlour, bearing a cup of hot chocolate in each hand.

For an instant she resembled an angel bearing an earthly gift. But then she smiled and became the earthly gift.

Having been so recently burned by an engagement, he was surprised to find his thoughts dwelling on marriage. But there they were, quite merrily imagining the possibilities.

He should redirect his attention to something else. But how could he not wonder what life would be like shared with a woman like Louisa?

Paradise might be found in warm drinks in front of a snapping fire, with rain beating against the windows...everything snug within.

There had been a time when he had imagined contentment with the woman he had been engaged to. Had imagined but not experienced.

Now, here he sat with a woman he was not engaged to and yet he was experiencing a gut-deep sensation of well-being.

The feeling might have to do with the cosiness of the cottage. Although not the cottage itself. Unfeeling wood and bricks could not create the soul of the home.

This cottage took its heart from the woman who cared for it...and for everyone living within its walls.

If he felt this way sipping cocoa, what would he feel sharing more intimate moments with her?

With great effort he did manage to focus his attention on something else.

‘I recall you telling me you were not limping, Louisa. It looked to me as if you were.’

‘At the time, the important thing was to get home, which I was well capable of doing.’

He watched her silently, simply for the pleasure of sitting quietly in her presence.

‘It seems to me you carry a great deal of responsibility on your shoulders.’

‘Many widows do.’

‘Many widows remarry.’ He smiled when he said it, hoping she would not take offence to the well-meaning comment.

‘Please, Hugh, show me the man who would take me, my sister-in-law and two children. I will marry him right off.’

Louisa’s hair was beginning to dry. It fell over her shoulders in dark waves. Outlined in the soft fire glow he could see ringlets springing from the lustrous mass.

If she were married...to him, for instance...he would be able to touch her hair. But he would have to be acquainted with a woman for a long time before he would trust her enough to offer a proposal. A grasping woman did not only steal a man’s heart and leave it bereft, she spent what she could of his funds, leaving his wallet empty.

He had not been burned by fire tonight and would not be burned by a broken heart...not again.

Hang it, he would not be touching any woman’s hair for a long time. Which did not mean he wasn’t tempted to lean forward, reach out his hand and do it. Greatly tempted.

‘I would think a man with a child would wed as well,’ she pointed out.

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