by Kate Pearce
“Is there a matter that you’d like to discuss with me?”
At Ethan’s stern and warning tone, Holly bit her bottom lip and glanced away as heat infused her cheeks.
“I’d like permission to marry your ward,” Anthony announced. Most gentlemen would keep the conversation private, but anyone within earshot, and those beyond, must have heard him by the murmurs that surrounded them
Ethan looked to Holly. “Is this your wish as well?” he asked kindly.
“Yes, Ethan.”
“Then how could I possibly object. As long as you are happy, Holly, so shall I be for you.”
“Thank you, Ethan.”
Then her guardian turned to Anthony. “Shall we meet, say, the day after tomorrow to discuss details, since tomorrow is Christmas and not a day for settlements.”
“With all due respect, Your Grace, Holly and I will be traveling to Gretna the day after Christmas.”
Ethan’s features turned to stone. “Is there a reason for such a rush,” he demanded in a hushed tone.
“No,” Anthony and Holly blurted out in unison.
“We simply don’t wish to wait,” Anthony assured Ethan as he took Holly’s hand. “You see, we’ve waited nearly three years and don’t wish to wait any longer.”
“Three years?” Ethan asked in disbelief. “Why so long.”
Anthony laughed. “A mere misunderstanding, and a story suited for a more convenient time.”
Ethan frowned at Anthony in confusion, but then changed his focus to Holly. “Are you certain? Your brother would have wanted you to find happiness and have a grand wedding.”
Tears misted her eyes at the thought of David. He would have approved of Anthony. Until his death, David had done everything he could to see to her happiness and be both mother and father to her when he could. If he hadn’t cared so much, he wouldn’t have insured that she’d have Westbury as a guardian. Only David could have cared for her all these years better than Ethan.
“A wedding is not important.” She looked up at Anthony, her heart overflowing with the love for Anthony that she’d tried to keep locked away.
“Then you shall have your wish.”
“Gretna?” his mother cried. “Oh do be reasonable. You are a Viscount, heir to the marquisate. You should be married in a church. Why the hurry? Spring is but a few months away and you could be married in St. George’s.”
Anthony had already anticipated her reaction and was ready to stand firm. For once in his blessed life he was going to do what he wanted, exactly the way he wanted it done.
Holly stiffened and Anthony placed a hand at the small of her back. They’d not be bullied into waiting even a few months. “We’ve already decided upon Gretna and His Grace has given his blessing.”
His mother brought a hand to her chest and sank down into the settee in a back parlor. Perhaps he shouldn’t have pulled his parents from the Yule Ball to deliver the news, but enough guests had already overheard Anthony’s discussion with Westbury, and he didn’t wish for his parents to learn before he had a chance to speak with them.
“If Westbury has no objection to an anvil wedding, then neither do I.” His father shrugged.
“Will none of my children have a London wedding?” his mother whined. “My only daughter was married by a gypsy, Harry was married in a small church in Cornwall, and now you are running off to Gretna.”
Anthony grinned at her. “Have faith mother, Michael hasn’t married yet. Maybe he’ll provide the wedding of your dreams.” Except, Anthony didn’t see that happening for some time. His brother wouldn’t have time to court anyone, let alone marry, while he was learning to manage a copper mine. Not that he’d mention that particular topic to his parents. “And there’s always William, though that wedding is at least ten years away.”
His mother sighed heavily. “Michael is the one I expected to marry in Gretna, not you.”
“Well, perhaps he will surprise you one day.”
“Shall we expect you at Halesworth Hall after the beginning of the year?”
Anthony looked down at his future bride and smiled. “No, Father.”
“What?” his mother cried again.
Why hadn’t he ever noticed that she had a flair for drama? Probably because he’d never stepped out of line before. “Holly is in possession of a manor outside of Tintagel. We plan on retiring there for the remainder of winter.”
“The Season?” his mother asked with worry.
