Tomorrow she would consider the consequences.
Tonight she just wanted to feel.
As the kiss grew deeper, Pleasant tumbled onto Cornell’s lap. She straddled him as he sat on the floor and pushed his jacket off of his broad shoulders. He was still fully dressed from the service, but it didn’t take her long to divest him of his waistcoat, cravat and shirt. After he was naked from the waist up, she ran her hands over his biceps, the firelight playing over his muscular arms, his skin still bronzed from his days on board a ship. Even the light patch of dark hair across his chest was permanently lightened from the sun.
She trailed her fingertips over his firm abdomen, but when they would have gone farther, past the waistband of his trousers, he stopped her with a hand on her wrist.
“This doesn’t seem quite fair, my lady,” he purred. “I have yet to touch you.”
For reply, Pleasant reached around and began to unfasten her gown. Growing up without a ladies’ maid to attend her, it had been necessary to don clothes that were easy to put on. And take off.
She stood and allowed the dress to fall to the floor in a puddle of fabric at her feet. She watched as Cornell’s nostrils flared when his gaze settled on the silk stockings. She had worn her plain undergarments that day, but added the stockings as a last minute comfort. A part of her couldn’t seem to let go of the little luxuries to be had in life.
However, now she was glad she’d kept them on, for Cornell lifted his hand and slowly trailed it up her leg, taking the hem of her chemise with him, stopping only when the top of the stocking ended at her thigh. His eyes darkened to the color of a deep forest when he touched her bare skin. “Beautiful,” he whispered.
And then he dared to place his mouth on the apex between her legs.
Her gasp of surprise quickly turned into a moan, as all of her senses were suddenly concentrated on that single area, and the wicked things he was doing to her. She threw her head back in abandon and clutched his head with her hands.
Then, as if she was plunged into a warm abyss, her body trembled, and pleasure unlike anything she’d ever felt before washed over her.
She was still glowing inwardly, floating from the heavens on a cloud of ecstasy when Cornell pulled her back down to him. He positioned her so that she straddled him once again, a leg on either side of his torso. She didn’t know when he’d unbuttoned his trousers, but she felt the hardness of his manhood as it nudged her opening.
“You’re glorious,” he murmured, and then he thrust upward.
Pleasant bit her lip as a brief burning pain replaced the enjoyment she’d felt moments ago, but when Cornell drew her forward and kissed her, the unpleasantness started to recede. When he pulled down a section of her undergarments and bent down to draw her nipple into his mouth she forgot the discomfort completely.
Once he grasped her hips and began to move at a steady, even pace, that same intensity began to build again.
“Cornell…” she gasped, knowing she was close to the edge of oblivion.
He gently bit the curve where her neck met her left shoulder and murmured, “Let go, my love.”
And she did.
***
If there had ever been any doubt in his mind that Pleasant was the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, after tonight, he had never been more certain of anything else. But honestly, he’d known all along she was the one.
Just as Xavier claimed he had known the moment he’d set eyes on Althea, the same had been true for Cornell. He’d just been too stubborn at the time to see it.
Either way, he’d never imagined that a simple sign advertising for an apprentice would have led to this. From the moment Pleasant entered his shop, she’d changed his entire mindset. If it hadn’t been for her gentle nudging, he might have never attempted to have a relationship with Xavier, or to get to know his brother’s wonderful family.
Holding Pleasant in his arms, he wanted nothing more than to confess his heart, but when it came to a proposal, she deserved a romantic gesture, not an abrupt confession when they were half-dressed.
She looked absolutely breathtaking, her face flushed with her long red hair falling down her back. For so long he’d imagined just this moment, and he couldn’t wait until the day he could finally call her his wife. He gently kissed her lips and lifted her so that she was sitting beside him.
He stood and fastened his trousers, and then grabbed his shirt and drew it over his head. While he was donning the rest of his clothes, Pleasant said, “You’re not staying?”
He paused and bent down to her level, where she was still sitting on the floor. He touched a finger to her full lips. “Sunday is Christmas Eve. I still have a few orders to fulfill before then. If I stay, I fear you’d be too much of a distraction.”
That earned him a small smile. “I suppose you’re right. I have the rest of the dress orders to complete.” But then she sighed. “I have no idea what might happen to us after the holidays.”
He kissed her forehead and stood. “Don’t you know that sometimes… Christmas miracles can occur?”
“In my experience,” she returned sadly. “Those only exist in fairy tales or novels.”
He lifted a brow as he shrugged on his greatcoat. “Then perhaps it’s time you start believing in them.”
With one last wink, he left.
***
For the next two days, Pleasant sewed until her fingers ached, but at least all of the orders that her mother had commissioned for Madame Caron were finished. She might not be as talented a seamstress as Aine had been, but as she held up an elegant, red satin gown, she was proud of her handiwork. Surely the modiste could find no fault in them.
Honestly, she was surprised she could concentrate on anything, for her mind kept drifting to Cornell and the blissful night they had shared together. She would find that her needle would be in the middle of making a stitch, while her focus was staring off at some point in space. It was almost strange to think of “Mr. Reed” as her lover, the transition from her employer to something much more taking her quite unaware. She still wasn’t sure how to process it all. It was almost as if she’d dreamt that night, if it hadn’t been for the slight soreness between her legs the next morning.
