Free Mistletoe and Magic (Novella): A Loveswept Historical Romance by Katie Rose

can be prevented. I can’t imagine you having such a gift, only to experience misery as a result.”
    Penelope brightened a bit. “Do you really think that is the case?”
    “I truly do,” Jennifer said honestly, crossing her heart with a mittened hand. “Besides, I can tell you care for the man in a way I’ve never seen you care before. You don’t have any choice in the matter, now do you?”
    When Penelope sighed, Jennifer took up her hands. “I am certain it will all turnout well.”
    “I tried to warn him,” Penelope said quietly. “I sent him a note, but I don’t think he took me seriously. The problem is, I couldn’t see the specifics. I was so shocked, I couldn’t focus …”
    “If it will make you feel any better, I will ask Charles to talk to him. They are very good friends. Maybe he can warn him to stay out of the rougher sections of town. You did say it was a shooting?”
    “Yes.” Penelope nodded. “Oh, would you? I didn’t think of that! Maybe he would listen to Charles!”
    “Of course he will. Maybe that’s what this was all about—that he get a warning.” Jennifer smiled in encouragement. “Consider it done.”

    When Penelope returned home, she saw a splendid carriage waiting outside. So she wasn’t at all surprised when she entered the parlor and saw Jared sharing a cup of tea with her aunt. He rose when she entered the room and bowed before her.
    “Mr. Marton! I wasn’t expecting you.” She extended her hand. When he pressed a kiss to the back of her lace mitt, she was reminded of the intimacy they had shared beneath the mistletoe. Heated color stained her cheeks, making her even more beautiful as she snatched her hand away and became preoccupied with undoing the frog clasp on her cloak.
    “Lovely day, isn’t it?” Jared seemed extraordinarily pleased with himself.
    Penelope’s eyes went from his to her aunt’s. Eve seemed immersed in her tea, but she nearly quivered with suppressed excitement.
    “I don’t know what you mean,” she said, letting Bertha take her coat. “Why, it’s freezing outside, and beginning to snow!”
    “Yes, it will be wonderful to have a white Christmas this year,” her aunt remarked. She turned to Jared. “Mr. Marton was just getting ready to leave.”
    “I was indeed. I am sorry to have missed you,” he said warmly to Penelope, his voice rich with meaning. “I do not wish to overstay my welcome, and I know you havethings to discuss. Perhaps I can see you tomorrow?”
    “Perhaps.” Penelope pretended to be preoccupied, although the affection in Jared’s eyes filled her with pleasure.
A woman should never let a gentleman know her preference for him
, stated Miss Potter’s rules of courtship etiquette. She smiled at the thought. Obviously, Miss Potter had never met a man like Jared.
    “Thank you for the tea and the conversation,” Jared was saying to her aunt. “I hope to see you both for Sunday supper? I’ll send my carriage for you at three if that is convenient.”
    “Yes.” Eve smiled as the young man, giving one last glance at her niece, put on his hat and left the room.
    “Take a seat, child. We have a matter to discuss.” Penelope was bewildered by her aunt’s manner but she obediently sat down. Eve put down the cup she’d been holding and turned her attention to her pretty niece. “Mr. Marton has asked my permission to officially court you. I told him I would only agree if that is what you wanted, for your feelings are of the utmost importance to me.”
    Penelope sighed. She was falling in love with Jared Marton whether she wanted to or not. She’d tried to stay away from him, fought his attention with every wile she could muster, every trick she could conceive, but nothing had worked. He was in her thoughts and now in her heart completely.
    She could only hope her sister was right, and that her vision was somehow inaccurate or meant as a warning. Taking her aunt’s hand, she smiled.
    “Yes, Auntie. I