Old Acquaintances: Christmas Regency Tale (Regency Tales Book 2) by Gayle Buck Page B

sackcloth and ashes if you wish,” she said.
    For an instant he was completely taken aback. Then he grinned and there was fondness in his eyes as he looked at her. “You are the most obliging hostess of my acquaintance, I must say. Thank you, but I believe that I will do very well without.” He straightened up from his leaning posture against the mantel. Lifting her hand, he carried it to his lips. “Good night, Miss Grantham.”
    Judith smiled up at him tremulously. “Good night, Sir Peregrine.” She watched him go to the sitting room door. She had never asked him whether he still loved her, she thought. But perhaps it was just as well. She was not certain that she really wished to hear the answer.
    Sir Peregrine opened the door, but he did not go through immediately. Judith stood up. She felt that she had never been more tired in her life. It was difficult to recall that the tail end of the yuletide holidays were normally the quietest days of the year for her. “Was there anything else, Sir Peregrine?” she asked.
    “I do not think that I can allow you to dwindle into an old maid,” he said reflectively.
    Judith gasped in outrage, quick color flying into her face. “I beg your pardon!”
    Sir Peregrine came toward her, his expression unreadable. When he was within touching distance of her, he said, “I have been haunted these past five years, I thought by my hatred for what you had done. But that was merely hiding the truth from myself. Judith, when I think of the years stretching ahead without you beside me, I find it a very dull and empty vision. I fear that I am still very much in love with you.”
    Her outrage over his outrageous announcement faded away. On a sigh, Judith walked into his arms, which folded tight about her. She caught hold of his lapel. “That is just what I wished to hear, my old and enduring love.”
    Sir Peregrine put a hand under her chin and raised her face. His bright, piercing eyes laughed at her. “I mean to kiss you, you know.”
    “Pray do so,” breathed Judith.
    He took her at her word.
     
     
     

 
     
    Other Books by Gayle Buck
     
     
    The Righteous Rakehell     Mutual Consent     Willowswood Match     The Demon Rake
    Love’s Masquerade     The Fleeing Heiress     Cassandra’s Deception     Belle’s Beau
    Magnificent Match     Honor Beseiged
    Lady Althea’s Bargain     Love For Lucinda     Frederica’s Folly
    Chester Charade     Cupid’s Choice
    Lord Darlington’s Darling     A Chance Encounter
    The Waltzing Widow     Tempting Sarah
    Lord John’s Lady
    Lord Rathbone’s Flirt
    The Desperate Viscount     Hearts Betrayed
    The Hidden Heart
    Miss Dower’s Paragon Lady Cecily’s Scheme

 
     
     
    Regency Tales
    Old Acquaintances     Holybrooke Curse
    Christmas Cheer     Season of Joy