Page 143 of Ten Lords for the Holidays

She had no idea how long they stood there kissing, just that it would never feel like long enough.

Finally, however, she felt him pull away.

Muffling an oath, he pressed his forehead to hers, his breathing as laboured as hers.

“I’m sorry,” he eventually rasped. “You have no idea what you do to me, Holly.”

“I think I might,” she breathed without thinking, earning herself a strained chuckle.

He straightened but instead of moving away from her, he stayed right where he was, his other hand snaking around her waist so that she was encircled in his arms.

“You’ve been avoiding me,” he said softly.

She could deny it, for it was the truth.

Before she could say anything, however, he spoke again.

“I’ve missed you,” he said, and her heart nearly burst from her chest.

It was too soon.

Far too soon to be feeling the things she felt.

And it was Christmas. A time that she usually spent miserable, thinking of her mother and wanting to be alone.

Yet itdidfeel as though she’d tumbled head over heels into love with him.

And though she thought of her mother, she did find she was enjoying herself. Enjoying this. Enjoying him.

You have also allowed the loss of her life to steal your own.

“I –“

She didn’t know why she felt it so difficult to confess that she’d missed him, too. Perhaps it was because itdidfeel too soon. Or perhaps, it was because it was all so unexpected.

“I’ve –“ she tried again, but the words just wouldn’t come.

“You’ve been avoiding me,” he finished for her, his tone gentle. His gaze watchful.

Holly dropped her gaze, furiously studying the satin slippers that weren’t at all suitable for such a cold evening.

In truth, she’d readied herself far, far too early for this evening’s celebration.

When Lady Angela had run her out of the kitchen, her courage had deserted her and instead of ‘hunting down’ Evan, she’d run to her rooms.

Instead of sitting idle for hours on end, she’d bathed and dressed in a sage green silk adorned with pearls along the low-cut neckline and around the base of the elaborate train.

Then she’d sat for an age whilst her red curls were piled atop her head and diamond hair pins were painstakingly dotted throughout them.

She had hoped that the process would take a while, but Sarah was an adept and skilled hairdresser and so with an hour at least to spare, she’d grabbed her white velvet evening cloak and found herself wandering outside. And inevitably thinking of him.

“I’ve been so busy,” she mumbled now.

“Yes, busy avoiding me,” he answered childishly.

She snapped her eyes up to his face to see his grin firmly in place.

Holly rolled her eyes at him but had to bite her lip to stop from smiling back. He didn’t need any encouragement from her.

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