by Dawn Brower
“Will Papa be back soon?”
“Yes, my darling, very soon.” She hoped. How would he even get through this snow? Alexander had been gone for three weeks, giving a talk on mountain climbing in London while attending to some of his duties. She was glad he’d chosen to spend most of his time instructing on mountain climbing rather than doing it. It seemed to bring him much enjoyment and she could worry less about him, though he still climbed the odd Scottish mountain.
“Can I have a sweetmeat?”
Emma released Isabel and pressed a kiss to her blonde curls before standing. “Yes, but only three. I don’t want you getting sick again.”
“Thank you, Mama,” the little girl said before skipping out of the drawing room where the tray of sweetmeats sat temptingly on the bureau.
Allowing herself a smile, she turned her attention to peering out of the window once more. The baby in her arms wriggled and fisted his hands in her hair, making her laugh out loud as she tried to disengage his tightly closed fist from one of her curls.
With a sigh, she turned away from the window and strode out of the dining room to the drawing room. Isabel spun around, a guilty look on her face as her mother entered. The room was fully decorated with the exception of a tree. Sprigs of greenery ran along the mantelpiece and a giant nutcracker sat to the side of the fireplace. The decorations didn’t look as neat and tidy as usual with Isabel being able to help this year, but they added a nice touch to the rustic room.
Emma turned her attention to her daughter. “Isabel, did you eat more than three?”
“No, Mama,” she said through a mouthful of sweetmeats. “Does Frederick want one?”
“I’m sure he does.” The baby tightened his fist in her hair in agreement. “But he cannot. Besides, it will be time for his nap soon and then we can finish putting up the decorations.”
“But not the tree?” Isabel’s bottom lip jutted out.
“Not until your papa is home,” Emma replied firmly.
“It’s a fine job I am home then, is it not?”
Emma spun, her heart jumping with delight. “Alexander!”
Isabel reached her father before Emma could and he bent to scoop up his daughter and spin her around. He sat her on his hip and kissed her cheek. Grimacing, he swiped a finger across her skin. “Have you been eating sweetmeats?”
“Only a few, Papa.”
Emma slipped into his other arm and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Too many.” She brushed a hand over his shoulder to dust away some of the snow. “You must be freezing. I didn’t think you would make it through the snow.”
“I had to leave the carriage in the village and trek the rest of the way.”
“Alexander, what were you thinking?”
He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and dropped a kiss onto Frederick’s head. The baby responded by finally releasing his mama’s hair and trying to tug his papa’s instead. “I was thinking I wanted to get home to my family and no snow storm would stop me.”
“Well, you always were determined,” she said on a sigh.
Alexander put Isabel down. “Why don’t you go and find Nanny Mary. I think your brother needs a nap and then we can finish decorating.”
Fingers in her mouth, Isabel nodded and hurried off to find the nursemaid. Alexander flicked a finger under the baby’s chin before drawing Emma against him once more. “When he is settled, shall we, uh, head out for a walk?”
“Aren’t you exhausted?”
He shook his head and sealed his mouth across hers. Emma sank into him and clung to her husband with her free hand. His lips had warmed and she drew in the scent and feel of him.
“Never too exhausted for you,” he said.
“Let us have lunch first. Then we can take a walk. Just the two of us.”
Alexander sighed and slipped a hand down to grab her rear through her skirts. “Always making me wait.”
She leaned up to press a firm kiss to his lips. “You waited almost a year. I’m sure you can wait a few more hours.”
“Well, my love, you were worth waiting for.”
Emma gazed into her husband’s eyes and cupped his jaw. “As were you. Merry Christmas, husband.”
“Merry Christmas, wife.”
When he bent to kiss her firmly and Frederick squealed between them, Emma uttered up a prayer of thanks for her husband’s determination to create a proper marriage for them and for her own courage. She looked forward to many more Christmases with her wonderful family and many more Christmas seductions too, she hoped.
Afterword
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How to Kiss a Rogue
Connected by a Kiss, book 2
USA Today BESTSELLING AUTHOR AMANDA MARIEL
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
Copyright © 2016 Amanda Mariel
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the express written permission of the publisher.
Published by Amanda Mariel
Cover art by Jaycee DeLorenzo (Sweet n Spicy Designs)
Created with Vellum
This one is for all of us who believe in the magic of the season and for the rogue’s who inspire us.
First a foremost I want to thank my good friend USA Today Bestselling Author Christina McKnight for approaching me with the idea of using her character Lady Natalie from A Kiss At Christmastide to write a companion book. It has been great fun to work with you Christina! Thank you to my editor and beta readers for helping to shape and polish Natalie’s story. My family deserves a big thank you too. Your support and enthusiasm mean the world. Last but not least, a huge thank you to my readers for continuing to cheer me on and read my books. I adore you all!
Prologue
Lady Natalie Seymour, daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Sheridan, stood on the raised platform at the front of her family’s music room on the final night of her come out celebration, staring daggers at her former best friend, Lady Pippa Godfrey. If looks could kill, the traitor would surely expire for Natalie was beyond livid—she was broken, heartsick, and infuriated. Pippa had betrayed her and she would pay a penance for what she’d done.
