Page 9 of One Naughty Christmas Night

The drapes were left open for her to see the snow since it was one of her most favorite sights.

Mounds covered every inch as far as she could see, the bright snow undisturbed by carriages or people. The country was the best place to see the snow since it always remained so pure and clean.

Even in the dark, the snow shone brightly, the light of the moon reflecting off it and illuminating the area.

The fireplace was dark with the withering fire and chill slipping over the room, the cold permeating Victoria’s thin nightgown.

Shuffling to the fireplace, she tossed a log on the fire and stoked the fire awake again. Tugging the top blanket from the bed, she returned to this window, this time occupying the window seat.

She tucked the blanket around her, making sure to keep her toes wrapped up so they would be warm.

On cold nights like this, she wished for someone to lay with. Someone to wrap their arms around her and keep her warm.

She had not intended on being alone this winter.

Victoria was so sure that Bastion was to propose to her, especially after he asked to speak to her father. Then his scandal arose, and she broke it off.

I certainly wouldn’t resign myself to marry such a cad.

Which left her on the spinster shelf.

A sigh slipped from her lips, Victoria tucking her knees under her arms.

Her mother was upset the last time she told her she wouldn’t marry for anything less than love.

“Victoria Grace,” her mother said, tossing Victoria’s emerald-green gown on the bed. “You will marry.”

“Mama, why must I marry? Sebastian, Olivia, and Alana are already married, and they all are love matches.”

She grabbed her mother’s hands in hers. “Besides, between Sebastian and Alana alone you have a half dozen grandchildren. Olivia is likely not far behind. What need do I have to marry unless it’s for love?”

“I want you to be happy and settled, is that too much to ask?”

“Do I not deserve to marry for love? Or do you just want me married off, so you no longer have to worry about me?”

She instantly regretted her words at her mother’s pale face.

“I can’t believe you would ever think such a thing,” she said, heading for the bedroom door.

“Mama, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it,” Victoria said, rushing around her to block her path.

“Victoria, I know that you want what we have, I do.” She clasped her hands together. “But there is no guarantee that you will find a man to love you. Love matches are rare, especially during these times. I simply want you to be taken care of.”

“I know, Mama, but I want to fall in love. If I can’t have that, then I don’t want to get married.”

Her mother huffed and left the room, leaving her alone to think.

At this point, she wasn’t even sure if she could ever love someone.

Did you love Bastion though?

She didn’t think so. She was charmed by him, and he was attractive enough, but now Victoria was sure she didn’t love him.

That begged the question: Did she settle for a society marriage where she might be moderately happy, or did she try to find someone who could love her, that she could love back?

Her mother was forever throwing men in her direction, so there was bound to be someone who might love her, was there not?

So engrossed by her thoughts, she missed the soft knocking on the door.