Christmas Surprise (Regency Holiday Surprise Book 1)
Page 7
“How beautiful!” she exclaimed, wishing she had the skill to capture the scene in a painting before the sun could melt it all.
“Yes, it is.” John was not looking at the snow or the trees—he was looking at her. Her pulse sped, and she looked away. The hunger of his gaze made her feel things she was only beginning to understand.
Their travel became silent as the snow muffled the sound of the horses’ hooves and the wheels. She could not bear it for more than a few moments and finally said, “Please, can we not enjoy each other’s company as friends? You will be returning to London tomorrow, and I will go home.”
He smiled and stopped the carriage. “You are not going home.”
“John, I must.”
“Your father is taking you to London, so we will be together whether you wish it or not. Your whole family, save the children, will be going.”
“What? Why?” She frowned.
“It seems that your Uncle Jamie died of fever.”
Cicely had never met her Uncle Jamie, Papa’s older brother. He left for India long before she was born. Other that the occasional exotic gift, she knew little of him.
“That makes your father Lord Townsend’s heir.”
It took her a few minutes to grasp what he was saying. “Father will be a baron.”
“One day.”
Her eyes widened, and she wondered if that would change anything. After all, John was only an earl until his father died, and earl was much closer to baron than duke was. She looked at him, and the smile on his face took her breath away.
He took her hands in his and asked, “My dear, sweet Cici. Will you—”
“But your father,” she interrupted.
“Does not matter.” He shook his head. “Only you matter.”
“He will disown you.”
John chuckled. “He will not, and even if he did, I have lands and money of my own from my mother. Please trust me. I have a plan to deal with my father.”
She hesitated.
“Can I propose now without you stopping me?” His eyes glittered with humor and love.
Joy welled up inside her, and she nodded.
“Miss Cicely Ward, will you do me the honor of being my bride?”
She opened her mouth to answer, but he pressed a finger to her lips.
“I am not done.” He chuckled. “You saved me that day we met fifteen years ago. I was a bitter, lonely child who despite Emily’s best efforts did not understand love. But you taught me how to love not only you but your family and even myself. I am sorry if I forgot that, but I can promise you that I will never forget it again. I have loved you from the moment we met. I will not lose you again.” He kissed her, and joy flooded through her veins.
“I love you too,” she whispered.
“Then say yes, Cici. Be my wife. Never leave my side.”
“Yes. Yes.” She lunged forward to kiss him, nearly knocking them both from the carriage, but she did not care. All that mattered was that John would be hers forever.
Epilogue
Cicely stared at the modiste with annoyance but held her tongue. She was finally in London, and all she had seen were the inside of shops and Bond Street for the better part of a week. She had not even seen John.
The thought of him made her knees weak. She could not wait for them to wed.
“Cicely, stand up straight,” Aunt Mary scolded.
She complied.
“Need I remind you how important this dress is? My friendship with the Queen will only get you her consideration. You must do the rest.”
Emily nodded from beside her aunt, and after a few moments, they returned to looking at lace samples to trim her gown, which Cicely was convinced was a torture device. The narrow hoops were covered by so many layers of skirts that she nearly collapsed under the weight. The headdress was even worse with its long white feathers. It gave her a headache just to look at it and putting it on was torture.
“Cicely, you are slouching again,” her aunt admonished.
“I think she needs a break,” Emily said with a smile.
“Madam, I am done with the pinning. She may sit for a moment, but the pins might pinch,” the modiste conceded.
Cicely did not wait for anyone’s permission and staggered to the chair beside Emily. She felt a few pins poking her, but she did not care. “Why must I go to court?”
Aunt looked around, and with the modiste gone, she lowered her voice. “If the Queen approves of you, it will guarantee you the invitations you need to be accepted.”
“Why cannot John not get them for me as he did Georgie?”
“Then your success would be due to him, not from your own charms. You know what the plan is.” Aunt Mary turned her gaze on Cicely. “If you are having second thoughts, speak now and save us all the trouble, girl.”
Cicely sat up straight and eliminated any bitterness from her face or form. “No, Aunt. I am committed. I wish to marry John more than anything else.”
Aunt Mary’s eyes softened, and her face smoothed into a more peaceful expression. “Then it is imperative that we convince the duke that you will make an excellent duchess.” She paused with a slight frown. “Or at the very least that you will not disgrace the family name.”
Cicely sighed, and a thought occurred to her. “What if he does not approve?”
Before she could answer, the modiste returned and the discussion ended, but Cicely’s concerns only increased. How am I to become the diamond of the season if I cannot even stand in this dress?
I hope that you enjoyed Christmas Surprise. You can read all about Georgianna’s romance in my next book New Year’s Surprise release in April 2021. To learn more about my upcoming works and join my newsletter visit me on at KBurkeBooks.com.
Merry Christmas to all no matter the day of the year
Kimberly Burke