Read Online A Bride for Christmas (Sweet Regency Novella) by Aileen Fish - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Aileen Fish
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excellent aunt to Julie and Edward. How can you doubt yourself so?"
" He nearly gave his life for his country, Clemmie. He deserves a wife who will honor him, and deserve his love."
" So you will love him and honor him and work to be the wife you feel he deserves." Clemmie smoothed a hand over Julianna's upswept hair. "It's what we all do, sweetling. I must admit I never expected you to act this way over any gentleman, but I think you have chosen well."
" Have I? Chosen, I mean?"
" Silly girl. Ask your heart what it wishes."
A knock sounded at the door and Mr. Sinclair stuck his head inside. "Clementina, Marianne is looking for you. She wishes to draw the Twelfth Night cards now and get the players ready."
With a quick hug, Clemmie rose and left the library. Julianna watched Mr. Sinclair walk slowly into the room. He bowed when he reached her. "Did you enjoy the children's entertainments this evening?"
" Why yes. Your cousins sing and play well."
" Quite so. Talented family we are. And what did you think of the charade?"
" Julie played her part quite well. As did St. George. The twins did rather well, too, if a little enthusiastic, when battling the dragon."
" Yes, I had to tame them a bit since the early rehearsals. Is that all you have to say about the evening?"
" Oh, the evening is still young. I understand your mother will have some of us portraying the Twelfth Night characters during the ball. It should prove quite entertaining."
He took a step closer. "Lady Julianna, I'm certain you did not miss my point in the charade."
Her stomach quivered as if a hundred butterflies awakened. "No, sir. I did not."
Mr. Sinclair sank onto the chaise close enough she could feel the heat from his person envelop her. "We have the outcome of a wager to decide."
" Yes, we do." She took a deep breath. Would he kiss her now?
" For the sake of propriety, shall we first determine who is the winner?"
" Sir, if you plan to kiss me while we are alone in here, I believe propriety has been ignored."
He reached for her hand and stroked his thumb over her skin. "I suppose you're correct. Still, as a man I must know whether I've won or lost. Have I presented to you a man capable of winning your heart?"
She nodded. "You have."
His lips twitched slightly in their smile. "I see. And has he won that heart?"
She had no hesitation. "He has."
Mr. Sinclair raised her hand to his lips, then captured it between his hands. "Lady Julianna, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
" The honor would be mine. Yes, yes, I will marry you." She burst into laughter nearing on tears. "Oh, Mr. Sinclair, you have truly shattered what I believed was the best life for me."
" Please, call me Nash." He placed a finger under her chin and lifted her face, leaning forward to press his warm, soft lips to hers.
All her thoughts fled on the wings of butterflies. She held onto his shoulders to keep from falling as the chaise seemed to tip beneath her. All too quickly cool air hit her lips. She opened her eyes to see Nash smiling down on her.
"You make me the happiest of men. I know most men must say that, but it's the truth, dear Julianna. May I call you Julianna?"
" Yes, of course. My family would think it odd if you didn't."
He sat up straight, distancing himself. "Your family. Lud, your father. I must speak to him before we tell the others."
" You look rather pale. I thought you capable of slaying dragons."
" I've confronted many a dragon on the battlefield, but never the father of the lady I wish to marry."
" You will do fine, Nash. I know you will."
Rising, he offered a hand to help her stand. "We should get back. The others will wonder where we are."
She laughed softly. "Those who know us will suspect where we are. If not the correct room, they will have guessed your intent."
" We'd best hurry."
The benches and chairs had all been pushed to the walls of the large room to make room for dancers. Mrs. Collingwood sat at the pianoforte while
" He nearly gave his life for his country, Clemmie. He deserves a wife who will honor him, and deserve his love."
" So you will love him and honor him and work to be the wife you feel he deserves." Clemmie smoothed a hand over Julianna's upswept hair. "It's what we all do, sweetling. I must admit I never expected you to act this way over any gentleman, but I think you have chosen well."
" Have I? Chosen, I mean?"
" Silly girl. Ask your heart what it wishes."
A knock sounded at the door and Mr. Sinclair stuck his head inside. "Clementina, Marianne is looking for you. She wishes to draw the Twelfth Night cards now and get the players ready."
With a quick hug, Clemmie rose and left the library. Julianna watched Mr. Sinclair walk slowly into the room. He bowed when he reached her. "Did you enjoy the children's entertainments this evening?"
" Why yes. Your cousins sing and play well."
" Quite so. Talented family we are. And what did you think of the charade?"
" Julie played her part quite well. As did St. George. The twins did rather well, too, if a little enthusiastic, when battling the dragon."
" Yes, I had to tame them a bit since the early rehearsals. Is that all you have to say about the evening?"
" Oh, the evening is still young. I understand your mother will have some of us portraying the Twelfth Night characters during the ball. It should prove quite entertaining."
He took a step closer. "Lady Julianna, I'm certain you did not miss my point in the charade."
Her stomach quivered as if a hundred butterflies awakened. "No, sir. I did not."
Mr. Sinclair sank onto the chaise close enough she could feel the heat from his person envelop her. "We have the outcome of a wager to decide."
" Yes, we do." She took a deep breath. Would he kiss her now?
" For the sake of propriety, shall we first determine who is the winner?"
" Sir, if you plan to kiss me while we are alone in here, I believe propriety has been ignored."
He reached for her hand and stroked his thumb over her skin. "I suppose you're correct. Still, as a man I must know whether I've won or lost. Have I presented to you a man capable of winning your heart?"
She nodded. "You have."
His lips twitched slightly in their smile. "I see. And has he won that heart?"
She had no hesitation. "He has."
Mr. Sinclair raised her hand to his lips, then captured it between his hands. "Lady Julianna, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
" The honor would be mine. Yes, yes, I will marry you." She burst into laughter nearing on tears. "Oh, Mr. Sinclair, you have truly shattered what I believed was the best life for me."
" Please, call me Nash." He placed a finger under her chin and lifted her face, leaning forward to press his warm, soft lips to hers.
All her thoughts fled on the wings of butterflies. She held onto his shoulders to keep from falling as the chaise seemed to tip beneath her. All too quickly cool air hit her lips. She opened her eyes to see Nash smiling down on her.
"You make me the happiest of men. I know most men must say that, but it's the truth, dear Julianna. May I call you Julianna?"
" Yes, of course. My family would think it odd if you didn't."
He sat up straight, distancing himself. "Your family. Lud, your father. I must speak to him before we tell the others."
" You look rather pale. I thought you capable of slaying dragons."
" I've confronted many a dragon on the battlefield, but never the father of the lady I wish to marry."
" You will do fine, Nash. I know you will."
Rising, he offered a hand to help her stand. "We should get back. The others will wonder where we are."
She laughed softly. "Those who know us will suspect where we are. If not the correct room, they will have guessed your intent."
" We'd best hurry."
The benches and chairs had all been pushed to the walls of the large room to make room for dancers. Mrs. Collingwood sat at the pianoforte while
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