I’m getting in the Christmas mood this week. And there’s nothing that says “Christmas” quite so much as climbing an icy tree to pick mistletoe, falling off, breaking a leg and almost freezing to death in the snow…

“Standish? Is the doctor here yet?”

“No, sir, but they’re bringing the young man in now.”

Philip swallowed as he watched the men carry in the limp form of Daniel Costessey. His handsome, roguish face—almost uncannily like his father’s—was as pale as death, save for the shockingly bright-red blood that marred one temple. His clothes were threadbare and torn, and by the looks of them, wet through. How long had he lain in the snow, all alone in the darkness? Philip’s jaw clenched.

ETA: For more tantalising snippets from a whole host of authors, see the Rainbow Snippets Facebook group.  Then look at your tbr pile, and weep… 😉

Funnily enough, when I was reading through the book (which I wrote way back in 2010) to find my snippet, I came across a scene between Philip and Danny I’d forgotten, where Philip muses that Danny would make a good Jason from Greek myth….

*cough**cough*

Poacher’s Fall

One snowy night just before Christmas, 1922, poacher Danny Costessey rounds off a night trapping rabbits by climbing a tree to fetch some mistletoe for his mother—only to fall and break his leg. Taken to the manor house to recover from his injuries, Danny meets the reclusive owner, Philip Luccombe. Village gossip has it Luccombe went mad during the war, but Danny soon realizes he’s simply still mourning his late lover. As friendship grows between them, Danny starts to fall for handsome, shy Philip.

Danny’s lively nature, roguish good looks, and ready laughter enchant Philip, and he finds himself being drawn out of his shell whether he will it or not. But when Danny tries to move beyond friendship, Philip panics—and his rejection threatens not only their happiness, but Danny’s health.

Available in ebook:  Dreamspinner Press | Amazon