Regency Romp - Happy Christmas Mr Jones (Regency Romps) Read Online Free PDF Page A

and that is why I made up my mind to go, but there are two people I shall miss very much.’
                  It was on the tip of her tongue to ask whom else he meant, but then she knew.  She had noticed how well they got on together and it would be just the thing…but would either of them be prepared to change their lives?
                  ‘Why do you not ask her to marry you?’ she said.  ‘I’ve just been visiting next door…and she was telling me she was lonely…’
                  ‘Was she now?’  Mr Jones looked at her with eyes that twinkled and looked much younger than their seventy years.  ‘Bless my soul, Miss Lydia.  Trust you to know my secret!  I would ask her in a minute if I thought she might accept.’
                  ‘Why don’t you ask and see?’ Lydia said and laughed softly as she saw the look in his eyes.  ‘Be sure to take some mistletoe with you…and kiss her underneath it.  It is Christmas so you have the excuse, and if you’re suited you’ll see it in her face.’
                  ‘Bless you, I shall,’ he said and laughed.  ‘You’re a rare one, Miss Lydia, bothering over us old folk the way you do.  I should be much happier if Amabel would come with me…if only I can convince her we could be happy together.’
                  ‘You may find she has missed you more than you think,’ Lydia said and kissed him on the cheek.  ‘I must go now, but I wish you luck.’
                  ‘Thankee kindly, Miss Lydia – and for the gifts.’
                  ‘The red scarf is from me,’ she said.  ‘I hope you will have a very happy time this Christmas – and all your Christmases to come.’
                  ‘And you, miss.  God bless you for your kindness.’
                  Lydia gave him a hug impulsively and then left him.  She was singing to herself as she walked away from his cottage.  All the hard work she and the others had put into their gifts was well worth it, but if Mr Jones was able to convince Nanny that she should be his wife…well, that would be just the best Christmas gift of all.
                  She wished that she might have spoken to Captain Milliband, but it had not been possible and perhaps she was a silly girl to hope for it.  She must put him out of her mind and think about the ball tomorrow…
     
    *
    ‘I hope your invitation was given in earnest and not just a convivial wish,’ Tomas said and he saw the astonishment in his friend’s face.  ‘If I am in the way I can take myself off elsewhere.’
                  ‘Good grief, no,’ Michael Bentley said and laughed.  ‘I am delighted to have you here – and my family will feel the same.’
                  ‘You are sure they will not wish me to the devil?’
                  ‘No, indeed not.  My mother is always delighted to have more guests.  I was surprised, because I thought you fixed at home – but I am delighted to have you home.  I know the Savage family will be happy to welcome you to their ball tomorrow evening.  In the country there is often a shortage of eligible men and another is always a pleasure and a delight – I can promise you several very pretty young ladies.’
                  ‘Did you say Savage?’  Tomas asked, feeling a start of surprise.  ‘I seem to know the name…?’
                  ‘Lord Simeon lives at the Manor with his two daughters and his nieces, Miss Jane and Miss Lydia – both very pretty girls.  I rather like the elder myself, but the younger is perhaps the beauty of the family.  Unfortunately, they have nothing more than a hundred a year.  Their uncle took them in…but that would not trouble you.  For myself…I need a fortune.’  Michael sighed.  ‘Me father would not approve if I courted Jane, though I am