As we walked the path back to the count’s manor, we continued to sing a variety of Christmas carols, their heartfelt harmonies filling my soul with delight. Joel remarked at one point that he never realized I had such a beautiful voice. He paused on the porch once we had made it to the estate and remarked that he really felt in the mood for a good holiday now. I smiled and agreed, leaning against one of the posts on the porch, my joy still elevated with the combined glory of music and frigid ice. Then, to my surprise, Joel moved close to me, reaching out one hand to carefully brush aside a few stray hairs from my face. As I stared up at him in wonder, a rush of uncertainty filling my heart, he leaned toward me and kissed my lips for a brief instant, his hazel eyes aglow with emotion. He ga
