Wagering on Christmas by Sandra Sookoo

Author:Sandra Sookoo
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Christmas romance, holiday romance, Christmastide, Regency romance, Thieves of the Ton, aristocrat, titled hero, viscount hero, second chance at love, second chance romance, wagers, family, Sandra Sookoo
Publisher: New Independence Books
Published: 2019-10-28T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

The rain continued much of the afternoon, and since Colin didn’t fancy attempting muddy, rutted roads and perhaps rendering the coach stuck or breaking a wheel, he consented to linger, making use of their private dining room to relax. If they continued on later in the evening, they could still reach the next posting inn at midnight and remain on schedule to reach Lancaster Hall by Christmas Eve night.

Plenty of time to still win his father’s wager.

But the biggest surprise of the day was the congenial companionship the three of them enjoyed that afternoon, almost as if after clearing the air of his excess emotions it had somehow started them over with a fresh slate. He marveled, even speculated when, upon the times he’d caught Lucy’s eye, she offered him tentative smiles. Perhaps she didn’t hate him or think less of him as he’d previously thought she might.

He didn’t know how to feel about the change, but he wasn’t going to argue with it.

Colin sat reading a copy of The Times by the fire while Lucy taught Ellen how to embroider, which had required him to sacrifice another handkerchief. He hadn’t minded, for it afforded him the opportunity to see the ladies interact.

With their heads together and the firelight flashing off the embroidery needles and the ring of their laughter rendering a cheerful atmosphere to the shabby room, the walls around his heart cracked and began to crumble. This is what Ellen needed in her life, this gentle guidance and leading, this subtle encouragement on how to be an effective and helpful member of society, for among the conversation, Lucy provided quiet instruction on how a young lady should deport herself and act once achieving her Come Out.

Then his mind jogged to unmet dreams. Ellen could have been their child if fate hadn’t become skewed. Colin laid down his paper and stared at the two ladies, unseeing. What were Lucy’s children like? Did they resemble her or Jacob? An ache in his heart flared and he absently rubbed the skin above that organ. Jacob, his best friend and the man he’d never forgiven. What an arse he’d been over the years. It hadn’t been Jacob’s fault Lucy fell in love with him after Colin had acted like a spoiled fool.

If he had the opportunity to live those years differently, would he? In all honesty, probably not, for his stubborn determination had gained him a fortune in his own right. Those risks Lucy couldn’t envision sprouting into solid investments had landed him on solid footing, and he’d never once needed to rely upon his father’s coffers or his charity.

When Ellen’s trill of laughter echoed, followed by the more rich and full chuckles from Lucy, a sigh escaped him. He glanced at her, caught the gay flash in her eyes, the flush of the fire on her cheeks, the curve of her lips as she smiled at Ellen’s handiwork, he stifled a sigh. Lucy had grown into beauty as the years had marched on.

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