O Night Divine: A Holiday Collection of Spirited Christmas Tales

by Kathryn Le Veque

  He lifted her into his carriage, liking the way she felt, no matter that it was only a brief touch of his hands to her waist. He climbed in after her and settled in the seat opposite hers. “Why would you not have been able to get near me?”

  She regarded him askance. “Are you jesting? You are the son of a duke. You are obviously wealthy. Don’t bother to deny it. I know you are because I followed the story of the Battling Buchans in the newspapers. Your family is quite hideous, by the way.”

  “That’s an understatement.” But it troubled him she knew of his wealth. Was this the reason she had approached him? Were her parents in dire straits, and she was somehow going to trick him into lending them funds to get them out of whatever scrape they’d found themselves in?

  All they had to do was ask him straight out.

  He would not have denied their request.

  Perhaps Hyacinth had concocted this scheme all on her own. He hated to think so, but what other reason could there be for her suddenly showing up on his doorstep?

  Chapter Two

  “You have a lovely carriage.” Hyacinth knew she had overstepped by appointing herself Innes Buchan’s protector, but the stories her parents had told her of him over the years simply tore at her heart. The accounts grew worse and worse with each passing year. Lonely. Verbally abused. Possibly physically abused. Sent off to boarding school. Ignored. Forgotten.

  The only bright spot in his youth had been the years he had served as cabin boy to her father when he had been captain of the Plover, one of the sleek frigates in the Royal Navy. Since his own family hadn’t wanted him, her parents had brought him into their home as a sort of adoptive son.

  He grunted. “I know it’s a lovely carriage. I only buy the best.”

  “And I suppose you paid bundles for it. What a pity. I love to hunt for bargains.” She shook her head and laughed softly. “Where’s the fun in shopping if you are not going to turn it into an adventure?”

  He merely grunted again.

  Why was he no longer smiling?

  She thought back to the young Innes Buchan she remembered. She loved having him around because he was always patient with her, always treated her with remarkable kindness and indulgence. He was the closest thing she had to an older brother.

  Hah! Brother? The butterflies now fluttering in her stomach were an indication of quite a different sort of feeling for the grown-up Innes Buchan.

  Drat.

  She hardly knew him.

  She could not possibly be falling in love with him already.

  No, she was merely responding to the excitement of seeing him again. He was exceptionally nice looking.

  But it came as no surprise since he’d been a remarkably handsome boy.

  His hair was now a darker blond and fell in smooth waves instead of the mass of unruly flaxen curls she remembered very well because she did often tug on them, just as he’d said earlier. His eyes were still an incredible green, the irises rimmed in gold and giving him the appearance of a lion on the hunt.

  Not cruel or predatory, just powerful and fascinating.

  He was a big man with a muscular build that once again reminded her of a lion. But she rather liked the scrawny boy with big eyes and curly hair he had once been. There was a little of that lad still inside of him, only buried very deep.

  “I am officially out in society now,” she remarked, wondering why he’d suddenly turned sullen.

  He was peering out the window, completely ignoring her while pretending to watch the snow fall along the park as they rode.

  His expression remained sullen as he reluctantly turned to her. “I’m sure you’ll do quite well for yourself, Hyacinth.”

  It was an innocent enough statement, but there was something quite sardonic in the way he’d spoken. She was surprised and not at all amused when he immediately turned away after hurling the subtle insult.

  No, she did not like his condescension at all.

  She decided not to fall in love with him.

  Well, not yet anyway.

  “I already have an array of eligible young men lining up outside my house. And what about you? Will you be seeking a wife?”

  Now he turned to face her, his eyebrow arched and lips pinched. “Are you offering yourself to me?”

  “Offering myself?” He was behaving like a boor. She kicked him in the shin. “Was that supposed to be funny? Well, it wasn’t. I’m not for sale. Goodness, your family truly did damage you.”

