Page 9 of A Scandal Before Christmas
With great effort, Theodore remained seated.
“Lady Lauren, how wonderful to discover you are an early riser like myself!” Sanderson lifted her hand, pressed a kiss to it, then took the chair on her opposite side while Theodore grit his teeth. George plopped down at the head of the table, a curious expression crossing his handsome face.
“A habit developed during my time away from society,” Lauren murmured, sipping her tea again. “Mornings have become my favorite time of the day.”
Theodore relaxed in his chair with a lazy grin. “Mornings often start with the best of surprises.”
Lauren’s eyes shot to his, and his lazy grin left no doubt he referred to the intrusion of her bedchamber earlier. Her mouth tightened, her cheeks turning a delicious shade of pink at the reminder.
“What are your plans for the day, Lady Lauren?” Sanderson inquired, touching her elbow.
“I’m not sure—” she began when Theodore interrupted, his voice coolly aloof.
“We are going ice skating.”
Sanderson blinked at his tone, and George’s brow rose slightly before Theodore’s apparent rival recovered.
“Ice skating? I say, that sounds like just the thing. What do you think, Settleton? We could all make an afternoon of it as I’m sure there are others who would enjoy the bracing winter air and an opportunity to exhibit their skills.” Sanderson exclaimed in excitement, “Yes, it’s a wonderful idea.”
If it’s so bloody wonderful, why does the idea of others around us annoy me?Theodore brooded as George shot him a covert glance before granting his approval of the plan.
Before Theodore knew what was happening, the quiet interlude with Lauren was completely taken over. While this turn of events irritated him beyond belief, Lauren seemed quite pleased.
The twinkle in her eyes was taken as a challenge he could not and would not ignore.
Under the clatter of breakfast dishes being set up by the servants, Theodore whispered in Lauren’s ear, “Be warned, sweetheart. The woods around that pond are full of mistletoe. You couldn’t drag me away with a team of horses now.”
Chapter 6
Lauren huddled closer to the circle of stones making up a rather large firepit. Several iron benches provided seating, and if one desired a mug of hot apple cider to warm their insides, a large vat of the beverage was kept warm in the coals.
Curling her gloved hands around the tin cup, Lauren smiled as she watched Penelope and George glide arm and arm. Her lovely cousin gazed at the viscount in obvious adoration, her laughter echoing across the open space with that of the other guests.
A tiny frisson of envy struck Lauren without warning. The unwelcome emotion was startling, but most confusing was why on earth her gaze unerringly sought out the Earl of Hawthorne.
He’d reluctantly left her behind after she refused his command to join him on the pond’s frozen surface. Now, he slid effortlessly over the ice, his forearm held tight by a simpering chit.
A second cousin to George, Lady Melanie Overton was blonde, willowy, and quite the flirt. Lauren had met her several times at various social functions. While cordial to one another, their interactions never progressed any further than that, and Penelope once confessed to Lauren her dislike for the girl.
Now, Lauren watched helplessly as Melanie stumbled and Theodore easily steadied her with an arm slipped around her waist. Pulling her tighter against his body, he said something that made the lady laugh. Then she turned slightly until it almost appeared as though they danced the waltz on steel blades.
Dropping her gaze, Lauren swallowed past the lump in her throat. Even with the warmth of the vessel in her hands and the heat of the flames from the firepit, she shivered.
“Shall I procure a blanket, Lady Lauren?” Lord Sanderson plopped down on the bench with an easygoing smile. Slipping the ice-skates from his feet, he set them aside.
“That would be very kind.” A few moments later, a thick, red woolen blanket lay draped about her shoulders.
“There. That should do the trick until you decide to venture onto the ice. The exertion warms the blood very quickly, I find.”
“I believe I shall return to the house once I’ve finished my cider.” Lauren gave him an apologetic smile, fighting the urge to stare in the direction of the pond when a peal of laughter rang out.
It sounded suspiciously like Lady Melanie Overton.
“Oh, that won’t do at all! You’ve not even taken a turn around the pond. Come, I’ll help you. You shan’t fall as long as you hold on to me,” Sanderson urged. “I’ll find you a pair of skates, and you’ll see it’s grand fun.”
Lauren said nothing. Taking another sip of cider, she dared a peek toward the pond and wished she hadn’t.
Coming toward them, Theodore and Melanie trudged through a thin layer of snow. Melanie was laughing with delight, cheeks pink with exertion while the earl oddly enough seemed to be biting the inside of his cheek. His eyes were pools of icy blue when they slid over Lauren and Sanderson sitting so cozily together.
