Three Mistletoe Kisses by Sandra Sookoo

Author:Sandra Sookoo
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Regency romance, sweet romance, Christmas romance, holiday romance, Hallmark style romance, second chance romance, family, humor, mistletoe, duke, earl, Home for the Holidays series, series romance
Publisher: New Independence Books
Published: 2021-11-16T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

December 20, 1818

E

xcitement buzzed at the base of Stephen’s spine as he made the rounds of Ivy Castle in the hunt of Lynette. Not finding her in the usual places, he stopped a maid in the corridor. Her arms were full of bed linens no doubt headed to launder.

“Do you know the whereabouts of Mrs. Hodgins?”

The young, petite girl looked at him with wide eyes and an expression that said she’d be sacked if seen loitering with one of the duke’s sons. “I would have no idea, my lord. I haven’t seen her today.”

“Where is Lady Ruddick?” A shudder racked his shoulders thinking about that lady’s acerbic tongue.

“The morning room, my lord.” She edged away.

“Thank you.” Best to beard the lion in its den first, to put her on notice. It took all of thirty seconds to reach the morning room. Winter sunlight streamed in through the windows where Lady Ruddick sat with a fashion periodical in her lap while lightly dozing. He cleared his throat rather loudly as he approached.

The woman startled awake, clutching at her shawl with one hand and the magazine with the other. “Ah, Lord Tilbury. What brings you here this afternoon? I rather thought you’d be with the decorating party.”

Ah yes, today Mother had planned for everyone to band together and deck the halls of Ivy Castle with the greenery gathered from yesterday’s outings. He cared not for any of that, with the exception of mistletoe placement.

“I’m afraid I haven’t the skill for such.” Stephen clasped his hands behind his back as her regarded the older woman. Faint lines framed her mouth, as if she spent a fair amount of time with her lips puckered in distaste and disdain, which might be true. Lady Ruddick didn’t much care for anyone or anything that didn’t directly benefit her. “I’m glad to see that you and Lynette accepted my mother’s invitation to linger here for the house party.”

“Yes, well, it wouldn’t be proper manners to outright refuse a duchess, now would it?”

He couldn’t decide if she was bitter about it or just stating a plain fact. “I suppose not, but at least here you needn’t pay for a fire or food, and you don’t lack for company.”

“Hmph.” She waved a hand as it didn’t matter. “What do you know about it?”

“Only that the taxes haven’t been paid on Birch House for a few years, that your coffers are bare, and that you expect your daughter to rescue you from ruin.” He might be a cad for mentioning her troubles, but he wanted her to know that he was aware of them. “She has her own life, Lady Ruddick.”

The baroness glared. Her beady dark eyes flashed much like a cornered rat. “Lynette knows where her responsibilities lie.”

“That may be so, but she is also here on my mother’s invitation, and she should enjoy herself during the festivities instead of working herself into a frenzy of nerves about your affairs.” He glanced about the immediate area. From the

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