Twenty-Six
Jewel
WEARING HERmost Christmasy gown, made of red taffeta over a white underskirt embroidered with gold, Jewel returned to the main house to find the drawing room in something of a tumult.
“Uncle Jason isn’t in the stables,” young Rebecca was reporting in a panic.“And neither are the cats!”
Finding it difficult to contain her amusement, Jewel watched Aunty Kendra and Uncle Trick troop in, much earlier than everyone expected.Her aunt’s new gown was indeed elaborate—a confection of gold satin with silver lace spilling from the sleeves—but apparently it hadn’t taken her as long to don as she’d anticipated, Jewel thought.
Well, actually, that’s what she hopedeveryone elsethought.
Because she knew the truth was—
“There are cats in my chamber!”Kendra announced before the door even closed behind her.“Cats!”
“Egad!”Aunty Violet cried, apparently sharing Rebecca’s panic for a moment before visibly pulling herself together and taking charge.
She whirled to her daughter.“Rebecca, go round up those creatures once again.Take some cousins with you.”
She looked to Kendra.“I’m so sorry!I’ll have Harry and Hilda dispatch every non-kitchen servant to scour your chamber from top to bottom.”
“We’re swapping rooms with Colin and Amy,” Kendra informed her.
But Violet was already marching from the room, calling, “Start the caroling!”behind her.
Rebecca collected six cousins, who all bundled up and left, followed by a steady stream of servants with mops and brooms in hand.
Not usually one to follow orders, Aunty Kendra nevertheless plopped onto the harpsichord’s bench and placed her hands on the keyboard.Jewel had never seen her look so…
Frustrated?Stunned?Confused?
Jewel couldn’t be sure, but one thing was certain: This was a masterful prank.
She struggled to hide a smile as, by fits and starts, the rest of the family drifted in, gathered around, and began singing carols.
Well, except for her parents…
Twenty-Seven
Amy
“APOX ONthe caroling”was enough to persuade Amy.
She wanted to give in.
It seemed a long time since she and Colin had made love without the strain of conflict between them.Much, much too long a time.
She’d already removed her shoes and stockings, and her gown was a puddle on the floor.With impatient hands, he pulled her chemise off over her head, nearly ripping it in the process.After making short work of divesting his own clothing, he eased her down to the bed, running his fingers through her dark tresses and arranging them artistically on the pillows before coming down beside her.
He gathered her into his arms and for a moment just held her close.
In the still room, she could feel his heart beating against hers.
When he brushed the hair off her forehead and framed her face with his hands, his emerald eyes shone with such a deep, abiding love that her breath caught in her chest.With a soft groan, he covered her parted lips with his own.His tongue plundered her mouth with reckless abandon, until both of them were breathless.
Her heart swelling with emotion, she raised a hand to skim his muscled chest, his sleek side, the smooth planes of his broad back.Everything about him felt divine, yet also comforting and familiar.Her fingers traced the scar on his arm, a reminder that he’d become a skilled swordsman many years before they met.Enjoying the warm expanse of his skin, she brushed her palm down his side to his hip, then edged around to find him hard and ready.
“No,” Colin whispered, his mouth against hers.“Not today.”He reached down to remove her hand, to lace his fingers with hers, to bring their joined hands to his lips.“This is for you, my love.Consider it my apology.”
