The door had opened on the carriage behind the first one and Lord Merriweather emerged but then turned around and reached in for Eve.
Who was…!
“Eve! You are carrying!” Both Noelle and Holly rushed over to greet their oldest sister. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell us!”
Two spots of pink blossomed on Eve’s cheeks, making her appear prettier than normal. “Nicholas required a good deal of convincing that I was in good enough health to travel but I told him I could not spend Christmas without my sisters and their families. Besides, I thought it would make for a fun surprise.”
“But when? How?” Holly reached out and touched the rounded bump at Eve’s abdomen.
Both Noelle and Eve caught one another’s eyes and giggled. “You, more than anyone, ought to know how.” Eve placed her hand over Holly’s. “And the babe should come sometime in late February.”
“I am so happy for you!” Noelle gasped. “I am so very happy for all of us!”
The three sisters glanced at one another and then over at their husbands, who of course, were examining the horses on the carriage Holly had ridden over in.
“How did we manage to get so lucky?” Noelle sighed. Each one of the gentlemen was not only handsome in his own right, but of excellent character.
Both Eve and Holly sighed in unison and then, grinning glanced back at one another.
“Father isn’t far behind us.” Eve turned toward the other carriages. “Somewhere behind the luggage coaches.”
“And Aunt Winifred has a surprise.” Noelle linked one arm through each of theirs and led them up the stairs. A tall, slim, and elegant gentleman held the front door wide. “Mr. Bradley, these are my sisters, Lady Tidemore and Lady Merriweather.”
Mr. Bradley bowed. “My Ladies, welcome to Divinity Manor.”
Noelle couldn’t help but feel proud when her sisters stared up and around the high-ceilinged entrance. “It feels more like a museum than a house sometimes, but it is coming to feel like home.” She smiled. “Would you like to retire to your chambers right away, or take tea first while we wait for Aunt and Father?”
“Do you have any vanilla cakes?” Holly asked.
But Eve was shaking her head. “You ought to know by now that Noelle will only have ginger snaps.”
“Oh, no.” Noelle laughed. “I’ve had the cooks prepare a little bit of everything. After all, it’s Christmas Eve!”
As they settled into the delightful treats, two more coaches arrived in the drive.
Noelle’s heart melted to see their father step into the house, looking fresh and healthy with a grin on his face and his eyes clear and bright.
Just behind him was Aunt Winifred and, on her right, none other than Mr. Kringle.
“Aunt Winifred,” Eve gasped, reaching for the other woman. “It’s so good to see you.”
Their aunt gave her usual bright smile. “And you as well. You all remember Mr. Kringle, of course.”
Mr. Kringle gave a friendly nod. “I’ve been quite looking forward to all of your desserts.” He patted his not insignificant middle. “With you ladies no longer living with your aunt, I’m wasting away.”
They all laughed at that.
Aunt Winifred’s grin widened. “I hoped you would all indulge us in another Christmastide wedding. Mr. Kringle and I couldn’t think of a better place and time.”
Noelle rushed forward, thrilled to host their aunt’s nuptials. She still missed her mother terribly but she’d gained her aunt back into her life, and that was a blessing in and of itself. “What a darling idea. We’d be happy to.”
Her father cleared his throat. “Wedding preparations will have to wait a few more minutes. I’ve two grandchildren to meet.”
Noelle reached for her father’s hand. “It’s so good to see you, Papa.”
“And you as well.” He leaned down and kissed his daughter’s cheek. “You girls have given me a reason to find hope and joy in life again. Thank you for that.”
Noelle, Holly, and with some difficulty, Eve, wrapped their arms about their father. It was their Christmastide wish come true.
Merry Christmas!
I hope you have loved reading this series as much as Tammy and I enjoyed writing it! In case you started on book 3 and want to go back and read books 1 and 2, follow this link to My Dashing Duke and My Yuletide Earl now!
Thank you!
Tammy and I wanted to take a moment to thank you for reading our books!
Keep in mind that My Dashing Duke, My Yuletide Earl and My Merry Marquess compliment one another. If you enjoyed Eve and Nick’s story, but missed one of the others, I encourage you to circle back and read Noelle and Dash’s and Holly’ and Jack’s stories as well!
And as always, if you enjoyed the series, a review at one or more of the following is greatly appreciated!
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Turn the page to read Chapter One of Noelle and Dash’s Happily Ever After in: My Dashing Duke
My Dashing Duke
Chapter One
Maybridge Falls, England, December, 1823
Dash blinked several times, attempting to clear his vision, as he stared out the large, square window at the front of the tiny inn. Before him lay a sea of white snow. In fact, the offending precipitation had piled so high he wasn’t certain if all the liquor had blinded him, turning his eyesight white, or if there actually was that much powder piled on the ground. At this rate, they’d be stuck in this haven of wholesomeness until spring.
He slowly and methodically refocused his gaze on the fire crackling merrily in the hearth as a way to test his eyes. Snorting, he took another long swig of his ale. Only, the fire was not merry at all. That must be his imagination playing tricks on him.
Clearly, he’d allowed this quaint little village to poison his normally debaucherous mind. It was nearly Christmastide, not that he gave a wit about the holiday. But he and his companions had been on their way to a lovely little affair being put on by a very eligible widow who’d been married to a man five and twenty years
