It was some time later before Hannah stirred, she felt warm, comfortable and satiated. Held tightly against Goran’s chest she felt happy, a feeling that had been in short supply in her life and, she smiled softly she felt loved. Oh she knew it was probably a daydream but she was determined to enjoy it if only for the fantasy it was. She loved Goran but she knew he didn’t have the same feelings for her, and their engagement, as much as she wanted it to be true she knew it was just a fallacy, a sop to Annabel’s feelings.
She must have made a sound because Goran looked down at her.
“Are you alright, Hannah?”
She nodded a bare movement of her head. “Yes.”
“You realise this shouldn’t have happened? It was a mistake, feelings just running out of control and it must not happen again.”
Her heart sank to the soles of her feet. That was just what a girl wanted to hear after she had laid naked in front of a fire with the man of her dreams and allowed him to do, well, what he’d done. However, she had her pride and it rose to the fore.
“Yes of course. Don’t worry, Goran, I know that this was just an itch we had to scratch.” She sat up and grabbed at her clothes. “Anyway, since we’re both grown-ups and our—itch has been scratched, I’d best get out of here before someone comes looking for us.”
“Hannah.” Goran made a grab for her hand but she quickly pulled away, plastering a determined smile on her face. “Look, I’ll see you at dinner.” Quickly before she burst into tears she fled from the room slamming the door shut behind her.
Hannah stared into the mirror. An afternoon spent sobbing into her pillow didn’t do much for a girl’s looks. Her eyes were puffy and lashes spiky and where she had cried herself to sleep her face on top of her Paddington Bear a red crease marred her pale skin. She glanced at her watch, she’d best get a wriggle on as dinner was in thirty minutes and it wouldn’t do to be late and have Goran come looking for her. Her act of being unconcerned wouldn’t seem quite so convincing if he had to seek her out.
Dinner was a feat she met with determination and pride. Chattering unconcernedly about anything and everything, she felt eventually convinced Goran of her indifference. The meal she was sure was delicious. Chicken in chilli and lime with dauphinoise potatoes and baby vegetables, followed by gooseberry and elderflower frangipane and cream. However, having no appetite she pushed the food around her plate hiding morsels of chicken under the potatoes, and mashing the desert underneath far too much cream.
Coffee was partaken in the lounge and the talk was desultory with everyone still uncomfortable about the morning’s interrogation. Hannah was more uncomfortable than most as she knew they were blaming her for the awkward atmosphere.
The conversation finally turned to the weekends festivities. And to Hannah’s surprise she realised that in two days’ time, Saturday was in fact the fifth of November, bonfire night. It seemed whilst she had been lying on her bed wallowing in her misery the children with the help of Ethel, Henry and the gardener Fred, had been busy making a Guy Fawkes to burn on the bonfire Fred has spent the morning building. Listening to the conversation Hannah couldn’t help feeling a little peeved that no one had asked for her opinion or even her contribution to the party that was to take place after the fireworks. A caterer had been hired, but with the weather being so bad had telephoned to say he wouldn’t be able to make it, and so with the help of Mrs. Henry and Emily the food was now to be a rustic offering of baked potatoes, salad and cottage pie followed by baked apples filled with sultanas, raisins and syrup with lashings of cream. Hannah smiled. She could already feel her waistline expanding just by the mere thought of all the comfort food.
Morning came and with it more preparation for the fifth. Snow was shovelled from the driveway by Fred who even though the weather was freezing had removed his top and his muscular flesh gleaned with sweat. Mrs. Henry was busy in the kitchen along with Emily, and |Hannah stepped in and helped with the peeling of potatoes and onions for the cottage pie. It was during the peeling of onions and Hannah’s silent weeping at their potency that Goran strolled into the kitchen demanding coffee which he then proceeded to make for himself. Placing a brimming cup next to Hannah he noticed her red eyes and the streaks of tears on her cheeks and smiling lovingly he took a piece of kitchen roll and gently wiped her cheeks before planting a caressing kiss on her trembling lips. This demonstration of affection was observed by the other occupants in the kitchen and Hannah detected their knowing looks and smiling glances at Goran, as he sauntered whistling from the room.
