Page 15 of Once Upon a Midnight Clear

“We can take shelter in there.” He pointed to it.

She nodded, following him. She wondered who he truly was. She had never seen him before, but that didn’t mean much. Ella was only allowed to visit the market or remain at the house to cook and clean for her stepmother and stepsisters.

“Do you live in the village?” he asked. He took her hand in his as he led her down the rest of the path.

“Yes,” she said.

“With your stepsister?”

“Stepsisters,” she said, “and stepmother.”

She cringed. She was telling him way too much. He didn’t need to know any more than that or that she was a servant in her own home. She quickly decided to change the subject.

“If you’re not a lord, then what are you?” she asked.

He chuckled, a deep rumble in his chest. She liked the sound of it.

“I’m just a man,” he said. “My friends call me Nick.” He cut her a coy glance that indicated he wanted her to call him that.

“Are we friends, then?” she said.

He paused in the threshold of the greenhouse, taking both hands in his. His eyes were brilliant and bright as he looked at her. An eager affection rippled from him. It sent her senses whirling through her.

“I’d like us to be.”

“I hardly know you,” she whispered. Again, her words plumed in the night air.

“Then we should get to know each other.”

He pulled her to stand in front of him in the doorway of the greenhouse. His body heat radiated over her, sending a warming wave through her.

“I don’t know—” she began.

He placed his cold forefinger over her lips to silence her. He emitted a vitality that drew her to him. The idea of getting to know him filled her with an unexplainable happiness. He was handsome and attentive, but was that because they were at a ball caught up in the merriment and exuberance of the night?

He glanced up, meeting her eyes with a coy smile. “Look up.”

Above them, a cluster of mistletoe hung from a red ribbon. Ella was certain that wasn’t there a moment ago.

“Mistletoe,” she said.

“You know, I’ve heard mistletoe is used to ward off evil spirits,” he said. “And that it’s also a sign of love and friendship.”

Her stomach twisted with his words. Her heart fluttered wildly as she looked up at him, a twinkle of delight in his blue eyes.

“Is that so?” she asked.

“Just so.” He nodded. “And, of course, there is theothertradition.”

Kissing. There was kissing under the mistletoe. But could she allow him to kiss her? They had only just met.

He cupped her face in his cool hands.

Yes, she believed she could allow him to kiss her. Even though they had just met.

“If you’ll permit me?” His warm breath fanned over her face, delighting her.

Her breath caught in her throat but she managed a reply. “I permit you.”

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