Page 217 of Ten Lords for the Holidays

The muffled clop of hooves alerted him, and the dark shape of a cab emerged out of the snow. Sebastian hailed it and climbed inside. No use tromping about in the snow any longer. The fairy tale was over.

Back in his rooms, Reece took his coat and hat, and shook his head over the condition of the mask.

“The damp is making the glued seams come open. What were you doing, your highness? Wearing the thing out in the snow?”

“Yes.” Sebastian did not explain further. “Fix it up as best you can. And bring me a brandy. I’ll be in my study.”

He could tell that his valet wanted to hear more about his adventures at the Midwinter Masque, but Sebastian did not want to talk.

“Stop brooding,” his sister used to say. “Really, Sebbie, you are such a lump of coal.”

Then she’d tease him out of his mood, calling him all kinds of ridiculous names until he couldn’t help but laugh.

But Mother had taken Margret and moved far away. And although he’d now been in London for over a year and saw both of them once a week at dinner, he’d never been able to reclaim that closeness. His sister mostly stayed quiet, while his mother let him know the constant, small ways in which he disappointed her.

Reece brought his brandy, and Sebastian took a drink, staring into the fire.

“She must be quite the woman,” his valet said.

Sebastian glanced up. “What makes you think my mood has anything to do with a lady?”

“I know the look, your highness.” Reece gave him a wry smile. “I’ve worn it myself a time or two. The question is, what are you going to do about her?”

Nothing, was his first impulse.

And yet, he’d give much to see Eliana Banning again. She made him feel simultaneously at ease and on fire with desire to know her better—body, mind, and soul. No other woman had ever elicited such a reaction from him. It had confused him into fleeing the ball—and confused him still—but perhaps he might have another chance.

Brandy burning in his throat, emotion like coals in his heart, Sebastian swallowed. “How long will this dye stay in my hair?”

His valet’s smile deepened. “The color will hold another day or two before it begins to noticeably fade.”

“Well then. I believe Prince Sebastian is going to remain ill for another day at least. See to canceling my appointments.”

He wasn’t certain what he was going to do, or how another day would matter in the end. All he knew was that if he let the sweet fire named Eliana Banning slip out of his life, he would regret it forever.

CHAPTER SIX

The next morning,Eliana blinked at the light filling her bedroom. She rose and went to her window seat, pushing the curtains wide.

Brightness covered the world. The snow had stopped, leaving a thick layer of white over the streets and shrubbery. Sunlight sparked off the frost crystals scattered on the snow, like diamonds stitched over the gauzy skirt of a ball gown. The sky was a bright blue—almost the color of Count Nikolai’s eyes.

She leaned forward and sighed, her breath misting the glass. Must everything remind her of him? The more she tried not to think about the man, the more she could not put him from her mind.

As the snow sparkled outside her window, she considered what she knew of Count Nikolai.

He claimed to be from Kiev, though in retrospect she realized he’d never told her anything about his home. He had long-fingered, strong hands, and a certain way of carrying himself—an almost regal bearing. A wary, melancholy tone in his deep voice. Blue, blue eyes, and black hair. Tall enough that she had to tip her face up to kiss him. Sensual lips, and an embrace that simultaneously made her feel safe and dangerously alive.

Oh dear.This would never do. She could not spend the rest of the holidays pining away for a gentleman she’d met only once—and never really known at all.

“Good morning, Miss Eliana.” Hetty bustled in, carrying a tray. “Heavens, back in bed with you! Your toes must be freezing. Here’s your morning chocolate.”

“It’s not that cold in here,” Eliana said. “The maid was in earlier to stir up the fire.”

Still, she obediently climbed back between the sheets. Really, what could be better than a cup of hot chocolate in bed on a snow-filled morning?

Seeing Count Nikolai again, her traitorous mind whispered.

“I hope you enjoyed the masque last night,” Hetty said. “I fear I was perhaps not as vigilant a chaperone as I ought to have been. I confess I lost sight of you for a time.”

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