But then, Niall had suffered far worse the following day, unable to even keep water down. Pleasant had sat beside him and comforted him through the worst, until he had finally turned to her with a miserable expression. “I’m sorry, Pea.”
Since then, his attitude had become much more contrite, and he’d finally gone back to sweeping chimneys with Connor.
Without anyone to watch Fiona, Pleasant took her to the dressmaker’s shop. As they walked inside, Madame Caron offered them both a sincere smile. “I was terribly sorry to hear of your mother’s passing.”
“Thank you,” Pleasant returned as she handed over the gowns. “I finished the dresses. I hope these are acceptable.”
The Madame held up the four gowns with a critical eye, inspecting each one carefully. Finally, she nodded. “Very good work, Miss Hill.” She reached into her reticule and handed Pleasant a few coins. “This was the price Mrs. Hill and I had agreed upon.”
Pleasant glanced at the handful of coins, and then shoved them into her pocket. She knew it would last only a short time before they were in dire straits once more. And now, without the income of the apprenticeship, and having dismissed all of her laundry clients, she wasn’t certain how she might make ends meet. Swallowing her pride, she asked, “Do you have any more work that I could do?”
Madame’s mouth turned down at the corners. “I’m afraid after the holidays, the demand for dresses is rather slim. Of course, once the Season begins, the shop will be flooded with new orders. I’m sure I could use your help then.”
Pleasant’s spirits sank. The London Season wouldn’t begin until the spring, several months away. She couldn’t wait that long to try to find some steady income.
She murmured her thanks and took Fiona’s hand, turni
ng to go, but then Madame brightened and said, “If you see Mr. Reed, let him know that his order will be complete this evening.”
Pleasant glanced back with a frown. “I’m afraid that I had to quit my position at the shop.”
The lady waved a hand, suddenly distressed. “Oh, of course! Then don’t concern yourself. I shall send a messenger over shortly.”
Pleasant’s mind was whirling as she exited the shop. What could Cornell be ordering from the modiste? She instantly had an image of another woman on his arm; perhaps even one of Madame LeFleur’s girls, but then dismissed it just as quickly.
Cornell cared for her, didn’t he? She surely hadn’t imagined it when he’d called her “my love” and caressed her so tenderly?
She stopped in the middle of the sidewalk while pedestrians jostled her and grumbled as they passed. It was almost like the day she had seen the sign in the cordwainer’s window and thought it was the answer to her prayers. Now, she couldn’t help but wonder if she hadn’t just made a terrible error in judgment.
Cornell might be illegitimate, but he was still the son of an earl. The same, blue blood that ran through Lord Haverton’s veins was in his. He might not be able to marry a viscount’s sister someday, but surely he could court someone who was more worthy than a cobbler’s daughter, a woman who had already given him her virtue with no thought to the future.
She inhaled sharply as she pressed a hand to her stomach. What if she was already carrying his child?
There was a gentle tug on her hand. “Pea? Are you sick?”
Pleasant glanced down at her little sister’s concerned face and summoned a smile. “Let’s make a stop at the butcher’s before we go home, shall we?”
Fiona’s eyes instantly widened. “I thought Mama always said meat was too expensive?”
Pleasant lifted her chin. “Well, I promised you that we would have a Christmas to remember, and I intend to keep my word.”
The price might be too high to pay, but even if she had to cover the cost by selling her body at Madame LeFleur’s establishment, she intended to honor that vow she’d made.
Her siblings deserved that much from her.
***
Pleasant inhaled the scents of cinnamon, apple cider, and baked ham as she laid the main course on the table for supper that Christmas Eve. For the first time in years, their modest lodgings smelled festive and the eager faces of her siblings made it all worthwhile.
She’d even dressed for the occasion like a true hostess, donning her green, satin dress and her fine underclothes. For this one, brief moment in time, they would enjoy a holiday without the burden of toil, and the worry about what lay around the corner.
That afternoon, after they’d left the butcher’s shop, Pleasant had purchased more greenery to drape about the fireplace. Although she couldn’t fit a Yule log in the small grate, she’d added more coal, and there was a larger fire burning than usual. She had even managed to fashion an actual kissing bough with the sprig of mistletoe, which had been above the front door, along with some of the leftover evergreen, a few apples, and several candles in the middle, which were lit. The ball hung from a string over the mantel where three, brown paper-wrapped packages sat on the floor, waiting to be opened the next morning.
And although Cornell had promised to come by that day, he still hadn’t made an appearance. While his absence broke her heart, Pleasant did her best to hide her true feelings from her siblings. She would not take that joy away from them when that was all that mattered to her.
Just as they were about to sit down for dinner, there was a knock at the door. Pleasant’s heart instantly leapt, expecting to see Cornell, but when she opened the door, she was surprised to see Lord Haverton and his family on the other side. “Miss Hill,” he bowed in his true, lordly fashion. “May we come in?”
“Of course, my lord.” She moved aside so that they could enter. Louisa and Frederick instantly went to join her siblings. “We were just getting ready to eat. Won’t you join us?”
