Page 63 of A Christmas Temptation for the Duke
“Maybe not anymore,” he shot back. “Thanks to me, of course, helping to deflate it as I have. I really am that brilliant.”
She snorted and shook her head, but he caught the smile on her lips and the way her eyes glimmered in the white sun of the morning.
As said, Daniel was starting to enjoy himself these last few days like he had never known before. He found that he was looking forward to seeing Lady Alison each day. Just as he was relishing the time they spent together.
She was just so easy to be around. She did not hoard his time. She did not insist upon always being about to be doted upon. Having lived alone now for two years, Daniel worshipped his private life and his alone time like nothing else. But for reasons he could not explain, Lady Alison was the exception.
It was thirty minutes later when they finally went indoors. Daniel was the one to suggest it, seeing as it was freezing and he worried that being outdoors for too long would see them get sick.
“Yes, I think you are correct,” Alison said without argument as she scooped up Pickle. “Besides, Pickle is already shaking.”
“Oh, I was going to suggest that you leave the dog outside.”
“You are a scoundrel!”
He laughed and then linked his arm through hers. “Come on then, let us find somewhere warm.” He smiled at her, and she smiled back. That she was so willing to do as he asked without pushing back… again, it spoke to how far they had come.
It was when they arrived back inside that Daniel heard voices coming from the front of the manor. And what was more, it sounded to his ears like they were arguing.
“What on earth…” He walked ahead, hurrying through the halls until he came into the foyer. There, he saw right away what the cause of the commotion was.
“There you are!” It was none other than Mrs. Hollingberry, engaged in a shouting match with Godfrey. “Will you please tell your manservant that I am not a threat?”
“I did not think you were a threat,” Godfrey snapped at her. “I was simply stating that Lord Grayhill does not appreciate unannounced guests.”
“And as I said, in this case, he is sure to break his rule.”
“And as I said –”
“It is quite fine,” Daniel eased his valet. “I do appreciate your stout defense of my private life, but I think in Mrs. Hollingberry’s case, an exception can be made.”
Mrs. Hollingberry looked at Godfrey with a mocking smile, before stepping around the valet and hurrying toward Daniel. “It is no great thing, Lord Grayhill. I promise, my unexpected presence here will not delay you in whatever it is you have planned for today.”
“Let us hope not.”
“Mrs. Hollingberry!” Lady Alison then strode into the foyer. “This is a pleasant surprise.”
“I should think so,” Mrs. Hollingberry beamed. “I was hoping you would be here also, Lady Alison. For this concerns you.”
“Oh?”
Mrs. Hollingberry’s eyes widened, and her smile was mischievous. “Oh yes, in fact, it is the two of you I wished to speak with. I was just with the mayor, and he was telling me how appreciative he was that you attended both the Christmas Fair and the Winter Ball. Your presence was a blessing.”
Daniel could see where this was going, and he braced himself. “Yes, well, I am glad to hear it.”
“With that in mind, come Friday, we will be decorating the village square for Christmas. It is an annual tradition, as I am sure you know…” She then winked. “Even if you have somehow managed to avoid attending for as long as I have lived here.”
“Oh!” Alison exclaimed. “I had completely forgotten”
She and her family often joined in on this tradition, and her as her stepfather was a local lord, he donated money always for the decorations. With all that had happened these last weeks, however, it had completely slipped her mind.
“It is lucky that I am here to remind you!” Mrs. Hollingberry seized on the question. “With Christmas right around the corner, it is important that we bring some cheer to the village as is right. There will be games. There will be food and drink. There will even be fun had…” She looked pointedly at Daniel. “At least for some.”
“Let me guess,” Daniel sighed. “You would like for me to attend?”
“Both of you,” Mrs. Hollingberry corrected. “If it pleases you.”
Daniel suppressed the urge to groan. He should have known something like this would happen. Attending both the Fair and the Ball as he had done, he made it appear as if he wanted to be involved in the village’s celebrations. Which he most certainly did not.
