Shivers coursed through her at his words, and she barely noticed the carolers singing louder as they moved down the street. “Baxter.” She blinked back tears. “I was coming to tell you that—” She hesitated a moment then pressed on, determined to share what was in her heart. “That I have come to care for you a great deal.”
“Violet—”
“No. Wait.” She shook her head, realizing that wasn’t quite true. If there was ever a time she needed to find the courage to reach for what she wanted, it was now. “I love you. I know it’s too soon, and that we only met a few weeks ago, but it’s true.” With a trembling hand, she reached up to touch his cheek. “I wished on a star as well, and I am so grateful to have found you, an even better answer to my wish than I could’ve imagined.”
He took her hand in his and pressed a lingering kiss to the palm. “I love you too. I don’t think it’s too soon. The heart knows, don’t you think? Time is inconsequential when it comes to love.”
“But, Lady Alice—”
“Doesn’t matter to me. I have no wish to pursue a relationship with her and have already told her so. You are who I want. Only you, dear Violet.” He kissed her, one arm wrapped around her to draw her close.
When he eased back, Violet smiled through her tears. “I’m so happy. I had no idea something like this might happen when I befriended your parents.”
“Our family is so lucky that you reached out when you did. You’ve been a blessing in all of our lives. Will you come home with me for the evening? To celebrate Christmas Eve? Nothing is the same without you.”
“I’d love to.” She took his arm, anxious to see his parents, only to see the flicker of a drape moving in the window. She knew exactly who that was. “Would it be all right if Holly joined us?”
He chuckled. “I was just going to ask you that.”
“It truly is going to be a Christmas to remember, isn’t it?” she asked, her heart overflowing. While she knew he’d soon be leaving, that didn’t make any difference at this moment. She’d wait for him, no matter how long it took.
“Who knew that wishing upon a Christmas star would bring such joy to our lives?”
“Not me, but I’m grateful for it.” She rose up to kiss him briefly then rushed back up the steps and opened the door, calling her sister’s name.
Epilogue
Baxter breathed a sigh of relief as he left Mr. Fairchild’s library and walked down the hall to the drawing room. It was a special evening. Epiphany. The twelfth and final day of the Christmas celebration.
He wanted this night to be one that he and Violet remembered for the rest of their lives, and now that he had her father’s blessing as well as that of his parents, he was ready to take the next step. He patted his breast pocket, reassuring himself the ring was still nestled there.
His heart thundered as he entered the drawing room, pleased to find Violet and Holly there, just as her father said they’d be.
Violet smiled in surprise at his entrance as she rose from a chair. “I didn’t know you were here. I didn’t even hear the door.”
He winked at Holly then took Violet’s hands in his, not telling her that he’d arrived early to speak with her father. She’d learn that soon enough. “I was anxious to be with you.” That much was true.
They’d spent as much time as possible together in the past twelve days, and he’d fallen more in love with her each day. He couldn’t wait to share what was in his heart. If he had to say it in front of Holly, he’d do so. It couldn’t wait another moment.
“Violet,” he began.
“Oh.” Holly stood abruptly, eyes wide as she stared between them. “I just remembered that I forgot something in my room. Excuse me.” The smile she gave him as she hurried past suggested she had a good idea of what he was about to say.
Was it written on his face? But when he looked back at Violet, she didn’t seem to notice anything untoward.
“You are incredibly beautiful,” he said.
She smiled. “And you look very handsome this evening.”
“I have good news.”
Her brows rose. “What might that be?”
“Prince Edward has made several introductions for me, involving some of the items I’ve been importing. Those connections are going to make it possible for me to continue my business from London.”
“Truly?” Violet’s eyes filled with tears, her face lit with joy. “That’s wonderful news.”
“I might have to travel to Bombay occasionally, but I can remain here for the most part.”
“Baxter, I’m so thrilled.” She squeezed his hands and started to move closer.
“Wait,” he bid her, knowing that if she was nearer, he might not say all he wanted to say. “There’s more.”
“Oh?” Her brow furrowed as if she couldn’t imagine what else he might share.
“As you know, Epiphany is the night the Christmas star brought the wise men to see Jesus. I can’t imagine a better night to celebrate what a bright star I saw in Bombay brought me.” His stomach clenched, his heart pounding as he lowered to one knee.
Violet’s mouth dropped open, her beautiful blue eyes round with surprise.
“Would you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?”
“Yes. Yes. Yes.” Her eyes overflowed, and her happy tears nearly caused him to do the same.
He reached into his pocket and withdrew the ring. The brilliant diamond was as close a match to the star as he’d wished on all those nights ago. “I love you, now and forever,” he promised as he slid the ring on her finger.
“Baxter! This will be my own Christmas star.” Violet wound her arms around his neck, and he rose to embrace her. “I love you as well. Forever and always.”
***
Watch for Gambling for the Governess coming soon! Sign up for my newsletter if you’d like to know when it releases, see a special excerpt, and be the first to hear other news.
Other Books By Lana Williams
Victorian Romances
The Seven Curses of London Series:
Trusting the Wolfe, a Novella, Book .5
Loving the Hawke, Book I
Charming the Scholar, Book II
Rescuing the Earl, Book III
Dancing Under the Mistletoe, a Christmas Novella, Book IV
Tempting the Scoundrel, a Novella, Book V
Falling For the Viscount, Book VI
Daring the Duke, Book VII
The Secret Trilogy:
Unraveling Secrets, Book I
Passionate Secrets, Book II
Shattered Secrets, Book III
Medieval Romances:
Falling for A Knight Series:
A Knight’s Christmas Wish, Novella, Book .5
A Knight’s Quest, Book 1
A Knight’s Temptation, Book 2
A Knight’s Captive, Coming Soon
The Vengeance Trilogy:
A Vow To Keep, Book I
A Knight’s Kiss, Novella, Book 1.5
Trust In Me, Book II
Believe In Me, Book III
Contemporary Romances:
Yours for the Weekend, a Novella
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About the Author
Lana Williams is a USA Today Bestselling and Amazon All-Star author who writes historical romance filled with mystery, adventure, and a pinch of paranormal to stir things up. Filled with a love of books from an early age, Lana put pen to paper and decided happy endings were a must in any story she created.
Her latest series is The Seven Curses of London, set in Victorian times, and shares stories of men and women who attempt to battle the ills of London, and the love they find along the way that truly gives them something worth fighting for.
Her first medieval trilogy is set in England and follows heroes seeking vengeance only to find love when they least
expect it. The second trilogy begins on the Scottish border and follows the second generation of the de Bremont family.
The Secret Trilogy, which shares stories set in Victorian London, follows three lords injured in an electromagnetic experiment that went terribly wrong and the women who help heal them through the power of love.
She writes in the Rocky Mountains with her husband, two growing sons, and two labs, and loves hearing from readers. Stop by her website at www.lanawilliams.net and say hello! You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.
Copyright © 2018 by Lana Williams
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Cover Art by The Killion Group
Wishing Upon A Christmas Star (The Seven Curses of London Book 8) Page 10
