Home For The Holidays
Page 17
Dearest Diary,
The holiday is upon me, and my life has changed considerably since my last entry but only a few weeks ago.
Captain Sander was killed in the fall, but none mourn him after the evidence that servants gave at the inquest. He now faces another Judge, where he will need to explain why he has treated his wife and children so horribly.
I am pleased to write that Jennette and the boys are doing well. Jennette has taken over running her own household after several years of having no control. She plans to sell the place. She confided in me that the manor has too many horrible memories, and she would like nothing better than to move to the country. I told her to speak to my father about a small house within his parish, and she seemed to like the idea. Since she has no family of her own, apart from her children, she is looking forward to country living and the gossip swarming around her in London.
As for my own life, well, I could not be happier. I think Freddy must surely have the greatest ability for getting his way for he was able to procure a─
“Margaret,” Sophie shouted from the hallway. “Dinner is ready!”
Margaret set the pen down to scratch Barty behind his ears, smiling when he meowed his contentment.
A sound on the circular iron stairway from the second floor of the library drew her gaze upwards. She smiled. Frederick was making his way down to join her for dinner.
He came to her, placed his book upon the table, and pulled her into his arms. Brushing her hair from her face, he leaned forward to quickly kiss her lips. “I missed you,” he whispered in her ear.
She giggled. “I was hardly far away, my love.”
Freddy tipped her chin upwards. “Yes, you were. Have I told you Happy Christmas today?”
Margaret slapped playfully at the lapel of his jacket. “At least a time or two, my lord, maybe more.”
“I just want to ensure you are happy.” Frederick attempted to look anxious, but he could not contain the beam or the twinkle in his eye.
“I do not know how I could be any happier. My only happier moment was when you made me your wife. How you were able to get a special license for us to wed so quickly is still beyond my comprehension.” Her brow rose to meet the merriment on his features. “What is it that amuses you so? Do I have a smudge of ink upon my face?”
“You never looked lovelier. I just happen to have another surprise for you.”
Margaret reached for the diamond necklace gracing her neck that he had gifted to her just this morn. “Freddy, you cannot continue to give me presents of this magnitude. Whatever will your parents say when you break your bank account?”
His chuckle sounded deep within his chest, uncontained joy that made Margaret shiver with delight. “I have more money in our accounts than either of us could spend in several lifetimes, my love. Besides…you will have to indulge me, Lady Beacham. I have many years to make up for.”
He took her arm to usher her from the room. With his hand on the knob, he whispered for her to close her eyes.
“What are you up to, Freddy?”
“Just behave and close your eyes, Margaret. You did vow to obey me.”
“Freddy. I─”
He cut off her words with another kiss. “Behave and no peeking,” he teased.
“Very well,” she huffed.
Apparently he did not trust her, for he covered her eyes. She heard the library door open, followed by the bark of Sophie’s puppy Tulip and a hiss of protest from Barty. The nails of both cat and dog went down the hallway until a door was slammed─ most likely Cook sending both animals out into the cold.
Freddy continued ushering Margaret forward until he stopped and removed his hand. Her eye’s widened, and she turned around in the entryway of their home to see what had been happening while she and her husband had been ensconced in the library.
Each doorway that led into the entrance hall had a bunch of mistletoe tied with a bright red Christmas ribbon suspended from the doorframes. “I cannot believe you did this.”
Freddy led her from doorway to doorway, stopping at each to lean down and brush his lips against her own.
“Purely selfish reasoning on my part I assure you, my lady,” Frederick replied. “Never let it be said that I had you under the mistletoe and did not take advantage of a Christmas tradition.”
“I would never dare.”
Frederick leaned down to kiss her once more. “I love you, Lady Beacham. You have given me the greatest of gifts by becoming my wife.”
Margaret caressed his cheek. “And I have always loved only you, Lord Beacham.”
As they took their places at the table, Freddy’s parents gave her a welcoming smile, and she was grateful they accepted her as their son’s wife. Margaret glanced at her family and friends that surrounded her for the holiday. All of her dreams had at last come true and she had a lifetime to spend with the man who had always held her heart.
Margaret looked up at Freddy. Her husband gave her a mischievous wink. She did not know what was in store for them in the future, though she knew they would face it together. And she knew another thing for certain. Freddy could kiss her under the mistletoe any time he wished.
