His Christmas Match (A Gentleman's Guide to Once Upon a Time) Read Free

didn’t argue. He needed Miss Valentine to chaperone Penelope to
free him to purse Lady Jillian.
    “I don’t have the proper wardrobe, and I
am not sure exactly what a companion does,” Miss Valentine said to both Noah
and Phoebe.
    “I am sure your clothing is perfectly
acceptable,” Noah insisted.   His friends
weren’t such high sticklers that they would deny her entrance because Miss
Valentine wasn’t in the height of fashion. Besides, this was to be a casual
house party with much of the time spent hunting.
    Sadness clouded Miss Valentine’s eyes.
“What would others think if I was chaperoning a young woman?”  
    She didn’t have to add after what
occurred last spring, but Noah assumed that was what she was thinking.   “There will be a different set of guests than
those you encountered earlier in the year,” he assured.   “Besides, if anyone were to say anything to
you, I would make my displeasure known.”
    “It is not your place to defend me, Lord
Felding, but I thank you just the same.”
    He smiled gently down at her.   Miss Rosalind Valentine was always a sweet,
good-natured girl with a bit of mischief.   “As I said earlier, I’ve known you since you and your siblings came to
live at Valentine House. I do feel it is my duty to defend you if one of your
brothers isn’t present.”   He glanced over
at Phoebe who was smiling sadly at Miss Valentine before he looked back at the
young woman. “And, I can assure you that your brothers would do the same for my
sisters if it was necessary.”
    A memory tickled in his brain of seeing
the guest list and Noah brightened. “As a matter of fact, I believe two of your
brothers are invited guests.”
    Miss Valentine blinked in surprise.
Perhaps this would convince her to attend as Penelope’s chaperone.   She could even be considered a guest as long
as she knew her first duty was to see to Penelope though he didn’t suspect Miss
Valentine ever shirked a duty in her life.  
    “Demetrius and Benedick are both
invited,” he added.
    Her brow furrowed. “Will they be
attending?”
    Noah rubbed his chin trying to recall if
Meadows had received a response from the brothers.   “Demetrius will certainly be there. I am not
sure of Benedick.”
    She bit her lip again and looked over at
Phoebe. Was Miss Valentine finally considering the possibility?   This would be a perfect opportunity for
her.   She would be able to visit with
those who were friends with her brothers, make new acquaintances, and hopefully
put the rumors of the past to rest.   Noah
also knew that she would remain by Penelope’s side during their entire visit
freeing him to pursue Lady Jillian.   “Please?” he asked.
    Her shoulders lifted and dropped with a
sigh. “If Lady Sandlin believes I should . . .”
    A smile burst on Phoebe’s lips. “Of
course I think you should.   You will have
a wonderful time.”
    Miss Valentine tilted her head and
narrowed her eyes. “I will be attending Miss Penelope not attending a party,”
she reminded them.
    “And my brother will make his Christmas
match,” Lady Sandlin teased Felding with a laugh.

 
    Two

 
    As soon as Lord Felding left the following
morning, Lady Sandlin took Rosalind in hand and to her chambers. She proceeded
to pull a number of dresses and other various items from her wardrobe that had
all been designed and made for her last spring.   Lady Sandlin discarded the ones made of lighter fabrics and kept the
gowns with longer sleeves and of woolen or heavier material. “It will be colder
up north,” Lady Sandlin explained. “But, I will still make sure you have a ball
gown.”
    “I am sure a ball gown is not
necessary,” Rosalind insisted. Even if Lord and Lady Meadows planned such an
event, she wouldn’t be attending in anything other than in the capacity as a
chaperone.  
    Rosalind had been overwhelmed by the
growing pile of clothing on the bed.   “I
am certain I do not need so many items.”  
    “One