AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter One
London, England
December 1836
Christmas was LadyAurora Brayden’s favorite time of the year, and with so many Brayden family members in town, as well as her mother’s family, the Crofts, their celebrations would be quite memorable. She had to toss the Farthingale relations into the mix because the Braydens were so intricately bound to them by marriage, they could never be overlooked. All of them would be stopping by their home next week for supper and a night of decorating.
“Hyacinth, hurry,” Aurora said, her arms too laden with packages to take her cousin’s hand as they rushed through the falling snow and crowded Oxford Street toward the Gardenia Tearoom, a particular favorite of society’s elite who enjoyed a respite after a hectic day of shopping. “My mother is meeting us, and we cannot be late.”
“Aurora, slow down.” Her cousin Hyacinth laughed, as they were both juggling bundles in their arms. “Oh, you’ve dropped your ribbons. We had better get to them before some big-booted clot steps on them and crushes them in the snow.”
“Oh, dear! I cannot lose those ribbons.” She had just turned to retrace her steps to find them, when she saw a finely dressed gentleman bend to gather them and place them back in the wrapping that had unwound and caused them to fall in the first place.
“Yours, I presume?” He held up those he had already saved.
“Yes, thank you so much. How very kind of you to help me.” She set the rest of her packages beside her and bent to gather the last of them. “I do hope they aren’t ruined.”
She nibbled her lip, now fretting because she had emptied the Oxford Street shops of their red ribbons and would have to hunt elsewhere for more if this batch could not be saved.
“I think we’ve got them in time,” the man said with an amiable chuckle. “There you go. Your Christmas is salvaged.”
He had a splendid voice, deep and resonant, coating her against the chill like a delicious serving of warm honey.
“Thank you, sir.” She looked up at him as they rose together. “I—”
The breath caught in her lungs.
He frowned. “Is something wrong?”
Did a handsomer man exist?
“No, sir. I just…” What could she say without revealing herself to be a ninny? “We are late, that is all.”
And she could not get over how handsome he was.
Dark hair.
Exquisite eyes, the color of dark emeralds.
Fiery emeralds, for his gaze shot flames through her.
Despite the winter’s chill and snow falling all around them in soft, large flakes, she suddenly felt too warm in her overcoat. “I thank you again, sir. Happy Christmas to you and your family.”
She was collecting the rest of her packages as she spoke, dropping a few and trying to gather them, only to drop more. Picking them up again and tucking them under her chin to hold them in place, but several fell anyway. More tumbled as she bent to pick those up.
Heavens, was he watching?
He must think her the greatest fool in existence.
The gentleman chuckled again. “You seem to be having a little difficulty. May I carry them for you? Are you going far?”
“Only to the Gardenia Tearoom.” More packages dropped out of her arms. “It is just around the corner. Do you know it?”
“Never been, but I happen to be on my way there. A fortunate coincidence.” He bent to pick those up, then rose and easily scooped the ones she had been holding into his arms as well. “I think it is safest if I take these and escort you.”
Heavens again.
She was not going to refuse his offer. Was it sinful of her to notice the fine cut of his body? He was as tall as the men in her family, which was quite something because Brayden men were big. He had broad shoulders solidly affixed to muscled arms. “Sir, I do appreciate your assistance.”
