Christmas With the Marquess by Sophia Wilson

Author:Sophia Wilson [Wilson, Sophia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-11-18T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Four

A smile formed on Lady Ellen’s face as she watched her father approach her and her mother, his manservant following closely behind him with his baggage.

“My dearest Ellen,” Lord Blanchard smiled in return as he held his arms out towards her and embraced her lovingly. “I have missed you dearly.”

“I missed you as well, Father,” Lady Ellen said and watched her parents embrace after their week apart.

Even though they embraced one another, it felt cold and impersonal as she was aware their marriage had been prearranged. Even though Lady Ellen knew her parents cared for one another, or had learnt to care for one another after all those years of marriage, she was saddened at the thought that they would never truly experience the love she felt inside her heart at that moment.

It also saddened her when she realized the arrival of her father meant the end of her time being spent with Lord Kingston. They had spent time together every evening after Lady Ellen ensured her mother was fast asleep, and it had been both terrifying and thrilling to Lady Ellen. She had never snuck out of her bedchambers or anything as daring as what she had done the past few nights.

Of course, this would now end. Lord Blanchard was a very light sleeper, and there was no possible way Lady Ellen would be able to sneak out of their bedchambers undetected. Perhaps now that Lord Blanchard joined them, she would be given her own bedchambers, which would be more than ideal, but she was not optimistic of this happening.

Yet somehow, she would try to still find her way to the library.

***

Later that evening, while at dinner, Lady Ellen noticed Lord Kingston sitting at a table on the other side of the dining hall, boldly glancing at her for longer than usual. Lady Ellen bit her lower lip before lowering her gaze, so as not to make it obvious that her cheeks colored. She did not wish for either one of her parents to notice, or anyone in the dining hall, for that matter.

“My lady, are you feeling all right?” Lord Marshall inquired, and Lady Ellen glanced at him.

Lord Marshall was the youngest son of the Earl of Westwood, and he had been positioned opposite Lady Ellen and her family for dinner that evening. Lady Ellen was not well acquainted with him, but her father seemed to have developed a fondness for the young man.

“I am quite all right, my lord,” Lady Ellen answered, brushing him off subtly, not wishing to speak to him more than she needed to.

Lady Blanchard, who noticed the brief interaction between the two, glanced at Lady Ellen and her brow furrowed. She reached out her hand and pressed her hand against Lady Ellen’s cheek. Her hand was cold against Lady Ellen’s skin, and it was a welcoming relief.

“You feel rather warm, my dear. Do you wish to return to your bedchambers?”

“Perhaps I only require some air,” Lady Ellen uttered slowly.

“A wonderful idea,” Lady

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