and six since the debacle of Ralph Bonnington had been thrown out of a London court.
âThe boys were hoping for a sister. They have said it time and time again.â
âAnd you, my love. What did you hope for?â She reached for her husbandâs hand, liking the way his fingers wound around her own as they always did.
âThat you would deliver safely, that was all I wanted. But a daughterâ¦â She saw his eyes fasten on the rosebud lips and the flaxen hair. âNow a daughter such as this one is likely torun me ragged when she is older.â He stopped and began to laugh.
âWhen you came to Blackhaven in the eye of a storm, I thought that the boys would eat you up for breakfast, but they did not. You were the one who changed us instead and made us a family again. Six now,â he added and bent down to lay a kiss on the forehead of his daughter before his lips came to her own.
âAhh, Seraphina, if you had not comeâ¦â
She shushed him. âI would have found you somehow.â
âI believe that you would have, my darling.â The darkness that had cloaked him was gone now, his velvet eyes raking across her face in love.
âAre you ready for the others? They have been waiting most impatiently outside.â
âOf course.â
He opened the door to their chamber and a flood of happy excited people streamed through. The boys came first, subdued a little in the unfamiliar face of birth, then came Margaret and Gordon with their many grown-up children, Melusine barking at their feet. Mrs Thomas had returned as well, her help with the birth invaluable, and bringing up the rear came three local women with whom Seraphina had become firm friends.
A life, she thought, as all looked at the newest Stanford. Connections and community. Outside the world was white and the wind hurled itself headlong against the castle.
Aye, Christmas indeed was the season of miracle and surpriseâ¦.
GOVERNESS TO CHRISTMAS BRIDE
Annie Burrows
Dedication
In loving memory of my dear Godmother, Aunty Peggy.
I shall miss my Christmas card from you this year.
Available from Harlequin ® Historical and ANNIE BURROWS
One Candlelit Christmas #919
âThe Rakeâs Secret Sonâ
The Earlâs Untouched Bride #933
* The Viscount and the Virgin #1012
A Countess by Christmas #1021
Chapter One
I t was when he heard the sound of children playing, somewhere just beyond the belt of trees, that Lord Chepstow suddenly recalled why heâd had a niggling suspicion he ought to think twice about accepting the invitation to spend Christmas at the home of Lord and Lady Budworth.
Pippaâs former school friend, Miss Honeysuckle Miller, worked here as a governess.
Honeysuckleâhah! If ever a girl was less aptly named, heâd yet to meet her. The name Honeysuckle conjured up images of sweetly scented warm summer evenings, and delicate, clinging blossoms. But Pippaâs friend was sharp and prickly. The last few times heâd seen her, sheâd given him the impression she was looking down her bespectacled nose at him, which was no mean feat, considering the top of her head barely reached the bottom of his chin.
Oh, yes, he could just see Miss Miller as a governess. While Pippa had blossomed, year by year, growing into a lovely young woman it had been a pleasure to launch into society, Miss Miller had hardened into a veritable gorgon.
Yet he pulled Diamond up, allowing the rest of the party to canter on without him. Though he was at a loss to understandwhy, Pippa still regarded Miss Miller as her best friend. It made no difference that they now inhabited very different spheres. They wrote to each other regularly. And once Pippa discovered heâd stayed here, she would think it very odd if he hadnât, at the very least, enquired after Honeysuckleâs health.
As well to get it over with as soon as possible. In fact, he could not think of a better time to renew
âThe boys were hoping for a sister. They have said it time and time again.â
âAnd you, my love. What did you hope for?â She reached for her husbandâs hand, liking the way his fingers wound around her own as they always did.
âThat you would deliver safely, that was all I wanted. But a daughterâ¦â She saw his eyes fasten on the rosebud lips and the flaxen hair. âNow a daughter such as this one is likely torun me ragged when she is older.â He stopped and began to laugh.
âWhen you came to Blackhaven in the eye of a storm, I thought that the boys would eat you up for breakfast, but they did not. You were the one who changed us instead and made us a family again. Six now,â he added and bent down to lay a kiss on the forehead of his daughter before his lips came to her own.
âAhh, Seraphina, if you had not comeâ¦â
She shushed him. âI would have found you somehow.â
âI believe that you would have, my darling.â The darkness that had cloaked him was gone now, his velvet eyes raking across her face in love.
âAre you ready for the others? They have been waiting most impatiently outside.â
âOf course.â
He opened the door to their chamber and a flood of happy excited people streamed through. The boys came first, subdued a little in the unfamiliar face of birth, then came Margaret and Gordon with their many grown-up children, Melusine barking at their feet. Mrs Thomas had returned as well, her help with the birth invaluable, and bringing up the rear came three local women with whom Seraphina had become firm friends.
A life, she thought, as all looked at the newest Stanford. Connections and community. Outside the world was white and the wind hurled itself headlong against the castle.
Aye, Christmas indeed was the season of miracle and surpriseâ¦.
GOVERNESS TO CHRISTMAS BRIDE
Annie Burrows
Dedication
In loving memory of my dear Godmother, Aunty Peggy.
I shall miss my Christmas card from you this year.
Available from Harlequin ® Historical and ANNIE BURROWS
One Candlelit Christmas #919
âThe Rakeâs Secret Sonâ
The Earlâs Untouched Bride #933
* The Viscount and the Virgin #1012
A Countess by Christmas #1021
Chapter One
I t was when he heard the sound of children playing, somewhere just beyond the belt of trees, that Lord Chepstow suddenly recalled why heâd had a niggling suspicion he ought to think twice about accepting the invitation to spend Christmas at the home of Lord and Lady Budworth.
Pippaâs former school friend, Miss Honeysuckle Miller, worked here as a governess.
Honeysuckleâhah! If ever a girl was less aptly named, heâd yet to meet her. The name Honeysuckle conjured up images of sweetly scented warm summer evenings, and delicate, clinging blossoms. But Pippaâs friend was sharp and prickly. The last few times heâd seen her, sheâd given him the impression she was looking down her bespectacled nose at him, which was no mean feat, considering the top of her head barely reached the bottom of his chin.
Oh, yes, he could just see Miss Miller as a governess. While Pippa had blossomed, year by year, growing into a lovely young woman it had been a pleasure to launch into society, Miss Miller had hardened into a veritable gorgon.
Yet he pulled Diamond up, allowing the rest of the party to canter on without him. Though he was at a loss to understandwhy, Pippa still regarded Miss Miller as her best friend. It made no difference that they now inhabited very different spheres. They wrote to each other regularly. And once Pippa discovered heâd stayed here, she would think it very odd if he hadnât, at the very least, enquired after Honeysuckleâs health.
As well to get it over with as soon as possible. In fact, he could not think of a better time to renew
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