His Christmas Match (A Gentleman's Guide to Once Upon a Time)
Page 27
Phillipa looked up at Lady Jillian with a puzzled expression. “It is a beautiful painting and should be admired. Not hidden away.” Then she shook her head, “Though I understand why you would wish for no one to ever see it.”
“You admire it so much?” Lady Jillian asked in surprise.
“Yes,” Phillipa admitted. “But it is yours now, and I can only hope you don’t choose to destroy it.”
Lady Jillian studied her before a sad smile formed on her lips. “You may keep it.” She handed the painting back to Phillipa. “I only ask that it is never displayed where others can view it.”
Phillip grinned. “Thank you, and I promise nobody will ever see it.”
Lady Jillian gave a quick nod. “Then I hope it brings you pleasure.” With that she turned to face Noah and Rosalind. “I will inform my brother that we will be leaving. I wish you well.”
Noah drew Rosalind back into the parlor after Lady Jillian disappeared up the stairs, and Phillipa took the painting away. He closed the door and pulled Rosalind close. “We did it. I am free to marry you.”
Rosalind glanced up moved by the love that shown in his eyes. “I do feel sorry for Lady Jillian.”
“As much as I hate to admit it, so do I.”
She laid her head against Noah’s chest. “Perhaps one day she will find someone who does love her.”
Epilogue
Candlelight flickered throughout the chapel. It was Christmas Eve, and soon the pews would be full of residents attending midnight services. But at the moment, the front pews were filled with Noah’s family as well as Rosalind’s while the two stood before Vicar Grant. Penelope and Sandlin stood at their elbows to witness their union.
Meadows delivered the special license only five days earlier but did not remain so that he could return home to his family. Noah had wanted to be married at that moment, but Mrs. Grant insisted preparations needed to be made. The two would not share in a wedding breakfast, and as soon as the ceremony was complete, they would take their seats to attend services. Only after they returned home would Noah finally be alone with Rosalind, his wife.
“You may kiss her now,” Vicar Grant grinned.
Noah turned to Rosalind who smiled up at him. Happiness shown in her deep blue eyes. He lowered his mouth and kissed her tenderly as a bride should be kissed on her wedding day. Once they were alone tonight, however, the passion and desire that had been building since their night at the inn would finally be unleashed and sated. He might not allow her to leave their set of rooms until Twelfth Night had passed.
He pulled back and looked down at Rosalind again. Tears glistened in her eyes. “I love you,” she whispered.
“And I, you.”
Their family came to their feet surrounding the couple with congratulations. Phoebe pulled Noah to the side. “It appears you got your Christmas match after all.”
Noah laughed, his gaze never leaving his beautiful bride. Yes, he had his Christmas match and it was the best present any man could receive.
More titles from Jane Charles
A Gentleman’s Guide to Once Upon a Time Series
His Impetuous Debutante
His Contrary Bride
His (Not so) Sensible Miss
His Christmas Match
The Wiggons’ School for Elegant Young Ladies Series
To Walk in the Sun
To Love a Governess Series
Sacked – Regency Short
Handfasted – Regency Novella
Ruined – Regency Short
Anthologies
A Summons from His Grace – Compromised for Christmas
The Betting Season – Landing a Laird
A Season to Remember – Devil in Her Dreams
A Pact Between Gentlemen - Lady Disguised
The Tenacious Trents
Compromised for Christmas
A Misguided Lord
A Perfect Gentleman
A Lass for Christmas (Novella)
A Reluctant Rake
Lady Revealed
Lady Disguised (A Pact Between Gentlemen)
Compilations
Scots, Spies and Salacious Lies
Timeless Collection
Titles by Amy De Trempe
Loving Lydia
Pure is the Heart
The Healing Tree
She Talked (Short Story)
High Court of Love (Short Story)
About Jane
Jane Charles has lived in the Midwest her entire life. As a child she would more likely be found outside with a baseball than a book in her hand. In fact, Jane hated reading until she was sixteen. Out of boredom on a long road trip she borrowed her older sister’s historical romance and fell in love. She long ago lost count of how many fiction novels she has read over the years and her love for them never died. Along with romance she has a passion for history and the two soon combined when she penned her first historical romance. What turned into a hobby became a passion, which has been fully supported by her husband, three children and three cats.
JaneCharlesAuthor.com
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