The St Nicholas' Day Wager Read Online Free Page B

The St Nicholas' Day Wager
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fine specimen of manhood. Of course, it was still a bit of a shock she had agreed to marry the boy who had called her ugly. Did he still think her birthmark ugly? Could he now just ignore it?
    His greatcoat was open and she envied him the warm woollen garment. Why did women’s clothes have to be pretty rather than practical? She was already cold despite her long woollen pelisse and fur-lined bonnet.
    “I apologise, but may I join you? I believe it would be worthwhile for us to spend time together and get to know one another.”
    “I shall be busy in the village. There is the church nativity scene to attend to, the vicar to meet to discuss the Christmas services and the village festivities to arrange. I am afraid you shall find it dreadfully tedious.”
    He smiled and chuckled.
    “I have business with the vicar myself. I believe he will have an extra service to perform on the morning of Christmas Eve.” Her brown eyes widened and her colour rose. He studied her for a moment. “Are you having second thoughts, Gabriella? Your answer seems to have been rather hasty and much though I want you to marry me, I want you to be happy about it.”
    She sighed and turned around to face him properly.
    “My lord…”
    “Nick.”
    “Nick, then. I am marrying you because I want to get away from my brother and my sister-in-law and no longer be a burden to them. I am also marrying you because you asked and no one else is likely to come begging for my hand. It is a young lady’s sole purpose in life to marry well and produce heirs for her husband. You shall be an earl one day. That is much more than I could have ever hoped for. I have no doubt that this will be a typical arranged ton marriage. We shall see each other two or three times a year once you have an heir and a spare and you shall keep lovers and mistresses. Everyone will look on in pity, thinking that I am none the wiser even though I shall know every woman whose bed you warm. And I shall be fine because that is what is expected of ladies. But let us not lie to ourselves and pretend this is a love match.”
    Her little speech seemed to rock him back on his heels. She watched his Adam’s apple move up and down his throat as he swallowed, a frown marring those perfect features. He whacked his riding crop against his booted foot. Then he removed his hat and speared his fingers through his dark curls, consternation plain on his features.
    “Do you not feel anything for me? Not even…I don’t know…attraction?”
    Attraction? Of course she felt attracted to him. He was like a Greek god.
    “You are very handsome,” she conceded. “Everyone will know that you only married me because of a bet. After all, no one wanted me before the wager, did they?” The groom appeared at that moment. “Jones, can you help me onto Snowy?”
    “Yes, my lady.”
    “No! Allow me.”
    In three long strides, her betrothed was at her side, his hands on her waist, ready to lift her onto the horse. But before he did, he leaned his head close, his lips near her ear.
    “There will be no other lovers or mistresses, my darling. We shall live together, both in town and in the country, and you shall be head over ears in love with me by the time you say, ‘I do.’”
    ****
    Nick unceremoniously dumped two wooden wise men on the floor of the sanctuary of Thornwich Parish Church as Gabriella hurried through the door of the church.
    “Oh Nick, you got the whole nativity set out of the cupboard. Oh you are a dear.” Her cheeks were pink from the cold and she plucked off her gloves as she rushed down the aisle. His heart leapt at the sight of her. “The vicar’s wife wanted to talk about the Christmas Eve service. I couldn’t get away.” She untied her bonnet and left it and her gloves on a pew before removing her warm pelisse and approaching the altar.
    “I only have a couple of pieces left to retrieve,” Nick said, indicating the wooden statuettes.
    “Thank you…” she began but he waved away
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