Page 13 of A Lady's Christmas
“But the duke sent him packing.” Honoria gets a dreamy look. “Very romantic.”
“I don’t see it as romantic. Puzzling, but there was nothing else.” Perhaps that was a bit of a fib, but more to herself than to Honoria.
“He did it because he couldn’t bear to have anyone disrespect you.” Coming closer, Honoria stands in front of Gwen. “Did something else happen that you should tell me about, my dear?”
Why would he care? Why does he care? What did he want to tell her before he changed the subject in the garden? Would he have told her if she’d not run like the coward she is? Gwen touches her lips, still feeling the burn of Theo’s kiss from days later. “He kissed me.”
A wide smile spreads across Honoria’s face and she sits on the mattress. “Ah, well, that’s interesting. Did he steal the kiss or were you an active participant?”
Gwen’s cheeks heat. Her chest tightens and her skin tingles with the memory of the kiss.
With a chuckle, Honoria says, “I can see from the flush in your cheeks that nothing was stolen. Perhaps you should consider why the man you thought disliked you would defend you and kiss you.”
“It’s all I’ve been able to think about. What is he after? Years of his disdain or absence and now he seems like another man.” A memory forces its way into her mind. “Once, when I was seventeen, he came home from traveling abroad and he took me to a dance in town. Of course, his uncle told him to, but we danced that night and had a nice time. I thought we might become friends, but he left the next morning before I rose and we didn’t see him again for two full years.”
Honoria pats Gwen’s hand. “Don’t think about it too much. You must have a lot to do with only two days left before the Christmas Ball.”
“The staff here has it all in hand. Another candidate for steward is coming tomorrow morning. His name is Mr. Geldman. His resume is very impressive. We’ll stay for the party and leave in time to be back in London for Christmas. Do you have a family to spend the day with?” Gwen fusses with a loose thread on her skirt. Perhaps one of the maids can mend it.
Sauntering to the door, Honoria looks over her shoulder. “I’ve been married a few times, my dear. I have many family members who will host me if we return to London, but they are quite used to my independence as well. You should get that rest you came in for and put all of the questions out of your mind. A smart woman like you will make the right decisions when the time comes.
“What decisions?”
Honoria leaves without responding.
With a sigh, Gwen lies on the mattress, though she fails to put Theo out of her mind.
ChapterSeven
It’s late and Theo can’t sleep. His mind is filled with plots and plans to win Gwen’s friendship. He owes that much to his uncle. Even if he can’t change her mind about The Everton Domestic Society, she should know she always has his friendship to call upon.
His stomach clenches with thoughts of her leaving again. His behavior toward Gwen over the years is his greatest regret. He might have just explained to her that he didn’t wish to marry, and that his uncle wanted to push them together.
Giving up on sleep, he goes toward the kitchen in search of a snack. Light coming through from under the library door gives him pause. It was unheard of for Lamb to forget to put out a lantern. With a sigh, he opens the library door.
A single candle flickers in its holder on the long table. Looking from one end of the dim library to the other, Theo sees nothing but shadows.
“You’re letting in a draft. Close the door if you’re coming in.” Gwen’s voice cuts through his thoughts.
The candle flickers wildly to prove her point and sends a cascade of shadows around the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves.
Theo closes the door as ordered and then rounds the back of the sofa. “What are you doing here?”
She sits up and grips the small lap blanket to her chin which exposes her bare feet and legs. “Theo. I thought it must be Lamb or Mrs. Hampton checking on the light.”
“The staff has gone to bed. Why are you awake?” Trying not to stare at her bare calves or notice how shapely they are is impossible.
Seeing the direction of his gaze, she gasps and pulls her feet up so that she’s balled up under the blanket with only the frilly bottom of her nightgown showing. “I couldn’t sleep so I came down to read, but my eyes got tired so I thought I’d rest them a moment. Why are you here?”
Theo sits on the overstuffed chair adjacent to her and leans his elbows on his knees. “I couldn’t sleep either. I may have offended you in the garden today and that was not my intention.”
She lowers the blanket an inch. “I wasn’t offended, only confused.”
“I wanted to explain my behavior.” He rubs the back of his neck, hoping stalling will give him time to find the right words.
“Which behavior are you going to explain, Theo?” She drops the shield, exposing the adorable white nightgown that covers her almost completely.
“I beg your pardon?”
