Page 21 of The Earl's Christmas Deal
“Thank you,” Adam murmured, sipping his drink and watching Frederick’s back as he bent over the billiard table. All the ease and happiness Lionel had felt in Miss Fairfax’s company drained away as the melancholy returned to Adam’s face.
“Anything amiss?”
Adam grunted. “He was speaking of Anastasia’s funeral.”
Lionel scoffed. “Yes, he was with hismother. That’s what he told you, is it?”
“Yes. I had rather hoped it was a rare truth, but from your expression, I assume I am mistaken?”
“He was on the continent, I’m afraid. Wouldn’t have made the trip back for anything. Too busy squandering his father’s fortune all over France.”
Lionel kept his voice carefully low so they were the only two privy to his comments but the anger in it was palpable.
“Gentlemen,” the murmurings and chatter of the room died away as Lord Sternwood stood back from the billiard table as the clock chimed. “I am afraid the time has run away with me. I have my orders from Lady Sternwood that we must all return to the drawing room at this time. Please, make your way back to the other room. Mr Frederick, I shall see if you cantrounceme another time.”
***
Lady Sternwood was standing at the head of the room as the men all filtered back inside. She frowned at her husband, who was still smoking his cigar, and he dutifully stubbed it out before taking his seat.
The room was now inhabited by everyone who would be staying for the house party over the next two weeks. The group was twenty in number, comprising the Fairfaxes, Sterlings, and Pinkertons. Frederick and his mother, as well as Adam’s directfamily, made up the rest, along with the Cheswick’s and the Duke’s family.
It was a lively group, and Adam was gratified that many of the company were at least well-known to him. Perhaps the next few days would not be so arduous after all.
“We will be playing charades gentlemen and as the rest of the guests have departed, we will be splitting everyone into pairs.”
In front of Lady Sternwood was an exquisitely decorated red and green bowl with names placed inside. Snow fell in a great curtain behind the long windows, and the room had an ethereal and beautifully festive feel.
Adam waited for the usual discomfort to arrive, never entirely comfortable in such a festive setting. Yet as his gaze landed on Emilia Sterling, the feeling never came. She was seated beside Miss Fairfax, looking rather stern but just as beautiful as ever, and he found that he could not look away.
“Lord Bellebrook,” Lady Sternwood announced as the first name was picked. “And Lady Emilia Sterling!”
With nerves churning in his gut, Adam walked over to his new partner, overjoyed to find that she had a space next to her on the settee. He sat, with a smile, elated to be so close to her again as the other names were read out.
“Are you good at charades, my Lord?” Emilia asked, surprising him.
“I have not played before,” he confessed.
“Not even when you were a child?” she asked, astonished.
“Ah, well, yes, but I always played with Lord Spencer, and he is a demon at every game. He wins everything. I do not know if I am good or bad, considering that I was never given the opportunity to win.”
Emilia chuckled. “Well, we shall find out today. It is not only a game of riddles but also a game of wit toguessthe riddle.”
“Are you good at charades, Lady Emilia?” he asked in turn.
Emilia gave him a conspiratorial look, the same charming smile on her face that he had seen at the dinner table. “I would not wish to boast,” she said quietly, “but I have been told my skills rival my musical talents.”
“We will certainly win, then. I am very happy to be paired with you.”
The comment was meant casually, but as her eyes met his, something passed between them of shared understanding. Hewaspleased to be paired with her. Despite all of the guilt and uncertainty that came with the idea of courting again, he enjoyed her company and could not think of anyone else he would rather spend time with at that moment.
The first riddle was read by Lord Sternwood, who begrudgingly yielded to his wife’s insistence to commence the game. Emilia stifled a laugh as Lady Sternwood pushed her husband to the front of the room.
"Iam a creature swift and bright,
In polished homes, I gleam at night.
I warm the heart and light the way,
