“I have found myself in you, my purpose.” William bent his head closer to hers as she raised up on her tiptoes.
“We both have.” Those were the last of her whispered words before his lips covered hers in a meeting of sweetest caring and newly awakened passion. A minute later, when he pulled back to look at her, he was dismayed to find tears hovering in the corners of her eyes.
“Please don’t cry. I’ll stop,” he promised, though he felt it might kill him to do so, to leave her and go off to his bed alone.
“Oh no you won’t.” She scrunched her fingers around the fabric of his shirt and pulled him closer again. “Just as I promise to never leave and to never stop loving you.”
William’s heart raced. He had told her once— just days earlier— not to speak of such emotion unless she meant it. The tender look in her eyes was not one of gratitude, but finally of something deeper, of commitment yes, but more than that he read desire and longing and joy in their depths, and it filled his soul with hope.
Behind them the clock struck midnight, ushering in the New Year. William saw to it that they kissed for the duration of the chimes.
Charlotte’s cheeks were pink and her lips plump when he finally drew back. “Happy New Year, Mrs. Vancer. My love. ”
“For it to be as happy as possible—” Charlotte paused, a mischievous smile curving her lips. “I believe you should take some time off from work. What would you say to fifteen days— in January?”
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A final note,
Thank you for reading Twelve Days in December, a companion novella in the Hearthfire Historical Romance series. The next novel in this line is set in Scotland during the late 1700s and revolves around the lives of twin brothers who are facing the difficulties of the Highland Clearances following the failed Jacobite uprising of 1745. Watch for previews and teasers on my website in coming months.
New this month, also from Mirror Press, is the Timeless Regency Collection: A Midwinter Ball. This volume features three novellas by three authors— Annette Lyon, Heidi Ashworth, and myself— all centered around a midwinter ball.
I am equally excited to be one of the twelve authors involved in the Matchmaker series. Watch for the prequel novella this November and the twelve full-length romance novels to follow, one each month in 2016.
So many wonderful things to look forward to! Thank you for being a part of those. I continue to appreciate those who take the time to read my stories and those who post reviews as well. You make it possible for me to continue doing what I love.
If you would like more information about my other books and future releases, please visit www.michelepaigeholmes.com. You can also follow me on Twitter at @MichelePHolmes.
Happy reading!
Michele
Michele Paige Holmes spent her childhood and youth in Arizona and northern California, often curled up with a good book instead of out enjoying the sunshine. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in elementary education and found it an excellent major with which to indulge her love of children’s literature.
Her first novel, Counting Stars, won the 2007 Whitney Award for Best Romance. Its companion novel, a romantic suspense titled All the Stars in Heaven, was a Whitney Award finalist, as was her first historical romance, Captive Heart. My Lucky Stars completed the Stars series.
In 2014 Michele launched the Hearthfire Historical Romance line, with the debut title, Saving Grace. Loving Helen is the companion novel, with a third, Marrying Christopher released in July 2015.
When not reading or writing romance, Michele is busy with her full-time job as a wife and mother. She and her husband live in Utah with their five high-maintenance children, and a Shitzu that resembles a teddy bear, in a house with a wonderful view of the mountains.
You can find Michele on the web: http://michelepaigeholmes.com
Facebook: Michele Holmes
Twitter: @MichelePHolmes
Other Books by Michele Paige Holmes
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
About Michele Paige Holmes
Twelve Days in December: A Christmas Novella (A Hearthfire Romance) Page 8