“Harrumph. None have suited me thus far. All of them are much too biddable.”
“I would gladly have a meek and quiet wife. One who will leave me to hunt.”
Edward cuffed Christian. “Dolt. Do not let Melinda hear you say such, or she will swear to find you a shrew to plague you the rest of your days.”
“You want a future girl? Now who is daft? There are none to be had. ’Tis not possible.”
Done with thinking about the past, he urged his horse to a gallop. Christian rode until the dark mood dissipated. In a clearing, he came upon an abandoned hut. ’Twas gloomy and dustyinside, and he had to shoo away the vermin who had made their homes in the hovel. He would spend the afternoon wallowing. Robert said it did wonders, though now he was married, he no longer wallowed. Elizabeth did not hold with feeling sorry for oneself.
Christian held the wine up. “At least you never desert me.” The horse shook his head and went back to grazing at the grass growing through the window where the wall had fallen down.
All of the Thornton men were considered handsome. Some of the most handsome men in the realm. While he did not consider himself vain, Christian knew his visage was pleasing. Women remarked on the color of his hair, saying it was like the sun shining on gold. They praised his eyes, saying they were as blue as the sea, and his teeth straight and white as snow. But today he felt as deformed and hideous as a troll living under a bridge from the old tales.
Was his temperament foul? Did he bellow overmuch? He did not think it so, but mayhap he should ask Lucy. Or perhaps Charlotte. She was more tactful in her replies.
Christian leaned back against a heap of rags, coughing as dust filled the room. He would drink and forget. Perhaps tomorrow would be better. After all, it likely couldn’t get any worse, could it?
CHAPTER 3
The cold marbleseeped through her yoga pants, chilling her, as Ashley sat on the pristine white counter, feet in the sink, eating cereal for dinner. The fuzzy pink socks looked like an old, worn towel as she tapped her toes to the music playing.
The best thing about living alone? No one fussed about feet in the sink or cared that she sat on the counter eating dinner. No one complained if she napped on the weekend or slept half the day away—not like she did, but still, it was nice to have the option. Because when she did take the rare day off? It was pajamas all day, binge-watching her favorite shows, and naps galore. Ashley answered to no one, not even Ben.
The spoon slipped out of her hand, clattering as it hit the dishes in the sink before coming to rest in a teacup. Abruptly, she put the bowl down, jumped off the counter, and went to lean against the window in the living room, looking out into the darkness, her reflection staring back. Resting her cheek against the cold glass, she wondered, why did the past always pick the absolute worst time to sit down for a spell? The smell of pancakes and bacon filled the room, overlaid with a kind Southern voice. Turning the lightsout as she moved through the apartment, hoping to banish the memories, she found herself in the bathroom, water running, with no recollection of brushing her teeth. She had to touch the toothbrush to check. Sighing, she climbed into bed, flannel sheets warm against her skin as she tossed and turned for what seemed like hours. But sleep was nowhere to be found, not so close to Halloween.
Out of practice,huffing from the exertion, Ashley coiled the jump rope and stowed it in a wicker basket next to the sofa. Outside, big, fat, fluffy flakes were falling, and she smiled, watching a child dressed in a bright red coat and matching boots dart across the street, his mother trailing after him. She loved this neighborhood, adored her rent-controlled prewar apartment, and as she stood there thinking about two very different childhoods, Ashley swore she could smell hot chocolate.
There was a knock, the door opened, and in came her boyfriend bearing the source of the smell.
“I knew you wouldn’t have time to grab one on the way in today.” He handed her the hot chocolate. “Made sure they added extra whip.” He peered closely at her before taking her wrist, his lips moving as he counted.
“Whoa. Have you been moving furniture? You’re sweating and your face is really red.” Ben looked around as if he should notice something out of place.
“Nope. Jumping rope. When I was a kid, I carried my jump rope with the purple handles everywhere. Picked up a new rope yesterday and thought I’d see if I still had it.” She touched her side, pinching the bit of extra padding. “You know how it is around the holidays, all the extra food and drink, trying to avoid gaining five pounds.”
She took a sip, the chocolatey goodness filling her mouth, thewarmth traveling through her chest, flooding her body with contentment.
“Have I told you how perfect you are? Though I should lay off this stuff until January.”
“Not for at least a day. I know how much you love hot chocolate.”
Ben kissed her on the cheek, a whiff of cinnamon filled her nose, and she spotted the ever-present pack of gum in his shirt pocket. “And for the record, you do not need to lose five pounds. You’re fine the way you are.” He looked her up and down. “Unless you’re planning to wear your Rangers jersey into the office, you’re going to be late.”
His comment ripped her out of the cobwebs of memory. “I can’t believe I lost track of time. I never do that. You’re right.” She smooched him as she made for the bathroom. “Don’t forget, I leave for London after work tonight.”
“I know, that’s why I stopped by, to say goodbye.” He stopped her, pulling her close. “You’ve got this. No way Mitch will get promoted over you. You’re way sexier. Just remember what we talked about.” He looked at his phone buzzing away and frowned.
Her boyfriend was the team doctor for the Rangers and was even busier than she was, which was saying something.
“I remember. I’m going to take him down.”
Ben grinned, showing off perfect white teeth. “You know, that’s one of the things I like about you.”
“What’s that?”
“No drama. Sometimes you’re like a guy but in a woman’s body.” He held up his hands. “Not that I have some kind of weird issues or anything; I’m just saying you don’t get all wound up in the emotional stuff. You’re practical and you’re not clingy. I like that about you.”
“Not like your ex, the beauty queen. What was she again, queen of green beans?”
