“Did he hurt you?”
“Only my feelings.”
His arms tensed, squeezing the breath from her for a moment. “He’ll regret that.”
A bubble of laughter welled up in her chest. Of course James would rush to her defense, as chivalrous as he was. But she didn’t need a knight in shining armor. She was becoming quite skilled at handling her own problems.
Because he’d taken up her cause. Making more of her need to rid herself of an unwelcome suitor than she’d originally bargained for. She’d never be able to thank him enough.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
“I wanted to see you.”
“Just that?” she asked in surprise.
“Aye, isn’t that enough?”
Prim stared up at him. His green eyes were warm and deep, filled with the desire she’d seen the night before and something more. She knew he’d come to care for her, his short courtship had sparked what she saw as real friendship between them. But he seemed to possess a true affection for her, as a person and not simply a project.
Shaking the thought away, Prim steeled herself against entertaining any hope he might be thinking to court her in truth. It wasn’t what he wanted, though she was coming to want it more and more. To wonder what marriage to him might bring rather than take away from her.
James didn’t help matters when he bent his head, brushing his lips across hers. That kiss had nothing to do with lust and hunger, she’d swear it didn’t.
No, he wasn’t helping at all.
“Hey, there. What is this?”
* * *
The outrage in the male voice had James taking a step back. Behind Prim stood the blond man he’d once mistaken as her possible lover, but now, up close, he could see the family resemblance.
“You must be Dennis,” he said, holding out his hand.
Dennis nodded and grasped his hand firmly. After a brief shake, he held on a moment longer, staring James straight in the eye. Assessing him, reading him. Searching for what, James wasn’t certain, though he met the gaze steadily.
After a few seconds, Dennis released his hand. Without thought, James turned back to Prim. Her hyacinth eyes were wide with trepidation, as if she expected another exchange of unpleasant words. Or worse. Taking her hand, he gave her a reassuring squeeze and a wink.
“I’ll be damned.”
They both turned at the astonishment in Dennis’s voice.
“What?” Prim asked her brother.
Dennis grinned broadly, rocking back on his heels. To James’s eyes, he appeared mighty pleased with himself, though James was as lost to the reason as Prim.
“Nothing. Nothing at all.” Her brother bent to kiss her cheek and shook James’s hand again. “Good to meet you at last, MacKintosh. Sis, I’ll see you for Christmas dinner?”
“Where else would you spend it?” she asked sarcastically.
Dennis trotted down the stairs, whistling to himself. Puzzled, James watched him go then turned back to Prim.
“What was that all about?”
“I have no idea.” She shook her head and led the way back into the room she’d come from.
To James’s surprise, it was a study. An ornate mahogany desk dominated the center of the room with dozens of sheets of paper and folders scattered across the top of it.
“I am glad you came,” she said, trailing a finger across the desktop as she circled it. “I was trying to compose a note to you earlier, inviting you for Christmas Eve here with me and the children. It hinted at the ridiculous to write a formal invitation after…well.”
