A Christmas Seduction (17 page)

H
UGH COULDN’T BELIEVE HOW
anxious he felt as he checked his watch once again and resumed his pacing.

What if she refused to come?

Well, he’d meant what he’d said. He would storm up there and carry her from her bedchamber if he had to.

Of course, if he stormed up there, the last thing he would want to do is
leave
her bedroom. He’d infinitely prefer to make use of it.

“Hugh.”

He swung round and saw her standing in the doorway, looking more beautiful than any woman had a right to.

“You came.”

He was an idiot. Of course she came, she was standing there.

“I didn’t think you gave me much of a choice,” she said ruefully and he was relieved to see a soft smile play around her lips.

“No, I don’t suppose I didn’t,” he responded.

She shivered and he immediately moved to her side.

“You’re cold,” he said.

Yes. Definitely an idiot.

“The conservatory wasn’t going to be terribly warm on a winter’s night, was it?” she quipped in response.

He smiled self-consciously.

“Let’s move to the library,” he said, offering her his arm.”It will be much warmer there.”

She hesitated for a moment before finally nodding her agreement and taking his arm.

“Why did you want to meet me?” she asked quietly as they walked.

This was the hard part.

Hugh had spent hours deliberating over what he should say. How he could explain that he’d been a fool three years ago, that he was desperately in love with her, that he wanted more than anything to make her his wife.

But suddenly, the words wouldn’t come.

He was as skittish as an unbroken horse.

He searched frantically for something to talk about but it was so hard to concentrate.

Every time she touched him, even on the sleeve of his coat, it set his heart racing.

And as far as his coat went, when she’d returned it, it had carried the floral scent she always wore and had nearly brought him to his knees.

Finally, he alighted on a topic that would keep her talking, at least long enough for him to pluck up the courage to tell her how he felt.

“Ah — it was about Lucas and Meredith. I wondered if you had thought about what you will do.”

It was a blatant lie.

He didn’t care a jot what she would do at this particular moment.

She heaved a sigh and gave him a sideway glance.

“Honestly,” she said after a moment or two, “what can I do? If they truly love each other, I wouldn’t be able to keep them apart for long. And nor would I want to. If my sister finds happiness, even if it is with your brother, then that’s good enough for me. I just have to believe that he will treat her well.”

Hugh heard the genuine worry in her voice.

They had reached the library door but before they went inside he turned her to face him, gently clasping her shoulders.

“He will treat her like a queen, sweetheart. I am sure of it.”

“How can you be sure?” she asked with a slight frown.

“Because he loves her. And when we Mayfords fall in love, we make sure the whole world knows it.”

Was it wishful thinking or did she look suddenly wistful?

He felt a thaw in her demeanor and it gave him the courage to go on, to tease a little, even.

“And will your sister be good to my brother?”

She grinned saucily and shrugged her shoulders.

“If she’s foolish enough to love him then she will no doubt be good to him.”

“You think she is foolish to fall in love?” he asked, feeling suddenly uneasy.

“Not at all. Foolish to fall in love with a Mayford, perhaps.” She smiled.

“Hmm. And if we are so abhorrent, how come your sister did, in fact, fall in love with one of us?”

“Who knows? Perhaps she couldn’t resist his charm.”

He winked and gave her his most charming smile.

“And who could blame her?”

“Not me. Such charm is terribly difficult to resist,” she responded as he leaned closer. “At least one of you has some.”

By God she was a saucy one.

He growled in frustration, prompting her to shush him frantically. He opened the door of the library and swung her inside, closing the door behind them.

Without giving her the chance to object beyond saying his name in a very disapproving tone, he pulled her toward him and crushed her lips to his.

If she wanted charm, she’d get it.

S
HE WOULD NEVER RECOVER
from his kisses, Louisa knew.

She would never want to.

The man had seeped into her heart and soul and he would never leave.

His lips were playing havoc with her senses, demanding she respond, demanding she give in to him.

And she did.

Louisa threw everything she felt into that kiss, reaching up to run her fingers through his sable hair, losing herself to the feelings he evoked.

She could stay like this forever. In fact, if they never —

Louisa froze as someone cleared his throat behind them.

Someone was here!

Panicking, she shoved Hugh away from her, or at least tried to, and spun round to face whoever it was.

“Louisa, is that any way to treat a suitor?” Meredith was grinning, seeming highly amused.

Louisa felt a wave of relief. If it was only Meredith and Lucas then they were safe. Neither of those two were in any position to judge.

“You!” She breathed in relief. ”I thought it was someone important.”

“Just me,” Meredith responded, looking meaningfully at Lucas who looked far too amused for Louisa’s liking.

“Need help brother? With the way she shoved you I can’t exactly tell if you were doing something wrong, or very right.” Lucas laughed now.

