Winter Wishes: A Regency Christmas Anthology

by Cheryl Bolen

  “Billy, my lord.”

  “Wet some wheat and heat it up into a warm poultice.” Billy raced off to do his bidding, his knowing look indicating he too knew the problem. Daniel glanced at Georgiana and noted she was close to tears. “I’m sorry to say, Colton here has inflammation in his elbow joint. The only treatment is gentle massage and hot poultices until the inflammation goes down.”

  “So it’s not life threatening?”

  It could be, because most lame horses were shot, but he couldn’t bring himself to tell her that. Daniel shook his head. “No. But when it flares up, especially in the cold, you can’t ride him, just give him a gentle walk around the yard and massages to keep the blood moving, and warm poultices. It will pain him, but if you keep his weight down and mix up the types of fresh hay he eats—no feeding him oats or grains—I’ve seen some of my horses live a good long life.”

  “Thank you.” Her voice shook. “Father usually puts down any horse who goes lame.”

  He would not lie. “You still might have to if the condition worsens or goes to all his joints, but we can try this for now if you don’t mind the extra care he will need.”

  She wiped her face and a smudge of dirt appeared on her cheek. “I will do what it takes. Please don’t tell my father about Colton’s condition. Billy will work to conceal it from him. I just don’t trust what father may do. I’ve already lost Apollo. I can’t lose Colton too.” She stifled a sob with the back of her hand.

  He reached out and tucked a curl behind her ear. “Would it help if I took Colton to Hascombe and stabled him there while we treat him. Then your father would not notice he was lame.”

  “Thank you. Oh, thank you.” She nodded through eyes filled with tears and her pain saw him pull her into an embrace. He simply held her while she silently sobbed. Daniel was pretty sure this was not just about a horse. No doubt her father was not an easy man to live with but if Daniel thought for one minute he would hurt his daughter, well then he would call the gent out—Marquis or no Marquis.

  To lighten the situation he joked, “Where is the mistletoe when you need it.” The last time he’d held her so close he had stolen a kiss.

  To his surprise she gave a soft and sexy giggle. “A kiss doesn’t always need mistletoe.”

  He froze for a moment before gently pushing her out of his arms. One look at the heat of passion burning in her eyes, and he bent to take her lips in the sweetest of kisses. She didn’t even hesitate but slid her arms round his neck, clinging to him as if her life depended on it. Was she doing this to block out the pain of her life, or because she genuinely wanted him to kiss her? His lips stopped moving.

  Choice was denied him when she took the lead. Her tongue slid into his mouth and stroked. His body responded by pulling her hard against him, while his mind clouded out all thought but to drink from her sweetness.

  His body roared to life and he didn’t even care that she could feel his desire. She set his body on fire and he deepened the kiss. She responded in kind, her fingers tangling in his hair, tugging him closer.

  Soft feminine gasps and moans filled his ears as Georgiana fell under pleasure’s spell; he could feel it in her, hear it in her needy moans, soft and breathless. She groaned his name and tilted her head the other way, kissing again with a sweet, drowning depth.

  His hands crept under the edge of her gown where the horse’s hoof had ripped it, and warmth seared his fingers as they trailed up her slender legs above her garter. Her womanly center radiated heat drawing him closer. He should be pistol-whipped but if he was, it would be worth it.

  Daniel suddenly stopped, his breathing rough. He could not take advantage of her sorrow and concern over her horse. He held tight, his forehead resting on hers. His fingers continued stroking her leg. “Your skin is like silk beneath my touch.”

  She rubbed against his erection, the pleasure sublime. He groaned. “Christ, I want you.”

  She froze before melting back into his embrace.

  His hand rose to the top of her thighs. He hesitated, but only for a moment. “Have you ever experienced pleasure?”

  She shook her head and took a deep breath. “More.”

  He needed no further encouragement. His finger stroked through her curls… she did not push him away.

  “God,” he whispered, “you’re so wet for me.”

