Mistletoe and Magic (Novella): A Loveswept Historical Romance by Katie Rose Page A

He was bored out of his mind and couldn’thelp but make the comparison.
    Penelope never made him feel lethargic. Furious, yes. Enchanted, always. Desire, he felt that in spades. But bored? Never.
    As he studied the opulent yet somehow empty room, a slow realization dawned. This was not his life—it was his parents’. Jared knew they barely tolerated each other and had slept in separate rooms for as long as he could remember. Never had he seen a kindness exchanged between them, or a shared joke, a smile, or a kiss. Instead, their relationship was more like a business arrangement than a marriage.
    “I have to go.” He rose abruptly to his feet.
    His father stopped talking and gazed at him in astonishment. “What do you mean? It’s freezing outside. And it is expected to snow through the evening …”
    “I can’t stay here. I’m sorry. Good day, Mr. Parks. Please extend my excuses to your family.” Striding into the hallway, he saw the butler, Bennington, waiting for him with his hat and coat, which he gratefully donned.
    He had to escape.

    Penelope sat upstairs in her room watching the snowfall. She could hear Aunt Eve fussing about downstairs, wanting everything to be perfect for the holiday. She had helped as much as she could, but the sadness that permeated her was overwhelming and she needed some time to herself.
    Jared
. She thought of him for the thousandth time, tracing his name in the steam on the window. She missed him terribly, something that didn’t surprise her. Other men seemed to pale in comparison, and she could experience no pleasure in their company. It was only with Jared that she felt alive, accepted, and truly … loved.
    Yet a sense of impending doom pervaded her when she stared at his name, and the feeling seemed to grow stronger by the hour. But what could she say to him, especially now? How could she warn him without appearing ridiculous?
    Squeezing her eyes closed, she once more envisioned the brick walk where the shooting would occur. Was there a way to identify the street? It looked like a shoppingarea, though not because she could recognize any of the storefronts; it was more a general impression. There was a streetlight with a wreath at the corner … she noticed that now, forcing her attention away from the man who was falling and the blood. Nightfall and snow. Then came the newspaper headline …
    Her eyes flew open as a detail she’d forgotten fought its way into her consciousness. The date. She could see it now as the paper hit her step and fell open … 
December 24!
    That was it! That was why the feeling was growing, filling her with dread. Oh, perhaps he would listen, perhaps she could make him stay inside for just one night, even if he thought her insane! Hope sprang up into her breast, and she ran for the stairs. Although discovery at his place of residence would ruin her reputation once and for all, she had to go and warn him, convince him to listen to her. Even if he could never be her husband, at least she’d know he was alive …
    “Dear, are you all right? Where are you going?” Eve questioned as Penelope grabbed her cloak.
    “I’ll explain later. Bertha, will you call for the carriage? I won’t be long, Auntie, I promise!”
    “I will come with you, you must have an escort …”
    “There isn’t time!” Penelope pleaded. “Please, don’t worry. It’s just something I have to do on my own.”
    “All right, dear.” Eve nodded to the servant, who rushed to order the carriage.
    “Quickly!” Penelope handed the driver Jared’s address. Sinking into the seat, she realized that she might walk in on him while he was engaged. His parents might be there, or his friends. Any of the above would destroy her …
    The carriage lurched into the night and Penelope’s heart was in her throat. She had no choice. She would never forgive herself if Jared died and it had been within her power to help him.
    They arrived at the white marble townhouse in record