Beauty and the Blacksmith: A Regency Historical Romance Novella with Forbidden Love and Small-Town Intrigue (Spindle Cove Book 1)

That was the night Aaron had learned the truth of Diana Highwood. That her delicacy was only skin deep—but the beauty went all the way through.

Mama grasped her hand and squeezed it fondly. “Mr. Dawes may not be a gentleman, but your ring is nicer than Minerva’s. There is that.” Diana smiled. Some things never changed.

“I would. Ask my own sisters.” He rubbed his face. “But I’m getting ahead of myself. I haven’t properly proposed.” Charlotte hopped down from the stool and reached for her cloak. “That’s one answer you needn’t worry about.”

“My father used to say, Christ might be a carpenter, but the Heavenly Father is a blacksmith. He melts the sun down every night and forges it again the next morning.”

Mama crumpled into the nearest chair, her eyes rolling back in a dead faint. Just as well.

“Won’t you kiss me?” she whispered, sidling close. “Just the once?” “The thing is, Miss Highwood, I’m not interested in kissing you just the once.”

“I find you terribly handsome,” she blurted out.