Other Books by Sherry Ewing
If My Heart Could See You
When you’re enemies, does love have a fighting chance? Amiria of Berwyck vows to protect her people by pledging her oath of fealty to the very enemy who has laid siege to her home. Dristan, the Devil's Dragon of Blackmore, has a reputation to uphold as champion knight of his king. Lies, treachery, and deceit attempt to tear them apart, but only love will bring them together
For All of Ever: The Knights of Berwyck, A Quest Through Time Novel (Book One)
Sometimes to find your future, you must look to the past… Katherine dreamed of her knight all her life yet how could she know she’d be thrown back into the past? Nothing prepares Riorden for the beautiful vision of a strangely clad ghost appearing in his chamber. Centuries keep them apart but will Time give them a chance at finding love?
Only For You: The Knights of Berwyck, A Quest Through Time Novel (Book Two)
Sometimes it’s hard to remember that true love conquers all, only after the battle is over… Katherine has it all but settling into her duties at Warkworth is dangerous to her well-being. Consumed with memories of his father, Riorden must deal with his sire’s widow. Torn apart, Time becomes their enemy while Marguerite continues her ploy to keep Riorden at her side. With all hope lost, will Katherine & Riorden find a way to save their marriage?
Hearts Across Time: The Knights of Berwyck (Books One & Two)
Sometimes all you need is to just believe… Hearts Across Time is a special edition box set that combines Katherine and Riorden’s stories together from For All of Ever and Only For You.
A Knight To Call My Own
When your heart is broken, is love still worth the risk? Lynet of Clan MacLaren knows how it feels to love someone and not have that love returned. Ian MacGillivray has returned to Berwyck in search of a bride. Who will claim the fair Lynet? The price will be high to ensure her safety and even higher to win her love.
To Follow My Heart: The Knights of Berwyck, A Quest Through Time Novel (Book Three)
Love is a leap. Sometimes you need to jump… Jenna Sinclair is dealing with a horrendous break up with her fiancé when she finds herself pulled through time to twelfth century England. Fletcher Monroe has spent too much time pining away for a woman who will never be his until a strangely clad woman magically appears. Torn between the past and the present, will their growing love survive a journey through Time?
Under the Mistletoe
A new suitor seeks her hand. An old flame holds her heart. Which one will she meet under the kissing bough? When Margaret Templeton is requested to act as hostess at a Christmas party she did not think she would see the man who once held her heart. Frederick Maddock, Viscount Beacham never forgot the young woman he had fallen in love with. Will the two finally put down their differences and once again fall in
love?
A Kiss For Charity
Young widow, Grace, Lady de Courtenay, has no idea how a close encounter with a rake at a masquerade ball would make her yearn for love again. Lord Nicholas Lacey is captivated by a lovely young woman he encounters at a masquerade. Considering the company she keeps, she might be interested in becoming his mistress. From the darkened paths of Vauxhall Gardens to a countryside estate called Hollystone Hall, Nicholas and Grace must set aside their differences in order to let love into their hearts.
You can find out more about Sherry’s work on her website at www.SherryEwing.com and at online retailers.
Website: www.SherryEwing.com
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Hearts Through Time: www.heartsthroughtime.com
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The Piper’s Lady within
Never Too Late: A Bluestocking Belles Collection
True love binds them. Deceit divides them. Will they choose love?
Coira Easton spent her youth traveling with her grandfather. Now well past the age men prefer when they choose a wife, she has resigned herself to remain a maiden. But everything changes once she arrives at Berwyck Castle. She cannot resist a dashing knight who runs to her rescue, but would he give her a second look?
Garrick of Clan MacLaren can hold his own with the trained Knights of Berwyck, but as the clan’s piper they would rather he play his instruments to entertain them—or lead them into battle—than to fight with a sword upon the lists. Only when he sees a lady across the training field and his heart sings for the first time does he begin to wish to be something he is not.
Will a simple misunderstanding between them threaten what they have found in one another or will they at last let love into their hearts?
About the Author
Sherry Ewing picked up her first historical romance when she was a teenager and has been hooked ever since. A bestselling author, she writes historical & time travel romances to awaken the soul one heart at a time. Always wanting to write a novel but busy raising her children, she finally took the plunge in 2008 and wrote her first Regency. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, the Beau Monde, the Bluestocking Belles and Hearts Through Time. Sherry is currently working on her next novel and when not writing, she can be found in the San Francisco area at her day job as an Information Technology Specialist.
You can learn more about Sherry and her published work at:
www.SherryEwing.com
Sherry@SherryEwing.com