My Merry Marquess (Wallflower's Christmas Wish #3) - Annabelle Anders Page 0,37

her pillow.

And yet it was.

So much could go wrong. Her sisters were barreling toward London in an ancient carriage on roads covered in ice and snow, and her father was drinking himself to death in their home, all alone, unable to face life without her mother.

As the tight feeling grew in her chest, she began to hear her heartbeat in her ears.

Noelle and Holly were just fine. Their father would come around. Nicholas wasn’t going anywhere, and neither was she. She inhaled a deep breath and then blew it out slowly, chanting the words under her breath, hoping to make them come true.

Everything is going to be fine.

Everything is going to be fine.

Everything is going to be fine.

Nick woke early and, rather than go downstairs for breakfast, addressed all of the correspondence he’d ignored for far too long. Knowing he would be marrying Eve and starting a family soon, he needed to take his responsibilities in hand.

He would one day inherit from his father and be called on to manage the dukedom but had no wish for that day to come anytime soon. He owned a small personal estate not far from Brighton and he would have it prepared so that he could take Eve there.

Just as he was completing a letter to the steward he’d neglected for far too long, sounds of vehicles rolling into town had him rising to look out the window. The sleigh Dash and Jack had driven away in, followed by a rather ancient carriage, pulled to a halt outside of Lady Tannenbaum’s house. Nick couldn’t help but smile as he watched Dash assist Lady Noelle to her aunt’s door, but also, the look on Jack’s face as he watched the other girl… Holly.

A flurry of activity ensued as Lady Tannenbaum stood watch over the luggage, but Eve was nowhere to be seen. Nick rubbed his hand along his jaw and wondered if he should send for Tomlin, his valet. Eve’s aunt hadn’t given them even a moment alone after she’d arrived. His heart raced as he anticipated seeing her shortly.

Of course, he’d have to shave and dress. Eve was a lady. She was his intended.

And then he froze.

He hadn’t, in fact, officially asked for her hand. He scratched his head.

Had he?

He’d told her he loved her. Nick frowned. How had he forgotten such an important detail?

But she would accept him tonight.

She’d returned the sentiment this time and by God, she had been the one to declare her feelings first. Replaying the moment in his mind had him quickly donning the trousers and linen shirt he’d shed the night before with every intention of racing across the square and rectifying the situation immediately. He’d not wait all day to have her promise.

One glance in the looking glass, and he realized he’d have to shave. Wasting the days away inside of a taproom with Jack and Dash was one thing, presenting himself with the intention of asking for a lady’s hand, quite another.

Nearly an hour later as he donned his greatcoat in the inn foyer, Nick was to be delayed once again as Dash and Jack stepped inside. The former looking quite pleased with himself, the latter, somewhat the opposite.

“What the hell did you do to your face?” Jack stared at him.

Nick reached up and touched his chin. Shaving was not something a gentleman ever ought to approach with expediency in mind. “Who pissed in your tea?” he rejoined.

“He’s just angry because his lady isn’t as easily corralled as he’d imagined. Mr. Rudolph!” Dash caught the innkeeper’s attention. “A hearty meal and ale, if you please, good sir.” In an altogether different demeanor than the day before, his dukish friend dropped a jovial hand on Nick’s shoulder. “And I owe you a drink. Imagine that. You were right for once.”

“Of course, I was right.” Nick hesitated but then allowed Dash to lead him into the private dining area they’d commandeered since their arrival. Eve wasn’t going anywhere now that her sisters had returned. He’d allow them to settle in before presenting himself at Lady Tannenbaum’s door.

Dash leaned back his chair and locked his hands behind his head. “My bachelor days are over.”

But Nick was staring at Jack. “You and Lady… Holly? She won’t have you? You’re a bloody earl, for God’s sake. And only partially ugly to boot. What the hell did you do to fall out of her favor?”

A few kitchen servants entered with tall pints of ale and plates of various meats and cheeses