Let it Snow

by Suzan Butler, Emily Ryan-Davis, Cari Quinn, Vivienne Westlake, Sadie Haller, Holley Trent

  She reached over to loosen his bonds, careful not to touch him any more than absolutely necessary.

  “Why did you not tell me?”

  “If I told you, what would you have done?”

  She looked down at his face. “I would have been happy for you, Kit. I would have helped you contact your family and sent you away with my gratitude for what you’d done.”

  “I wanted to stay a while.”

  He did not say he wanted to stay with her. Perhaps it was a game to him. Everything was a game to him.

  She untied his other arm.

  “I did plan to tell you eventually. But we were getting so close and I did not want to ruin everything.”

  Well, he’d ensured that that things were ruined anyway.

  “You mean you did not want to admit the truth before you’d gotten under my skirts.”

  “It was not like that.” He slipped on his shirt.

  She crossed her arms. “What was it like then?”

  “I spent every day with you. I got to know you. When I finally remembered, I did not want to say goodbye. Christmastide was not yet here. I knew there was still time before I had to leave.”

  He might as well have sliced her chest open. “You let me make all of those plans. We were designing your clothes for Epiphany this morning.” She hastily tied her hair into a bun. “How could you encourage me to initiate arrangements for Twelfth Night knowing you wouldn’t even be here?”

  “I could still come back,” he said, buttoning his trousers. “I have to spend Christmas with my sister, but I could come back here for Epiphany.”

  There was a knocking at the door.

  “One moment.”

  “I am sorry, my lord. I wanted to warn you and my lady that the duchess is trying to come up the stairs!” Sally called through the door.

  “Damnation,” he said. “Bella has the patience of wild boar, at least when it comes to me.”

  That was another question. “Who is this duchess to you?”

  He sloppily tied his cravat and slipped on his jacket. “Isabella Montagne, Duchess of Havenhurst, is my sister.”

  That, at least, was a relief. She wasn’t sure what to expect given Kit’s initial reactions. Though she doubted his lover would bring her husband along to chase him, she’d seen some strange things during her time in the war.

  “We do not have time to finish this discussion now, but I expect a better explanation later.”

  Violet exited the room to go down and greet her guest.

  When she got to the top of the staircase, she paused. A beautiful woman in a black fur cape and hat stood on the landing with Avery and Miriam. She had Kit’s full lips and high cheekbones. But her eyes were the color of emeralds. The woman could have been Miriam’s sister, though her carriage was distinctly different.

  Beside her was a lean, handsome blond man with a mustache. He held a top hat and cane and looked as if he were dressed for an elegant dinner party.

  “My lady,” Avery interrupted. “Let me present Their Graces, the Duke and Duchess of Havenhurst.”

  “What a lovely home you have in Welbury Park, madam,” the duke said with a half-bow.

  “Where is the Marquess of Kittrick? I want to see Daniel.”

  “He wi—”

  “—is right here.” She could feel Kit’s presence behind her, but did not glance back to look at him.

  “You look a mess,” the duchess said, walking over to him. “But you appear to be fine. How were you injured? Why did you not write to me sooner? And how dare you tell Freddy not to give me the letter?” The words spewed out of her so fast that it took Violet a moment to absorb it all. “I am your sibling, not Freddy.”

  “May we have this discussion in the drawing room like civilized people rather than on the staircase?” Kit walked them all, leading the way.

  She could see it now. The tone of voice, the way he walked. She’d suspected he might be an aristocrat, but she’d talked herself out of believing he could be so far out of her class.

  Violet was the daughter of a vicar. Her grandfather had been a well-to-do farmer, respected for his agricultural inventions. She’d married a man of some means, though her two thousand a year would never be enough for someone of Kit’s station.

  As the others followed Kit, Violet loitered behind, moving at a turtle’s pace. Miriam smiled at her and squeezed her hand. The poor girl still had hope for a happy ending.

  She’d certainly pegged him for nobility. However, her fanciful hopes of a fairy tale were as unlikely as a cow jumping over the moon.

  When she stepped into the drawing room, the duke and duchess were sitting, though the duke and Kit stood upon her entering the room. The man’s eyes were warm and his smile friendly. Kit’s face looked as fierce as a storm at sea.

  “Why did you not send for me, Daniel?”

  Daniel? Was that Kit’s actual name? She tried to envision addressing him as such, but it soured in her mouth. Kit was her errant knight, the lost soul who had rescued her and made her feel alive again. Daniel was a selfish liar.

  “I am fine, Bella. I took a blow, but I am quite well, as you can see. There was no need for you to come. Why trouble you and Freddy?”

  The duchess had no cape now. She wore a fine navy wool dress with a silk cravat. On her finger was a sapphire as big as a grape. It glittered in the light, casting a reflection on the wall.

  “You are here now, is that not enough? Freddy, I told you to leave her out of this.”

  The blond man chuckled. “The letter slipped out of my coat and a footman brought it in.”

  “Do not make him feel wronged. It was you who told him to lie.”

