Christmas Day
Harriet looked around the room and had to pinch herself. Never in her wildest dreams, well perhaps she had always had this dream, did she imagine she’d be this happy and content—and loved.
She looked around the cozy drawing room.
The roaring fire protected them from the cold outside, the brandy and wine were flowing freely, their stomachs were full, and the large Christmas tree with the presents underneath filled the room with a fresh outdoor fragrance.
She’d made use of each sprig of mistletoe Diane had spread around the house as an excuse to kiss Blade without her father and brothers causing a stir.
Life was perfect. She had her family here, Diane, Thomas and Trello.
Her father slept in the large chair by the fire, his snores reverberating around the warm drawing room.
Ariane and Kingsley were also here, and last, but most definitely not least, was Blade.
He stood leaning against the doorway. From the look on his face, it appeared he was up to something. He’d disappeared for several minutes.
“The meal was magnificent, I could sleep for a year,” Thomas uttered.
“Well, you shouldn’t have eaten half of the food, I was worried there would be none left for anyone else,” Harriet teased.
Blade spoke up. “I’m sleepy too. Maybe we should leave opening the gifts.”
Both Ariane and Diane cried out, “No.”
Blade laughed. “All right. I’ll go first.” He leaned out the door and whispered something.
A servant entered carrying a large basket with a cloth over it.
The servant placed the basket at Harriet’s feet.
She could see something wiggling and heard a little whimper.
She lifted the cloth and a little black furry face, so cute she instantly fell in love, looked up at her and gave a high-pitched bark.
She reached in and pulled the puppy into her arms, and it immediately started licking her face. “She’s gorgeous.”
Blade came and crouched at her feet, love shining from within his eyes.
“Yes, she is. She is of good breeding. She won’t grow too tall and she won’t be too short.
If you train her well, she will be obedient.
You can see from her eye’s that’s she’s intelligent and her breed are renowned for their even temperament. ”
Harriet blushed and burst out laughing. “Your list. Your list was attributes for selecting this puppy.”
“As if I’d ever expect my little mermaid to be obedient.
” Blade’s seductive smile saw her body explode with heat.
“I know you love Sir Lancelot, but I cannot have cats near me. When you become my Duchess, he will have to stay behind. I’m hoping that little Marley will make your move to my home a little less strange. ”
“Oh, that’s so thoughtful,” Diane said.
“I love Marley. Thank you. Sir Lancelot will be here when we come to visit.” It suddenly struck her she would be leaving. She looked at Diane and her sister had tears in her eyes as she too realized life would be different. Different, but still glorious.
“I’ll look after Sir Lancelot for you. I will miss you, but I’m so pleased you are so happy.”
“Thank you.” Blade took the space next to her and Marley on the settee. The little puppy crawled all over them while everyone opened the rest of their gifts.
He leaned close and whispered in her ear, “I promise you, I’ll never need to write a list to remember why I love you.”
“As long as you remind me of your love every day, I shall be more than content.”
“I have an extra gift for you. Later tonight, I’ll show you how much I love you until you scream my name over and over.”
Harriet hid her flushed face by bending to kiss little Marley, happiness sang a love song in her veins. She thought her heart would burst with all the love it held safe for Blade and her family and friends.
What a very merry Christmas this had turned into, because she’d given and received the greatest gift of all—love.
I hope you enjoyed The Duke’s Christmas List. I love taking a snippet of history and incorporating it in my stories. What task did Prinny set Blade? Well, it was to guard Princess Charlotte.
Princess Charlotte Augusta of Wales (7 January 1796 – 6 November 1817) was the only child of George, Prince of Wales (later King George IV), and his wife, Caroline of Brunswick. She died at the age of 21, in childbirth.
After the Napoleonic Wars, the Prince Regent turned his attention to his daughter’s marriage, and his advisers decided on William, Hereditary Prince of Orange, son and heir-apparent of Prince William VI of Orange.
Such a marriage would increase British influence in Northwest Europe.
But Charlotte did not wish to leave England and she caused a scandal by running away.
I wondered what the Regent did to ensure Charlotte did not run away again.
So, I decided the task Prinny set Blade was to be one of Charlotte’s security to ensure she did not run off with the man she favored (who she did eventually marry) a Lieutenant-General in the Russian cavalry, Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld.
Of course Blade’s duty for the Regent had to be kept secret so as not to cause public scandal and unrest. Princess Charlotte was much beloved by the masses and if they thought she was being forced to wed a man she did not want, and being forced to leave England, civil unrest could have developed.