“Pippa?” The question in his single word was clear.
“I love you, too,” she confessed. “I think I’ve known since you walked through my front door—all furious and drenched. Long before our kiss.”
His brow pulled tight, and Pippa laughed. Any remaining chill left her body as the heat from Lucas took hold.
“We kissed,” she said again, but it did not seem to clarify anything for him. “Do you not think this means something?”
“I do not know what that signifies,” he said, settling his hands on her hips and placing a kiss just below her ear. “But I am happy that something was working in our favor all this time.”
“A Christmas kiss certainly means something…does it not? One does not kiss someone they have no designs on.” She leaned into him, allowing him to place a trail of kisses down her neck.
“If it were my choice, we’d be wed before this Christmastide, my lady,” Lucas said, pulling back.
Pippa moaned, immediately missing the warmth of his lips on her. “Truly? It is I you want and not Lady Natalie?”
“I had never set eyes on the lady before today,” he said, giving in and placing his lips to her neck once more. “It is you I want—you I need.”
“I am yours, Lucas.”
The sway of the carriage ceased, and Pippa knew they’d arrived at her home. She feared the connection between them would also stop, but Lucas did not release her, even after the coachman had opened the door and cleared his throat to gain their attention—and bring to their notice the improper nature of their position.
“I haven’t a ring, nor am I asking in the proper way. But, Lady Pippa,” he said, staring into her eyes, his longing shining through. “Will you marry me and return the beat of my heart?”
“After all you’ve shared—your past and the secrets that kept you from being yourself—there is nothing I want more than to be your wife.” After all Lucas had lived through, all of his misguided guilt and anguish over his brother’s death, and the ability of two parents to completely neglect their remaining son so completely that he’d blamed himself for nearly two decades, he’d survived—banished his darkness to live in the light with her.
“I only have one last question.”
Pippa’s back stiffened at his words. “What is it?”
“Do you think your mother will accept my help in the kitchen?” he asked. “We have a feast to prepare.”
Pippa laughed, shaking off the last of the cold from her time outside. “I think she will love to have you with us for Christmastide…just as much as I.”
She leaned in once more and pressed her lips to his, unsure when they’d have another opportunity for a moment of privacy.
“Shall we?” he asked, lifting her from his lap and stepping down from the carriage. She took his proffered hand and stepped onto the snow-covered drive.
She nodded, taking in the look of her family land—a thickening layer of snow concealed the ground for as far as she could see. The limbs of the trees separating her land from Lady Natalie’s were heavy with fresh white powder.
Nothing was as she’d expected—but her Christmastide promised to be the most perfect holiday yet.
Epilogue
“Is your mother still irritated at my skill with pie crusts?” Lucas asked as the final door closed behind them, and they started the walk back to their waiting carriage. “It is a natural talent, I swear.”
Pippa laughed, her cheeks aching from the continuous laughter that had surrounded her and her new husband for most of the day. “My mother is intelligent enough to know that you convinced Cook to give you lessons over the last year.”
“The duchess knows?” Lucas asked, surprised.
Pippa turned a hard stare on him. “Of course, she knows. She knows all that transpires under her roof.”
Pippa and her mother had found much laughter in discovering that Lucas had been slipping Cook extra coin for lessons in baking.
“Does she know of our kiss this morning over our breakfast meal?” He stopped walking and turned to Pippa, his brow raised. “What about our intimate moment in the snow-covered garden after supper last night?”
Pippa swatted his arm at his mocking, wide-eyed look as if they were school-aged youths caught kissing when their tutor’s back was turned. “Come now, we are married—respectably wed, but I assure you, the entire house is abuzz with talk of our love match.”
“I am afraid no one in all of England is removed from word of our love.” Lucas winked at her, and they continued walking. “Your father took out a full-page ad in the Post to announce our betrothal. Even my father had to admit he was wrong with pushing me to marry another.”
Pippa looked toward their waiting carriage as she thought of all that had changed in the last year. She was wed to a man most worthy, who cherished her for who she was and never sought to change her. He’d even joined her in delivering gifts to the village children, and helped her mother with the mincemeat pies. The weather was mild for Christmas day, but the ground was blanketed in the snow that’d fallen during the night. She was outfitted in a warm, woolen coat with a matching muff—a gift from her new family, the Marquis and Marchioness of Bowmont. Lucas wore a coat of the same color but tailored in a much manlier pattern.