The rest of the day was spent in Hannah’s case, in a mystical daze. The kiss in the kitchen had been so tender, so magical that she felt loved. Stupid really seeing their engagement was just a myth, a lie to keep everything on an even keel. But she just couldn’t help it, she loved Goran Pendragon and she wanted to shout it from the rooftops, wanted to grab hold of Mrs Henry and dance her around the kitchen and wanted to plant the biggest, sloppiest kiss on Henry just because. Hannah smiled her eyes dreamily set on that faraway place where everything in her life was wonderful.
Seeing the smile, Mrs Henry gave an equally tender smile to Henry who winked in response.
* * * *
Saturday morning arrived with yet more snow. Hannah feeling slightly disgruntled stared out at the white wonderland, noticing the weak sun struggling out of the fluffy embrace of the clouds and turning the crusty fallen snow into a myriad of colours. Hoping that the weather would improve before the evening’s festivities she headed toward the bathroom.
Breakfast was a hurried affair as everyone had been commandeered to do some sort of chore before the party. Henry was busy polishing silver, glasses and a hundred and one other chores. The children, well wrapped up against the cold were racing around collecting leaves, twigs and fir cones to add to the bonfire and also hopefully wearing themselves out. Annabel who had made her objections to helping out loud and clear was given the job of dusting the living room and lounge, a job she did with ill grace and a certain amount of incompetence. Ethel had chosen to help Mrs. Henry in the kitchen whilst Hannah was kept busy filling in where needed, and making cups of hot chocolate when wanted and sandwiches for lunch. Which left Goran free to consult with and help the pyrotechnics to set up the firework display. Hannah smiled at his enthusiasm, no sparklers and bangers in the back garden with jacket potatoes and hot dogs in soggy buns for him.
The evening arrived in a flurry of activity, the house was ablaze with light thanks to numerous candles, oil lanterns and battery operated hurricane lamps. Fire’s blazed in every room creating wonderful shadows on the high ceiling. The food smelt delicious and the bonfire was ablaze. Flames licked gaily upwards slowly consuming the children’s lovingly made Guy, and thankfully for a time at least, the snow had ceased its unremitting fall to earth. Soon the dark, blue velvety, star-studded sky was ablaze with colour, reds, yellows, purples and greens as the pyrotechnics initiated the detonation of the colourful display.
Hannah looked around in astonishment. She could hardly believe that so many of the guests had managed to get there considering the weather. At the last count there were seventy five people, plus two extra dogs that immune to the whooshing and screeching of the fireworks scampered in the snow with Goran’s dogs, Zeus and Apollo.
Amidst surprised oohs and aahs Hannah felt her hand taken. Tearing her gaze from the exploding heavens she turned towards Goran. His eyes were agleam with laughter as his gaze took in her rapt expression.
“Are you enjoying it?”
Breathlessly, she nodded before finding her voice to whisper, yes.
Pulling her into his arms Goran, tilted her face up to his and gently brushed her lips with his. Then at her instant response he gathered her closer still and deepened the kiss. It was if all her senses were on red alert, her breath seemed to stop in her throat, her heart momentarily careered out of control and her blood felt as if it was boiling in her veins. This was no perfunctory kiss, it was a stirring of the senses,
an eruption of feelings and a whirlpool of desire. Every sinew tightened as his body brushed against hers. The contours of his hard muscular chest lovingly caressed by his black angora sweater, was pressed against her yielding breasts, zinging the nipples to attention. This was no ordinary embrace, this was Defcon one, and she was at maximum readiness, geared to receive his touch, his expertise and his possession.
Pressing closer Hannah wrapped her arms around Goran’s waist wanting more needing more. But a burst of laughter had them pulling apart.
“Time enough for that, mate.” Fred laughed, slapping him on the back.