  She merely moaned in his ear as she clung to him. He should stop. Billy could be back at any moment. No, it will take a while to heat the wheat.

  His thumb brushed over her nub as his finger slid deep within her. Her breathing faltered, and then returned in little gasps. He briefly closed his eyes on a groan. At his touch she couldn’t stop her hips from lifting in time to the movement.

  Soon one finger became two, his thumb continued to circle, and when he took her mouth again and plunged his tongue deep within, he felt her inner muscles contract around him. It took only a moment more for her to come apart in his arms and it was the most beautiful moment of his life. To know he’d been the first man to give her pleasure.

  She came down to earth slowly. His hand was still stroking her bare thigh above her stocking. She finally opened her eyes and he watched the bewilderment and satisfaction on her beautiful face. She gave a shaky smile.

  “For one wondrous moment you made me forget about Colton, my father, my mother—everything,” and she shyly stepped away from him and smoothed down her gown.

  His mouth broke into a relieved grin but his body was still full of molten fire and his arousal pulsed in his trousers.

  She turned to study her steed. “Will you take Colton to Hascombe tonight?”

  “If you wish. You may visit any time you like—you can even see Apollo, as long as you promise not to try and steal him again.” Just then Billy reappeared and at Daniel’s words he dropped the roll of bandages in the hay. So, it was Billy who had helped her. “I take it I have you to thank for the bump on my head.” He didn’t feel so guilty now at what had just occurred.

  “I’m right sorry about that, my lord. I thought you were taking advantage of Lady Georgiana.”

  Daniel could hardly blame the man. He had just taken advantage of her but could not regret it. “Yes, well, never again. And stop trying to steal horses. You would get into a lot of trouble. As a lady, and the fact the horse belonged to her father, Georgiana’s behavior may have been excused, but no magistrate would have sympathy for a groom. I’m sure Georgiana has now considered that.”

  “I admit I was selfish. I did not think of the risk to Billy. But I’ve learned my lesson.”

  Daniel smiled as he took in her beautiful, contrite face. Even with hay in her hair and dirt smudged across her cheek she looked delectable. He loved that she did not care about the state of her gown or how she looked. Most ladies would be horrified to let a man see them when less than perfect.

  It suddenly occurred to him that Georgiana simply didn’t care what anyone thought of her, and it was quite refreshing. He too didn’t care what anyone thought of him, but for the first time ever he wanted a woman, Georgiana, to care. He wanted her admiration and… what did he want from her? Why could he not stop thinking about her? She stirred something in him. Any woman who loved horses as much as he did was worth considering.

  Worth considering?

  Where on earth did that thought come from? He wasn’t looking to marry. Was he? He was far too young yet to settle down with one woman, and he had a horse stud to make prosperous. Plus his future was uncertain given Rheda’s situation. If he had to move closer to Newmarket, his whole life would be in upheaval until he sold Tumbury Manor and found an estate nearby he could afford to buy.

  The poultice was soon wrapped round Colton’s elbow and the horse settled a bit.

  Georgiana looked down at her gown. “I best go and change before father sees me like this and asks questions. What should I say if he asks where you are?”

  “Tell him I rode here and that I was not feeling well so I left. I’ll walk Colton home once the po
ultice has reduced the swelling.”

  “We could both lead Colton to Hascombe. It’s only five miles. We could ride and then I could bring the horses back,” Billy offered. “Saves walking.”

  “Go.” Daniel said to Georgiana. “Billy and I will sort something out.”

  She lifted her skirts and moved to the entry stall. “Thank you, Daniel. I will not forget this kindness.”

  He gave one of his most seductive smiles. “I’m sure I can think of a way you can repay me.”

  You’d think Daniel had asked her to give him her soul from the thundering scowl Georgiana suddenly sent his way. With a stiff nod of her head she took off running for the house.

  After she left Daniel had not realized he’d sighed out loud until Billy said, “You said the wrong thing. For the past few years someone has always wanted something from her. Her mother. Her father. Men who are blinded by her beauty. She doesn’t trust nobody.”

