Cecilia closed her eyes and lifted her feet so they were closer to the fire. In front of her Joe was working hard to build up the logs, warming up the little cottage after their few days at Hawthorn House. They’d spent a couple of hours being congratulated by the Crawleys and all their close friends and family, but after the hundredth person had expressed their surprise at the engagement Joe had whispered in her ear, asking her if she wanted to sneak away.
It had probably been foolhardy making the trip through the snow in the dark, but they’d done it all the same and, now they were back at the little cottage, Cecilia couldn’t regret it. She was alone with the man who would soon be her husband. The man she’d come to love in just a few short days.
He turned to her, the fire now blazing behind him, and pulled her to her feet.
‘Have you seen the time?’ he asked, motioning to the small clock on the mantelpiece. It was after midnight.
‘Christmas Day,’ Cecilia said.
‘Happy Birthday, my love,’ Joe murmured, kissing her until she forgot what he’d said. ‘You are now a free woman.’
For a moment Cecilia closed her eyes. For so long she’d been waiting for this moment. Waiting to be free of her guardian, a woman of independence. Never had she imagined that she would see in her twenty-first birthday engaged. She’d been so intent of having her freedom, of living life on her own terms, that she hadn’t stopped to consider what would happen when she met a man she cared for more than her plans.
‘And I am engaged to the wealthiest woman in England,’ he said, earning him a playful slap on the arm.
‘Smart move, Major Crawley,’ she said.
‘I think so. And here we are all alone with no one to protect your reputation. You’ll have to marry me now.’
‘We are alone,’ Cecilia said slowly. ‘And we are engaged...’
‘I’m scandalised,’ Joe said, unable to keep the smile from his lips. ‘But I like what you’re suggesting.
Slowly he kissed her and Cecilia shivered with anticipation as his hands traced a path over her shoulders. There was a fire building deep inside her and as he pulled her body close to his it sparked and flared. He was her man and tonight she would forget the rules and enjoy every moment.
In front of the flickering flames Joe undressed her, unbuttoning the fastenings of her dress and pushing it down over her hips until it pooled about her ankles. Cecilia felt herself grow hot under his gaze as his eyes raked over her and suddenly his lips were on her skin.
‘I’ve wanted to do this for so long,’ he said, his breath tickling her neck. Cecilia closed her eyes as he pulled off her chemise and petticoats. She stood naked in front of him, her body warmed by the fire and the touch of his hands across her skin.
Consumed by a desire so strong it frightened her, Cecilia pulled Joe towards her, fumbling with his belt and the fastening of his trousers as he slipped his shirt over his head. Only when he was naked did she stop for a moment, glancing down to take in all of the man she loved.
With a growl Joe picked her up and deposited her on the rug in front of the fire, his body pressing against hers and making Cecilia let out a little moan of excitement.
Unable to wait any longer their bodies came together, Cecilia stiffening for only a moment as Joe entered her, then something primal took over and her hips began rising to meet his in perfect unison. Over and over they came together, until Cecilia felt as though something was about to burst inside her. Then with a moan of pleasure she felt her whole body tense and for a long few seconds felt as though she were floating. Above her Joe stiffened before collapsing on top of her.
After a few moments he rolled to the side, pulling her into his arms as he did so.
‘Merry Christmas, my darling,’ he whispered in her ear.
And as Cecilia lay there in his arms, her body warmed by the fire, she felt a wave of contentment wash over her. This wasn’t how she’d imagined spending her twenty-first birthday, but it was so much better.
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Once Upon a Regency Christmas
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by Carla Kelly, Christine Merrill and Janice Preston
Convenient Christmas Brides
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Keep reading for an excerpt from Miss Lottie’s Christmas Protector by Sophia James.