  Even his own sister thought him deceitful. “Bella,” he said, putting his hand on her shoulder, “I merely intended to save you the trouble of coming out here. I fully intended to be home on Christmas.”

  Violet watched the interplay between the two and felt entirely out of place. She felt dwarfed by their commanding presence, almost a stranger in her own home.

  “You look fit for travel. Why not come home with us? We can leave on the morrow. That is, if your acquaintance will be so kind as to invite us for the night.”

  Acquaintance. He’d gone from being her sensual captive to being her lover to being her lying friend. Now he was her acquaintance.

  Now that the duchess had acknowledged that there was another person in the room and given her leave to speak, Violet felt the full brunt of the woman’s stare. Isabella’s hawk-like gaze eyed her up and down.

  “You are, of course, welcome to stay, Your Grace.”

  Kit frowned. “Bella, can you at least have the decency to greet our hostess properly? We are not at home and you are here by the kindness and grace of Mrs. Laurens.”

  Bella removed her gloves and stood. She offered her slender hand and Violet realized how tall she was. They were standing on the same level now and while Violet was considered statuesque for a woman, she was not nearly as tall as Isabella, who was almost the same height as Daniel.

  “Please forgive my lack of etiquette, Mrs. Laurens. It is lovely to meet you.” She smiled and Violet felt as if she were kissed by the sun. Kit called her an angel, but surely that title should go to his sister. “Thank you for looking after my brother.”

  “It was my pleasure, Your Grace.”

  “Do call me Isabella,” she said, taking her hand and leading her to the sofa. Violet let Isabella sit her down. Again, she had the notion of being the guest in her own house.

  “Thank you. You may call me Violet. I do hope you will enjoy your visit here. You are welcome to stay to the weekend, if you please.”

  “What an enchanting name.” Bella gave Kit a hard stare. “I see now why you wished to remain here. Welbury Park is full of beauty and charm.”

  Violet remembered her manners. “You must be hungry from your journey. Shall I send for a plate? I am certain there is meat and cheese remaining fr
om this afternoon’s luncheon, and I have tea, or, if you would like, port?”

  “I should love a glass of port if it would be no inconvenience,” the duke said. His smile melted away whatever uncertainty she’d felt toward Kit’s relatives. She decided the duke was amiable and fair and while he was not as stunning as Daniel and Isabella, she felt a warmth that reminded of her of John.

  “It is no trouble at all. And how about you, Your Grace?”

  “Isabella,” the other woman said, patting her hand. “I should love some bread and cheese.”

  “I shall inform the cook straight away,” Violet said. She could easily have pulled a bell to call the servants, but she needed to step away from her guests. They were too overwhelming, and though Kit was quiet, she needed to get away from him most of all.

  Chapter Twelve

  Kit sat in a chair, keeping his distance from Bella. He’d forgotten how easily she scratched under his skin with her shrill tongue. Though he was glad to have the reunion over with, he knew he was not out of the woods until after Christmas, when he could return home—or if Violet acquiesced, when he could return here.

  “She is pretty,” Bella declared to no one in particular.

  Kit knew that tone. “The widow has been very kind.”

  Bella clasped her hands. “Oh, Violet is a widow?” She looked around the room and Kit saw what she saw. The well-polished furniture and fresh wallpaper, the immaculate mirror and plush Oriental rug. He glanced at the window that showed a view of the estate outside, which covered at least 100 acres.

  “Bella…”

  “What? I only remarked that she is a widow. That is a fact, is it not?”

  Freddy bit his lips, choking back a smile. Kit rolled his eyes. It was only a matter of minutes before Bella started matchmaking again.

  “She seems amiable,” Freddy remarked. “Is she any good at cards? Perhaps we can play a game of whist after dinner.”

  “Violet is good at everything,” Kit admitted. “She beat me at a game of hazard about two weeks ago.” He couldn’t help but smile thinking of her cheating, though she’d won even without it.

  “Maybe we should invite her back to Oakfield with us. Does she have family here? Do you think she would come for Christmas?”

  Perhaps Bella was saving her best cards for later. No doubt she thought she could lull him into a false sense of security. “She has a brother as I understand, but he lives in the north.”

  “Then let us invite her, Freddy! It would be nice to have another woman in the house. Particularly since Kit was adamant that I not invite Miss Hargrove.”

  She was warming up now.

  “I believe Violet is planning to host a party for her neighbors and a few of the villagers.”

  “It is still a fortnight to Christmas. I think we could convince her.”

  His sister would torture him to death if he didn’t get it over with. He did not want Bella prying into his relationship with Violet and potentially embarrassing her. Especially not after he’d mucked things up and trampled on her trust.

  “I know what you are about, B. The answer is no. I am not going to marry her.”

  Bella leaned forward, placing her hand on the arm of the sofa. “I said nothing of the kind. I merely wanted to thank her for her kindness toward you. She’s a lovely girl and this is a big house to live in all by herself. I’m sure she would enjoy the company.”

