Page 15 of A Christmas Temptation for the Duke
That was why he had come to see Violet today.
With the Christmas Season upon them, Daniel decided it would do to host a Christmas Eve party at his home and invite his sisters so that he might begin the act of reparation. It would not absolve him of his sins, but it would go a small way to making amends.
There is one other reason I wish to see them… one that I cannot tell even Violet, because I know she will do everything she can to change my mind. And in this, my mind will not be swayed.
Violet, he visited personally, knowing that she would agree with his wishes. He sent invitations to the others and waited for their responses. If not even one of them decided to show up, he would not hold it against them. In fact, he expected it, such was how horrid he felt for all he had done.
“I am glad you are undertaking this task,” Violet offered. “Truly, Daniel. We all worry about you.”
“There is no need.”
“However, I cannot help but wonder at the timing…” She looked at him knowingly, a smirk reaching her lips. “And how insistent you are. Do I sense a hidden agenda? Another reason you are so eager to see us all together?”
“And once again, I am reminded of why I have been so happy to avoid speaking with you these last two years.”
“Oh, I meant nothing by it.” A small smile grew across her face. “But it has been several years now since you were forced to spend every waking hour worrying about us all. Our debts are paid. Mother is gone. You are all alone…”
“Say what you are thinking,” he said sharply.
She looked at him flatly. “Do I sense an engagement announcement in the air? A part of me would be upset, if that was the case, seeing as you should have really introduced me to this mystery woman beforehand. But another part can’t help but be thrilled for you.”
“Do not be absurd.”
“Am I?” she pressed. “You are five and thirty, Daniel. An Earl, to boot. It is only right that you finally marry, as mother wanted. Asyoushould want, for that matter. What is so absurd about that?”
“As you know well, sister, I have no desire to be engaged.”
She said nothing to this as she tilted her head to the side and eyed him keenly.
He huffed. “You will not bait me. Nor will you have me trying to justify my decision.”
Again, she said nothing, still watching him with a knowing smirk that she must have known drove him to madness.
She knows well enough the reason. That I do not wish to marry because I do not deserve it. That after what I did to her and our sisters, I am the last person who should be given the chance at a happy ending.
“Just let me know if you hear from any of our sisters,” he said, changing the topic.
She rolled her eyes. “I will, I will. But that won’t keep me from wondering.”
His sisters weren’t the only problem that plagued Daniel on this day. His mind continually wandered from one issue to the next. It had been that way on the trip over, all through lunch, and nowthat Daniel was readying to say goodbye and make the journey home, still his dilemmas tormented him.
I just do not understand it! It should not bother me. It should not even touch my conscience. Yet, despite how hard I try, I cannot remove it from my thoughts so that it is all I can focus on.
He was, of course, thinking about Lady Alison Collins.
Who could have guessed that a chance encounter at the market would lead to such hostility? Who would have conjectured that his neighbor, a woman who heby rightsshould have felt nothing for, could unman him so effortlessly? Who would have thought that Daniel, the Earl of Grayhill, would be distracted by a woman when he had long ago sworn off such follies for what he believed to be good reasons?
Suddenly… now, he wasn’t so sure of his convictions..
And then came Lady Alison.
She was another breed of woman entirely, and unlike any he had met before. Obstinate. Strong-willed. Antagonistic. There was just something about her that made Daniel’s blood run hot so that it was all he could do not to think about her every waking second.
“Daniel?” Violet gave his leg a squeeze. “Are you there?”
“What…” Daniel shook his head, forcing his thoughts away from Lady Alison to find his sister watching him with worry. “Oh yes, just thinking that it is time I got going.”
She sighed. “Yes, I suppose so. But please, if you need anything at all…”
