Page 11 of A Beauty for a Duke

“You’re not cold, are you, Egan?” The name slipped off her lips like a soft kiss.

“I never get cold.” He turned to look out the window.

“Of course not.” Sofie settled into her seat, preparing her mind for the task ahead of her. Which was nothing short of convincing a unicorn to run when he could fly. Well, she had some time to consider her options.

As Sofie got lost in thought, she overheard Fia comment on the trees outside glistening with snow.

“Oh dear! I completely forgot about decorating the tree with Papa today. How did I forget?”

“It’s alright, Sofie. He understands the importance of this trip.”

Sofie could feel the tears burning at her eyes. She had never missed a year of decorating the two trees outside the tavern with her father. It was their tradition. It had been since as far back as she could remember. Apparently her mother had started it with her father, and in continuing it, it was just another way to commemorate her love for life. One tree topper was a golden rose, and the other tree topper was a crown. It was one of Sofie’s favorite things to do leading up to Christmas, so for her to have forgotten about it made little sense to her. The previous night had been eventful though, and today was going to be an enormous opportunity for her, if all went according to plan. But still, she felt terrible about forgetting.

“He didn’t even say anything to remind me that we had planned to do it today,” Sofie said.

“He wouldn’t. He didn’t want you to feel guilty about it. He loves you, and he knows how much this convention means to you.”

Sofie pressed her hands to her eyes to stop the threat of any tears from falling. “I know. You’re probably right.”

Dropping her hands, Sofie glanced up at her friend and caught the stern look in her eye. “Alright, I know you’re right. You’re a good friend. You’re always there for me. Thank you.”

Fia reached across the seat and patted her hands. “You can decorate it together when you get back. He’ll wait for you. You have the eye for decorating it anyway. He merely hands you the decorations. I couldn’t imagine what it would look like if he did it alone.”

That possibility brought a chuckle out of Sofie.

“Yes, of course. All that is true. Well, then, today will be an amazing day, and tomorrow will be even better.”

“That’s the Christmas spirit,” Fia smiled back.

“Yes. And, to add to the Christmas spirit, Egan, would you please open that basket?”

A grumbly sound emerged from his throat but his lips didn’t move.

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

Egan moved as slow as a watched kettle boiling to open the basket.

Sofie was too excited to wait for him to pass around the goodies. She leaned over his lap to peer into the basket, but she couldn’t see anything. She leaned just a little bit further. Still, she couldn’t see the Christmas treats. Just one more inch…

Plop. Her hand fell on his thigh to catch her fall.

Egan practically jumped through the roof of the carriage.

“Do you mind?” He barked.

“I don’t,” she smiled back. The redness in Egan’s face matched his kilt. Realizing what she was saying and how that could be interpreted, she squeezed back into her spot and tried to compose herself. To act as naturally as she could, she said, “Please pass me a snickerdoodle.”

Chapter 6

PLEASEPASSMEAsnickerdoodle. As if she hadn’t just grazed the now thickening member between his legs. Well, at least now he had an answer. Of sorts. She was completely reckless. Or oblivious. Maybe he didn’t have an answer, but the damn chit was pushing him to the brink. And her brinkmanship game was on another level.

Egan loathed every minute of it. As he massaged the dull ache in his thigh, he tried to ignore the chattering and goofy grins between George and Fia.

Something George said made Fia giggle. What the hell was George’s game about? He was interested in Sofie, so what the devil was he doing flirting with Fia? Trying to make her jealous? Didn’t he know that Sofie wasn’t that kind of woman? He wanted to punch George and tell him to get his priorities straight. Flirt with the right girl or don’t flirt at all. But a small part of him was glad to hear Fia, and not Sofie, laughing at George’s atrocious attempts at humor.

“Oh, George,” split through his thoughts. Sofie had joined in the banter. “You’re so funny. It’s making the trip such a joy. Isn’t he the greatest, Egan?”

There was nothing manipulative in her tone. No thread of sarcasm or teasing. Just a simple sweetness that he could never taste.

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