Kiss Under the Tree

By Emma Brady

Richard Whyndam, Viscount Bering, returned to his home to face the wife he had abandoned and the memories of his lost son. Cassandra Wyndam struggled to resist the feelings she had for the husband who had left her to grieve alone. He no longer believes he deserves to be loved, but she can’t bring herself to stop. Together they fight against the passions they still feel while rekindling the love they once knew. Perhaps a little of the holiday spirit will help them find their way back to the marriage they both want.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Emma Brady
• Release date: Oct 14, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386206576

Book preview

Ch.1

Going home was like going to war. Richard Whyndam, Viscount Bering, would rather be on a battlefield than staring at the stony steps of Whyndam Hall. What was on the other side of the door frightened him more than death. With a deep sigh, Richard entered his family home.

It was strange that the usually efficient butler did not meet him at the door, nor was he anywhere to be found in the front hall. Richard wasn’t accustomed to standing around in his hat and coat, waiting for assistance. He was more than capable of removing them himelf, but he didn’t like leaving them on a side table. His mood quickly slipped from anxious to irritated. In his absence his staff had become a lazy bunch. Finally he decided to go looking for them.

The sight he found in the ballroom was almost enough to make him laugh. That was something he hadn’t done in a very long time. That was how absurd the scene in front of him was.

His wife, Cassandra Whyndam, was perched on a ladder attempting to put bows on a Christmas tree. After the queen displayed her last year they had become all the rage. His poor, elderly butler was at the bottom trying to both keep it steady and keep his face out of her skirts. Oblivious to his situation, she was letting them swirl around freely.

Is this why no one met me at the door?

His voice startled her enough that she swayed from her spot and the butler had to work for his wages to keep her from falling. When she turned to look at him over her shoulder he realized how little he had forgotten about her.  Every detail of her appearance matched those he dreamed of every night. Even the little wrinkle between her eyebrows when she glared at him.

You were supposed to be here yesterday. Her voice was sharp. If you had been, there would have been someone there to greet you.

Someone, but not her. I had some last minute appointments before I could leave London.

Of course you did.

She let her words and their meaning hang in the air between them. Saying things without saying them was one of her many talents.

Richard used the moment of silence to take in the sight of his wife as she was now. They had been separated long enough to enhance his appreciation of her. Her petite frame and gentle curves were dressed in a simple blue dress that matched her eyes. Very few people knew that they had the ability to change color, become a deeper blue when she was feeling passionately about something. That included the passion only a man could bring out in a woman.

He wondered if her blond hair, now pinned up in a tight bun at her neck, would still swirl around her narrow hips when it was down. Once, in the dark hours of the night, she had promised him never to cut it. When things between them changed she might have changed her mind. There were other details he remembered but they were hidden beneath her gown.

Have I passed inspection? The sound of scorn in her voice caught his attention. She now had her arms crossed and was tapping one foot on the ladder.

I was simply admiring your work. He knew better than to apply his flattery to her looks, since she found such things too shallow. That tree would even impress the Queen herself.

The flattery did nothing to soften her expression, but she did climb down off the ladder. The butler let out a breath. She came right up to him, tilting her head up since he was at least six inches taller. Her small height never stopped her from staring him down. She was fearless regardless of size.

I don’t appreciate waiting for you. I have waited enough.

The words stung, but he deserved them. I would have sent word about being late, but it was only a day. That wouldn’t have been worth the letter.

What if we had guests arriving? What would they think?

That I’m an important member of Parliament who couldn’t go on holiday.

Or that you think you are too important to make time for your own family traditions.

I’m the last one in my family, so what does it matter?

The instant the words were

Reviews for Kiss Under the Tree

[sarikeisarawak · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

beautiful. it was so humane and so imperfect, the love they had.