A Country Mouse Page 10

  She tipped her head as she considered. 'Well, I promised Grandfather we would return for the Christmas festivities perhaps we could be married then, make it a double celebration.'

  To her astonishment he leapt to his feet yelling out in triumph. The sound of smashing crockery outside the door announced the unfortunate demise of the expected hot chocolate. Sebastian froze in mid-air and his look of horror sent Emily into a fit of giggles.

  'For God's sake, Emily, desist. The poor girl will think you are laughing at her expense.'

  Still laughing, she ran across to open the door. Outside a smiling parlour-maid was scooping up the mess. 'There is no hurry for my chocolate; I am sorry that Viscount Yardley startled you.'

  'Not to worry, Miss Gibson. It's grand when a gentleman is so happy that he shouts it out like that.'

  Emily closed the door and turned to face the man she had promised to spend the rest of her life with. He was watching the play of emotions cross her face.

  'I have something here that belongs to you, my love.'

  She held out her hand and he slipped the emerald ring back where it belonged.

  Copyright © 2007 by Fenella Miller

  Originally published by DC Thomson, UK, in My Weekly Story Collection

  Electronically published in 2007 by Belgrave House/Regency Reads

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  No portion of this book may be reprinted in whole or in part,

  by printing, faxing, E-mail, copying electronically or by any

  other means without permission of the publisher. For more

  information, contact Belgrave House, 190 Belgrave Avenue, San

  Francisco, CA 94117-4228

  http://www.RegencyReads.com

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  This is a work of fiction. All names in this publication are

  fictitious and any resemblance to any person living or dead is

  coincidental.