  “I don’t want anything from her. I do wonder why she is so set on reclaiming Apollo when it will cause her problems. Where are the horse’s papers?”

  Billy rubbed Colton’s nose. “Her grandfather gifted her the horse. I was present when he brought the colt here and gave it to her. I heard him telling her it was her birthday present. I don’t know nothing about any papers though.”

  So Georgiana had not lied. She believed the horse was hers because she’d been told that was the case. “That’s a pity. The horse is valuable and Lord Hascombe forgave a large debt for the colt. I could persuade him to return the horse—”

  Billy looked up from where he was polishing a bridle. “Don’t bring Apollo back here. His lordship would simply sell him again and that would ruin my lady’s plan.”

  Daniel casually asked so as not to reveal what Billy had just let slip, “What plan.” But Billy wasn’t stupid. He turned away and ignored his question. “What plan?” Daniel insisted.

  Billy hesitated before turning to face him. “I owe Lady Georgiana. She saved my life once. I fell into the stream running through the back paddocks and it was running swift. I lost my footing and I cannot swim. She jumped in and saved me by holding my head out of the water before getting us both to the bank.”

  Envy bit, poisonous venom slipping into his veins at the knowledge Georgiana likely trusted Billy more than she would ever trust him. He realized the groom would never reveal her secrets. Trust won is easily lost and impossible to regain. “She’s one hell of a woman.”

  “That she is. And because of that she’s always putting others before herself.” Billy indicated he needed to heat more wheat before they started the long walk back to Hascombe.

  “Others before herself,” Daniel murmured to no one but a horse. His immediate thought was that Georgiana was protecting someone. Who? Her mother was her only family other than her father who she despised. Her mother! But what would her mother need protection from? And how did Apollo fit into the plan Billy would not divulge?

  He ran a hand through his hair and then stroked Colton’s nose as the horse nibbled at his jacket pocket. He pulled out a sugar cube from his pocket. He always carried them for his horses. Colton was most appreciative. Daniel would have a new horsey friend for life.

  He wondered who Georgiana’s friends were. Who could she rely on? Probably only Billy here and as a groom he could not protect her—especially from her father and his journey towards bankruptcy, or even jail for fraud.

  Memories of what his sister had to do—alone—to survive and protect them both came flooding back. Rheda had no one and it had almost cost her life. A shudder wracked his body. He could not bear to think of Georgiana in the same situation. Rufus had been his sister’s savior. As he stroked Colton’s nose he silently vowed he would be Georgiana’s fierce knight. He would stand between her and anyone who would take advantage or hurt her.

  On a wry smile he hoped she would let him, but knowing the stubborn and distrustful chit he rather doubted that. Still, it would be a way to get to know her better. To understand why she stirred his soul and why it seemed his heart ached for her.

  And most of all, understand what it would take to make Georgiana his.

  Now that was a scary thought.

  Chapter 5

  Georgiana yawned as she made her way back to the house, her heart heavy with both elation and disappointment, coupled with the need to hit something—hard. Why did men always expect payment? Why couldn’t a man simply do something nice because it’s the right thing to do?

  After what they had both shared her mind was spinning… Worse, she could think of nothing but the pleasure he’d given her. For one fleeting moment the desire to beg Daniel for help almost overwhelmed. Then she looked up and saw her mother standing at the window. Her mother was all she had and she needed protection. What if she went to Daniel for help and he too thought the asylum was the place for her.

  She had to find a way to instigate her plan.

  And yet, everything had changed.

  Daniel.

  She refused to look deeper at why her blood boiled when Daniel had said those words ‘pay me’. She had thought he was different. When he’d suggested they talk to his brother-in-law about Apollo instead of arresting her on the spot… never mind. She had to keep reminding herself Daniel was just a man and she could never allow herself to rely on any man.

  She hated owing anyone. She saw what debt had done to her father. Made him desperate, twisted him into someone she didn’t want to know. Or maybe he’d always been like this and she’d been too young to understand.

