Mistletoe and Magic (Novella): A Loveswept Historical Romance by Katie Rose

on Friday mornings to read stories to the poor children, and presented this to us along with a muff!”
    “I see.” Chagrined, he stared at the old woman in her threadbare wool coat, gloves full of holes, wearing his fabulous mink adornment.
    “I don’t plan to keep it, of course,” the sister said quickly. “It is much too valuable, and will provide a lot of the poor a Christmas dinner. But it was so cold today, I couldn’t resist wearing it while collecting. It was very generous of the pretty miss, wouldn’t you say, sir?”
    “Yes.” Jared had to laugh as he dropped several bills into the tin. “Very generous. What was it you called her? An angel?”
    “Yes, that she is.” The nun glanced down at the bucket and her eyes widened as she saw his donation. “Why, thank you! The children will eat well on that! Merry Christmas and bless you, sir!”
    “And a blessed Christmas to you, Sister.”

    On Friday morning, Penelope entered the orphanage and was immediately surrounded by a swarm of children.
    “Now, now! Quiet, children! Please take your seats!” A nun appeared, clapping her hands, and the little ones obediently sat on the bare wood floor in the sparsely furnished room.
    “Can we hear the story about the kittens again?” one little girl begged, her eyes following Penelope as she removed her cloak and gave them a warm smile.
    “We can. Or I was thinking, with the closeness of the holiday, how about a Christmas tale?”
    The children cheered. Penelope handed the nun a basket of goodies that her aunt had assembled, and then sat down in a worn armchair near the stingy fire.
    “ ‘And in the town of Bethlehem, a poor woman and her husband tried to find lodging, for her baby was about to be born. They were told there was no room at the inn, so they took shelter in a stable …’ ”
    Softly, she read them the story of Christmas, pausing at intervals to show them a picture or to answer a question. Her heart went out to the poor children, and she realized that if not for her aunt, this could have easily been her fate. She saw the scarred and scuffed wood floor where they sat, the braided rug made from rags, the simple wool dresses the girls wore and the rough trousers on the boys. Eve had tried to donate clothing and furnishings for the children, but soon learned that the nuns sold anything of value in order to keep the house running. So instead her generous aunt gave gifts of cash and food, things she knew were needed the most.
    Penelope’s heart swelled as the children listened rapturously to the story and the nuns doled out Eve’s cookies. Her aunt was not wealthy by any means, yet she always was there to help the less fortunate in whatever way she could.
    “How was that?” Penelope finished the story and gratefully accepted a cup of tea while the children clapped their hands.
    “Another one?” they begged. “Please?”
    Penelope smiled and opened a well-worn book by Hans Christian Andersen. Just as she began the tale, there was a knock at the door. The nuns answered it and stood back in surprise as Jared swept into the room, carrying a burlap sack.
    “Merry Christmas!” he exclaimed, while Penelope stared at him in shock.
    “I remember you!” The older nun turned to the other sisters in excitement. “This is the gentleman I was telling you about. He is the one who gave us the generous gift! Thank you so much, kind sir!” She grinned from ear to ear. “The children will have quite a feast on Christmas due to your charity! I’ll go tell the Reverend Mother. She wanted very much to meet you.”
    “Mr. Marton?” Penelope hissed when the nun departed the room. “What is the meaning of this …”
    “Good morning, Mr. Marton! I am delighted. Please join us.” The oldest sister came forward, clad in black, wearing a huge crucifix on her habit. She took his hand into her own webbed grip and gestured to the other chair near the fire. “I want to thank you for your generous gift. We are in