“I assure you. We will be in London in the Spring.” Besides, his wife had dresses to design and sew, something he had learned recently that she had a passion for. While some may frown upon it, Anthony would never dream of denying her something that brought her such happiness. Of course, he wouldn’t mention as such to his mother as she might very well have an apoplexy. Instead, he’d leave that to Michael, when he finally told their parents that he was going in to trade.
“I wish you well, Son,” his father said. “Welcome to the family, Miss Prescott. May the two of you share as much happiness as Gwendolyn and I have.”
“Thank you, Lord Halesworth,” Holly murmured.
“Now, come along Gwen, and let’s enjoy the rest of the ball.”
His mother pushed herself up from the settee. “I wish you happy, Anthony.” Then she turned to embrace Holly. “You as well Miss Prescott. All I ask is that you love my son.”
“I do, Lady Halsworth. With all of my heart, I do.”
Anthony pulled Holly close once his parents had quit the room. “Is it true?”
She tilted her head to look up at him. “Is what true?”
“That you love me with all of your heart.”
“I’ve already told you so,” she insisted.
“No, you haven’t, actually,” he laughed. “You only admitted to falling in love over the past three years.”
“Isn’t that the same?”
“Almost. So, is it true?”
“I wouldn’t be marrying you if I wasn’t.”
“What of the mistletoe?” he questioned.
“It has no power over my heart, Anthony.”
“Nor does it mine.” He pulled her tightly against him. “So, is it true?”
“Of course it’s true.” Then she smiled brightly. “I do love you, Viscount Redgrave, with all of my heart.”
“And I, Miss Prescott, love you with my entire being, regardless of the mistletoe.” With that, he withdrew it from his pocket and once again held it over her head. “I might just keep this with me always.”
“You don’t need mistletoe to kiss me, you know.”
“No, but you can’t ever reject me if it is there.”
“As if I would.” Her cheeks began to blossom into a lovely pink as she glanced up. “Shouldn’t you be kissing me now?”
Anthony laughed before he finally brought his lips to hers. Holly melted against him and Anthony was hard pressed not to sweep her up in his arms and carry her away to Gretna Green at that moment. Two days and then they’d be on their way, and she’d never be parted from him again. For the first time in his life, he was actually looking forward to being confined to a carriage as he traveled across England. With Holly snuggled at his side, Anthony couldn’t imagine a better way to travel.
About Jane Charles
Jane Charles is a USA Today Bestselling Author and has lived in the Midwest her entire life. As a child she would more likely be found outside with a baseball than a book in her hand. In fact, Jane hated reading until she was sixteen. Out of boredom on a long road trip she borrowed her older sister's historical romance and fell in love with reading. She long ago lost count of how many novels she has read over the years and her love for them never died. Along with romance she has a passion for history and the two soon combined when she penned her first historical romance, and she has been writing since with the loving support from her husband, three children and three cats. She writes both historical (set in the Regency period) and Coming of Age contemporary.
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HISTORICAL
The Tenacious Trents
Compromised For Christmas
Landing a Laird
A Misguided Lord
A Perfect Gentlemen
Devil in Her Dreams
A Lass For Christmas
A Reluctant Rake
Lady Revealed
Lady Disguised
Lady Concealed
A Tenacious Trent’s Wedding
Lady Admired
The Spirited Storms
Christmas Spirits
Ruined by a Lady
Weathering Captain Storm
Wiggon’s School For Elegant Young Ladies
To Walk in the Sun
Ghosts From the Past
The Witching Hour
A Gentleman’s Guide to Once Upon a Time
His Impetuous Debutante
His Contrary Bride
His Not So Sensible Miss
His Christmas Match
Muses
Her Muse, Lord Patrick
Her Muse, Her Magic
Her Muse, Her David
Her Muse, His Grace
Scot to the Heart
Courting the Scot
To Love a Governess
Sacked
Hand fasted
Ruined
The Castle Keyvnor Collections
Christmas at Castle Keyvnor
Charmed at Christmas
Enchanted at Christmas
Kissed at Christmas
Tempted at Christmas
The Haunting of Castle Keyvnor
Vexed
Bedeviled
Mystified
Spellbound
