Penny’s Yuletide Wish: A Branches of Love Novella
Page 12
Penny brushed a tear away as it fell, then hurried to undo the clasp and put her necklace about her throat. “Thank you, Robert.” She pressed her palm over the berry and turned to face him, leaning in to kiss him more deeply.
The baby stirred, grumbling softly as babies did whenever they suspected their parents considered putting them down. Penny snuggled into her husband’s shoulder and gazed at him, her heart full in a way she never thought possible.
“What is it you wish for?” she asked her husband softly.
“Your happiness,” he answered easily, holding her close. “To grant all of your wishes for the rest of my life.”
Penny turned to look out the window where snow fell lightly across the pane. “I have everything I could ever wish for, right inside our home, with you.”
Between two Christmases, she had found love, become a wife, and a mother. She could not imagine a more perfect life for herself. This life was everything she wished for out in the cold that New Year’s morning. Penny’s yuletide wish had come true for all of them.
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End Notes
There are many who will debate what was and was not celebrated at Christmas and during Twelfth Night at this period in time. My advice to all is to not hold up a work of fiction, including this one, as an authority on the subject. Do as much research as you can to satisfy your curiosity, and in the end, recognize the spirit in which such a book is written.
For instance, many say Christmas trees were “not a thing” during this time in England, yet we know the royal family had trees, and people loved imitating royalty. There is also mention of a “tree” in the house at this time of year in a Jane Austen letter, and I found a few words about them in newspapers published in 1825, as well as mentions of “Father Christmas.”
I like to imagine that many of these traditions were celebrated as they are now, with diversity and each family making the celebration their own.
Merry Christmas, to one and all. However you celebrate this special time of year.
Acknowledgments
There are always many people to thank upon completing a book, no matter how long or short the story within the covers may be. This time, I want to thank the man who helped me learn that Christmas comes but once a year, yet every day can be Christmas in our hearts - my grandfather, Herbert Clyde Gormley. I miss you every day, Granddad.
Thank you to my dear friend Shaela Kay, who told me early on I was going the wrong way with the story and helped me create something magical instead of something mundane. She also created the beautiful cover of Penny in her red dress - thank you, Shaela.
Thank you to Joanna Barker, Arlem Hawks, Heidi Kimball, and Megan Walker for reading the first chapter (twice) and helping me get the beginning correct.
My fabulous editors, Jenny Proctor and Molly Holt, and my proofreader and assistant, Carri Flores, have helped me weed out errors and oddly phrased sentences. Thank you, ladies!
My handsome husband, Skye, thank you for keeping me supplied with hot chocolate and sweet kisses to inspire me. My loving and supportive children, thank you for giving me time to work and inviting me in to your time to play. I love you all, so much.
Also by Sally Britton
The Inglewood Series:
Book #1, Rescuing Lord Inglewood
Book #2, Discovering Grace
Book #3, Saving Miss Everly
Book #4, Engaging Sir Isaac
The Branches of Love Series:
Prequel Novella, Martha’s Patience
Book #1, The Social Tutor
Book #2, The Gentleman Physician
Book #3, His Bluestocking Bride
Book #4, The Earl and His Lady
Book #5, Miss Devon’s Choice
Book #6, Courting the Vicar’s Daughter
Book #7, Penny’s Yuletide Wish
Forever After:
The Captain and Miss Winter
Timeless Romance:
An Evening at Almack’s, Regency Collection 12
Entangled Inheritances:
His Unexpected Heiress