Smiling wryly, Goran caught up Hannah’s hand and pulled her with him into the orangery.
Twirling her around in time to the music from Michael Bublé which was playing softly in the background, he hummed softly as he gathered her close. Hannah closed her eyes, loving this side of Goran. Gone was the sexy, brooding vampire persona and in his place was a warm, tender, exciting man who made her feel as if this was the only life worth having. Then the heavens exploded in a myriad of colours, turning the orangery into a magical fairyland where he made her his.
Chapter Seventeen
Hannah opened her eyes to a gray dawn. She felt warm and comfortable but she ached in places she didn’t know she had. She briefly closed her eyes remembering the previous evening. The evening in the orangery. Goran had made love to her not once but many times, teaching what he liked and discovering what she enjoyed the most. The whole experience had been a voyage of discovery, exploring each other, exploring their sexuality and most of all, exploring their minds. The sex had been excellent but it was the moments held in his arms that she had loved the most, the casual conversation whereby they had discovered what made each other tick. Their likes and dislikes, their past, their hopes and dreams for the future, but he hadn’t touched on what would happen after Christmas. What would happen to them, to her? Was that significant? Did it mean there was to be no her at Pendragon after Christmas? That their pretend engagement would come to an end and she would be packed off to Oxfordshire? She sat up, the euphoria and the night before dissipating in the cold light of morning. How could she have been so stupid? Men were all the same. She should have realised it was just about sex. Foolishly she had temporarily forgotten that her engagement wasn’t real, that it was all propaganda instigated to ensure harmony. That the evening with its magical ambience was just an illusion, a delusion that she had convinced herself was real. Tears filled her eyes and just for a time she wallowed in her misery and her stupidity in believing the mesmerising persona portrayed by Goran.
It was no good hiding out in her room. Goran had no idea how she felt and she’d gone into his bed willingly so why was she vilifying herself like this. Yes she was stupid and maybe a little gullible and maybe, just maybe if she were honest with herself, what she really wanted was just to love and have someone love her in return. And what was wrong with that? She sighed, pushing back the covers and shivering a little in the coolness of the room. Anyway, what she needed to do was to be strong, take this, this fling or whatever it was with Goran as a magical moment in time that in a few weeks would be over and she would return to reality. The reality of her little boring life, without love and even without friendship, but what the heck, she could take it, she always had in the past. Sniffing back the tears, she drew a deep breath and determinedly made a resolution to enjoy what she had now, and think about the future when it arrived.
* * * *
The days passed in a slightly euphoric haze. Hannah threw herself into the role as Goran’s fiancé with a vigour that drew small smiles of amusement from him. She naturally became one of the family, helping out where and if necessary and aiding with the preparations for Christmas. The children were beside themselves with excitement even though there was four weeks until Santa came a calling. Thankfully the power lines had been repaired and now Pendragon was back to its warm, snug cosiness.
Preparations were well underway for the season. A couple of trees had been ordered and were due to be delivered within the week. The butcher had called and masses of food were now lying in readiness in the pantry and freezer, and the size of the turkey made Hannah’s eyes grow wide with wonder at how they would manage to eat it all.
It was late afternoon and the snow had finally stopped falling and the sun glowed weakly across the wide expanse of snow. The children were restless and as Ethel wanted to go for a short walk Hannah agreed to accompany her and the children in an effort to wear them out and get ready for bed. Wrapped warmly in a red duffle coat, wellingtons, hat, and scarf, it was with some trepidation Hannah opened the door. The sound of a walk was all well and good, but imprinted on her mind was the last walk she had taken and the ensuing trauma that followed.
On Ethel’s insistence they stayed in the grounds of the castle, and amazingly Annabel had decided that as she had nothing better to do would accompany them.
The grounds were quiet and all that could be heard was the soft crunch of snow underfoot and a few birds that had braved the weather singing happily in the sparsely leaved trees. However, it wasn’t long before the silence was broken by the happy shrieking of the twins as they played snowball fights and tugged their sleighs up the hill. The air grew colder, Hannah looked up. The sky was getting whiter by the minute even though it was well into the afternoon. About to suggest they return to the house, Hannah was pleasantly surprised when Goran joined them, tugging a sled behind him.
