Page 49 of Mistletoe and Christmas Kisses

Liberated fromwhatexactly, her heart asked?

Since leaving Derbyshire, she’d been free of Dex’s wicked smile, tender touch, knowing glances. His intelligence, his humor, his fiery temper. His long leg thrown over hers in the shelter of their bed. His hot breath washing across her skin as he thrust inside her.

In the mirror, she watched her cheeks color in a way no amount of pinching brought.

She was enslaved, gladly welcoming the chains of love circling her.I need him. Above all else, above love, above reason, need was the critical piece.

The necessary piece, vital.

She only had to find the courage to tell him.

The click of the door startled her, and the box tumbled from her hand.

Lady Hildegard Templeton paused in the sitting room entrance, glanced at the pretty parcel lying on the faded Axminster rug, letting a furtive smile spill free. Aside from Dex, Hildy was Georgiana’s favorite person in the world, her dearest friend, her mentor of sorts. Daughter to an earl, at an incredibly young age, Hildy had found the fearlessness to rise above what society expected of a woman of her station. Georgiana greatly admired her. Hildy had studied alongside her brother’s tutors, eventually surpassing what they could teach her. She raced her phaeton through Hyde Park while wordlessly daring any man she met to tumble, such was her beauty and uniqueness. Called a bluestocking to her face and worse behind closed salon doors, she’d stunned thetonby refusing to marry, believing one wedded for love, an idea society mocked. Her mission with the Duchess Society was to ensure other women had the support to choose as she had or be educated regarding the business of matrimony if they did not.

Hildy closed the door and cocked a slim hip against it. “Another one? My, your darling duke is persistent.”

Georgiana went to her knee to retrieve the package. “The marquess is not my darling anything, Hildy.” Which might not be true after tomorrow. Her hand shook to imagine it.

“He’s your darling anything should you want him.” Hildy laughed as she crossed the room, the amused echo as pleasing as her visage. Even with her scandalous reputation, Hildy had admirers, yet she said none made her heart sing. Ditchdigger or viscount, she cared nothing about a title and refused to settle for less than a warbling heart.

Unlike Georgiana five short weeks ago, Hildy didn’t expect love to strike, but she believed itcould.

Georgiana fiddled with the ribbon, twisting it around her finger as Hildy’s shadow waterfalled over her. She glanced up, encountered her friend’s knowing smile, dimples, dear heaven, pingingbothcheeks. It was no wonder men collapsed at Hildy’s feet.

“Open it, the suspense is stealing my breath,” Hildy said and offered her hand.

Georgiana took it, levering to a stand.

“Can’t be chocolates. That was yesterday.” Hildy released her satin chin strap and ripped the plaid bonnet from her head. “The day before was the fox fur muff to match your cape. A practicalandsentimental choice. Scented soap, a leather-bound volume of poetry you clasped to your chest and mooned over all morning. An outrageously extravagant brooch you’ve worn since. What am I forgetting?”

Georgiana threw Hildy a chilling glance and yanked on the package’s ribbon until it loosened and fell into her hand. “I don’t know why you’re enjoying this so much.” If her friend realized how personal each gift truly was—the soap honeysuckle, her favorite scent; the brooch meant to replace one she’d lost on the moors years ago; the book of poems by Keats, whom she treasured without question; the tea, a gift Hildy had forgotten to mention, from her favorite shop—Hildy would force Georgiana into her carriage and deposit her on Dex’s doorstep on St. James this very minute.

Astonishingly, Hildy had shown herself to be a romantic.

“I’m enjoying this because you’re happy, maybe for the first time. Those nasty shadows under your eyes departed, your smile genuine. You’ve been humming, do you know that? Humming! I’ll welcome any man as a friend who can bring such joy. Plus, what a boon for the society if we snag an actual duke! The Duchess Society’s name will be validated.” Hildy took the gift from Georgiana and removed the paper, raised a brow in challenge. “Shall we open the last, Georgie?”

“Oh, I shouldn’t have mentioned the nickname.” Georgiana shifted from one slippered foot to the other and tangled her fingers in her skirt. “It’s silly, something from the past, something Lord Munro started calling me when I was just out of leading strings. It’s childish.”

“No,” Hildy said in all seriousness, “it perfectly suits. He knows you well, I’m thinking.”

Georgiana bumped her bottom to the desk with a sigh of exasperation, dropping her face to her hands. “That’s what I’m afraid of, what I want more than life. I’m a mess, an absolute snarl.”

Hildy stepped in, pulled her close. “It’s acceptable, even recommended in this case, to love him. You can still be the capable woman you want to be. With the right man, I believe it’s possible. In fact, I think the society will be the better for it. Two vastly different marital experiences to use as a guide for our young ladies. What understanding you’ll have.” Hildy hugged her, a gesture that sent a torrent of affection rushing through Georgiana. “Allow yourself to love him if this is where your heart wants to go. He’s proven himself to be loyal and incredibly steadfast.”

“I should have sent him a note thanking him for the gifts.” She chewed on her bottom lip, knocked the toes of her slippers together. “I’ve made him wait, worry when he doesn’t know I want to say yes.”

Hildy straightened, her breath streaking out in surprise. “He’s asked then?”

Georgiana took the box from Hildy’s hand, smiled softly. “In lots of ways.”

“Well…” Hildy’s fingers went to the desk and did a nervy tap.

The last gift was the most personal.

Georgiana unfolded the map, seeing Dex had made small checkmarks next to the places he wanted to take her. Some for his geological work, some for pleasure.The world can be ours, he’d whispered in the hushed Derbyshire twilight, his arms tight about her. Paris, Munich, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Florence. With her finger, she traced the Arno river and remembered Dex telling her how much he loved Tuscany. There was an exquisite villa near thePonte alle Graziehe’d stayed in once, and he was desperate to return.

With her.