They’d spent many hours discussing their pasts and what they wanted for their future—not futures because they planned to share only one.
They’d even received an invitation to join Natalie and her new husband for dinner when they journeyed to London after their holiday with Pippa’s parents.
And to think, it had all been made possible because of a love story Pippa was most familiar with…
“After you, Lady Maddox,” Lucas said, pulling the carriage door open to reveal a small holly wreath complete with a sprig of mistletoe tied high over the top of the carriage ceiling. “What is all this?”
Pippa didn’t believe the astonishment in his tone at the sight of the greenery hung so precariously within her family’s carriage.
“Will you deny me a kiss, my lady?” he asked when she didn’t immediately step into his waiting embrace. “I do not think we should tempt the Christmastide fates by denying them a kiss.”
“I would never dream of denying you—or the fates—anything, my dear lord.”
Without another thought, Pippa stepped into her husband’s waiting arms, rose to her tiptoes, and placed her lips against his.
Somewhere in the distance, Pippa heard several female sighs—the village women had gathered to watch the Earl of Maddox claim his Christmastide kiss from his new wife.
* * *
To learn more about Lady Natalie and her story, please read:
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How to Kiss A Rogue, Regency Novella
By Amanda Mariel
Coming November 1, 2016
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Available now from Christina McKnight
A Lady Forsaken Series
Shunned No More, Book One
Forgotten No More, Book Two
Scorned Ever More, Book Three
Christmas Ever More, Book Four
Hidden No More, Book Five
A Lady Forsaken Box Set (Books 1-5)
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Standalone Novella
The Siege of Lady Aloria, a de Wolfe Pack Novella
A Kiss At Christmastide: Regency Novella
* * *
Craven House Series
The Thief Steals Her Earl, Book One
Coming Soon
Craven House Series
The Mistress Enchants Her Marquis, Book Two
The Madame Catches Her Duke, Book Three
The Gambler Wagers Her Baron, Book Four
* * *
Lady Archer’s Creed Series
Theodora by Christina McKnight
Georgina by Amanda Mariel
Adeline by Christina McKnight
Josephine by Amanda Mariel
About t
he Author
Christina McKnight is a book lover turned writer. From a young age, her mother encouraged her to tell her own stories. She’s been writing ever since.
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Christina enjoys a quiet life in Northern California with her family, her wine, and lots of coffee. Oh, and her books . . . don’t forget her books! Most days, she can be found writing, reading, or traveling the great state of California.
@CMcKnightWriter
ChristinaMcKnightWriter
www.christinamcknight.com
[email protected]
Author’s Notes
Thank you for reading A Kiss At Christmastide, Regency Novella.
* * *
If you enjoyed A Kiss At Christmastide, be sure to write a brief review at
Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Goodreads.
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I’d love to hear from you!
You can contact me at:
[email protected]
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Or write me at:
P O Box 1017
Patterson, CA 95363
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www.ChristinaMcKnight.com
Check out my website for giveaways, book reviews, and information on my upcoming projects, or connect with me through social media at:
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Twitter: @CMcKnightWriter
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Sign up for my newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/VP1rP
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There are several people I’d like to thank for staying with me through the emotional journey of writing this book.
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To Marc, my amazing boyfriend, who continues to stand by my side through the utter chaos that is my creative process. Thank you…your love and dedication never ceases to amaze me. I hope to one day be as selfless and compassionate as you are.
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To Lauren Stewart, my critique partner and best friend, you pushed me to explore new avenues of thought that I never dreamed possible. If we were in a true relationship, it would be one based on co-dependency, but in a good way. My writing would not be what it is without your comments, criticism, suggestions, and guidance.
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I’d also like to thank the wonderful women who’ve supported me in both my writing career and life, including (but not limited to): Debbie Haston, Angie Stanton, Theresa Baer, Roxanne Stellmacher, Laura Cummings, Annalisa Nicole, Dawn Borbon, Suzi Parker, Jennifer Vella, Brandi Johnson, and Latisha Kahn. I know I’m forgetting people…You have all been very patient and wonderfully supportive of my eccentric ways.
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A very special thank you to my editors, Chelle Olson with Literally Addicted To Detail and Scott Moreland.
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Proofreading done by Anja with Hour Glass Editing.
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Cover art and wraparound cover design credit to Sweet ‘N Spicy Designs.
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Finally, thank you for supporting indie authors!
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