Page 5 of A Hellion's Christmas Kiss
“Now Rosella must marry,” her mother said, smiling pointedly. “Then the next Christmastide gathering can be hers to host.”
Rosella sighed. “I have no prospects, Mother. You must temper your expectations. It’s unlikely I’ll fall in love and marry before the next Christmastide.”
“A mother may hope,” the Duchess of Clare replied, undeterred. “And I do believe it will happen sooner than you think.”
Rosella narrowed her gaze. Her mother’s cryptic predictions often had an uncanny way of coming true. “What have you seen?”
“I cannot say,” her mother answered with maddening serenity. “I do not wish to spook you.”
“As if that cryptic remark hasn’t already done so,” Rosella muttered. “Keep your secrets then, Mother. It matters not. I know no gentleman is interested in me at present.”
Her mother smiled knowingly. “If you say so.”
“I do.” Her tone was petulant, though inwardly, she dared to hope. Could her mother be right? Could the man she longed to marry already be under the same roof? Turning to Noelle, she asked, “Do you think Asher and your brother have finished their billiards game?”
Noelle frowned thoughtfully. “I cannot say for certain.” Then, as if the idea had struck her, she tapped her chin. “Perhaps we should go and encourage them to finish.”
It was almost too easy. “If you think it’s a good idea, I’ll gladly accompany you.”
“Excellent,” Noelle said, standing. She turned to their mothers. “We’ll return shortly.”
As they walked toward the billiards room, Noelle leaned closer. “I thought you might need some space. Your mother means well, but I could tell her words unsettled you.”
“Only a little,” Rosella admitted, grateful for Noelle’s understanding. “Thank you.”
“Of course. There is nothing I would not do for you,” Noelle replied with a smile. “Besides, the billiards room will be far more entertaining than your mother’s matchmaking scheme.”
Rosella could not agree more. “Absolutely,” she said with a smile. “You had a brilliant idea suggesting we go to the billiards room.”
As they approached the billiards room, Rosella’s thoughts raced. This might be her chance to interact with Lucian, to show him a side of her he had never truly seen. Plans were fickle things, prone to unraveling when least expected. Perhaps it was time to place her faith in fate.
Lucian stared down at the billiards table, contemplating his next shot. In truth, he cared little whether he won or lost. The game had simply been a way to pass the time until dinner. He and Asher could have remained in the sitting room with the ladies, but they had decided instead to spend the time in each other’s company. Since Asher had married his sister, opportunities for such camaraderie had become scarce, as was proper. Lucian certainly would not have wanted his friend to neglect his wife—especially when that wife was his sister.
Still, their friendship had taken a different turn since Asher and Noelle wed nearly a year ago. The change had been profound, not just in their relationship but also within Lucian himself. It had forced him to confront desires he had not previously acknowledged. Marriage, once a distant concept, had started to feel less abstract—particularly with the emotions Rosella stirred in him.
But pursuing Rosella presented a daunting challenge. Although they had called a truce, there was no indication that her feelings for him extended beyond irritation. What if she did not share even a hint of his romantic inclinations? Worse, what if she laughed at the idea of them together? He would never know if he did not attempt to discover how she felt. Which in itself was terrifying. They would have to face each other every year at least during Christmastide. That would be onerous and humiliating.
“The shot is not that difficult,” Asher drawled, pulling Lucian from his musings. “Why are you staring at the table as if it is a puzzle that is unsolvable?”
Lucian shook off his thoughts and met his friend’s gaze. “The shot is not what preoccupies me.” He grinned. “I have other concerns weighing on my mind.”
Asher nodded knowingly. “If you wish to discuss them, I am here to listen.”
“No, it is all right. I will sort through them on my own.” Lucian leaned down, aligned his cue, and took the shot. The ball rolled smoothly across the table and sank neatly into the pocket. “It will resolve itself in time.”
“The offer remains,” Asher said with a grin, then wiggled his eyebrows. “Unless, of course, these concerns involve a lady. Do you have someone on your mind?”
Lucian turned his head slowly, fixing Asher with a glare. “Of course not. I have far more pressing matters to consider. It will work out when it is meant to.”
Asher held up his hands in mock surrender, laughing. “Noted. Though you should consider settling down. It might do you some good to focus on more than estate business.”
Lucian knew Asher was right, which was precisely why he had been seriously contemplating courting Rosella. Yet, discussing such feelings with her brother—his closest friend—was a delicate matter he wanted to delay for as long as possible. “I will consider your advice,” he said evenly. He did wish to have Rosella in his life. He just did not know how to go forward and implement that desire
“Good.” Asher grinned. “I would like to see you happy.”
“You don’t think I am happy?” Lucian raised a brow. “I hadn’t realized I was so melancholic.”
“Not melancholic,” Asher corrected with a roll of his eyes. “But not entirely blissful either. It’s a different kind of happiness I wish for you, and I hope you find it.”
