A Wallflower Christmas Read Online Free PDF

Blandfords had been kind to her, and they did not deserve an ill turn.
    She found it a bit peculiar that Bowman asked very little about Natalie. Instead he seemed content to let the other women question her, while he drank his tea and stared at her with a coolly assessing gaze.
    Of the three women, Hannah liked Annabelle the most. She had a knack for keeping the conversation entertaining, and she was amusing and well versed in many subjects. In fact, Annabelle was an example of what Natalie might become in a few years.
    Were it not for Mr. Bowman’s disturbing presence, Hannah would have been sorry for teatime to end. Butit was with relief that she received the news that Lord Blandford’s carriage had arrived to convey her back home. She didn’t think she could abide much more of Bowman’s unsettling stare.
    â€œThank you for the lovely tea,” Hannah said to Lillian, standing and smoothing her skirts. “It has been a delight to make your acquaintance.”
    Lillian grinned with the same flash of mischief that Bowman had displayed before. With their spicy brown eyes and gleaming sable hair, there was no doubting their family resemblance. Except that Lillian was far nicer. “You are very kind to tolerate us, Miss Appleton. I do hope we haven’t behaved too badly.”
    â€œNot at all,” Hannah replied. “I look forward to seeing you in Hampshire soon.”
    In a matter of days, Hannah would be leaving for Lillian and Lord Westcliff’s country estate with Natalie and the Blandfords for an extended visit over Christmas. It would last more than a fortnight, during which time Mr. Bowman and Natalie would have ample opportunity to discover whether they suited. Or not.
    â€œYes, it will be a grand, glorious Christmas,” Lillian exclaimed, her eyes glowing. “Music, feasting, dancing, and all kinds of fun. And Lord Westcliff has promised that we will have an absolutely towering Christmas tree.”
    Hannah smiled, caught up in her enthusiasm. “I’ve never seen one before.”
    â€œHaven’t you? Oh, it’s magical when all the candles are lit. Christmas trees are quite the fashion in New York, where I was brought up. It started as a German tradition, and it’s catching on rapidly in America, though it’s not common in England. Yet.”
    â€œThe royal family has had Christmas trees for some time,” Annabelle said. “Queen Charlotte always put one up at Windsor. And I’ve heard that Prince Albert has continued the tradition after the manner of his German heritage.”
    â€œI look forward to viewing the Christmas tree,” Hannah said, “and spending the holiday with all of you.” She bowed to the women, and paused uncertainly as she glanced up at Bowman. He was very tall, his presence so forceful and vital that she felt a shock of awareness as he moved closer to her. As she glanced up at Bowman’s handsome, arrogant face, all she could think of was how much she disliked him. And yet dislike had never made her mouth go dry like this. Dislike had never sent her pulse into a swift, tripping beat, nor had it knotted in the pit of her stomach.
    Hannah nodded to him in the approximation of a bow.
    Bowman smiled, his teeth very white in his sun-browned face. “You shook my hand before,” he reminded her, and extended his palm.
    Such audacity. She didn’t want to touch him again, and he knew it. Her chest felt very tight, compressing until she was forced to take an extra breath. But at the same time she felt a wry, irrepressible smile curve her lips. He was a scoundrel indeed. Natalie would discover that soon enough.
    â€œSo I did,” Hannah said, and reached out for his hand. A quiver went through her frame as she felt his fingers close around hers. It was a powerful hand, capable of crushing her delicate bones with ease, but his hold was gentle. And hot. Hannah sent him a bewildered glance and tugged