“Oh, I have, Papa, you can rest assured of that.” She eased her hand from Richard’s, hoping the move was subtle enough to go unnoticed. “I am making sure that Richard is with me as much as possible whenever I leave my room.”
“Very wise.” Lord Hawthorn’s lips curved into a smile. “Let us hope this document will close the matter so that we can all enjoy Christmas.” He sighed. “Now go, both of you. Get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day, without question.”
“Ashe and Florinda are returning, aren’t they? And I’m still hoping that Willow will be able to make it here in time for Christmas.”
“Your mother is worrying about all of them, but since we can neither stop the snow, nor fetch them ourselves, the most sensible course is to retire and get a good night’s sleep.” He walked to the door, then turned to them. “Thank you again, MrHawkesbury. I believe I shall now follow my wife’s preference and call you Richard. Much easier, and you have proved yourself a valuable and trustworthy friend to the Treases. You are well-deserving of the courtesy.”
Richard bowed low. “I am honoured, my Lord. Thank you.”
“Good night to you both.”
“Good night, Papa. We will see you in the morning.” Holly smiled as her father left the room.
“You’re exhausted,” she said, looking at Richard. “Let me blow out the candles and I’ll take you back to your room.”
He sighed. “You’re right, much as I hate to admit it. But it was a task worth accomplishing, even had it taken twice as long. And your father was happy with it, as well.”
After curling the document into a slight scroll, both Richard and Holly left her study, dark now, and smelling of snuffed candles, to make their way back along the hallways and passages to their respective bedrooms.
“An eventful night,” said Holly, looking up at him outside his door.
“Indeed,” he answered, smiling at her. “A very pleasant one, too.”
She nodded. “We’ll see each other at breakfast, then…”
“I look forward to it,” he replied, correct as ever. Then he reached for her hand and took it in his, raising it to his lips and pressing a firm kiss on the warm skin, allowing his tongue to linger with a warm, silky stroke.
To his delight, her eyes widened, and he heard the catch in her breath as his touch raised the hairs on her arm.
“Tomorrow,” he whispered. “Tomorrow, Holly, we’ll talk.”
*~~*~~*
Holly wasn’t sure she’d sleep much, given the adventures of the day…and the night. But exhaustion took its toll, and she awoke the next morning to the brilliant glow of sunshine on snow. The storm had worn itself out in the wee hours, and even now she could hear the scrape of brooms and shovels as the servants began to clear the entrances. Soon there would be the clatter of horses drawing the logs and flattening the nearby lanes, making travel possible, although still slow.
She hoped it would be enough for her brother and sisters to make it home, since today was—she realised with a shock—Christmas Eve.
She’d been so involved with Richard and the events surrounding his attack that she’d completely lost track of time. Even the green fir boughs and the scent of pine, not to mention some of the fragrances that had begun emerging from the kitchens downstairs, had not fully caught her attention.
But now that the crisis might be winding down, and perhaps concluded today, it was high time she recalled herself to her current situation as part of the Trease family Christmas celebrations.
So she rang for her maid, pulled out a warm dress in a shade of crimson that she loved, and added a matching plaid shawl. It was bright, festive, and made her feel quite pretty. She couldn’t help wondering if Richard would like it, of course, because she was a woman, and in spite of her independent nature, there were certain things that were simply intrinsic.
Richard. Just the thought of him made her insides jumpy. The way he’d kissed her hand last night, the way he smiled at her, his warmth, his smile—she’d known him for such a short time and yet here she was, anxious to see him, eager to hear his voice and look into his eyes, losing herself for a brief moment in their depths.
Staring into her mirror, she slid her tiny pearl earrings into her ears, and stilled. Did she want this man in her life forever? Did she want to be a wife to him, live with him, bear his children, and make a home with him?
He was a solicitor, not a member of the aristocracy. She didn’t care much for the trappings of Society, so that worried her not at all, but perhaps it would bother him…
Sighing, she turned away from her reflection and nodded at her maid. “I’ll do, Susan, thank you.”
“You look lovely as always, Miss Holly.” The young woman smiled. “That colour is perfect on you.”
“I like it. Makes me feel cheerful, and it’s certainly just the thing for a cold and snowy day.” Picking up her reticule, Holly moved to the door. “Do you know if any of the family have arrived yet?”
Susan shook her head. “They hadn’t when I came up, Miss. But I did see that the drive was already cleared, so once they get here, there’ll be no problems at all.”
Holly smiled. “Excellent. Thank you.” She thought for a moment. “And one more thing, did you see either Mr Blackstone or Mr Hawkesbury yet this morning?”