“Something very right.” Hugh smiled in return, sounding as smug as she’d ever heard him. She rolled her eyes at him.

“I’m afraid that they have never outgrown their overconfidence.” Meredith said. She seemed far too comfortable with this whole situation. Louisa would rather the ground opened up so she could slip away.

“Indeed,” she responded, glaring at Hugh who still looked entirely too pleased with himself.

Didn’t he understand what had just happened? They’d been caught!

“Well, would you two like to be the first to know?”

As Lucas spoke, he moved and wrapped his arms around Meredith.

Louisa’s breath caught in her throat.

“First?” she managed, her eyes darting between her sister and Lucas.

“The first,” he repeated, “aside from all of our parents, of course. I have to do a few things according to decorum, you understand. Can’t be a rebel all the time.”

Were they going to announce a betrothal?

She was horrified at the spike of jealousy she suddenly felt.

She turned to glance at Hugh in confusion and was touched when he lifted his hand and gave her shoulder a squeeze of support.

“You can tell us now,” Hugh said to Lucas.

“I’ve decided that the best way to make peace, was to simply make love.”

“What?” Louisa demanded at the same time as Hugh.

It had actually happened? They were to marry?

“Lucas!”

Meredith scolded but her face was flushed, and the picture of pure happiness.

Lucas laughed unrepentantly.

“I’m simply stating that Meredith has agreed to bless me with the honor of being my countess,” he confirmed.

Louisa felt her heart stop.

Here it was; the thing she’d wanted to prevent.

“Meredith!” she exclaimed.

Looking over her shoulder once more, she saw that Hugh was watching her, his expression intense. She knew he was waiting to see if she would object or stick to her word and give her blessing.

She also knew that he would be disappointed should she cause a scene, and, suddenly, the thought of displeasing him was unbearable.

So, without another second’s hesitation, she moved the pompous earl out of the way and threw her arms around her sister.”I am both shocked and yet not,” she smiled through sudden tears.

Meredith looked ecstatic.

How could this be a bad thing?

“Sara is going to be in a fit,” Meredith replied and Louisa could see that she was genuinely concerned.

Time to be the dutiful sister.

“Perhaps,” she confirmed, because there was little point in denying it. ”But it will be entertaining to watch at least.”

“Well, I must say I’m impressed with how quickly you work, old man.” Hugh looked genuinely happy for his brother, and as he shook Lucas’s hand, he turned and gave her a wink. He looked proud and it warmed her heart in ways she couldn’t describe.

“Y
OU’LL BE EVEN MORE
impressed when you discover that she agreed to marry me at the Frost Ball.” Lucas was speaking, and Hugh was surprised at the envy that suddenly shot through him. He wished that it was him making the announcement about he and Louisa, and he felt a cad for it.

“Don’t tell me you’ve already secured a special license as well!” he asked, feeling concerned for Louisa.

She’d been a real sport but he knew that this must be difficult.

“Not yet, but I’ll make quick work of that as well.” Lucas simply shrugged in his typical fashion.

Hugh couldn’t blame him. Generally speaking, when the Mayford men wanted something, they made it happen.

Louisa was smiling and looked genuinely happy for her sister, but there was a hint of something in her eyes, a slight tightening around her mouth, and he suddenly wanted to get her out of there so she could react whatever way she needed to, away from the happy couple.

“Then we will leave you to your celebrating.” Hugh grasped Louisa’s hand and made to move away.

“No, no, why doesn’t Louisa come with me? It’s time we retired.” Meredith reached out and grasped Louisa’s other hand.

Hugh had only just started kissing her, for God’s sake. And he hadn’t even gotten to propose. Or confess his feelings.

He wasn’t giving her up that easily.

To his consternation, however, Meredith Bright had a grip that would try the strength of a Titan.

They engaged in a rather embarrassing tug of war before he had no choice but to release Louisa’s hand, lest one of her arms be pulled from the socket. Lucas’s laugh did nothing to improve his mood.

Hugh glared at him then raised a mocking brow.

“That means you don’t get to
celebrate
either.” Hugh he reminded his brother with a sly smile.

“I have a life time of celebrating,” Lucas shot back, and Hugh scowled because the bloody man was right.

“And with that we bid you goodnight.” Meredith tugged Louisa from the room before Hugh even got the chance to speak to her.

Hugh thought it would be rather childish to chase after them and drag her back, so he let her go, feeling more frustrated by the second.

She turned back to glance at him and offer a small smile. It wasn’t much, but it would have to do until he got to speak to her again.

CHAPTER NINE

I
T HAD BEEN A
whirlwind by anyone’s standards and as Louisa watched her sister waltz in the arms of her husband,
husband,
she couldn’t help but smile.