A Christmas Seduction (2 page)

L
ADY
M
EREDITH
B
RIGHT STARED
at the passing scenery as the county of Sussex passed by in a slow blur. Her two sisters shared the carriage, yet unlike normal carriage rides, this one was silent.

In a few short hours, they would be entering the devil’s lair. One would think the devil would be horrifically deformed and frightening. But that was entirely untrue. The devil had jet-black hair, brown eyes, just a shade lighter than coal, and olive skin that was highlighted by white teeth and full lips. When the Bible said that Satan was a fallen angel, it was no joke. Because the Earl of Ashbury was as beautiful as a fallen angel and just as sinful. And his evil minions — his brothers — were every bit as dark and dangerous.

But they weren’t entering the devil’s lair unarmed. Rather, they had schemed, planned, and plotted for two weeks — ever since they found out they were attending a week-long house party at the Wingham estate.

While normal ladies would arm themselves with fans and flirtatious grins, they brought the tools of war. Meredith had chosen pins — for locking and unlocking doors, and perhaps some subtle poking. Louisa had brought along ink — for missives and for depositing small amounts in teacups. And young Sara had contributed stockings — for escaping out windows if need be and all else failed. It might sound odd for ladies of quality to even ponder such things, but history had proven the ultimate necessity of such preparedness.

It had been three short and lovely years since Meredith had faced the obligation of being in the company of the frog brothers. She and her sisters had aptly named them that at the beginning of their long-suffering acquaintance at the wise age of seven. The name had stuck, and, so far, had proven the tamest of the names uttered when describing them. However, the three-year respite of peace and joy had now come to a crashing end as the carriage grew closer and closer to the Wingham estate. And with each clip-clop of the horses’ hooves, Meredith grew tenser. She figured they would not have to see the frogs till the evening welcoming ball, which would give her and her sister’s time to prepare their chambers for any… intruders. Part of her hoped that the war would be far more civil since they
were
all older, yet she didn’t put all her eggs in that rotting basket.

Another minute passed, then two. Too soon she’d be face to face with the devil. And in the very center of her own personal hell.

“H
AVE THEY ARRIVED YET
?” The Duchess of Ashbury asked as she waltzed into the library, the soft fragrance of rose water following her.

“If you mean the hags, then no.” Lucas, the Earl of Ashbury answered, then lowered his tone.” And I hope their carriage rolls off a cliff.”

“I heard that.” His mother shot him a cold glare.

He smiled back, winking.

“It’s not a wonder those lovely girls dislike you so.” She shook her head, scolding her son.

“It’s a wonder those girls haven’t turned to ashes when exposed to the sunlight,” Jack, his youngest brother mumbled just beside him.

“I heard that too. And I do not approve of your reading material.”

“Expanding my mind, Mother.” Jack strode up to her and placed a kiss to her cheek. Then promptly quit the room.

Probably running and taking cover. Smart man. Lucas nodded sagely to himself.

“Honestly, I don’t understand why you are still acting like children. You haven’t seen the Bright sisters in near three years.” His mother smoothed her skirt and blinked up at him, as if waiting a response.

“Three glorious years,” Lucas couldn’t help but add.

“I’m sure the feeling is mutual.”

“They did set your parlor on fire.”

“Water under the bridge.” She waved off the comment like a pesky fly.

“You are entirely too forgiving.” Lucas raised an eyebrow.

She gave him an impatient glare. “I know my sons. And I highly doubt that the incident wasn’t somehow related to a fault of yours.”

“Mine?” Lucas placed a hand to his chest, offering his most wounded expression, while trying to keep a straight face, of course.

“Hmm,” The duchess sighed heavily. “You are a terrible liar.”

“Only because I’m such an upstanding man of integrity.”

“I take that back, you are, indeed, a proficient liar.” His mother gave him a sweet smile.

“I’m offended.”

“You’re nothing of the sort. But you will be on your best behavior, and I’ll not tolerate anything less than the most genteel manners when in the presence of our guests.” His mother narrowed her blue eyes, her gaze sharp and immovable. Even at the age of one and thirty, Lucas felt the urge to squirm under her fixated glare.

“Of course,” he lied smoothly.

Rather than respond, his mother raised an eyebrow and walked toward the library’s exit. “I’m warning you.”

“Threatening you mean?”

“Warning, my love. I don’t want to take any… action. But it would be wise not to force my hand.” She smiled from the door, her hand upon the frame and a steely gaze in her eyes.

“Of course, mother.”

“We shall see.”

CHAPTER TWO

M
EREDITH TOOK A DEEP
breath as the carriage rolled into the circular drive of Wingham House. It had been erected in the late 1600s in the shape of an ‘E’ to honor the Tudors. As children, Meredith and her sisters had spent many a summer at the Wingham estate, much to their displeasure. Lord and Lady Bright and The Duke and Duchess of Ashbury were close friends and had determined, by sheer force of will, that their children would be friends as well.

It hadn’t worked.

Rather, it had created an uprising.

Of course, it hadn’t exactly started that way.

But one of the three Ashbury brothers would never fail to tease of the Bright sisters. And in return, Meredith and her sisters would feel the need for justice to be served.

And since their parents weren’t willing to address such matters, they took said justice into their own hands.

