The Snow Birds by Jayne Fresina

Author:Jayne Fresina [Fresina, Jayne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Twisted E-Publishing

CHAPTER 7

Eight days before Christmas

She woke on Saturday feeling most unlike herself. Usually, a splash of icy cold water from the basin in her room was enough to wake her up good and proper, but today she lolled about under the quilt in a mood she could only describe as very lazy and intolerably silly. And the last thing she wanted was to wash her face, which still felt the warmth of his kisses.

Hazard Deverell had made a hussy out of her in the market square yesterday. Well… as much of a hussy as one could become, outdoors in a light snow, while bundled up against winter chill. Her nose must have been scarlet, which was never a pretty look for her, and yet he hadn’t cared.

He called her beautiful. Quite beautiful.

He wanted her in his bed. In any bed.

Shocking!

Would he come into the shop today? She had begun to look forward to it as if her very life depended on it, which could not possibly do her health any good. A person should not get so excited, or so reliant on the presence of another for her own happiness and contentment. Accidents could happen. People changed their minds. Hearts were as unpredictable as the weather.

There was no such thing as a couple destined to be together, whatever he said.

That was probably just his habitual charm; something he said to all women he fancied.

Her bedchamber door crashed open, and Maud’s heavy steps marched in.

“When might you deign to get up today, madam? We need you in the shop first thing. It’s the Ladies Church Guild trip into London today, so I’m off for a spot of shopping. It’s time I had a new hat and coat and there’s nothing to be got around here. What’s the matter with you? It’s not your monthlies, is it? No prizes to be got for that. It’s a burden we bear. Why are you skulking about in bed at this hour? This is no time to be sick, madam! Not with Christmas so near upon us.”

So she slowly and reluctantly unrolled herself from the quilt, got dressed, pinned up her hair and joined her father downstairs in the shop.

At least with Maud gone for the day, it would be just the two of them together. They would enjoy an extra mince pie with their tea, mid-morning, and not have to listen to Maud’s complaints about the extravagance. Thank goodness, she mused, for the Ladies Church Guild.

“You look very…pretty today, dear,” her father remarked in a tone of some surprise.

She patted his shoulder. “Your eyesight must be aging.”

He accepted her prognosis with a shrug and turned to greet the first customer of the day.

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