Candlelit Christmas Kisses. Anne Herries

not at all suitable for a very young lady. You would think she would have nightmares, but not a bit of it. She adores reading about the most awful things, and she is wonderful at telling ghost stories at Christmas. If the earl is better, we may be in for a treat, because I’m certain she will be inspired by the Yule log.’

      ‘Your sister is wise beyond her years—indeed, you are a remarkable family. Each one of you is unique and quite outstanding.’

      ‘Selina could have devoted her life to the sick in another life,’ Amy said. ‘And Millie should be a professor of history at a university if she were a man—and what should I be? I lack my sisters’ talents, I think …’

      ‘In my opinion you lack nothing,’ Henry said. ‘But I shall not tell you what I think, for you will blush and tell me I am flattering you.’

      Amy laughed. ‘You are the one blushing, Henry, and I am a wretch to tease you when your friend is so very ill.’

      ‘No, no—do not apologise. Your laughter has eased me, and despite a little exaggeration to your sister, the fact remains. Robert does have a nasty fever—and such fevers have been known to kill even strong men.’

      ‘Not when my sister is in charge,’ Amy said confidently. ‘She has such plans for Christmas, because she is determined to make up to us for all the sadness we have endured these past months. I am certain she will bully the poor man into getting well. Selina can be a very dragon when she likes, you know.’

      ‘And there was me thinking she was an angel,’ Henry said, and laughed softly.

      ‘Oh, she is that too,’ Amy said, with the affection that never lay far from the surface. ‘But do not make the mistake of thinking she is as mild and gentle as she appears. The earl will discover that when she says “swallow your medicine”, he will swallow if he knows what is good for him.’

      Henry laughed. ‘I almost pity him,’ he said. ‘Yet again I think it may be exactly what he needs to bring him back from the shadows.’