Wake Me With a Kiss: A Fairy Tale Retelling (Regency Fairy Twists Book 1) by Samantha Holt Page A

china cup in Hamish’s large, capable hands. She took her own cup and
squeaked when it nearly tipped upon her—entirely her own fault, of course, for
not concentrating. She was far too clumsy sometimes.
    “Did ye finish yer business in town, Mrs. Merriweather?”
    “I did, thankfully. I was quite shaken after that incident so I am
grateful you saw fit to escort me home.”
    “I wouldnae have abandoned ye at such a time, and I’m glad I have the
chance to take tea with ye.”
    “And without any burnt bread this time,” Rose put in.
    “Aye, no burnt bread.”
    Her aunt fingered the empty cup in her hand. “Yes, that was…well, our
cook is normally so careful. Let me assure you that will never happen again,
Hamish.”
    Hamish. Rose smiled to herself. One heroic moment and he was
no longer my laird , said with an air
of disdain. Now he was Hamish, said with warmth.
    “I am grateful to see ye again, Mrs. Merriweather,” he continued. “I was
hoping to invite ye and yer niece to dinner at Baleith Castle.”
    “Oh.” Aunt May stared at her cup.
    “There will only be a handful of guests, but I’m told it’s the done
thing for the laird to host a dinner every summer.”
    “Yes, Laird Malcolm did make it a tradition,” Rose said. Though they did
not usually attend, in spite of being invited.
    “I should very much like yer company.”
    “Well, I…” Her aunt pressed her lips together. “Very well. It is only
one dinner after all.”
    Rose had to pin herself to the seat to prevent herself from leaping upwards.
Inwardly, she grinned from ear to ear. Outwardly, she kept a polite smile on
her face, catching Hamish’s eye every now and then. Aunt May dominated the conversation
with talk of the conservation of the castle and the new fabric she had
purchased today. Hamish was enthusiastic about the castle and did an admirable
job of listening to her aunt’s plans for the fabric and her previous projects.
Rose herself could hardly summon a word. In her mind, she was already at the
castle, dressed in her finest gown, eating dinner next to Hamish, then perhaps
dancing with him.
    And another kiss. In her fantasy there was definitely another kiss.
    “Well, I had better leave ye ladies for the day. I’ll send a formal
invitation shortly.”
    He rose and they followed suit.
    “I must thank you again for your help,” Aunt May insisted.
    “Yes,” Rose agreed. “Thank you so much for helping my aunt. It could
have been a grave situation indeed without your assistance.”
    “Not at all.” He smiled into her eyes, setting her aflutter. “Good day,
ladies. I shall look forward to seeing you at my house next time we meet.”
    Rose felt as though she must have been holding her breath until he’d
left. Taking in a long breath of air, she tried to quell the butterflies in her
stomach. Butterflies? No, make that jackrabbits. Bouncing around in excitement.
She would actually get to go to a formal dinner at the castle…and she would get
to see Hamish again.
    “Thank you for accepting the invitation, Aunt May. I know you do not
like dinner parties.”
    Her aunt tilted her head and smiled. “I just pray I do not regret saying
yes.”
    “Why would you?”
    “We are not one of them, Rose. You know that.”
    “One of whom? I have never been given the chance to find out.”
    “The people attending will be noble. Some titled. All with far more
riches and graces than us. I hope you enjoy it, I really do, but…”
    “You fear how people will treat me.”
    “Of course. You are only young, Rose. You have never seen the cruelty of
the world.”
    Rose eyed her aunt, searching her grey eyes for answers. “And you have?”
    “Too many times,” her aunt said mystically. Her slightly sad smile
stretched. “I am sure you will have a pleasant time regardless. Hamish is not
the sort of man to let his guests go neglected.”
    “No, I am sure he is not, and he does not seem to have any false graces.”
    “Indeed. In fact, he is