Duncan’s Christmas: The Victorian Highlanders Prequel by St. Clair Ellie

Author:St. Clair, Ellie
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Prairie Lily Press
Published: 2021-05-27T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

“What’s going on with you?”

Jane looked toward the bed, where Mary was considerably less pale today, thank goodness.

“What are you talking about?” Jane asked as innocently as she could.

Mary tilted her head and pursed her lips.

“Come now, Jane. There is no one in this world who knows you better than I do, and I can tell that you are… on edge.”

“Not at all,” Jane said with a soft smile. “I am simply doing all I can to ensure you are well.”

“I thought you said there was nothing to worry about.”

Jane bit her lip. In her attempt to hide any of her thoughts regarding Duncan she had chosen the wrong excuse, for the last thing she wanted was for Mary to worry.

“You’re right. There isn’t — so long as you continue to eat and drink when you can. The greatest risk to you and the baby right now is that you do not take in all that you need.”

“Try telling that to my stomach,” Mary muttered, and Jane crossed the room with a glass of water in hand and gave it to Mary, who reluctantly tipped it against her lips. “I feel much better today, Janey, I promise.”

Jane smiled at the use of her childhood name. “I’m glad to hear it.”

“Now,” Mary said with a pointed look, “out with it. Does whatever is concerning you have anything to do with Duncan?”

“Duncan?” Jane asked, swallowing hard. “Why ever would you think that?”

“Because you have been avoiding him for the past few days, and anytime you hear his voice or someone mentions his name, your face turns red. What happened?”

“Nothing,” Jane mumbled, hoping that Mary would leave it be, but once Mary was onto something, she refused to let it go. Add that to Mary being quite bored…

“Jane.”

“Very well,” Jane said with a sigh. “We may have… shared a kiss.”

“Ah, yes,” Mary said triumphantly, “so I heard.”

“You knew?” Jane exclaimed, and Mary nodded smugly.

“I did. I was wondering how long it would take you to share the story with me.”

“Who told you?”

“Amelia. She was quite concerned about what Mr. McDougall was doing to you.”

Jane winced.

“Yes. Well. I am fine as it happens.”

Mary smiled impishly. “And now?”

“Now what?” Jane asked with a shrug. “I haven’t spoken to him since.”

“Jane!”

“What?” Jane asked defensively. “You broke off your engagement without even telling him!”

“Yes, but I was not the one who created such a relationship to begin with,” Mary said, her nose in the air. “From the sounds of it, you were a willing participant in this kiss.”

“I was,” Jane said with a sigh.

“So?” Mary prodded.

“I don’t know!” Jane said, flinging her hands in the air. “To him, it was likely nothing of note. But even if it was… Mary, not only was he engaged to marry you, but he kidnapped me, thinking I was you! That is hardly the ideal beginnings of a relationship.”

“Ah, so you are thinking of a relationship!” Mary said with a grin, and Jane could only roll her eyes.

“You’re impossible.”

“But you love me anyway.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.