Three Kisses Before Christmas by Wilde, Tanya (epub e ink reader txt) 📕

A soft knock sounded on her door before Caroline breezed into the chamber. A brow rose when her eyes landed on Rebecca. “What has put that look on your face?”

Rebecca sighed. “Do you have to ask?” She inched back to the table, squarely blocking Caroline’s view of her sketch.

“You have been sulking in your chamber for two days. Mason and I are concerned.”

“I am fine.”

Caroline nodded. “Wicke did not seem happy when he left.”

“Yes, well, Caro, I did refuse him.”

Caroline glanced away. “I am so sorry, Rebecca. Had I known what a mess we’d make of it I’d never have meddled. Mason feels the same.”

Rebecca sighed. “What is done is done.” Her gaze fell on Langley’s invitation. “I have decided to attend the treasure hunt at Willoughby Castle on the morrow.”

Caroline’s eyes widened. “You have?”

“Do not look so surprised. Langley invited me.”

“Yes, but after Wicke . . . You said you did not wish to attend alone.”

“I’ve had a change of heart,” Rebecca replied with a shrug.

Caroline ventured further into the chamber, setting herself down on the bed. “You’re vying for Langley’s hand, aren’t you?”

Rebecca offered Caroline a small smile. “No.”

“Then this is about Wicke?”

Rebecca shook her head.

“Well, you aren’t joining the treasure hunt for nothing. You might as well tell me. I shall not leave until you do.”

Caroline was right. If Rebecca were honest, it bothered her that Wicke had left without so much as a by your leave. That she hadn’t heard a word from him since. “I am not sure what else to do.”

“So you join a treasure hunt?”

“How else am I to deduce whether we are to remain on friendly terms? Wicke took me by surprise. I am afraid I handled it poorly.”

In more ways than one. But she kept the kiss and their passion to herself and thanked the Lord that Wicke had kept their secret. If he wanted marriage all he had to do was reveal their indiscretions.

Would that be so bad?

Three little boys running around Westbridge Park entered her head again and she put that dangerous thought straight out of her mind. It would be bad. She was the owner of a notorious gaming club. Of course it would. And if she married, she’d be the owner no longer. All that she owned would become her husband’s. To do with as he pleased.

“It is only natural that you wish to put your mind at rest. I am sure Wicke will be fine in time. As will you.”

“He did not take you by surprise, did he?”

“I certainly did not expect the depth of his sentiment, if that is what you mean.”

“Mason knew.”

“Yes.” There was a bite of annoyance in Caroline’s voice. “He did not bring me into his counsel, I’m afraid.”

“Some sort of brotherhood oath, I gather.”

“I am not so sure. Wicke did not seem to be aware that Mason knew of his feelings.”

Rebecca rearranged her skirts. “That is neither here nor there.” Or so she told herself. Her heart still hadn’t quite settled after his confession.

“Surely you do not want to spend the rest of your life alone?”

Rebecca bit her lower lip. Warmth spread through her body as she remembered Wicke’s touch. There was no way to set her mind at ease where he was concerned. Wicke asked for the impossible. But he would not know that. For her to consider Wicke, she had to consider giving up her establishment.

“That is exactly what I thought I would do,” Rebecca answered honestly.

“Stuff and nonsense. Can you honestly, beyond the shadow of a doubt, say you do not care for Wicke?”

“I care for him as a . . .” Rebecca shut her eyes against the image of him kissing her in her most private place. She could not finish her sentence.

“Brother?”

No.

Maybe.

No.

She could feel the eyes of Wicke’s sketch boring into her back, challenging her.

Caroline rubbed her belly. “You know, Rebecca, if you wish to remain unattached all your life, that is all well and good, but I must implore you to consider one thing.”

“And what would that be?”

“That ten years from now, when you look on your life, on this day, you find that you regret nothing.”

“That I remained unattached?”

“That you do not regret a life lived without Wicke, a man who seems to adore you. That you do not regret walking away from the life you could have together.” She smiled down at her belly. “Children.”

Rebecca’s gaze dropped to Caroline’s rounded stomach and something inside her stalled. “What if I have a different path for my life in mind?”

“A different path? You mean like becoming a companion or governess?”

“A businesswoman.”

She had surprised Caroline once again.

“You wish to trade?” Notes of shock hung in the air between them.

“Not all business is in trade.”

“I am afraid to ask.”

“Would that not be a worthy pursuit in place of matrimony?” Rebecca pressed.

“I suppose, but I am more open-minded than most. It would surely be a scandalous pursuit. Nevertheless, no business can speak to the delights of marriage.”

Rebecca wished she did not know what her sister-in-law was referring to but Wicke had made certain she did. Infuriatingly enough, now that Rebecca had a taste of that sweet ecstasy, she wanted more.

“Wicke aside, I must ask, what about Langley? Did I mistake your feelings?”

Rebecca sighed. “I am not in love with Langley. I was infatuated with him as a little girl, yes, but that is all.” She shrugged then. “And I might have used him to construct the perfect man in my mind, and the object of my fantasies, but you know how I am. I am no good in crowds and far worse when attention falls upon me. I have not one marriage proposal to my name and had resigned myself to spinsterhood. Now Wicke has gone and befuddled me. I am so confused.”

“As well you should be. The man is slower than a turtle creeping across a lawn. I have half a mind to box his ears.”

“He only believed what you