Authors: A. S. Fenichel
Christmas Bliss (8 page)
He did not close his eyes. Nearly losing Emma had been the
most terrifying moment of his life. His stomach clenched hours later at the
memory of her lying unconscious on the garden path.
He pulled her tighter, and she snuggled her bottom against
him. He kissed her neck where it was bruised and raw. “We shall be safe and
happy now, my love.”
“I love you,” Emma whispered. The words, soft as they were,
split the air.
His chest expanded and he could not draw breath. She loved
him. Was it possible? Even after the horrible events of the night, hearing her
say those words, his body and mind were numb.
John Scarborough, the Earl of Compton, thought he might have
died and gone to heaven. A week before, he could not stand to wake up in the
morning and now his life was so full that he could not wait for the night to
pass so that he could get on with living.
He didn’t think he would sleep after the events of the day,
but he felt as if he’d just closed his eyes when the door burst open and Oliver
came barreling in. The much-frazzled maid who had become his nanny ran in after
the boy. John was supremely grateful at that moment that he had not gotten
undressed the night before and was still in trousers and blouse. He was also on
top of the covers while Emma was beneath them. He thought that would make it
easier for him to get her anything she might need during the night.
However, they had both slept through to morning.
“Sissy?” Oliver stopped as soon as he saw his sister’s
swollen, discolored face and neck.
John got up, rounded the bed and lifted Oliver into his
arms. “It’s all right, Oliver. She’s a bit banged up, but she’ll do.”
Emma struggled to sit up and the nanny rushed over to prop
pillows behind her head and back.
Oliver looked terrified, as if he might cry. Emma also
looked near tears. The nanny helped her drink some water and John noted her
wince as it went down.
John sat on the bed with the boy. “Oliver, can you stay here
with Emma for a little while and keep an eye on her? I have to attend to some
business and I need your help. You mustn’t make her speak, but you can tell her
all about your late night in the library if you wish.”
The unshed tears were all but gone and Oliver nodded. “I
will help, my lord.”
“Good man.” He put the child down on the bed next to Emma
and kissed her forehead.
“I woke up last night, Sissy, and there was a lot of noise.
I was very brave—”
John smiled as he watched his family in the early morning
light.
Epilogue
One Year Later
“Happy anniversary, my love.” Accompanying the warm voice of
her husband was a silly giggle and a heartfelt and probably hungry gurgle.
Emma felt her smile pushing at her lips before she could get
her eyes open. When she finally forced her lids apart, three happy faces
swooped in for kisses. Oliver slobbered on her left cheek, John kissed her
forehead and two-month-old Daniella did her best with a good slop of drool on
her right cheek.
Emma laughed. “Good morning.”
John handed her a handkerchief. “Good morning, Countess.”
“Sissy, you’re missing Christmas,” Oliver scolded. He was on
his feet and standing next to the bed with his little arms crossed over his
chest.
“Am I?”
“There is a big meal and you are missing it. Granny and Aunt
Fiona are very hungry and have been waiting a long time too.”
She looked at John.
He smiled. “It is a bit late, and your brother did try to
wait patiently. However, it is Christmas and cook has gone to some trouble.”
“I see.” She covered a giggle and took Daniella from John.
The baby cooed happily. It was obvious she was well rested. “Oliver, I promise
to feed your little niece here and then dress for Christmas breakfast. Why
don’t you go and see if Cook will sneak you a bit of sausage?”
Oliver’s eyes lit up and a broad grin spread across his
face. “Shall I get one for Daniella too?”
“Perhaps next year,” Emma said.
He dashed out of the room.
“Cook will not thank you for that.” John sat down and
watched her as she fed the baby.
“Probably not.” She giggled.
“Jane said she’ll come in thirty minutes. Will that be
enough time for you, my dear?”
Emma looked down at the gurgling infant who suckled happily.
“I think so.”
She’d expected John to leave the room. Perhaps he too would
sneak some sausage from the kitchen while he waited for her to come below
stairs. When he remained, she looked up to find him staring at her with the
most serene smile.
“What is it, John?”
He moved to the head of the bed so that he could lean against
the pillows and pull her against his chest. She settled in and Daniella never
stopped her breakfast. “I was just thinking that I cannot believe an entire
year has passed since you married me and made me the happiest man in England.”
“I know. So much has happened,” she agreed. “I cannot help
wishing that things had been different with Uncle Drake. He could have been
family, come for Christmas and been an uncle to Daniella if he had not been so
selfish.”
After a long silence, John finally spoke. “I know he was
your family, Emma. I also know that I should have charity and forgive him.
However, he tried to kill you and I’m glad he is dead.”
She sighed and looked back at John’s face. Anger creased his
brow. She tried to touch his cheek, but Daniella complained vigorously.
They both laughed.
John softened his voice as he rested his chin on Emma’s
shoulder and brushed Daniella’s soft red hair with his fingers. “I’m very happy
that it all worked out as it did. You are the most important thing in my life.
You, Oliver and Daniella are everything to me.”
Tears stung her eyes. “I love you, John.”
“I love you too, Emma.”
He turned his head, probably meaning to give her a peck on
her cheek, but she turned into the kiss and their lips met. The same fire that
had drawn her to him a year before coursed through her and created the same hum
throughout her body. His lips caressed hers and their tongues swirled together.
The very loud protest of Daniella Scarborough ended the kiss
prematurely.
John’s chest shook behind her and she laughed too.
“I believe we have been properly scolded,” he said.
She sighed and leaned back into his strong, warm body.
Everything she’d ever wished for, but never dreamed she could have, had been
handed to her in one year. It was impossible, and yet, it was true. Contentment
washed over the Countess of Compton. “I love Christmas.”
About A.S. Fenichel
A.S. Fenichel adores writing stories filled with love,
passion, desire, magic and maybe a little mayhem tossed in for good measure.
Books have always been her perfect escape and she still relishes diving into
one and staying up all night to finish a good story. Originally from New York,
she grew up in New Jersey. She now lives in the southwest with her real-life
hero, her wonderful husband. When she’s not reading or writing, she enjoys
cooking, travel, history and puttering in her garden.
A.S. welcomes comments from readers. You can find her
website and email address on her
author bio page
at
www.ellorascave.com
.
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Also by
A.S. Fenichel
Mayan Destiny 1: Mayan
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Print books by A.S. Fenichel
Mayan Destiny 1
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Ellora’s Cave Publishing
Christmas Bliss
ISBN 9781419943096
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Christmas Bliss Copyright © 2012 A.S. Fenichel
Edited by Briana St. James
Cover design by Dar Albert
Photos: Conrado/Shutterstock.com and WimL/Fotolia.com
Electronic book publication November 2012
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