Page 32 of The Grand Mistletoe Assembly
“It was unavoidable.” Nicholas paused, then added, “Jeremy was there.”
“Jeremy? Is he not a man as well?”
Jeremy snorted.
“Nevermind that,” Nancy said before she rubbed her forehead. “I need a minute to process this.”
The room fell into silence—for all but one second—before Nicholas made a grunting sound. It had the desired effect.
“Are you in pain?” Pippa grabbed his arm. “You should rest. Let me help you back to your chamber.”
Nancy scoffed. “Do not even try to hoodwink me. I want answers.”
“Pippa has agreed to become my wife,” Nicholas simply said. “Do you have any objections?”
She pursed her lips. “What if I do?”
Pippa stiffened in his arms, and Nicholas gave her a reassuring squeeze. He knew his sister too well. She might not look it, but Nancy was practically beaming imperceptible happiness.
“I suppose,” he said thoughtfully, “we shall then have to elope.”
“Don’t you dare!” Nancy exclaimed. “I shall never forgive you if I’m not included in your wedding!”
“You’re not disappointed?” Pippa asked.
“Of course not.” Nancy’s pout transformed into a wide grin. “You’ve always been my sister in heart, now you shall truly be family.”
Nicholas lowered his head to inhale the delicate scent of honey wafting from the arch of Pippa’s neck while Nancy nagged about their improper behavior and keeping her in the dark. Proper. Improper. He couldn’t care less about impropriety at this moment.
He had found his love.
He was never letting go.
