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

time. Looking both ways, Penelope was thankful to see that the street was empty. She disembarked the coach, ran up to the door, and knocked as hard as she could.
    A butler opened the portal, astonished to see the beautiful young woman on thelanding. “Please,” Penelope glanced down the street, aware that at any moment someone might come out. “I am here to see Mr. Jared Marton.”
    The servant looked at her with distaste, assuming the worst, she supposed, but he led her into the study. “Wait here. I will see if the master is at home.”
    Penelope cringed as she thought of the times Jared had come to see her and she’d refused him. What if he chose to retaliate? She couldn’t blame him if he did. And yet …
    A moment later, he came into the room. Penelope averted her eyes as she realized he was in a dressing gown and slippers, obviously enjoying a quiet evening at home.
    “Penelope?” He stared at her as if she were an apparition. “Is it really you? What are you doing here?”
    “Jared, you must listen to me. Tomorrow night, please, do not go anywhere. You must promise me you’ll stay home, secure in your house, especially after nightfall.”
    “What?” He looked at her as if she’d lost her mind.
    “Please, I beg you. I know it sounds insane, but I have good reason. You see …” She bit her lip, reluctant to confide in him, but knew he wouldn’t understand otherwise. “I am psychic.”
    He stared at her as if trying to make sense of it all. “Like your sister, you mean? A medium? Is that what you came to tell me?” He waved a dismissing hand. “I know all about your past, that you and your sisters were spiritualists …”
    “No.” She shook her head. “I can see visions of the future. I never told anyone about this, but when I met Gabriel and Charles, I knew that they would wed Jennifer and Winnie. I saw Eve at the altar with Mr. Darling, down to the dress she will wear.”
    “I don’t understand …” Jared shook his head.
    “On the night of the Christmas ball, I foresaw your death.”
    “What? You’re joking!” But Jared’s thought went back to that evening, when she’d fainted in his arms …
    “I wish I were. I saw the street where it will happen. It’s paved with brick and there is a gaslight on the corner with a wreath. It looks like the shopping district near your office. In the vision it’s dark outside and the snow is falling. I saw a man walking down the alleyway. Shots rang out and he was murdered, left to lie in a pool of blood. And then I saw the morning headline, and that it is you, Jared Marton, who was killed. I onlyremembered today that the paper was dated December twenty-fourth.”
    “I’ve never heard anything like this.” He stared at her as if seeing her for the first time.
    Penelope nodded. “That’s what I saw that night of the ball. I tried to warn you. I even sent you a note. But that is why I struggled so hard to avoid you. I was afraid of what you’d think if you knew, scared that I would love you and you would die. Please, please, promise me that you will stay inside tomorrow after nightfall, and avoid that street at all costs!”
    She was deathly afraid. Jared saw it in her eyes. Now, her past reactions all made terrible sense …
    “My poor darling.” Jared took her in his arms to comfort her. “You’re trembling. Of course, if it means that much to you, I won’t go out tomorrow night.”
    “Thank you,” she exhaled in relief. “Thank you for believing me.”
    “Is that why you came here tonight? To warn me?”
    “Yes.” Penelope suddenly seemed to understand the precarious nature of her position. She was alone with him in his house, and he was barely dressed. The situation was frightening and strangely exciting at the same time.
    “That can mean only one thing.” His voice was filled with wonder, and Penelope swallowed hard even as her eyes lifted to meet his. Their green depths had turned dark even as he lightly touched a curl