A Lass for Christmas (Tenacious Trents Novella) by Jane Charles Page A

Madeline?” His
Grace demanded.
    “I wish to marry her,” Lachlan stated after
he straightened.
    The humor in John’s face was replaced with
shock and his wife gasped.
    “You have more sense than I gave you credit
for.”
    Lachlan stiffened at the insult but held his
tongue. “Take my carriage; it is quicker than the rig you drove up
in.”
    Lachlan stared at the man. Certainly he
wasn’t giving him use of the ducal carriage.
    “John and Elizabeth will go with you.”
    His granddaughter and grandson-in-law whipped
their heads around and stared at His Grace.
    “If your sister is to be married, you
shouldn’t be the only brother missing,” the duke clarified.
    “I won’t be,” Mr. Trent pointed out.
    “Yes, you will. I am certain Bentley is
already on his way, if he has not arrived already.”
    “But, how. . .” Trent began to ask and then
closed his mouth, shaking his head.
    “Go.” He shooed Mrs. Trent. “Arrange for your
bags to be brought down. The carriage will be by the door in a
moment.” He turned to Lachlan when the two left. “I understand you
make an excellent whisky.”
    Lachlan knew better than to question how His
Grace knew of his secret and illegal business. He had heard rumors
over the years that the man knew everything, and he had just seen
proof of it. “Aye, I do.”
    “Send me a crate.” With that His Grace turned
and marched back down the hall, his cane thumping ahead of him.
    While Lachlan waited on Mr. and Mrs. Trent,
he went back out to the carriage that had brought him from
Edinburgh. “She isna here.”
    “But she said this was where she was comin’,”
Mrs. MacGinnis protested.
    “She and her mother remained with her brother
in Grosmont.”
    One of Ceard’s sons opened the door.
    “Well, get in so we can be on our way.”
Dougal insisted.
    Lachlan grinned. “His Grace is givin’ me his
carriage and Maddie’s brother and sister-in-law are comin’ along as
well.”
    Dougal’s eyebrows shot up, and a moment later
a carriage with the Danby crest on the door pulled into the cobbled
courtyard. The door opened and Mr. and Mrs. Trent emerged from the
castle.
    “Go to Brachton Manor. I will see ye there
after I have convinced Maddie to marry me.”
    “I doona think ye will need to do much
convincin’,” Mrs. MacGinnis grinned.
    “I hope ye’re right.” He shut the door and
turned to Maddie’s brother and sister-in-law.
    “Did you just call my sister, Maddie?” John
Trent asked.
    “Actually, I prefer to call her Maddie lass.”
He might as well tell this Mr. Trent everything as they would be
related.
    A footman opened the door of the ducal coach
and Mr. Trent assisted his wife inside. Lachlan was the last to
enter.
    “As we have a journey ahead of us, why don’t
you tell me how you met my sister?

    Madeline always loved Christmas, especially
the service on Christmas Eve. Tonight she couldn’t grasp the
magical feeling of renewal. She had hoped the service and the hymns
would be uplifting, but they weren’t. The only person who seemed to
embrace any joyous spirit was Grace. She sang with such happiness
it radiated from her. If only just to have a pinch of that for
myself. Madeline sighed and took her seat.
    Tomorrow was Christmas. Had Lachlan found his
bride? Were they already married? Was he holding her now, curled
around her in his bed, keeping her warm?
    Madeline tried to banish the thoughts and not
think of Lachlan but it was about as impossible as not breathing.
Would a day go by when she didn’t hurt? Would she always wonder
what kind of life they may have had if she would have agreed to the
marriage? Would he have one day loved her?
    She shouldn’t be feeling sorry for herself.
There were people all over the world who were in much dire straits
than she. Her blessings were abundant. Her mother still lived and
was supportive and loving. She had four brothers who would do just
about anything for her and do whatever was necessary to protect
her. The three