Free A Christmas In Bath by Cheryl Bolen

is Christmas Eve."
    "I shall need the coach. I mean to look for presents for  . . . Archie and his mother . . . and perhaps someone else," Glee said.
    Jonathan knew Glee wanted to get something for his mother.
    "You leave Archie's present to me," Gregory said. "I have something in mind."
    When the coach pulled up in front of the Arbuckle's house, Jonathan disembarked, then turned back to help Mary down. Arm in arm, they strolled to the door.
    "I don't want this night to be over with," she said. "I don't want to part from you."
    "Soon, love, we'll be together. Forever."
    They both climbed the pair of steps, then faced each other. He drew her into his arms and lowered his lips to capture hers for a breathless, incredibly satisfying kiss. Nothing had ever stirred him so profoundly.
    When he finished thoroughly kissing the woman who owned his heart, he said, "When we marry, I should like for you to wear that yellow dress. But only for me. I shouldn't like any other man gawking at your . . . well, surely you know of what jiggly bits I refer to."
    "Only you," she murmured.
    * * *
    When they entered the home on Queen Square, the drawing room was ablaze with bright lights. "What the devil?" Gregory said, striding to the chamber.
    And there stood his step-mother.
    Jonathan watched as Gregory froze. "I expect you could not bear to not share Christmas with your son."
    "With both my sons," she said somberly. "Please, Gregory, forgive me. I know it's no excuse, but my mistreatment of you—which I can finally own up to—was because I was so insanely jealous of your mother. Your father may have remarried quickly after her death, but his heart always belonged to your mother. And because you looked like her, I took it out upon you." She stepped toward Gregory. "Can you ever forgive me?"
    Overcome with powerful emotions, Gregory merely nodded. He crossed the room and drew her into his arms. "Thank you for coming. This is the happiest Christmas of my life."
    Later, Jonathan moved to his mother and embraced her. "This is undoubtedly the best Christmas I've ever had. It is my pleasure to tell you, Mama, that I have become betrothed."
    She squeezed him most affectionately. "I do hope you've asked Miss Arbuckle to be your wife."
    "How did you know about Miss Arbuckle?"
    "I have known for a very long time that you were in love with her. Pray, son, what did it take to force you to make a declaration?" She gave him a cocky smile.
    His gaze flicked to Glee. "I believe I owe Glee a very great debt of gratitude."
     

Chapter 7
     
    Jonathan was out of charity with his brother. "I don't see why I have to apologize to Appleton. I'm still angry that he was engaging in a flirtation with my future wife at the same time as he was cavorting with the likes of Mrs. Vale!"
    "Glee will want to murder me for telling you this, but I think my wife asked Appleton to pay special attention to Miss Arbuckle in order to awaken your own desire for the lady."
    "That was a wicked thing to do!"
    "Are you not excessively happy today?"
    "I am. I've never been happier." The only thing that could make him happier was to have his dear Mary beside him right now.
    "Then you are indebted to my wife and her scheming—though I will own Appleton did admit that he found Miss Arbuckle bang up to scratch ."
    The coach pulled up to Appleton House. I must repress any desire to slam a fist into that man's face , Jonathan told himself as he climbed from the coach.
    They were soon face-to-face with Appleton, who was holding a small dog. He stiffened when he saw Jonathan.
    "I have come to offer my apologies," Jonathan said, "for my unpardonable behavior. I could not tolerate that another man was paying addresses to the woman I plan to wed."
    Appleton's thin face brightened. "I say, old thing, felicitations and all that to you both. She's a fine lady."
    That wasn't so bad. "Thank you."
    "Now, we shall take that pup off your hands," Gregory said.
    Appleton affectionately ruffled the fur on the