Mistletoe and Kisses
Page 9
“I see I am going to have to make this a short speech,” Ewan added, looking directly at his brother.
Hugh grinned back at him. He was a newlywed, and that entitled him to a healthy degree of leeway.
“As I was saying, my family and I welcome you all to our home tonight. And to Mary, a special welcome on the occasion of not only your first Hogmanay, but your first as my brother Hugh’s wife. Thank you for your First Foot gifts; we shall put them to good use. To the rest of the Strathmore family, I am both honored and humbled to serve as your laird. I raise my glass to you and yours. May the new year be a good one and your health stay hearty. Slainte!”
“Slainte!”
The sound of cups and glasses being clinked together echoed through the great hall, followed by loud cheers of “Happy New Year!”
With the formalities over, Hugh pulled Mary into his arms and gave her the kiss he had been aching to give to her all evening. Her soft lips met his as she melted into his embrace. Holding her in his arms was as natural as breathing
“Happy New Year, Husband,” she said.
“Happy New Year, my wife, my love,” said Hugh.
Waking up beside her that morning had been a gift beyond words. He’d been humbled when she had welcomed him into her arms, and they’d made love. With the new year would come a new life for the both of them. Knowing that every day he would be blessed with her love had him lost for words.
“Come,” she said.
He let her lead him over to where the mistletoe still hung.
“I love you,” she said, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Hugh did the only thing a newlywed man could do. He pulled his wife into his arms and, ignoring the cheers of the crowd, kissed her senseless.
With his loving wife to support him, Hugh Radley did make a success of his career in the Church of England, rising to one of its highest positions of rank, eventually becoming the Bishop of London.
And every year he, along with Mary and their children, would arrive at Strathmore Castle a few days before Christmas, bringing with them a red box.
Inside that box would be a perfect branch of mistletoe, ready to weave its magic.
About the Author
USA Today bestselling author Sasha Cottman was born in England, but raised in Australia. Having her heart in two places has created a love for travel, which at last count was to over 55 countries. A travel guide is always on her pile of new books to read.
Sasha’s novels are set around the Regency period in England, Scotland, and Europe. Her books are centred on the themes of love, honour, and family.
Please visit her website at www.sashacottman.com
Join Sasha’s Historical Romance Bookclub on Facebook for competitions, book news and new friends.
A Scottish Duke for Christmas
London, April 1789
Dear Reader,
Your intrepid correspondent has it on good authority that a certain duke, with lands north of the Scottish border, has had the unfortunate luck to be jilted by his lady love. Rumor also has it that the lady in question, the eldest daughter of a lesser nobleman has done a moonlight flit and fled London to be with a secret lover. Members of London’s elite are said to be in total disbelief at the news...
Ewan Radley, Duke of Strathmore, screwed up the scandal sheet and threw it headlong into the fireplace. He watched as the flames hungrily ate it up.
He didn't need to read anymore. All that mattered was that the rest of London society now knew the scandalous secret he had managed to keep hidden for the past month.
Lady Beatrice Hastings had called off their engagement and disappeared. His life was in complete disarray.
'I'll be the laughing stock of the ton,' he muttered.
In drawing rooms and at breakfast tables in the very best homes in London, he would be the main topic of discussion this morning.
By rights, he shouldn't care. It wasn't as if theirs had been a love match. Lady Beatrice was the eldest daughter of an old family friend. Of fine bloodlines and burdened with a substantial dowry, she had been the perfect candidate for the position of his duchess. The only other candidate with as impeccable a background was her younger sister, Caroline.
Events were still too recent for him to fully comprehend, but he sensed that at some point soon the full extent of the damage caused by his rash decision to bed Beatrice, would be laid bare before him.
He pushed his breakfast plate away, food offered no comfort to the cold pit of his stomach.
'Shall I have your carriage brought around your Grace?' asked his butler.
The House of Lords was sitting that day. As Duke of Strathmore, Ewan had responsibilities that even a scandal such as this could not hold at bay.
'Yes, Hargreaves. Let us get out into the maelstrom as soon as we can,' he replied.
With the House of Lords soon to rise for the Easter break, he only had a week in which he would have to maintain a low profile. Once Parliament was in recess, he could escape London and seek refuge at his castle in Scotland.
And knowing London society as he did, by the time he returned, yet another scandal would have taken the place of his in the public mind.
TO READ A SCOTTISH DUKE FOR CHRISTMAS
Also by Sasha Cottman
The Duke of Strathmore
Letter from a Rake (ebook and audio)
An Unsuitable Match (ebook and audio)
The Duke’s Daughter (ebook and audio)
A Scottish Duke for Christmas
My Gentleman Spy (ebook and audio)
Lord of Mischief (ebook and audio)
The Ice Queen (ebook and audio)
Two of a Kind (ebook and audio)
Mistletoe & Kisses
Regency Rockstars
Reid
Owen
Callum
Kendal
London Lords
An Italian Count for Christmas
Promised to the Swedish Prince
Devoted to the Spanish Duke
Rogues of the Road
When a Rogue Falls - Hello Rogue
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