Page 12 of Lady Elizabeth's Winter Stranger
“I’m all for delicious shivers,” Tom said and much to her dismay – and reluctant delight – a delicious shiver ran through her at his suggestive tone.“Although speaking of shivers, perhaps it’s time I tried to warm you up.”
She’d been blushing on and off since she met him.Now her cheeks stung with heat, partly because a wicked part of her responded to that idea with a resoundingyes.“Tom…”
He gave a soft laugh.“I meant I know a man who sells hot chestnuts at one of the gates a little further on.I know it’s Christmas Day, but let’s see if he’s there.One of life’s luxuries is a hot chestnut on a cold day.May I treat you?”
The tension flowed out of Elizabeth, even as she felt a shameful pang of disappointment.“Thank you.I’d like that.”
He turned away from the path that led back to Piccadilly and Lorimer Square and all her problems and set off across the snow.The fitful sun chose that moment to emerge and transform the park into a sparkling fairyland.In this man’s company, Elizabeth couldn’t help feeling that her vexing day turned enchanted as well.
“After that, I should come up with some entertainment for you.What on earth does one do on a snowy day in London?”
“Stay inside and toast one’s toes at the fire?”
Another grunt of amusement.“I’m happy to take you back to my rooms, if that’s what you’re suggesting.”
She rolled her eyes at him, which made him laugh again.“On second thoughts, perhaps we should stay in the open.”
“Perhaps we should.”He looked around.“We could have a snowball fight.”
“That would attract too much attention.And anyway, I don’t fancy getting wet and cold.”And drenching Mrs.Dawkins’s cape so she’d know someone had borrowed it.“Call me horridly unadventurous.”
“Never,” he said with theatrical emphasis.“So making angels in the snow is out, too?”
She gave an exaggerated shiver to match his tone.“Even wetter and colder.”
“We could build a snowman?”
Elizabeth wrinkled her nose.“That also sounds rather cold and wet.”
“That’s the problem with snow.”Tom tucked her hand more firmly into his crooked elbow.“In that case, it’s chestnuts and conversation.”
She cast him a quick sideways smile.“That sounds perfect.”
“Doesn’t it just?”The warmth in his voice set up a corresponding warmth in her heart, despite the frosty weather.
When they crossed an open area that in summer would be smooth green lawn, a large dog, some kind of retriever, lolloped towards them with a bark of delight.As the huge black beast hurtled at them, Elizabeth braced for it to jump up and knock her over.Instead, it skidded to a stop at Tom’s feet to ogle him with patent adoration.Elizabeth hid a wince.She feared that she might look at Tom in exactly the same way.
Tom released her and went down on his haunches to rub the dog’s floppy ears.The attention made the shaggy creature whimper with delight.“You’re a handsome fellow, aren’t you?”
“Do you know this dog?”she asked.
Tom cast her a glittering glance.“Never met him before in my life.”
“He clearly likes you.”Who could blame him?Elizabeth liked Tom, too.More than anyone she’d met in London.More than anyone she could ever remember meeting anywhere.
“I suspect he just wants some attention.”Tom continued to fondle the dog, as he surveyed the park.“I wonder where his master is.”
The dog wasn’t a stray.He wore a fine leather collar with silver chasing and trailed a lead, hinting that he’d got away from the person walking him.When Elizabeth scoured their surroundings, she spied a liveried footman rushing toward them.“My bet is his master is warm at home and a servant is responsible for the dog.”
“Bruno!Bruno, you rotten sod, come here!”As the footman, little more than a gangling boy, careered up to them, Elizabeth pulled her hood forward to shadow her face.“Come here, I say.”
When Tom rubbed his face and patted his flanks, Bruno’s eyes closed in bliss.He paid no attention to his guardian’s arrival, until Tom picked up the lead and stood.Tom passed the lead across to the boy.“Just Christmas high spirits, I think.”
“No, he’s always causing trouble,” the boy said, taking the leash before he performed a belated bow.“My lord, my lady.”
Bruno observed Tom with a disappointed expression and settled on his rump, clearly in no rush to resume his walk.Elizabeth smothered a giggle.It seemed she wasn’t the only one susceptible to Tom’s fatal charm.So far, he’d proven irresistible to children and dogs.What better recommendation could she have for his character?
“He’s a champ,” Tom said with that easy smile that always gave her far too much pleasure.“When he grows up, he’ll make a capital companion.”
