Page 65 of A Christmas Temptation for the Duke
Too good, if I am being honest. Hence, why I am here.
“I was just thinking…” She stayed by the doorway, speaking softly. Nerves touching her voice. “If you do not wish to go today, I will understand.”
Daniel frowned and looked at her. “You do not wish to go?”
“What? No,” she said quickly. “What I meant was, ifyoudo not wish to go…”
“You do not want me to attend?”
“No, that is not –” She caught her tongue and shook her head because she was becoming flustered. “My meaning is, I know how much you dislike these types of events. Just as I know the only reason you are going is because you think you must. If you wish to stay home, I will understand.”
Daniel continued to frown at her. “Will you still be attending?”
“I had hoped to.”
“That settles it then.” He was back on his reflection, a final adjustment of his scarf. “I am going. After all, we don’t want you getting yourself into trouble now, do we?”
He meant well. Alison knew that he did. Just as she also knew he wasn’t going only because he thought he had to look out for her. And as silly as it was, she wanted him to admit it.
Why did she? Maybe she wanted him to stop acting like everything he did was only for her safety? Maybe she wanted him to finally say that he enjoyed spending time with her, and that was the reason? Or maybe she wanted an excuse to argue with him, knowing where it would lead…
“Is that the only reason?” she asked.
“Excuse me?”
She sighed. “You and I both know that I will be perfectly safe. It is Whitehaven, and there will be hundreds of people around. I will not be in any danger.”
“Likely,” he agreed. “But it is better to be safe than sorry.”
“But you do not wish to attend,” she pressed. “I know you do not. So, if I was to promise to be on my best behavior, then you have no reason to attend.”
“Alison… what are you trying to say?”
“You do not have to go on my account,” she said. “If you would prefer to stay home, I will understand.”
“I told you, I will not risk –”
“There is no risk!” she cried before she could help herself. “You and I both know it. Now, if you do not wish to go, be honest with me. I will not be upset with you. In fact, I suspect very much that the last thing you want to do today is visit Whitehaven to help decorate the square.” She scoffed. “In fact, I know it.”
Daniel studied her from across the room. His brow was furrowed, his expression as curious as it was confused. She felt his stare on her, and she looked away, suddenly embarrassed.
Alison had enjoyed these past two weeks so much, but as the time for its end drew near, she could not help but wonder what might happen after she left his estate and return to Lord Pemberton’s.
“You are right…” Slowly, he started across the room. “The main reason I am going today is because I feel it is my duty to watch over you.”
“You do not have –”
“But that is not the only reason.” Daniel reached where she was standing and then he took her hands. She felt his touch, not just on her hands, but through her body like a fire was spreading up her limbs. She continued to look away, cheeks burning,breathing heavy. “Would it surprise you to know that these past two weeks have not been nearly as difficult as I thought they would be?”
She snorted. “How nice to say.”
Still holding her hands, he made sure to be looking into her eyes. As was common now, there was a smile in them. He no longer hid behind a glower; he no longer lived in purposeful darkness. And with those eyes looking at her, he saw her, and she saw him.
“You are right, Alison. Was it up to me, I would not wish to go today. Butyouwish to go – and do not say differently. I realize that soon your parents will return, you will go home, and these past two weeks will be little more than a memory.”
She pushed down her smile. “It has not been all bad…”
“Which is why today will not be all bad either,” he said as he looked at her. “I do not want to go today, but what I do want is to spend time with you. So, if that means I must suffer through interacting with the villagers and dealing with their…” He scoffed. “Their attention. So be it. What is one more day?”