  Her father had her trapped because of his threat to her mother. Sometimes she thought she’d go mad at the unfairness of it all. She knew perfectly well that once her trust came through, he’d use her love for her mother to bleed her dry and then where would she be. She’d be like most women in this world, needing a man to take care of her because financially they held all the power.

  Daniel’s handsome face flashed in her mind. For one silly moment she’d actually thought he might be an answer to her troubles. If she could find a man as nice as Lord Hascombe she might consider marriage—that would put the devil of a sickle in her father’s plans. She’d almost convinced herself Daniel was such a man, given he was Lord Hascombe’s brother-in-law, and then he had to ruin it all with a few words.

  “Your father’s on the war path looking for you.” Burton sighed when he saw the state she was in. “I told him you had to help the servants aid Lord de Winter since he had become ill.”

  “I could kiss you.”

  “I’d rather you didn’t. You smell like the stables. Perhaps a quick change would be best. I have alerted your lady’s maid.”

  Georgiana wasted no time answering but hurried up the back stairs.

  By the time she had changed and returned to the drawing room and their guests, she could see the exasperation on Rheda’s face. Her father was still trying to sell his horses. What an absolute bore. She prayed Rheda had not told her father why she had dashed off.

  Before her father could scold her in front of everyone, Georgiana smiled sweetly and said, “Apologies for my absence.” She turned to look at Rheda blocking her father’s view of her face and with a glance that screamed don’t dispute my tale, she said, “Your brother is not well, my lady, and I had to organize someone to accompany him home on his steed in case he got into difficulty.”

  “Oh, is that where you rushed off to. I told your father it was some sort of horse emergency.”

  She silent mouthed a big ‘thank you’.

  Rheda said, “I think we should return home too. We can always catch up with my brother and offer him a ride in our carriage. I’m worried about the injury he incurred the other day, but he would insist on riding.”

  “What injury?” her father asked and Georgiana threw a stricken glance at Rheda. The Countess was not to know it had been her and Billy that attacked Daniel but if Rheda mentioned someone had tried to steal Apollo her father would know.

  Rheda must have caught on as she
quickly said before her husband could answer, “a horse incident in the stables.”

  Her father nodded. “Kicked in the head was he? I’ve seen that happen often. Rest. His lordship needs rest. I’ll summons Burton to organize your carriage,” and he moved away to pull the bell.

  Rheda stood and moved close and whispered in Georgiana’s ear, her tone less than friendly, “I think you owe me an explanation.” When her father looked over, Rheda added loud enough for all to hear. “I would take it as a great kindness if you’d allow your daughter to visit with me tomorrow. I do miss female company. Perhaps Lady Georgiana could join us for lunch at Hascombe Hall.”

  She could hardly decline given what Rheda had surmised about Daniel’s head injury. “I’m sure I shall be delighted.”

  On that note their guests departed and her father retired to his study, probably to drink himself to sleep dreaming of the horses he might get Lord Hascombe to buy. Her father would be disappointed in the morning.

  Georgiana retired too but couldn’t sleep. She’d left the curtains undrawn so that she’d wake early. She would ride to Hascombe at sun up and see how Colton was.

  She lay in bed watching the moonlight flicker over the ceiling whenever the clouds moved over the moon. She ran her fingers over her lips and pressed her thighs together remembering his touch and how good it made her feel. Wanton. Daniel. Daniel filled her thoughts. Handsome, virile, passionate, desirous. Why were her flesh and her heart so weak? Perhaps that was the curse of all women—to have dispositions to love men regardless of their moral compasses. Like her mother.

  Why did fate have to bring such a man into her life just as she was about to escape.

  He was nicer than her father. She at least knew that. The man clearly loved horses and was kind. Plus he had not told her father or Lord Hascombe that she’d tried to steal Apollo. Or who had knocked him out. What she could not work out was why? Did he intend to use this information in some way when it suited him?