Page 141 of Ten Lords for the Holidays

Suddenly, Angela dropped her hand and turned to the plate of gingerbread already baked and cooling on the scrubbed wooden table behind them.

Plucking a biscuit from the pile, she took a bite and immediately nodded her approval.

Turning her head slightly, she raised a brow in Holly’s direction.

“What are you still doing here?” she demanded, sounding much like she had on the morning of her arrival. “Off you go. Shoo.”

CHAPTER10

Evan had readiedhimself for tonight’s ball far too early, and now he stood restless and on edge, peering out the window of his allotted bedchamber and staring into the grounds below.

It was Christmas Eve. And Lady Holly’s birthday. Yet, he hadn’t seen her to wish her well because she’d been avoiding him since their kiss.

He didn’t blame her, either.

Every night he dreamt of her, and every day he watched as she avoided him at all costs. And every time she wouldn’t hold his gaze, or she moved to the other side of the room as soon as he approached, his heart squeezed painfully.

Which was madness, of course. He’d known the girl a week. Shared one kiss and two dances.

How could it be that he already missed her?

Outside, torches had been lit to welcome guests who were travelling for tonight’s ball. Some, Lord Northwood had informed him, hadn’t attended any of the festivities so far, but since tonight was the main event so to speak, they were making the effort to come.

All day the house had been a hive of activity, and Evan had spent longer than he would have liked to admit scouring the rooms searching for Holly.

He wondered who she would dance with tonight. Would she outright refuse to take to the floor with him?

Ordinarily, he would say that a lady would never cause a scene by refusing to stand up with a gentleman for no good reason.

However, he’d seen for himself just how stubborn Holly could be.

If only he’d been able to talk to her. Though in truth, if he were to get her alone, he wasn’t sure how much talking he’d want to do.

A movement on the balcony below caught his eye, and Evan leaned over to see the lady herself step out into the cool winter air.

She was wearing a winter white cloak, and her sinfully red hair was adorned with the brightest diamonds. She looked like an angel, pure as the white she wore, and a devilish temptress as fiery as her hair, all rolled into one.

Evan had to swallow past a lump in his throat as desire, swift and white-hot, slammed through him.

And before he could talk any sense into himself, he turned and rushed from the room in pursuit of Lady Holly.

As he hurried down the staircase, he did wonder about his sanity.

Why was he chasing this woman as though she were important to him? Why did it feel like she was?

Within moments, he was at the drawing room through which she must have gone onto the balcony.

It was still early. An hour at least before guests would arrive.

And anyone staying in Northwood Manor would still be in their rooms preparing for the evening.

Yet still, he hesitated before going out there.

They might not be seen, but what if they were?

Well, there was no harm in talking to the girl. Just because they would be alone together, didn’t mean they would kiss again.

Evan wasn’t a slave to his hormones. He wasn’t a green lad having his first encounter with the opposite sex.

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