  She attempted to kick him again, but he put a hand on her leg and held it firmly. “Stop kicking me.”

  “Stop insulting me. Why are you suddenly being so rude?”

  “Stop pouting. Why are you suddenly being so mercenary?”

  Her eyes rounded in surprise. “Me? Mercenary? Whatever gave you that impression?”

  “You commented on my lovely home. My lovely carriage. And just now you asked if I was in the market for a wife. By the way, the answer to that is a vehement no.”

  She gaped at him. “I was merely making conversation. But I can see how you would be particularly sensitive to these innocently intended comments because there are so many young ladies who would seek you out merely because of your wealth and not care about you at all.”

  “And you’re not one of them? Did you not come to me because your parents are in dire straits?”

  She punched him in the shoulder.

  He caught her hand when she tried to punch his shoulder again.

  He now had a firm hold of both her leg and hand.

  This was most embarrassing.

  “How dare you suggest such a thing. Of all the effrontery! Release my leg. I intend to kick you again. And unhand my hand.”

  His lips twitched, not quite a smile, but at least he was no longer in that insufferable sulk. “You are not endearing yourself to me, Hyacinth. Do you not wish to gain my favor?”

  “Not if you are always like this. Are you always like this?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then you’ll simply have to change. I’ll forgive your idiotic remark this once because you were raised in cruelty, and I still weep for the happy childhood you ought to have had but never did…except with us. Are you ever going to release my leg?”

  “Or unhand your hand? Not yet. I rather like holding on to you.”

  “Fine, if you intend to take liberties, may I do the same? Do you mind if I tug on your ears?”

  He burst out laughing and released her. “Gad, you haven’t changed in all these years. And I did not let go of you so that you can hit me again, so you had better not.”

  “I won’t. You are smiling again. You look very handsome when you smile.” She leaned forward. “That is merely a statement of fact. I am not trying to flatter you. Nor am I trying to borrow money from you. Honestly, how can you be so ridiculous?”

  “Duly noted.” He glanced out the window again. “We’re almost at Chipping Way.”

  She moved to sit beside him and took his hand. “How do you feel, Innes? Does it feel like a homecoming to you?”

  He stared down at their entwined hands, albeit their gloved hands. But her touch still felt splendid. He made no comment about it or the fact that they were now sharing the same carriage seat. “I don’t know. I have to think about it.”

  “Well, I don’t.” She could not stop a tear or two from escaping her eyes. “Welcome home, Innes.”

  Chapter Three

  Innes hopped out of his carriage the moment it rolled to a stop in front of Number One Chipping Way. He placed his hands on Hyacinth’s waist to lift her down but had not expected the jolt of heat that coursed through his body at their mere touch. He released her too soon, causing her to fall against him. It was his fault. She hadn’t the time to regain her balance.

  She gripped his shoulders. “Oh, how clumsy of me.”

  “My fault entirely.” He tucked her hand in his elbow and said no more as he led her to the front door of her house.

  She was impertinent and opinionated, not
at all the sort of woman he should want as his wife…not that he was thinking of finding himself a wife. Bloody hell, no. But his body was now responding as though she was The One.

  No, again.

  Decidedly no.

  He barely had time to remove his cloak and hand it over to the Brayden butler before Hyacinth was dragging him into the parlor and calling for her parents. “Mama! Papa! Look who I found!”

  Her father came running out of his study.

  Her mother hurried down the stairs.

  In the next moment, the two of them were hugging him at the same time, completely ignoring that he was a grown man and as big as Romulus. “My lord, it is a pleasure to see you after all these years,” Romulus said with genuine sincerity.

  Violet was in tears.

  Now, so was Hyacinth.

  Like mother, like daughter.

  Violet was still as beautiful as he remembered. Perhaps a stray gray hair or two on her head of dark hair. Nor had Romulus changed much. Perhaps the slightest bit heavier, but that was all.

  Suddenly, it felt as though he’d never been away.