“Anyone for a ride?” He looked smiling toward Hannah his eyebrow raised questionably.
“Me.” Annabel pushed past Hannah and stood expectantly before him.
“Well in this instance, Annabel, I think I’ll take my fiancé for a ride first, but never fear you’ll be next.” He grinned gently down into her eyes.
“Oh,, if Annabel wants to go first I don’t mind,” Hannah said, generously secretly minding very much.
“Don’t bother, I don’t need your charity.” Annabel turned abruptly away and pushed past Hannah, nearly knocking her over in the process.
“Right.” Goran indicated the sled with a flourish. “Your carriage awaits, milady.”
Eagerly Hannah climbed aboard, loving the feel of Goran’s arms as they tightened around her, pulling her back into the apex of his thick muscular thighs.
“Ready?” His breath was a soft whisper dusting her cheek.
Nodding, Hannah held on to his forearms as the sled began to move.
Shrieking with a mixture of excitement and fear she screwed her eyes tightly closed and with the wind taking her breath away leant back into the secure comfort of Goran’s chest. It was magical, the exhilaration of the wind in her face, the cold pinching her cheeks and the snug warmth of Goran against her back.
Reaching the bottom of the hill the sled tumbled onto its side send both Goran and Hannah to the ground in a tangle of arms and legs.
Laughing uproariously Goran helped her to her feet and giving a gentle tug pulled her willingly into his arms. Lifting her face for a kiss Hannah tingled with desire as he caressed her lips with his before deepening the kiss and exploring her mouth with his tongue.
The sky grew darker as the time passed and amidst loud protestations from the children Goran decided it was time to go home. Dinner would be in an hour. However, he relented sufficiently to agree to a quick snowball fight. Squeals and laughter filled the air as the volley of snowballs went to and fro. Splattered with a fine dusting of snow Hannah turned to speak to Goran as a hard snowball hit her squarely on the back of the head sending her to her knees crying in pain at the quickly rising lump on her skull.
Goran ran quickly over to her and gently pulling her to her feet wiped the tears from her cold, white cheeks before gently feeling the egg-like swelling under her hair.
Reassured that Hannah wasn’t feeling sick or dizzy he scanned the ground at her feet for the object of her injury. Squatting down, he picked up a partly snow-covered rock the size of an egg. He looked at the gathered circle, laughte
r now forgotten. “Who was stupid enough to do something so dangerous as to plant a rock in a snowball?”
Everyone stood looking at her not saying a word.
“Hannah is hurt but it could have been far worse, she was lucky. Now come on own up?” He looked at each of them in turn. “Ethel?”
Ethel visibly shrank. “Why no, Goran, how could you think such a thing? Hannah could have had her head cut open.”
“Annabel?”
“God you are a fool, Goran.” She looked at Hannah standing wide-eyed and pale, her red hair a mass of tangles around her face. “I can’t stand her, but I would never do anything as ridiculous as that.”
Goran ignored her comment about Hannah and pursing his lips he squatted before the children.
“Janet? John? Did you put the stone in a snowball? I’ll not be angry with you if you did, I just want to know whether you thought it would be funny?”
“Shaking their heads in unison they chanted. “No, Uncle Goran, it wasn’t us.”
Goran rose to his feet. “Well it seems we have a mystery attacker. However, for the record I’m just warning you, if I find who did it there will be hell to play. Now let’s get on home.” He put his arm around Hannah’s waist and began to lead her in the direction of the castle.
Chapter Eighteen
The next morning Hannah awoke with a slight headache and upon investigation the lump on the back of her head was just as large and tender to the touch as it had been the night before. Absently she wondered if Annabel had really been the culprit behind the stone throwing? She had after all been rebuffed in favour of herself yesterday.
Christmas at Pendragon (BookStrand Publishing Romance) Page 9