O Night Divine A Holiday Collection of Spirited Christmas Tales - Kathryn Le Veque Page 0,101

in his heart, and he simply had not realized it.

She sighed as he set her down and eased his lips off hers.

He knew there would be no backing out now, especially not with her father about to aim his loaded weapon at him. He’d be doing the same thing if Hyacinth were his daughter, and some besotted dolt was kissing her with enough heat to roast the sun. “This house does not need a box of decorations. There is only one thing this house needs, and that is you, Hyacinth.”

Her eyes rounded in surprise. “Do you mean it?”

Innes nodded. “You called me an idiot last night. Well, I was. And now that I’ve reconsidered, I am going to take you up on your suggestion to find someone who will love me and cherish me as I deserve. However, I don’t know that I am all that deserving. But I have found that someone in you, if you wish to have me. I want to share my life with you. So, my beloved Hyacinth–”

“Stop!” She pushed out of his arms. “Wait. Not yet. You have to open my gift first.”

He groaned. “You’ve shattered the mood. I was trying to be romantic.”

Her father groaned and took a seat in one of the chairs, watching him about to make a fool of himself over his daughter. “She’s my own flesh and blood,” Romulus said, grinning at him. “I have no choice but to love and protect her. It isn’t too late for you to change your mind, Innes.”

“Papa!”

“He adores you, Hyacinth. Let me tease him just a little. Besides, he knows I will hunt him down to the pits of hell if he dares back out of marrying you now.”

“Be quiet, Papa. That is appallingly ghoulish and not in the holiday spirit at all. Holmes, did you find the box?”

“Yes, Miss Hyacinth.”

Good grief, were those tears forming in his butler’s eyes?

She took the box from Holmes and handed it over to him. “Happy Christmas, Innes.”

“I love you, Hyacinth.” He kissed her softly on the mouth before opening the box, not really caring what it held, for she was his true gift.

Hyacinth nudged him. “Stop grinning at me, Innes. Look at what’s inside the box.”

“I am looking.” There were two silver bells, one etched with a design of the Plover. The other had words etched into it. To Innes, Remember me always. Love, Hyacinth.

He nodded, too choked up for words.

Finally, he took a deep breath and spoke in a rasping voice. “I never forgot you, Hyacinth. I’ve always carried you in my heart.”

“Nor could I ever forget you. No one ever had better ears to tug. I love you, Innes.”

He took her back in his arms and kissed her again.

She had been the best part of his Christmas past.

She was the best part of his Christmas present.

She would be the best part of his Christmas future.

“Hyacinth, just so we are clear on why I am kissing you…will you marry me?”

Also by Meara Platt

FARTHINGALE SERIES

My Fair Lily

The Duke I’m Going To Marry

Rules For Reforming A Rake

A Midsummer’s Kiss

The Viscount’s Rose

Earl Of Hearts

If You Wished For Me

Never Dare A Duke

Capturing The Heart Of A Cameron

BOOK OF LOVE SERIES

The Look of Love

The Touch of Love

The Taste of Love

The Song of Love

The Scent of Love

The Kiss of Love

The Chance of Love

The Gift of Love

The Heart of Love

The Hope of Love (novella)

The Remembrance of Love (novella)

DARK GARDENS SERIES

Garden of Shadows

Garden of Light

Garden of Dragons

Garden of Destiny

Garden of Angels

THE BRAYDENS

A Match Made In Duty

Earl of Westcliff

Fortune’s Dragon

Earl of Kinross

Pearls of Fire*

(*also in Pirates of Britannia series)

Aislin

Gennalyn

DeWOLFE PACK ANGELS SERIES

Nobody’s Angel

Kiss An Angel

Bhrodi’s Angel

About the Author

Meara Platt is an award winning, USA TODAY bestselling author and an Amazon UK All-Star. She is happily married to her Russell Crowe look-alike husband, and they have two terrific children. Her favorite place in all the world is England’s Lake District, which may not come as a surprise since many of her stories are set in that idyllic landscape, including her paranormal romance Dark Gardens series. Learn more about the Dark Gardens and Meara’s lighthearted and humorous Regency romances in her Farthingale series and Book of Love series, or her warmhearted Regency romances in her Braydens series by visiting her website at www.mearaplatt.com.

How to Get an Earl for Christmas

Violetta Rand

Chapter One

The butler set their bags outside the front doors, refusing to make eye contact with Rose, her younger brother Timothy, or their faithful maid, Jen, who had sworn to their deceased mother that she would