“Only if we might contribute,” Lady Haverton commented as she gestured to the coachman, who stepped down and brought in several packages. The last of which was something that smelled entirely delightful. “Yorkshire pudding,” she announced with a conspiratorial smile.
As they were removing their outerwear, the earl glanced around. “Has my brother not yet arrived?”
Some of Pleasant’s merriment dimmed. “No. He’s not here.”
“Hmm. That’s rather odd,” he muttered. “I thought he said—” He was interrupted by another knock at the door. “Ah. That must be him now.”
Without giving Pleasant a chance to move, he crossed the room and opened the door. Pleasant’s heart thudded against her chest when she saw Cornell’s familiar face. And after a brief greeting for the earl, his green gaze shifted and caught hers. As he took in her attire, they visibly twinkled, and her body heated in response.
He removed his outerwear and she saw that he was wearing the same finery as well. He glanced around the room as he walked toward her, completely handsome and devilishly charming. He stopped and offered her an apologetic grin. “Sorry I’m late. I had a few things to take care of.”
“You’re here now,” she returned. “That’s all that matters.”
He offered his arm to her. “Shall we eat?” he asked.
Dinner was filled with fun-filled conversation and laughter. Once they were happily satisfied, they returned to the modest sitting area where a multitude of packages awaited. They all took a seat where they could, and as her siblings excitedly tore into the packages, Pleasant’s eyes filled with tears at the generosity from Lord and Lady Haverton.
When Fiona opened her gift to find a new doll, Louisa remarked, “Papa thought Fi should have a brand new doll instead of one of my old ones. I agreed.”
Pleasant laughed as the boys also opened presents amid similar, jubilant smiles, and she couldn’t help that Cornell was right.
It truly was a Christmas miracle.
Once the merriment had simmered down somewhat, Cornell rose to his feet. He brought Pleasant with him to stand before the mantel. As they stood underneath the kissing bough, he addressed the assembled. “I’m sure you all know that, for the past three weeks, this woman has been my apprentice. She is quite skilled at the trade, and I fear that someday, she might actually teach me a thing or two.”
Pleasant smiled amid a few chuckles. But when he turned to face her, her breathing stuttered. And when he dropped down on one knee, she couldn’t stop a gasp from escaping. He withdrew a small box from his jacket pocket and opened the lid. “Miss Hill, you have taught me what it means to be an honorable man. I may have fought in numerous battles for king and country, but it was you who showed me what it truly means to be a man, and what the power of love and forgiveness can do. Will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?”
A sob escaped from her throat, but she managed to nod and answer with a rather squeaky, “Yes!” He rose to his feet and slipped the exquisite, emerald ring on her finger.
She threw her arms around him and kissed him unabashedly in front of their entire family. “I love you, Cornell,” she sighed happily.
“I’m glad to hear it,” he drawled. “And so will Madame Caron when she delivers your trousseau.”
She looked at him with sudden understanding. “That was your order?”
“You dared to think otherwise?” he teased, and then he brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “I love you, Pleasant.” He glanced up at the kissing bough and looked back at her with genuine affection shining from his eyes. “And I promise that I always will.”
Epilogue
One year later…
Galway, Ireland
“When are they going to get here?” Fiona asked impatiently.
“Stop whining.” Niall rolled his eyes, but there was a decided twitch to his mouth.
Fi turned on him with a mutinous glare. “Louisa is my friend!” She pointed an accusing finger at Conne
r. “And I know he’s excited to see Freddy. He writes to him as much as I do Louisa.”
“That may be true.” Niall shrugged. “But at least he doesn’t look like a lost puppy dog with its nose pressed against the glass.”
“Must you all bicker constantly?” Three pairs of eyes turned to their elder sister. Pleasant was sitting in the parlor with her siblings, crocheting a pair of booties for the child that would arrive any day. But at her rebuking tone, her siblings fell silent.
“Sorry, Pea,” they grumbled in unison.
But the moment the sound of a carriage could be heard rumbling along the drive, they all jumped to their feet and ran out the door, even Niall, who nearly ran his brother-in-law over in the doorway.
“Whoa!” Cornell laughed as he shook his head and joined his wife on the settee. “Someone is excited about Lord and Lady Haverton’s visit.”
Pleasant rolled her eyes as she set aside her project. Cornell wrapped his arm around her shoulders and she snuggled into her husband’s embrace. The familiar, comforting scents of evergreen and cinnamon floated on the air, and she thought of how far they had come in just twelve months. The time seemed endless, and yet it had flown by. While this time of year would always be bittersweet because of her stepmother’s death, she was thankful for the new life that would soon make an appearance.
“It was rather generous of your brother to sign over this cottage to us as a wedding gift, although I still find it hard some days to imagine that I’m truly back in Ireland.” As she spoke, she could hear the waves crashing against the emerald coast beyond and felt well and truly… content.
“I don’t,” he returned dryly. “For your accent is becoming more pronounced.”
“Is it?” she pondered. “I hadn’t noticed.”
He kissed her temple. “While here I notice everything about you, my love.”
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