Which sometimes turned out beautifully, sometimes not so beautifully.

But what made it so difficult was that it never ended.

Neither side had won.

This truth was frustrating in the extreme to a little girl, and undoubtedly to a little boy as well, so each summer when the two families would again meet at Wingham House, the war continued.

And to this day, neither side could claim victory.

But that was all going to change. Meredith pulled herself from her inner musings and stepped from the carriage, her dainty boot crushing the gravel beneath it. The Wingham estate loomed before her, and boldly she stepped forward. Soon her sisters flanked her, each studying the large glass windows and stone face.

“Are you ready?” Meredith whispered softly.

“Yes,” Louisa answered.

“Oh yes… I can’t wait,” Sara replied. Meredith turned to her, watching as an evil grin teased her heart shaped face.

Meredith turned to the stairs leading to the entrance. ”Let it begin.”

“
I
T’S FAR TOO PEACEFUL
,” Lucas mumbled to himself as he straightened his jacket. Scanning the crowd assembling in the ballroom, he kept his gaze sharp. Something was off.

He knew the hags had arrived.

He knew they were staying in the western wing.

He knew they were attending the ball.

But as of yet, neither he nor his brothers had seen them.

Not that this was a bad thing… rather it was unsettling.

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

No. That wouldn’t do. He shook his head slightly. Keep your friends closer and spy on your enemies! That was much better.

One should never get too close to a hag.

Heaven only knew what would happen.

He shivered.

“Lucas,” Jack whispered as he stood beside him.

“Hmm?”

“We have a problem.”

Lucas turned to his brother, watching as Jack searched the crowd, glanced to the ceiling — anything but make eye contact.

“What is the problem?” Lucas turned to him more fully, daring him to continue to ignore him.

“It’s a long story—”

“Shorten it.”

Jack took a deep breath and met his gaze, finally. “Hugh and I wanted to get a head start…” He let his tone linger.

“What did you do?” Lucas grabbed his brother’s arm and led him to a quiet alcove.

“It was not going to be anything too horrendous, but as we were setting the mouse free in one of the rooms—”

“Bloody hell, Mother is going to kill you… Mother is going to kill
me
! I thought we agreed that nothing living would be employed, not after the frog escapade!”

“Who knew that rotting frogs could smell so bad?” Jack shrugged.”Regardless, while we were in their room… they arrived.”

“Did they see you?”

“No. We hid in the water closet and left after they quit the room, but…” Jack glanced away, his expression guilty.

“But what?” Lucas asked darkly.

“Uh… actually…” Jack’s gaze darted about then landed on something just outside of the alcove, his eyes widening slightly.

“See for yourself,” he whispered.

Irritated, Lucas followed his gaze.

As if to prove the point, his skin broke out in goose bumps as he studied the creature not twenty paces away.

Ash blonde hair was curled and swept away from a heart-shaped face, leaving a gentleman divided between gazing at the full, pink lips or fantasizing about the curve of her neck — and exactly how it would taste. Dark sooty lashes outlined almond-shaped eyes that were accented by the frosty color of her dress, which made a man drink in her profile, study it, memorize it. The dress offered only a slight hint of her curves beneath, but it was that hint that set fire to a burning imagination that could easily roar out of control.

“Ah, I know that look,” Jack goaded.

“Pardon?” Lucas asked, but couldn’t pull his eyes away. There was something familiar about the woman, but she was turned away just enough that he couldn’t see her full face.

“That look… the besotted
I’m going to ravage you
expression that Hugh wore as well.”

“Hugh?” Lucas questioned, his curiosity enough that he turned to his brother.

“Ah, dear witless brother.” Jack shook his head. “May I present to you Lady Meredith Bright.”

“Bright?” Lucas choked on the name, his body freezing.

“Bright,” Jack enunciated.

“No.” Lucas turned to the beauty and watched in utter horror as she turned, noticed him, and all warmth in her expression solidified into a chip of ice that seemed to blow a cold wind his direction.

The beauty was a frigid witch. A
hag
.

Hell had officially frozen over!

But as quickly as his body revolted, it responded, meeting her gaze with a bold one of his own. As if daring him, she raised an eyebrow. Unable to resist himself, he slowly slid his gaze from the top of her crown of hair to the blue slipper she wore, then back up to meet her steely stare.

Then, as his competitive nature overrode any sense, he simply shook his head as if pitying her.

And walked away.

Struggling to appear relaxed, even as every part of his body was tight with a flashing desire that left him smoldering within.

She might be frozen.

But he on was fire.

The house party had just become a lot more interesting…

CHAPTER THREE

“A
ND HE JUST WALKED AWAY
?” Louisa asked, her mouth agape as Meredith retold the events of the ball.

“Yes. Walked off,” Sara answered from her seat upon the bed where she was hugging a pillow. “Of course that was after he undressed you with his eyes. Meredith, I have never seen anything like it! I was just standing next to you and felt hot all over… how did you stand it?”

The truth was, Meredith didn’t know how she didn’t react… because the way he studied her… the way his dark eyes had smoldered was burned in her memory. Of course other men had seemed to study her before, but this… this was different. It was as if his gaze was filling a hunger too deep for words, and she was the feast.