Page 31 of A Christmas Temptation for the Duke
“Of course, my lord.”
Alison glared at the Earl, who was already walking past her, happy to forget the brewing argument. She followed him, noting the valet and the parchment he carried with him.
“What is that for?” she asked.
Lord Grayhill frowned at the question. “I told you, a letter will need to be written, and shortly. Best that we send it off before it is too late. That is unless…” He tilted his head, the frown turning into a knowing smirk. “You wish to spend another evening under my roof? I never would have guessed.”
She fixed the Earl with her most rueful glare. “Just give me the parchment.”
Alison spent the next five minutes writing a letter to her mother, asking that she return to collect her at once. And as she did, Lord Grayhill stood over her shoulder and watched; an action which she found discomforting.
However, some joy was found when Pickle began to sniff at his leg and started to gnaw on his boots, which had the Earl cursing and pushing the dog away.
“Good boy,” she made sure to say, loud enough so that Lord Grayhill could hear her.
“That dog is a menace,” he snapped.
“I always found him a rather good judge of character,” she shot back.
Once the letter was finished with, the Earl handed it off to the valet, Godfrey, to deliver at once. “Send your fastest rider,” he ordered. “Lord Pemberton will be traveling by carriage, so I suspect he will have no trouble in reaching them before noon if he pushes himself hard enough.”
“It will be done.” The valet bowed, was about to exit, only to pause and consider the two of them. “It has just occurred to me also, my lord, that perhaps an activity might be required of the two of you.”
Lord Grayhill frowned. “What?”
Godfrey looked between them both again, and he smiled coyly as if a most troublesome idea had just come to mind. “Even if this letter does reach Lady Alison’s family today, the chances of them returning by nightfall are slim – and even if they do, that will leave the entire day to fill.”
“And your point?”
“Perhaps it is not my place,” he continued innocently. “But surely, as a guest in your home, you will be looking to entertain and occupy Lady Alison’s time? It is only right that you do.”
Lord Grayhill narrowed his eyes warningly. “Thank you for the observation, Godfrey.”
“Of course.” The valet bowed deeply. “And it just so happens that Whitehaven is still playing host to its Christmas Fair. No doubt it will make for an enjoyable activity to partake in.”
Still seated at the table, Alison looked between Lord Grayhill and the valet. The valet appeared somewhat pleased with himself, while Lord Grayhill could not have looked more frustrated.
“We will consider it,” the Earl said carefully, a bite to his voice. “But I would not presume to monopolize Lady Alison’s time. No doubt she would rather spend it on her own.”
Indeed, Alison had no desire to spend any more time with Lord Grayhill than she needed to. And if it was up to her, she would have happily spent the day hiding in the library or her room until she heard from her family. The less she was around the Earl, the better.
However, sensing his objection to this suggestion, knowing from the way he glared at his valet that the last thing he wanted was tospend the day at the fair with her, Alison found herself speaking before she could stop to consider the consequences.
“That sounds like a lovely idea,” she said.
“What?” Lord Grayhill stammered.
She smiled pleasantly at him. “Surely, you do not expect me to spend all day cooped up inside? And surely, as concerned for my wellbeing as you are, you would not dream of leaving me to attend the fair on my own?” She flashed a wicked smile, just so he could see what she was doing. “In fact, I know you would not.”
It was petty of Alison, she knew.
It was immature, also.
But Alison was sick to death of losing. Every time she and the Earl fought, he came out on top, and she needed this victory to reassert herself. He was just so darn assured of the power he had over her, how easy she was to command and control, that this little moment right here was needed to tip the scales back in her favor.
At the very least to remind Lord Grayhill that she was not some innocent little girl he could walk all over.
“You really wish to attend the fair?” he asked her, jaw clenched, his objection to the affair obvious.
