Read Online A Kiss At Christmastide: Regency Novella by Christina McKnight - Free Book Online Page A

was proud of her upbringing and her family. “My grandmother was a baker, teaching my mother all she knew.” Pippa paused to cast a forlorn look about the kitchen. “Which it is evident, she did not pass on to me.”
    â€œDo not speak so harshly of yourself. Maybe with a few more years of practice, you will be as great as your grandmother is.”
    â€œWas.”
    â€œWas?” he asked. “I am sorry for your loss.”
    â€œDo not be, my grandparents passed when I was still in nappies.” Pippa pushed his apology aside. “I do not remember them, except the smell of flour surrounding my grandmother.”
    A faraway look took over Lucas at her mention of relatives long gone from this earth.
    Pippa hurried to the cold box once more, allowing him a spot of privacy to think through whatever had taken over his mind.
    â€œWhat have you planned to attempt next, my lady?” Startled, she looked up to see him only a few paces behind her. “I am ready to assist you in any way. And if things do not fare well, you can lay the blame with me if anyone asks.”
    â€œHow generous of you.” Pippa laughed, retrieving a sack of minced meat Cook had prepared before leaving. “We will start by filling the pie crusts I made earlier with mincemeat and putting them to bake.”
    â€œLead away, my lady,” he said, taking the sack from her hands.
    â€œI am sorry the storm keeps you from Lady Natalie’s holiday party. I am sure you will be sad to miss spending the time with your family for the first year in ages.” His confession from earlier made all the more sense now that she knew he’d been kept from his family all these holiday seasons. He was likely angry the previous night due to that and not completely at the storm or having to leave London. “I do hope the storm lets up by morning, and all won’t be completely lost.”
    He’d spotted her lopsided pie crusts on the side table and set the sack close. “If it does not, all will still not be lost.”
    Pippa wanted to ask what that comment meant, but his smile stopped her words. He was not overly concerned with missing Natalie’s party, so she would not dwell on it, either. Surely, the Sheridans would not notice one guest missing. So what if that meant one less eligible man fawning over Natalie.
    â€œWhat are you thinking about?”
    â€œNothing of import, why?”
    â€œA smile, so smug, crossed your face, and I must admit that I find I must know what mischief was behind it.” He untied the sack and peeked inside, avoiding staring at her. “Oh, this does, indeed, smell good. Do you think I can offer your cook a larger monthly allowance to come cook for me in London?”
    â€œYou would poach my staff?” The change of subject was preferable to admitting she’d found pleasure in knowing she’d kept a man, a lord ever so handsome, from attending her neighbors’ holiday party. “I fear my entire family would follow her if she did accept your offer.”
    â€œAnd London would be a far better place for your arrival.”
    His comments, snide the previous night, shifted to almost endearing sentiments. That shocked Pippa. He was a different man than he’d appeared at first. No longer was he angry with biting remarks—and if she were pushed to admit it, she liked this side of him far more. Still, she could not forget that a certain darkness lived within him. She only hoped it didn’t make another appearance during his stay.
    â€œNow, tell me,” he said as he stuck a fork in a jar of peach jam and brought it to his mouth. He paused, and his eyes drifted shut as he placed the sweet morsel on his tongue. He allowed a dramatic sigh to escape at the pleasure of the bite. “Heavens, my apologies. It is only that I’ve never tasted a jam so…” He tapped the utensil against his lips as he searched for the right word. Pippa