Free Josette by Danielle Thorne

languidly, and then settled on the carpet beside her. “Is it a secret mission?”
    “It is.”
    He leaned closer and Josette, suddenly unnerved, giggled. “Not that secret, Edward!” She pushed him away and he exaggerated her strength by rolling backward over his head. “You silly thing,” she laughed.
    “Whisper it to me.”
    “It's not that exciting, but it will have to do.”
    Edward put his ear to her lips, and she told him he would be climbing trees to gather a sprig of mistletoe.
    “Mistletoe!” he exclaimed. “Why I'd be honored to dress this old place up.”
    It's not in that bad of condition. I just want to surprise Amy and Mama when they get up in the morning.”
    “She shall have a hall full of greenery,” Edward promised.
    “And mistletoe,” Josette insisted.
    Edward moved his face in close. “And mistletoe.” He searched her eyes, his own glowing blue as the moon.
    Josette went very still. If ever there had been any affection in her heart for him, she certainly felt it now. She lowered her head, afraid her gaze would imply she wanted him to do something more, but was too late.  
    “Josette,” he whispered, and before she could look up again, his lips were on hers, wet and pressing. She tried to protest, but he merely shocked her objections by kissing her harder. To her dismay, curiosity won out, and she allowed him to linger with his hand pinning hers to the floor while he investigated her mouth. The stab of shame came when the library door opened without warning.
    Amy flung it violently shut behind her and gaped at the couple snuggled up together.
    “Amy,” Josette stammered. Humiliation washed over her as she gulped to catch her breath.
    Edward said nothing, but hurried back to his chair and ducked his head back over his play.
    Amy stood frozen as if slamming the door behind her had taken all of her strength. Her face was pale and eyes large.
    “I'm sorry,” Josette said, jumping to her feet. She did not know why she apologized so, it simply tumbled forth. “What an awkward, terrible moment.” She went to embrace her sister, cheeks burning. She could not believe she had been so complacent.
    Amy stepped back. “I didn't know,” she said in a stricken voice. A tear welled over the rim of her eye and fell, leaving a fast, harsh streak.
    “Oh, it's nothing, no,” Josette said.
    She turned to Edward who finally raised his head long enough to casually reply, “We were just playing, kitten. It was nothing at all.”
    Josette nodded. Curiously, his detached acknowledgement did not pain her as much as her sister's distress.
    Amy stared hard at Edward before turning on her heel.
      “Amy,” Josette said, but her sister marched from the room. Josette turned desperately to Edward. “She's very upset. I must speak with her.”
    “She's angry.”
    “You should not have done it. It was utterly improper. What if she tells Papa?”
    Edward did not reply. He continued skimming over his work as if she had already left the room.
    Josette closed the library doors and scanned the hall for Bernard in the event he'd been loitering about. Seeing no one, she hurried up the stairs. The door to Amy's bedroom was closed. Josette knocked and tried to turn the handle, but the door was latched tight.
    “Amy?” She knocked once more. After a moment soft footsteps padded up to the other side, and the key turned in the lock. Josette was shocked at her sister's appearance.
    Amy's face was red and blotchy. Her eyes were glistening with distress. She turned away and sniffled into a handkerchief.
    Josette closed the door softly behind her and led her sister over to the bed. “Have I shocked you so badly?”
    Amy put her face in her handkerchief and sobbed.
    “Amy!” Josette whispered. “You must not think badly of me. I couldn't bear it.” She squeezed her tightly. “Please do not think that is how I spend my time with Edward in the library or with anyone else for that matter.”
    “How could you?” Amy