Natalie forced a bright smile before introducing the next girl to take the stage. Her gaze landed again on her former best friend. Pippa fidgeted in the front row of the crowded room looking much like a mouse in a trap. She clearly knew what she had done and what was to come. Pippa’s discomfort caused a genuine smile to overtake Natalie’s contrived one. She deserved to suffer after what she’d done the previous evening at Natalie’s come out ball. She deserved far worse than discomfort, Pippa deserved to be hurt like she’d hurt Natalie.
The previous night had been magical until Pippa destroyed everything—her future, her hopes, and her dreams. All vanquished in a matter of moments. The ballroom sparkled under the light of hundreds of candles as they celebrated. Potted ferns and floral arrangements decorated the space while elegant ladies and gentlemen mingled and danced. All in attendance to welcome her into the loving arms of society. Natalie had been excited to share her special night with her long time friend. She’d welcomed and embraced Pippa, but no more. She would never look at Pippa with kindness again.
Both ladies had been dressed in white gowns befitting debutantes with their hair fashionably styled and glittering bobbles hanging from their necks and ears when they entered the ball. Natalie had been proud to have Pippa by her side as they danced, flirted, and laughed the evening away. That is, until Pippa betrayed her—washing away the magic of her night.
The memory pained her, piercing her heart as she tried to focus on today’s recital. All the same, she could not stop from dwelling on what had occurred.
Natalie pulled in a deep breath and searched the music room for the Marquis of Knightly. He and her brother, Bradford, were longtime friends and as such, Natalie had known the Marquis for most of her life. She had loved him for as long as she could remember. The man was never thought of as Bradford’s friend but Natalie’s future everything. A fact Pippa well knew—a topic they’d labored over many nights as they laughed and planned their future marriages. Her heart hitched when she found Christian, Lord Knightly, seated in the second row a few chairs down from Pippa—his eyes trained on the traitor’s dark chestnut locks.
Her blood heated as her pulse quickened. She could no more fight the vision that assaulted her than one could stop a summer storm. Pippa moving to the terrace with Lord Knightly following behind her. Pippa in his arms under the starlit sky. Natalie closed her eyes, fighting to steady herself. She’d been unable to watch their tryst, her heart instantly broken. Natalie had spent the remainder of what should have been the best night of her life attempting to understand why Pippa would hurt her in such a way.
The ball had continued well into the early morning hours after which Pippa had stayed in her room. Perhaps Natalie should have confronted the traitor once they retired to her chamber, but she’d not known what to say. Instead, she’d done her best to act as though nothing was wrong, all the while, her mind replaying the scene until at last sleep had claimed her.
Applause filled the air in the music room as the current performer sang her final off-key note, pulling Natalie back to the present. The time had come for her to introduce Pippa. She stood and smoothed her skirts before moving to the dais.
God give her strength. The last thing she wished to do was introduce the tart as though they were still friends. Sadly, she had no choice. Her parents were unaware of what had transpired the night before—and they knew even less about her planned eternity with Christian. Natalie hid her emotions, summoning the skills she had been taught since birth, poise and grace above all else. The ton would never witness what her cool exterior shielded from view. She’d not allow anyone to see her devastation—least of all Pippa.
Natalie sought Pippa out, amused and slightly delighted to see the girl gripping her skirt with white knuckles as her mother spoke to her. Something was clearly afoot, but Natalie doubted it concerned Pippa’s actions with Lord Knightly. Did she feel the slightest bit of remorse over extinguishing every dream Natalie had ever had?
It mattered not. Natalie tipped her chin a fraction as Pippa stood from her chair. “Next to grace the stage is Lady Pippa Godfrey.” Natalie gestured in Pippa’s direction as an idea burst into her mind. She gave a coy smile. “Lady Pippa and I have been bosom friends since before we were allowed to touch a pianoforte, but since meeting, we’ve shared everything, including our music tutor, Mr. Giles, though I dare to say that Pippa is far closer to the man than my parents would ever allow.”
Natalie met Pippa’s gaze as the girls cheeks flamed red. Her words had hit their mark and Pippa would surely be ruined as a result. It was, however, a pity that social exile would have no effect on her trysting with Lord Knightly. The rakehell may even find her more suited to him now. A moment of regret stabbed her. She lost as much as she won in this situation.
She could not undo what she’d done—nor did she seek to. There was no doubt the entire room heard her announcement and understood the implication of her words. Light female laughter and deep manly chuckles filled the room, floating from the far back of the crowded space to the very front, where Natalie stood on the platform. Her announcement would spread through society faster than a wild fire. Every drawing room door would be closed to Pippa by morning.
Natalie stood with her shoulders squared and a smirk on her lips, determined to follow her hasty course—she would see Pippa suffer. Would Pippa run from the room or would she accept her challenge? Natalie peered at her, waiting for the answer. Satisfaction at getting her revenge warred with heartache from Pippa’s betrayal.
