“I must decline. There are still a few points I’m tweaking in my sermon.” He hefted the tea tray, complete with a fruit tart. “You can extend an invitation for me.”
“All right. Have a productive morning.” Belle smoothed her hands over her blonde hair, tucking in any escaped tendrils. It wouldn’t do to appear on the baron’s doorstep looking like a candidate for Bedlam. “I’ll make the bread when I return.”
“Look for the good, Belle. Remember that. It’s always there.” Her father hummed one of his favorite hymns as he took his repast back to his study.
When she was once more alone, she heaved a sigh as she placed the hood of her serviceable black cloak on her head. The sooner she retrieved her hens the sooner she could come home and be well away from the grouchy attitude of the baron’s.
What had he to be surly about? It was Christmastide. Shouldn’t all mankind at least try to find a spark of happiness?
You can find this story here: https://books2read.com/u/bzodVL
About the Author
Lauren Smith is an Oklahoma attorney by day, author by night who pens adventurous and edgy romance stories by the light of her smart phone flashlight app. She knew she was destined to be a romance writer when she attempted to re-write the entire Titanic movie just to save Jack from drowning. Connecting with readers by writing emotionally moving, realistic and sexy romances no matter what time period is her passion. She’s won multiple awards in several romance subgenres including: New England Reader’s Choice Awards, Greater Detroit BookSeller’s Best Awards, and a Semi-Finalist award for the Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Award.
To connect with Lauren visit her at:
www.laurensmithbooks.com
lauren@laurensmithbooks.com
Other Titles By Lauren Smith
Historical
The League of Rogues Series
Wicked Designs
His Wicked Seduction
Her Wicked Proposal
Wicked Rivals
Her Wicked Longing
His Wicked Embrace
The Earl of Pembroke
His Wicked Secret
The Last Wicked Rogue
Never Kiss a Scot
The Earl of Kent
Never Tempt a Scot
The Seduction Series
The Duelist’s Seduction
The Rakehell’s Seduction
The Rogue’s Seduction
The Gentleman’s Seduction
Standalone Stories
Tempted by A Rogue
Bewitching the Earl
Bewitching an Heiress on a Train
Sins and Scandals
An Earl By Any Other Name
A Scottish Lord for Christmas
Contemporary
Ever After Series
Legally Charming
The Surrender Series
The Gilded Cuff
The Gilded Cage
The Gilded Chain
The Darkest Hour
Love in London
Forbidden
Seduction
Climax
Forever Be Mine
Paranormal
Dark Seductions Series
The Shadows of Stormclyffe Hall
The Love Bites Series
The Bite of Winter
His Little Vixen
Brotherhood of the Blood Moon Series
Blood Moon on the Rise (coming soon)
Brothers of Ash and Fire
Grigori: A Royal Dragon Romance
Mikhail: A Royal Dragon Romance
Rurik: A Royal Dragon Romance
Sci-Fi Romance
Cyborg Genesis Series
Across the Stars
The Krinar Eclipse
The Krinar Code by Emma Castle