A Bride for Christmas (Sweet Regency Novella) by Aileen Fish Read Free Book Online

pick up a book. She noticed a sheet of paper on the table beside the chair. Obviously a child's drawing, the sketch was a rather detailed depiction of a dragon in flight. Flames shot from the open mouth.
    She had no question as to who had placed the drawing in her room.
    She set the paper down and hurried to the nursery, not wanting to think about why Mr. Sinclair would give her such a gift, nor the implication giving gifts implied. Was he courting her?
    Little Julie came running into her arms when she entered the room. Julianna's heart filled with joy at the tiny arms stretching to reach around her. "You play with me?" her niece asked.
    " How could I not? I must make up for all the months I have to be away from you."
    " Why can't you live with me and Mama and Papa? You may share my bed."
    " May I sleep there when I visit? Aunt Phillips would be very sad if I didn't return home soon. She lives all alone."
    Little Julie struggled to free herself and took Julianna's hand. "Come read to me."
    Following her niece, Julianna chose a book from the shelf and curled into the window seat with the little girl beside her. She turned to the last page she'd read and began to recite. After a few pages she realized the room was unusually quiet for morning. Glancing about, she noticed the older children were missing. She asked the governess where they were.
    " They've gone off with their uncle, my lady."
    W hich of the gentlemen had taken them away? And why did she care? As much as she enjoyed each and every child, she spent little concern on how they were entertained each day. There were simply too many to keep track of. The poor young woman given their charge deserved an extra month's pay for the number of children in her care during this visit. Clemmie's nursemaid had her hands filled with Edward, and Julianna wasn't quite sure why Mr. Peter Sinclair's governess was not present. But it was none of Julianna's concern.
    About the time she began to notice the chill of sitting by the window, the nursery door opened and the six older children rushed in, screaming and bouncing in their excitement. Little Julie, whose head was resting on Julianna's shoulder, sat up, suddenly more awake. "I play with Frankie now."
    Julianna smiled, wondering how the wild boy felt about his cousin wanting to follow him around. "Go ahead."
    Frank waved a wooden sword in the air. "I'm Captain Sinclair. Give up your arms!"
    Mr. Sinclair walked up behind the boy and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Not in front of the little ones, my boy. You'll give them a fright."
    Was Mr. Sinclair 's rank that of captain? How like him to not use his rank now that he'd left the army. As the two oldest boys ran off to find something, she spoke to their uncle. "You didn't keep them outside long enough. They can still run."
    He chuckl ed. "I believe I understand why the Lord gives us babes to practice on. Nine-year-old boys require all-together too much energy."
    " I discovered the drawing in my room this morning. I assume you put it there?"
    Mr. Sinclair walked up beside her. "Guilty as charged. I thought it might keep your Mr. Pulk in mind."
    " You're afraid I might forget him?"
    " No, no. I merely wish you'll be certain what it is about him you admire. Have you been out in the park at all today? There's a bit of warmth now that the clouds have cleared."
    " I would enjoy a stroll. Let me put on my pelisse and bonnet."
    When she met him at the top of the stairs she realized he smelled of fresh air , and it struck her as much more attractive than the colognes often doused too heavily on the gentlemen of the ton . She shook off the thought and followed his lead on the path around the house.
    " We can sit in the walled garden. It's almost pleasant there."
    " Almost?" She laughed. "You make it sound most tempting. I long to be almost comfortable."
    " Are you not, here?"
    " I beg your pardon?"
    " Are you not comfortable here? Away from anything familiar. So far from your home. Do you prefer