Beside her, Pippa’s mother fanned herself as the pair exchanged more words. Natalie’s pulse raced as she watched them. After what seemed several minutes, Pippa stood, her posture as stiff as Natalie’s. How could Pippa hold her head high and approach after what Natalie had said? Did the lady have no shame?
Natalie peered at Pippa as she took the stage. This was not over. She would see Pippa suffer as she did, and she would have St. Vella for herself despite Pippa’s interference.
Chapter 1
Natalie sat primly on the chase, her lap covered in various shades of colored paper and different types of lace as she made flowers for the many sprays of evergreen that would soon deck the rooms of her family estate. She glanced at the chair across from her where her cousin, Lady Daphne, sat attaching the paper flowers to sprays. Natalie shivered at Daphne’s loud breathing. Pippa had the same way about her when she was deep in concentration. Why couldn’t she keep the traitor off her mind?
Last Christmastide, Pippa had been by her side as they created flowers and dolls for both their homes. A stab of regret pricked her heart. She would never understand why Pippa trespassed on their friendship. Even now, months after her come out, the betrayal still hurt. What scarred her most was Pippa’s devil-may-care defiance when Natalie had taken her revenge. The backstabber had taken the stage with her head high as though she’d done nothing wrong. How had she never seen Pippa’s coldhearted ways before?
Natalie passed another paper bud to Daphne. “In two days time the house will be bursting with guests.” Including Pippa, if their parents had their way—which they likely would.
Natalie refused to apologize to Pippa after ruining her at the recital in the same way she refused to explain her actions to her parents. She saw no need to bare her soul and pain to anyone. As a result, her parents remained determined to see her and Pippa reunited.
That would never happen. In fact, if the traitor did show herself at the party—Natalie would make her regret it. She did not know what she would do or how she would stomach being under the same roof as her former friend. Pray, do not let her attend.
“I must admit, I was taken by surprise when Mama told me we were to travel here for another celebration in your honor.” Daphne did not look up from her task as she worked to attach a pink bud to the branches of evergreen on the table.
Confusion spiraled through Natalie. Her honor? To what did her cousin refer? Natalie’s parents hosted a Christmas celebration every year—though not quite to the scale of this year’s party. Three days with everyone who was anyone in the ton having been invited. Many left their own families to attend one of mother’s grand events and this holiday house party would be no different. Her mother had gone so far as to commission several new gowns for her. Perhaps something was afoot, but what?
Natalie set her crafts aside and dusted her skirt before leveling her stare on Daphne. “You certainly are aware of more than you are letting on, dear cousin. Do explain what is going on here.”
Daphne glanced sheepishly up at her. “I am not certain, other than that Mama told me the party was for you.” She fidgeted with the edges of the flower. “And that there is to be a grand announcement.”
Natalie’s stomach rolled at Daphne’s final words. Grand announcement. This could not bode well. She leaned forward, taking Daphne’s hand from the flower she’d been fidgeting with. “This is important. What else do you know?”
“Have the Duke and Duchess not discussed the purpose of the party with you?” Daphne asked, eyes round.
“You know more than you are saying, Daphne. I can see it in your eyes. Do tell me,” Natalie demanded. Whatever was afoot had to be big, and since her parents had said nothing to her, she could only assume she would not like whatever it was.
Daphne averted her gaze, mumbling, “There was mention of a betrothal.”
Natalie’s breath caught, as nausea threatened her. She could not get betrothed. There was only one man for her, Christian St. Vella, the Marquis of Knightly. There was no possibility he would agree to
a betrothal—yet. She jerked Daphne’s hand. “Are you quite certain?”
“I...well…I overheard Mama and the Duchess speaking on the topic shortly after we arrived in Somerset last night.”
Natalie released her hold on Daphne, rose to her feet, and started for the door of the drawing room. She did not know what was going on, but she was determined to find out at once.
And put an end to the madness.
“Do not be so hasty. You’ll make a cake of yourself,” Daphne called after her as she sped from the room.
Natalie did not care if the whole household and all of their early guests witnessed her unladylike behavior. She hiked her skirt and ran down the long hallway leading to Father’s office.
“Cease this instant!” Mother stepped in front of her as she approached the staircase. “You are a lady, not some…some street urchin. Good heavens, Natalie, remember yourself. We have important guests under this roof.”
“Yes, Mother.” Natalie attempted to step around her but her family’s matriarch repositioned herself, blocking the path once more.
“Your Father and I would have a word with you.” Mother leveraged a severe stare at her.
Natalie met her gaze with a sternness all her own. “Perfect, as I would like a word with the two of you as well.”
“Then waste no more time. Come along.”
She gave a slight nod before walking with painfully slow, ladylike steps beside her Mother, neither speaking another word. Everything inside her screamed that Daphne had heard correctly. Mother’s silence added to her trepidation as they drew nearer to Father’s office. What was she to do if they had indeed settled on a match for her? Did she dare hope they’d chosen the same man she had?