The Mistletoe Countess (Fredrick & Grace Mystery, #1)

by Pepper Basham

His attention dropped to the book in her hand, one dark brow dart-ing skyward. “I suppose you are an avid reader?” “Oh, I devour books.” She tugged the novel against her chest. “It’s a disastrous habit for being productive, I’m afraid.”

“You told her you were taking a bath?” The brooding earl blinked a few times in quick succession as both sides of his lips tipped in unison. A bit crookedly, but it suited him. Grace offered a helpless shrug and backed toward the winding staircase, holding up her book as leverage. “I got distracted on the way, you see. Honest mistake.”

His smile teased up on one side against his bidding. “Do you say everything that pops into your head, Miss Grace?”

I’ve never sorted out how placing one’s mouth on someone else’s could render a person wit-less.” Mercifully, her gaze flitted back to his, no worse for the wear in the irregular turn of their conversation. “I suppose I’ll understand one day.”

“Well, I would convey your message to her, but I don’t believe it would have the same impact.”

God’s love is like that. Fathoms and fathoms surrounding us so we can never escape it.”

“You are much too easy on my heart, Lady Astley.” “Well, I’ll make up for it by being hard on your peace of mind, I’m sure.”

“Imagination, fanciful ideas, joy in the beauty around us inspires creativity and productivity. Why can’t we have both the beautiful and the practical? The fantastical and the functional? Didn’t God create with both practicality and pleasure?”

“He married you, therefore you are exactly the right wife for him.” Lavenia sniffed in disapproval. “There’s no need to ponder the what-ifs. They steal the truth of what is. You are soul mates by choice and will. How closely you wrap your souls around one another is of your own choosing.”