His Bewitching Jewel (A Regency Holiday Romance Book 7) Read Online Free PDF Page A

which lit her whole face up.
    “Cordelia loves gemstones, Miss Massey. She particularly likes rubies. She was born in July, you see. Uncle gave her a lovely gold cross with rubies and diamonds in it, but she never wears it when we are playing.”
    “That is a lovely month to be born in,” Ruby said softly.
    “I am a child of Nos Kalan Gwav, known in English, as Allantide,” Lady Miranda said boldly. “My Mama used to say I behaved like a wild little pixie, and that I had a hint of the Otherworld about me. She said that my fiery nature was a result of me being born during a time when bonfires were held, and the spirits freely roamed the land. She said that someday I would be quite the handful, and I fear I already am.”
    “Allantide?” Ruby asked, now completely flustered.
    Lady Miranda surprised her with her spunky nature. She was as bold and as strong willed, as Lady Cordelia was not. She seemed to be the one who communicated for Lady Cordelia, and Ruby wondered if the girl was ever forthright enough to ask her own questions, or if she relied on Lady Miranda to do all of that for her.
    “It is a Cornish Festival celebrated on the 31 st of this month. I suppose, as you are not Cornish, you would know it as Halloween or Samhain,” Lady Miranda said.
    “I understand, my lady,” Ruby said smiling.
    “You will have grand fun around here. We shall give out big red beautiful apples to each other at the end of October, on Allan-Night, and if you put it under your pillow before you go to sleep, legend says that you will dream of the man you are meant to marry, and you will like the other traditions we have. We have an apple orchard, and a cherry orchard right on our grounds. The locals adore our apples. They think they bring them extra good luck—even if ours hasn’t been so charmed lately.” At this confession, Lady Miranda’s eyes grew sad, and then, she smiled. The cloud that had passed over her face quickly lifted, and she was back to being the cheery little girl again.
    Ruby knew that they had recently lost their mother, but she didn’t know what had taken her from this world. Their uncle hadn’t divulged that particular to her in his correspondence, and she had not asked.
    “I have always liked a good bonfire,” Ruby admitted. “As a child, I did enjoy bobbing for apples.” 
    Lady Miranda smiled at her. “Well, we don’t exactly bob for apples here. Mama used to like to do it that way, as she said it was much safer than the Allantide apple and candle game. She was ever so worried we would get hot wax on us. As long as you are up for some good old Allantide merriment, you shall fit in fine here, Miss Massey,” Lady Miranda said. “We like to have fun, don’t we, Cordelia?”
    The guarded expression in the girl’s eyes faded away, and though her sister still stood behind her, Ruby was glad that she had at least won over one of the children she was to educate.
    “I think that Uncle has finally found us the right governess, Cordelia. Come along, why don’t we go and tell him that we approve of Miss Massey? We will probably find him in the Library,” Miranda said.
    “Find me where?” A deep booming voice asked, as it echoed throughout the beautiful house. Ruby looked to where a handsome man dressed mostly in black walked toward them. Most of the residents here seemed to be in mourning, and yet, the little girls were still dressed in merry colours.
    Lady Cordelia let out a little petrified gasp, and clung even closer to Lady Miranda. Ruby watched, captivated, as a man strode into view.
    It was the Duke.
    He had a commanding presence, and he was tall, as he had to be at least six foot three inches. When his eyes settled on her, Ruby was stunned to see that they matched the colour of Lady Cordelia’s. Lady Cordelia resembled him in an uncanny manner. His black hair was also a little unkempt, and he had a natural wave to it. His voice was low, and had a strength to it, she hadn’t heard in any other