Grace frowned. “Ugh, not yet. He’s been working in his lab all day. It’s his fault I had to scramble to reattach the hem of Ella’s robe. Cadoc told them they could bring their puppy in the house to play and the rascal chewed up everything he could reach.”
“He’s not coming?” Jess hoped Caris didn’t hear the disappointment.
Caris tipped her head to the side and flashed Jess a sly grin. “Oh, he’ll be here. I know there’s something brewing between the two of you.”
“We have a reluctant wager, and the stakes are high if I lose.”
“I told him to be careful of your reputation and reminded him there are far more rules here about what constitutes proper behavior than there were in the coal mine.”
“I know I can’t let him turn my head, that I need to stand firm no matter what underhanded tactics he employs.”
“Good. It’s been a long time since my brother had to fight for something he wants.”
“You think I’m the thing he wants?” Jess asked in disbelief. Jess was confident of her appeal, but she was a far cry from the sort of woman he usually consorted with. More prim, more keenly aware of the threat of censure and cautious because of it.
“You’re exactly what he wants. I think you’re what he needs as well. I’ll rest easy on my journey knowing he has somewhere he can go for his Christmas supper.”
“Courtesy of my meddling sister.”
Caris chuckled. “Your resistance is good for him. Thank you for not retracting the invitation.”
“As much as I loathe his manipulation, I wouldn’t do that. No one should be alone on Christmas Day.”
His sister’s expression was grateful. “I agree. I was worried about him, and now I’m not. Please don’t hesitate to let me know if I can ever return the favor.” She patted Jess’s arm as she left the vestibule.
Jess watched her go. The strength of the bond between Caris and Cadoc surprised her. And so did the fierce protectiveness the other woman had shown toward her enigmatic brother. She blinked thoughts of him away and turned to focus on the throng of children.
She clapped her hands together smartly. The conversation came to a halt and all eyes flickered in her direction. “Finish donning your costumes. We’re expected in the atrium in a quarter of an hour.”
The production was nearly flawless. One of the shepherds lost his supper in the empty manger, and all the other children had simultaneously said “Eww!” and wrinkled their noses, and an angel tripped on her robe and fell into the haystack. The childrenhad recovered from those mishaps like a professional troupe, and she was proud of them.
She could feel Cadoc Morgan’s eyes on her as she exchanged niceties with the parents.
Chapter Ten
Cadocwatchedherflushand shake the hands of congratulatory parents. Seeing her, and finally hearing her decision about the wager, was the only thing that had the power to wrench him away from his latest modification. He’d simmered for nearly half an hour as he watched other men’s eyes linger on her decolletage. He’d simmered as he watched the sweep of her skirts when she curtseyed. He’d simmered as he watched her hair escape its pins and trail errantly, temptingly down the side of her throat, one lock at a time.
Whenever her gaze turned in his direction, she looked at some point over his shoulder, studiously avoiding meeting his eyes. Even though she knew what he was waiting for. She’d promised to give him her decision tonight, and if he had to, he would wait until every other person took their leavetaking and it was down to just the two of them. So she’d have to look at him and acknowledge him and give him the answer he’d been anticipating for weeks.
When Caris had asked if he'd be accompanying her and the children back to their home he’d told her to proceed without him.
She’d given him a stern look and said, “I know what you’re about, Cadoc Elwes Morgan. Keep in mind what I’ve told you about manipulating her and the repercussions your stalking will have on her life.”
The thud of the door and the swirl of snow that landed softly on her face interrupted his reverie. It was finally just the two of them. He was half hidden in the shadows of the corner by the coat room, and he smiled wickedly as he waited for her to notice.
Her purposeful stride brought her within a hands length before she gasped. “You’re still here.”
He uncrossed his arms. “Where else would I be? I’ve been patiently awaiting your decision.”
“The answer is yes. I’ll accept your wager because you leave me no choice.” She haughtily brushed past him.
Cadoc was quick on her heels. If she was agreeing to the wager, it began tonight. His grip landed on her wrist as she loosened her grasp on her cloak. “Not so fast, Miss Wainwright. There are things I need to say before we embark on this journey.”
She froze beneath his touch, and he was close enough to see the gooseflesh rising at her nape. She was far from immune, no matter how she pretended otherwise or wished to the contrary. “What are you going to do?”
Her voice trembled slightly and he knew she was afraid. He didn’t think she was afraid of him - only of her own reaction. He lifted his hand and brushed it over her nape, grazing the knob of her spine, the tendrils of hair, and the flushed skin. She sighed and dipped her head.
Her cloak was twisted in her fingers, as if she thought it would be her salvation. Or her anchor. He would allow it to be neither.
