A Kiss At Christmastide: Regency Novella by Christina McKnight Read Free Book Online

for myself, which, as you can tell”—he held his arms wide to present himself—“did not go over well for me.”
    â€œWere you able to mend the conveyance?”
    He shook his head once more, but this time, it wasn’t to be rid of the water that dripped down his face. “No, in fact, I may have made matters worse. The storm is not letting up, and my carriage, along with the broken wheel, is two feet deep in muck. I will be lucky to have it extricated by spring.”
    Spring? He could not possibly think to stay at her home until spring!
    â€œDo not look so frightened, my lady,” he said. “As soon as the storm breaks, I will depart, even if my carriage is still unmovable. I will not overstay my welcome any longer than required.”
    â€œI was not worried about your stay,” Pippa rushed. “It is only that I know you are missing all the festivities at the Sheridans’ holiday party. I am sure you are anxious to arrive.”
    â€œIt is only my parents there I know—and I am only attending at their request,” he added as he removed his coat, careful to not shake it too much. “I have little interest in holiday festivities, I assure you.”
    â€œYou do not enjoy the Christmastide season?” Pippa attempted to keep the shock from her voice.
    â€œAs difficult as it is to believe, no, I am not one for all the merriment and gift-giving.”
    â€œSomeone who does not enjoy giving gifts?” It further stunned her.
    â€œOh, I enjoy giving gifts—as well as receiving them—however, that has not been the case for me in many years.”
    She sensed there was much behind his comment that he wasn’t sharing, but before she could inquire, Edmund lumbered into the foyer, cutting off their conversation.
    Pippa then changed the subject at hand. “My lord, I will have a bath sent to your room. A small meal will be served in an hour’s time—we are not as formal, nor do we keep with London’s hours here in the country.”
    When he nodded, Pippa turned back to her task, expecting Lucas to depart for his room and a clean change of clothes to make himself presentable for the evening meal.
    â€œThe foyer is looking very festive,” he commented.
    â€œThank you.” Pippa secured the greenery in her hands and made to turn toward him, but her shoulder bumped into Edmund, who’d moved to her side without her notice, and knocked her off balance. “Oh!”
    Her arms waved wildly, attempting to regain her balance, but there was no helping it—she was falling, and fast. It would be more than merely her ankle that would be damaged when she eventually hit the ground.
    When she landed, it was with a jolt, the wind knocked from her lungs, but no pain coursed through her body. Maybe she had gone into shock, pushed any pain from her mind? But, no, she looked up to see the wreath she’d hung far closer than she expected. Pippa turned her head slightly—Lucas’s face was only a few inches from hers, his expression lit with concern.
    Pippa’s eyes were drawn to the symbol of Christmastide once more, and the many stories of her parents love founded during the holiday season flowed through her mind. Could that be her fate, as well? Possibly next Christmastide season?
    The earl followed her gaze, a smile taking over his face. “Is this where we kiss, my lady?”
    Her breath hitched as she longed to scream “yes,” to take hold of his face between her palms and set her mouth against his.
    Her first kiss—a kiss that would dictate her future.
    Lucas was as handsome as they came, surely. Even now, her hand clutched his upper arm, muscular from years of…of what, she wasn’t certain. He did not appear the type to embroil himself in manual labor, but she could not deny his strength, evident by his ability to cradle her in his arms as if she were as light as a feather.
    â€œThat would be