Page 27 of Yule Be Mine

“I’m afraid I cannot do that, Yule.” His fiancée seemed almost gleeful in her refusal.

“Why not?”

“The matrons who spoke to Charlotte were your sisters.”

“What?” The innocuous motion of the carriage suddenly threatened to make him shoot the cat. “My sisters have given you and your sister instruction on…”

“Not everything, I’m sure, my dear.” Penelope patted his arm. “They were aware of the impropriety of the situation however. If you recall, Iphigenia has never taken the rules of society much into account.”

In that Penelope was completely correct.

“And Cassandra said that since Genny was telling tales, she had to have her share.” Penelope nodded her head. “Again, you know them better than I do.”

“I suppose Phaedre insisted on putting her tuppence worth in as well.” His fiancée grinned and Yule groaned again. “So you likely know a fair amount about things no young lady should.”

“Not a fair amount, but enough to recognize some of the things we did.” She looked pointedly at his hand. “Like what you just showed me.”

“Then you must know how much I desire you, Penelope.” Given the circumstances, honesty seemed the quickest route to capitulation. “And I hope you have felt a somewhat similar desire for me.”

She nodded, hanging on every word.

“Then I hope you will help me in my quest to persuade your parents to allow us to marry in three weeks instead of six months.” Even the normal time it took for the banns to be read would be a hardship for him, but much preferable to half a year of purgatory. He took her hand again and kissed it. “Will you help me, my love?”

“Oh, yes, Yule.” She threw herself into his arms. “We will make Mama understand that we do not want to wait.” Penelope laid her head on his chest. “Do not worry, my dear. I am certain, between the two of us, we can find a way.”

Yule gulped as his member began to rise again, as it seemed to do whenever Penelope touched him. Yes, even three weeks would be an eternity of sweet agony. At least he could console himself with the knowledge there was an abundance of cold water to be had this time of year.