  “How kind of you to drop in to see us,” Violet said, ringing for refreshments.

  “Please, do not go to any bother on my account. I was merely escorting your daughter home. I cannot stay.”

  Hyacinth’s eyes were sparkling, and her smile was bright enough to light up the night sky. “I’ve invited him to supper tomorrow evening, Mama.”

  Her mother nodded in approval. “Excellent. We’ll have more time to chat and reminisce.”

  But her father was pensive. “How is it that you’re the one who brought my daughter home?” He wasn’t accusing him so much as frowning at Hyacinth. “You were supposed to be out shopping with your friend, Lady Allison.”

  Innes did not know why he suddenly felt protective of the girl, but his heart compelled him to come to her defense. “I happened to run into Hyacinth, and we got to chatting. I offered to give her a ride home. I know it is not quite proper, but the ride was short, and Hyacinth chattered the entire way.”

  Romulus sighed. “Yes, that sounds like my daughter. Will you stay and share a brandy with me now?”

  “Another time, truly. I must go. But it was wonderful to see you both again.”

  Hyacinth was frowning at him. “And we shall see you tomorrow for supper.”

  He tweaked her nose.

  She tugged on his ear. “Innes, I want your promise. You are not going to back out of the invitation.”

  “Who said I was?”

  She tipped her head up to look him in the eyes. “Then say it. Yes, Hyacinth. I shall be here tomorrow for supper. I give you my sacred, unbreakable vow.”

  He repeated her words verbatim.

  She released the breath she had obviously been holding. “Thank you, Innes. I’ll walk you to the door.”

  When they reached it, he turned and cupped her chin in his hand. “Farewell, for now, you little nuisance.”

  She placed her hand against his cheek and cast him an impertinent look. “It was lovely to see you again, you big nuisance. You were going to try to weasel out of the invitation. Why?”

  He did not bother to deny it. “Too many years with my own family. Kindness overwhelms me. I’m not used to it yet.”

  She groaned lightly. “I wish you hadn’t said that. Now I cannot possibly stay miffed at you. And don’t forget, I have your present. You must come tomorrow, if only for that.”

  “I will. I gave you my sacred, unbreakable vow, and I shall honor it.”

  “Thank you, Innes. It isn’t so much for myself as for my parents. Seeing you again has meant the world to them.”

  She had dropped her hand from his cheek, but he still had her chin cupped in his hand. Their faces were so close, their breaths mingled. It would take nothing for him to dip his head and plant a soft kiss on her lips.

  Hyacinth had beautiful lips.

  But to taste them now would open up a Pandora’s Box of headaches.

  He turned and left in a hurry.

  Night had fallen by the time he returned to his own home. It wasn’t late, perhaps six o’clock. Holmes opened the front door to him as he dismounted the carriage and approached. “Your supper is ready, my lord. Would you like it served in the dining room?”

  “No. Just bring it to my study.” He noticed his butler frowning. “What’s the matter, Holmes?”

  “Miss Hyacinth is a lovely girl.”

  “So?” He shot the man a look meant to put him off from further conversation, but this was the problem with his new staff. They weren’t yet trained to mind their own business. “Stop fussing over me like a mother hen. What is your point?”

  “A man in your position ought not to spend so much time alone. You ought to have friends stopping in, sharing supper, going out to your clubs, or the theater or rounds of parties. Perhaps finding yourself a lovely young lady… Miss Hyacinth seemed quite pleasant.”

  “Yes, Mother. Anything else you wish to say before I sack you?”

  The man blanched.

  Innes sighed. “Your position is safe for now. Just keep your opinions to yourself. When I want your advice, I shall ask for it.”

  “Yes, my lord.” He bowed obsequiously, and his hand shook as he shut the front door.

  Blast.

  He’d frightened the man.

