Read Online A Bride for Christmas (Sweet Regency Novella) by Aileen Fish - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Aileen Fish
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center of the stage by Clemmie, who then left. Everett and Frank strode out wearing paper armor and carrying wooden swords. On the opposite side of the stage came St. George , and upon being directed to do so by Mr. Sinclair who was offstage, the dog sat and barked. The children in the audience laughed.
One of the twins raised his sword and announced in a loud voice. "I'm Uncle Nash—I mean, I'm Captain Sinclair and I've come to save you from the fierce dragon, my lady."
The other boy stepped forward with a similar wave of his weapon. "And I'm Jim Pulk, and I'll save you first."
Julie said nothing as her cousins ran towards the dog who sat calmly, tongue lolling from his open, drooling jaws. The boys waved their swords fiercely at St. George, who wagged his tail but remained sitting.
The twin portraying Jim Pulk whispered, "Lie down, George. You're supposed to play dead."
St. George licked the boy 's face. The other twin jumped on the dog's back and wrestled him to the floor. The boy jumped up and waved his sword. "I've killed him!"
The audience laughed, St. George barked, and the boys ran back to the fair princess standing center stage. The y knelt on either side of her. "We have slayed the dragon, my lady. The king has promised your hand to one of us. You must choose which of us you'll marry."
Julie looked at her two cousins and quickly pointed to one. "I choose Frankie."
Frank, who had proclaimed himself to be Captain Sinclair, took her hand and bowed his head. He then rose and led her off the stage. Everett called St. George and followed.
Ju lianna saw Mr. Sinclair return to announce the final performance, but she heard not a word of what he spoke. Had she truly seen what just played out? Mr. Sinclair had slayed her dragon, presenting himself as the only candidate for her hand.
It was what she had hoped for, and what she feared all at once. Far beyond the bet, she now had to make the most important decision of her life. No longer could she think of escaping to the safety of her home in Lyminster. She must examine her feelings and make certain she could live with the choice she made.
While the last of Mr. Sinclair's cousins performed, Julianna slipped out into the hallway where the cooler air was a refreshing relief. She couldn't say whether it was the crowd or the emotion of the play that had her cheeks burning, her entire person tingling with warmth. She heard the door open and close behind her and feared she'd have to answer before she was ready.
To her relief, Clemmie grabbed her elbow and pulled her into the library , where the fire burned in case any of the guests wished to escape the activity of the evening. "What was that we just saw?"
" The charade? I'm sure I couldn't—"
" Julianna. I know better."
" It was all a silly wager. A simple question taken far beyond the answer given."
" Between you and Nash?"
" Yes. He asked me what sort of gentleman I preferred. I had told him I have no intention of marrying, as I had given my heart to Jim Pulk."
" The lad of the dragon legend?"
" The same. I thought if I insisted on marrying a man who killed dragons I was safe."
Clemmie 's frown of concern softened into a smile. "Of course, because you'd never done battle with Mr. Sinclair."
Julianna shook her head. "I don't know what to do. These past few days he's given me small dragon carvings and drawings, all leading to this evening."
" You mentioned a wager?"
" Yes. He said he could present to me a man whose offer I couldn't refuse."
" I see. And can you? Decline his offer?"
" Well, he hasn't off—"
" Julianna…"
She sighed, wringing her hands. "I don't want to. But I would make him a perfectly horrid wife. I'm not suited to having a house filled with children. Of putting my husband's wishes first. I only think of myself."
Clemmie put an arm around her and led her to the chaise. "You are thinking of Nash right now, considering his needs over yours. You are loving and generous, and you are an
One of the twins raised his sword and announced in a loud voice. "I'm Uncle Nash—I mean, I'm Captain Sinclair and I've come to save you from the fierce dragon, my lady."
The other boy stepped forward with a similar wave of his weapon. "And I'm Jim Pulk, and I'll save you first."
Julie said nothing as her cousins ran towards the dog who sat calmly, tongue lolling from his open, drooling jaws. The boys waved their swords fiercely at St. George, who wagged his tail but remained sitting.
The twin portraying Jim Pulk whispered, "Lie down, George. You're supposed to play dead."
St. George licked the boy 's face. The other twin jumped on the dog's back and wrestled him to the floor. The boy jumped up and waved his sword. "I've killed him!"
The audience laughed, St. George barked, and the boys ran back to the fair princess standing center stage. The y knelt on either side of her. "We have slayed the dragon, my lady. The king has promised your hand to one of us. You must choose which of us you'll marry."
Julie looked at her two cousins and quickly pointed to one. "I choose Frankie."
Frank, who had proclaimed himself to be Captain Sinclair, took her hand and bowed his head. He then rose and led her off the stage. Everett called St. George and followed.
Ju lianna saw Mr. Sinclair return to announce the final performance, but she heard not a word of what he spoke. Had she truly seen what just played out? Mr. Sinclair had slayed her dragon, presenting himself as the only candidate for her hand.
It was what she had hoped for, and what she feared all at once. Far beyond the bet, she now had to make the most important decision of her life. No longer could she think of escaping to the safety of her home in Lyminster. She must examine her feelings and make certain she could live with the choice she made.
While the last of Mr. Sinclair's cousins performed, Julianna slipped out into the hallway where the cooler air was a refreshing relief. She couldn't say whether it was the crowd or the emotion of the play that had her cheeks burning, her entire person tingling with warmth. She heard the door open and close behind her and feared she'd have to answer before she was ready.
To her relief, Clemmie grabbed her elbow and pulled her into the library , where the fire burned in case any of the guests wished to escape the activity of the evening. "What was that we just saw?"
" The charade? I'm sure I couldn't—"
" Julianna. I know better."
" It was all a silly wager. A simple question taken far beyond the answer given."
" Between you and Nash?"
" Yes. He asked me what sort of gentleman I preferred. I had told him I have no intention of marrying, as I had given my heart to Jim Pulk."
" The lad of the dragon legend?"
" The same. I thought if I insisted on marrying a man who killed dragons I was safe."
Clemmie 's frown of concern softened into a smile. "Of course, because you'd never done battle with Mr. Sinclair."
Julianna shook her head. "I don't know what to do. These past few days he's given me small dragon carvings and drawings, all leading to this evening."
" You mentioned a wager?"
" Yes. He said he could present to me a man whose offer I couldn't refuse."
" I see. And can you? Decline his offer?"
" Well, he hasn't off—"
" Julianna…"
She sighed, wringing her hands. "I don't want to. But I would make him a perfectly horrid wife. I'm not suited to having a house filled with children. Of putting my husband's wishes first. I only think of myself."
Clemmie put an arm around her and led her to the chaise. "You are thinking of Nash right now, considering his needs over yours. You are loving and generous, and you are an
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