Page 19 of One Naughty Christmas Night

Victoria’s eyes rounded. “Better than your gift? But you always get me the best things.”

Her mother humphed in her seat. “Your father immediately told me we should get something else, but I know you will love this gift. I set him straight.”

Victoria grabbed her chocolate to cover her smile. Then her eyes narrowed. “Why are you telling me about your gift?”

“Because,” she sniffed, taking a sip of her chocolate, “I wanted you to know that our gift is perfect for you, even if his gift is wonderful.”

Victoria set her chocolate down and wrapped her arm around her mother.

“I love you, Mama,” she said, pressing a kiss to her cheek.

Her mother placed her hand where Victoria’s laid on her shoulder, slipping a handkerchief from her sleeve and dabbing her eyes.

“I love you too, dear.”

She and her mother had their differences, especially when it came to marriage, but she loved her mama very, very much.

She glanced up and locked eyes with Heath across the room, a smile blossoming across his face.

***

Victoria lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, shadows dancing across it.

Her afternoon with Heath and Sammy was delightful. Even with that unpleasantness at breakfast with Bastion.

Dreadful man.

She rolled over to face the window, punching the pillow beneath her head.

The drapes were open, and a steady snow fell, the flakes gathering in a pile on her windowsill.

Forcing herself to focus on the snowfall instead of Bastion, her mind wandered to the events of last night that happened in this room. Warmth flooded her veins at the memories.

Heath said nothing about continuing their lessons tonight, so she was unsure of when they would continue.

Is that all he intended to teach me? Surely not. I know there’s more to it.

At least, from what she gathered from her friends, there was.

She uttered a soft curse and rolled over, reaching for her nightstand.

Her fingers touched the soft leather of the book there, and she grabbed it, reading the title.

“I’ve already read this one,” she muttered, the novel landing on the cover with a thud.

“I’ll have to get a new one, I suppose.”

She slipped from the bed and grabbed the book, tucking it under her arm.

Gathering her shawl around her shoulders, she headed for the door, a candle in hand as she made her way to the library.

A few minutes later, she tugged the door open, sliding inside. She set the candle down on one of the small tables next to the couches and sighed when her feet hit a carpet. Her current regret was her lack of footwear, as her toes were like icicles attached to her feet.

She made a beeline for her favorite shelf and returned her previously read book, starting her search for another.

Finding one she liked, she removed it from the shelf, whirling at the sound of the door opening.

A gasp slipped out of her at the sight of Bastion standing in the doorway.