  It was not his intention. He’d only meant to jest about dismissing him. But when one had nowhere to go and no manner of feeding or clothing oneself if suddenly found without work, the jest was not so humorous. He imagined Hyacinth would have boxed his ears.

  “Holmes, come into the study with me. And do not faint. I am not going to let you go.”

  His butler scurried after him, pausing at the threshold as though afraid to take another step.

  Innes crossed to the hearth and stared into the flames dancing atop the wood. “What do you like about Miss Brayden?”

  “What do I like about the young lady?” Holmes hesitated.

  “Holmes, it is not a trick question. I mean it sincerely. I’d like to know. I am now asking for your opinion. You may give it. In fact, I am ordering you to give it.”

  “Very well, my lord. Thank you. Yes. About Miss Hyacinth. She is very pretty in a warm and sincere way. She is clever. It is obvious she cares for you. She hides very little of her heart, and it is a soft and giving heart.”

  He grunted. “You don’t think she is merely after my fortune?”

  “No, my lord,” he said, sounding genuinely surprised. “I don’t think she cares at all about your wealth. If you were to lose it all tomorrow, she would not hesitate to step forward and help you out.”

  He laughed. “With what? Her shopping allowance?”

  Holmes regarded him, confused. “My lord, do you not know? The Braydens are one of the wealthiest families in England. Lady Hyacinth is an heiress, I’m sure. I would not be surprised if she could buy you two times over.”

  Hellfire.

  He’d behaved like a boor and insulted her thoroughly. “Thank you. That will be all.”

  “Very good, sir.” He shut the door behind him, leaving Innes alone with his thoughts.

  He began to pace across his study like a restless lion.

  Hyacinth an heiress? Romulus ought to have had four burly footmen guarding her at all times. She ought to have known better than to go traipsing across London on her own.

  Was the girl two cards short of a full deck?

  Anything might have happened to her.

  Even if she had no fortune, some opportunistic scoundrel could have noticed her and attempted to abduct her. She was too beautiful to overlook.

  Indeed, she was too beautiful for words.

  The more he thought about it, the more overset he became.

  Yes, he’d given his sacred, unbreakable vow to join her for supper tomorrow. Oh, he would be there all right. He was going to give her a blistering lecture.

  The talking to of her life.

  He was s
till overset when he retired to bed later that evening to the point he growled at his valet when the poor man tried to assist in undressing him. “I do not require a nursemaid. Get your hands off my buttons.”

  The man leaped back as though stung by a wasp.

  Botheration, he’d done it again. “It isn’t your fault, Wilcox. I am in a foul temper this evening. Just take my boots and see to it they are properly polished.”

  “At once, my lord.” He grabbed them and hurried out, leaving Innes to struggle with the cuffs of his shirt, which he would not have had to do if he had kept his mouth shut and simply allowed the man to do his job.

  But he finally got them off, removed his shirt, and settled in a wing chair beside the fire. He had a book and a bottle of port wine on the small table beside him. It was quite comfortable, really. He did not require anything else or anyone else, especially not Hyacinth chattering in his ear or staring at him in disapproval with her lovely eyes.

  He read for a little while, got himself drunk, and then staggered over to his bed to fall flat on his face atop the covers.

  By daybreak the following morning, he awoke with a blistering headache, a raspy throat, and a mouth that felt as though a dragon had taken a piss in it. He rolled onto his back and groaned.

  This was no way to spend the first Yuletide season without his detestable family.

  He’d loved his father, but now that he was gone, there was nothing to hold him to family duty. He was free. He could enjoy himself. He was completely at leisure for the next few weeks. His services were not required at the Admiralty until after the new year.

  He had nothing more pressing to do than go through the stack of invitations on his desk. He would decline most, for he was not in the market for a wife, and that’s what most of those were all about. But there were likely one or two he might find intriguing and accept.

  It was an odd feeling to now be considered an eligible bachelor. Perhaps one of London’s most sought after prizes.

  He did not feel like a prize.

  He felt empty.