She ate heartily, despite his presence, unable to help herself. Once she had her fill, she asked to be excused, and he followed after her.
"Are you—"
"I am quite fine." But she could not help flinching when he reached toward her arm.
"You are not." Compassion shone in his blue-green eyes, as well as another emotion.
Tears prickled her eyes. "I apologize for any offense—"
"Apologize? Offense? My dear Eliza, what are you speaking about?"
She swallowed hard. They were not identical, and yet they did resemble one another enough that she wanted away from him.
He seemed to understand, giving a decisive nod. "Hide away for two days. Until Christmas Eve. Then I would ask, beg even, for you to grant me your presence some. Carolers, the Yule log, perhaps a game or two. Snapdragon? Or any you wish. Only do not push me away."
Again she swallowed, this time with less difficulty. "Yes. Yes, I can do that."
And so she spent her time away, trying to sort through her feelings and lingering fright. She caught glimpses of him here and there, but he never once approached her, and she found herself wishing he would. Lying in bed, she found herself thinking of him and even wondering what married life to him would be like.
Christmas Eve was a wonderful day. Eliza finally threw herself back into living again, feeling reborn. When the clock struck midnight, the two of them were alone, Barrow and her mother, who had hardly left her side, gone. Stephen tentatively took her hand, and it happened without conscious thought. She kissed him, fire and heat warming every inch of her body. No longer did she see the other, only him, and the first seeds of love.
Before they could be overcome by passion—they were, after all, in the drawing room—he escorted her up to her room. Her father waited there. He gave the duke a nod, but before he could say anything, Stephen wished them a good night and walked away.
"My daughter." Her father's hug nearly crushed her.
"Papa." Her smile widened.
He searched her eyes. "Do you wish for this? To marry him?"
"I do," she said immediately. "I do wish to. Papa, I am sorry I did not tell you as soon as I learned of the imposter, the two of them—"
"I knew. And if you and he still wish to wed, I, of course, give my blessing."
And so, two days after Christmas, as they had planned at their first meeting, the two were wed. After a perfect Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and now wedding day, Eliza knew she did not need more time to fall in love with this man, the true Duke of Wyndale. And from his never-failing smile, he obviously felt the same.
From the Christmas roses in her hair to her elegant new white muslin gown trimmed with silver lace with matching lace sleeves and soft blue silk shawl, nothing about her appearance was similar to her near ruination of a wedding.
Before Stephen kissed her, his lips hovered above hers. "I do love you," he murmured.
Her heart skipped a beat. "And I you."
That kiss put to shame all of their previous ones, alight with happiness, love, and joy to the world, for the rest of their lives.
The End
About Nicole Zoltack
Nicole Zoltack loves to write romances. When she's not writing about gentlemen and their ladies, knights, or superheroes, she spends time with her growing family. She enjoys riding horses (pretending they're unicorns, of course!) and visiting the PA Renaissance Faire. She'll also read anything she can get her hands on.
Website and Blog: http://NicoleZoltack.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorNicoleZoltack
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NicoleZoltack
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/NicoleZoltack/
Other books by Nicole Zoltack
The Test of Time
Regular girl plus Regency lord equals complicated love life, especially when unpredictable time travel is involved.
Love Before Honor
The story of a medieval knight, a Regency lady, and the magical Christmas that brings them together.
Masked Love
A maid and a lord fall in love at a masquerade ball… only he is betrothed to her lady.
Starry Love
Elizabeth loves a stable hand, but will she be forced to spend her starry nights with another?
Bloodlust
The forbidden love story of a barbarian princess and a goliath.
Woman of Honor, Book I in the Kingdom of Arnhem trilogy
A young girl struggles to become a lady knight and falls in love with the crowned prince despite herself.
Knight of Glory, Book II in the Kingdom of Arnhem trilogy
A knight finds himself torn between two very different women, as he attempts to save Arnhem from war.
Champion of Valor, Book III in the Kingdom of Arnhem trilogy
Despite war encompassing the world, a selkie and a mage try to find a way to be together.
Black Hellebore, Book I in the Heroes of Falledge trilogy
Becoming a superhero. Fighting a supervillain. Falling for his deceased girlfriend's twin. Nicholas Adam's life will never be the same.
White Hellebore, Book II in the Heroes of Falledge trilogy
New challenges. New villains. A second chance with his first love. Any happiness Nicholas Adams forged is now in jeopardy.
Scarlet Magi, Book III in the Heroes of Falledge trilogy
A new heroic witch tries to find her place in a world she no longer recognizes.
Thanks for reading!
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You can find bonus vignettes and extra on dits from the characters in these novellas on the Bluestocking Belles' website at:
www.BluestockingBelles.com/category/holiday-box-set-bonus/
About the Bluestocking Belles
The Bluestocking Belles' books carry you into the past for your happy-ever-after. When you have turned the last pages of our novels and novellas, keep up with us (and other historical romance authors) in the Teatime Tattler, a Regency scandal sheet, and join in with the characters you love for impromptu storytelling in the Bluestocking Bookshop on Facebook. Also, look for online games and contests and monthly book chats, and find us at BellesInBlue on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Come visit at www.BluestockingBelles.com and kick up your bluestockinged heels!
Website and The Teatime Tattler: www.BluestockingBelles.com
Newsletter: www.BluestockingBelles.com/Newsletter
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/BellesInBlue
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/BellesInBlue
Pinterest: www.Pinterest.com/BellesInBlue
The Bluestocking Bookshop Online Storytelling Game:
www.Facebook.com/groups/BluestockingBookshop
The Belles' Brigade Street Team: www.Facebook.com/groups/BellesBrigade
About the Malala Fund
In 2014, Malala Yousafzai, co-founder of the Malala Fund, became the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, at the age of seventeen. After surviving a near-fatal attack by Taliban, meant to silence her activism on behalf of girls' education, Malala made it her mission to "raise awareness of the social and economic impact of girls' education and to empower girls to raise their voices, to unlock their potential, and to demand change."
The Bluestocking Belles lend our support to this cause, which exemplifies our personal values and intentions: the right of girls and women to do whatever they choose with their lives.
www.MalalaFund.org
The Bluestocking Belles' secure fundraising page:
www.classy.org/BluestockingBelles
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Mistletoe, Marriage, and Mayhem: A Bluestocking Belles Collection Page 46