His Yuletide Kiss by L Summer Hanford

Author:L Summer Hanford
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: sweet clean Christmas, christmas regency romance, sweet clean regency, summer hanford, yuletide, yuletide romance, yuletide regency
Publisher: Summer Hanford
Published: 2020-10-07T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

A vision. That’s what she was. The memory of whom, by dint of her simple kindness, had kept Arthur company throughout his months of mourning. And a vision who, gowned in pale green and topped with caramel curls above beguiling amber eyes, proved even more lovely in person than recollection. She brought her ostentatiously garbed younger brother with her, along with her mother and a stunning blonde, a younger version of that matriarch. Arthur bowed as they approached. Beside him, Lillian dropped a curtsy.

Arthur didn’t need to force warmth into his tone as he greeted them. “Mrs. Hayhurst, Mr. Hayhurst, Miss Hayhurst. A pleasure to see you all again. May I present my sister, Miss Lillian Garrick.”

Edward Hayhurst stepped forward to bow over Lillian’s hand. “Miss Garrick, we’re honored.”

“Thank you, sir,” Lillian murmured.

Arthur heard the relief in her tone. Lillian had grown increasingly nervous at their ostracization. It had pained him to see his little sister at her first ball, hope being replaced by confusion as no one approached.

“Miss Garrick,” Mrs. Hayhurst greeted. “How lovely to make your acquaintance. I do not believe either of you know my second eldest daughter, Christine?” Mrs. Hayhurst smiled at Lillian. “I think the two of you to be of an age.”

Arthur and Lillian greeted Daphne’s younger sister, Miss Christine’s reply proper but her tone lukewarm. Of all the Hayhursts, she alone appeared less than pleased to see them. Guessing by her bright gown and display of décolletage, Miss Christine was a young woman who intended to make somewhat of a spectacle of herself that Season. He could only hope, for Daphne’s sake, not too great a one.

“Has anyone claimed the next set yet, Miss Garrick?” Edward Hayhurst asked.

Lillian’s cheeks tinged pink. “No, Mr. Hayhurst. Not as of yet.”

“Well then, I would be honored if you would stand up with me.”

Lillian cast Arthur a quick, questioning look, to which he nodded his assent. She turned back to Hayhurst. “That would be pleasant. Thank you.”

Hayhurst grinned like a schoolboy.

Arthur wondered if he should stand out so he could best watch over his sister. Yet, he’d often wondered what it would be like to dance a real dance with Daphne, not a stolen one in a meadow. Deciding Lillian was safe enough with Hayhurst, Arthur offered Daphne a half bow. “And I would be honored if you would dance with me, Miss Hayhurst, and then you, Miss Christine.”

“Thank you,” Daphne said.

Was that genuine happiness in her voice? It pleased Arthur to think so. They fell into talk of the weather while they waited for the start of the next set. The ring of empty space about them closed. The Hayhursts, with their wealth and what Arthur had come to understand was a sterling reputation, carried weight among the ton. More so than Arthur could, with his few connections.

He watched Daphne converse with her family and his sister, enamored with the ease of her, the openness in her expressions. She did not tease or taunt, flirt, or work to beguile.

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