  He could ask Bella to stay here for the holidays. Violet would no doubt allow it because he could see she that was awed by Bella. Who wouldn’t be awed by a powder keg waiting to explode? But Kit didn’t need his sister making things worse for him. Though she would try to be helpful, in the end, she would ruin things.

  “Mrs. Laurens is very independent, Bella. She does not thrive on parties, theater, and opera.”

  “That is because she’s stuck here in the country! Maybe we could invite her to Town in the spring. Though she’s not an heiress, she seems to be doing fairly well for herself. I am sure there would be many gentlemen of our acquaintance who would find her charming and agreeable.”

  No. He’d be beaten and bloody before he’d let Bella play matchmaker and present Violet to her friends. Those vultures would descend on Violet faster than moths to a flame.

  “No.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You will not invite her to London in the spring. Invite her for Yuletide if you wish, but bloody hell, do not take her to Town so that she can be snatched up by some degenerate earl looking for a country wife, or worse, a duke bent on making her his mistress.”

  “My, you have an active imagination, Danny. I only intend to take her to the theater and Vauxhall Gardens. Perhaps attend a few scientific lectures at one of my society meetings.”

  “And where do you think those reprobates will be?”

  This time Freddy did laugh.

  “You always encourage him. Maybe you should adopt my side,” Bella said, turning to pinch her husband.

  “You said she beat you at hazard.” Freddy circled his thumb over his cane. “Is she a gambler by nature?”

  What was he getting at? “No. She is practical, efficient, and likes to win. She’s not a gambler by nature. She is a strategist when need be.”

  “Does she know about your penchant for fist fighting?”

  “What does that have to do with anything?”

  Bella smiled, then patted Freddy’s hand.

  “Yes, she knows.”

  “Did she know you were a marquess?”

  Usually Freddy stayed out of these discussions. His questions alarmed Kit.

  “No, not until you showed up with no warning.”

  Freddy nodded. He was about to speak when the door opened and Violet returned. Her seductive locks were now securely back in place and she wore a sheer white chemisette under the neckline of her gown. She looked every bit the gentlewoman now. The seductive siren was gone.

  Kit wondered if Violet would forgive him. He tried to catch her eye, but she kept her gaze on Freddy and Bella.

  Over the next few hours, Violet and Bella became fast friends. They went over the swatches—which were still on the table—and picked out a red velvet for Violet’s gown. Violet gave them a tour of the house and promised to let Freddy ride her best stallion if the weather was suitable tomorrow.

  By the time dinner came, one would think that Freddy and Bella were old friends visiting on holiday.

  Kit couldn’t help but frown. He wanted to be alone with her. He wanted to hear her laugh at his jokes. But now she laughed with Freddy and Bella. Her every smile was for the duke and duchess and Kit could be damned.

  From across the table, he watched her. She wore a lavender gown that had a split down the front to reveal a crème colored silk petticoat. She dazzled like the diamond and amethyst earrings that dangled beneath her ears. Her hair was curled and styled with a silver comb. The only thing that disappointed him was that her bodice was not cut low enough.

  Kit could not help but stare. Though Violet had dressed for dinner before, most of their time together had been spent with him recuperating in bed, so she only wore her finer dresses if the doctor or some other guest came to visit. Tonight, she looked every bit the lady. While she was not as bejeweled as Bella, Violet could easily have walked into the drawing rooms and ballrooms of London.

  If he closed his eyes, he could imagine them at Almacks, where she would have her dance card full, and he’d have to scare away the rakes and dandies.

  As if reading his thoughts, his sister said, “You really must come with us to London for the Season. We will go to my modiste and I will have a fabulous wardrobe made for you! I think we should get matching emerald gowns. Wouldn’t that be sensational? Everyone will think we are twins! We will of course go to Woods and pick up new boots and I’ll take you to Bond Street and Pall Mall.” Her eyes lit up as she babbled on. “The boys can go to their club while we visit the Royal Academy and the Gallery. The
n of course, we’ll go to Vauxhall Gardens and the opera. And you have to meet the Duchess of Wilmington. She will get us into all of the best soirees and clubs in town.”

  Kit bit back a smile. Violet’s eyes were wide and round like chestnuts, and she coughed into her napkin.

  Freddy flashed a grin. “She races faster than a thoroughbred. Sometimes it is useful,” he winked at Kit. “Sometimes, you cannot get a word in edgewise. But she means well. She tells me it is in the very nature of a Gemini to be loquacious.”

  “It is!” Bella commandeered the conversation again. “We cannot all be so judicious in our speech as you, Freddy. But then you are a Libra. It is in your nature to be diplomatic and congenial to everyone.”

  If only Mrs. Norris would hurry with the duck. If the main course wasn’t served soon, Bella would harangue them all about their stars and spout nonsense about destiny and fortune.

  “Freckles, take a bite of bread and let someone else get a word in. Can you not see that Violet looks as alarmed as a rabbit trapped by a fox?” Kit goaded her, knowing she wouldn’t be able to resist. Bella hated to be called Freckles. She’d once tried to set his toys on fire for using her nickname in front of a beau.

  “Daniel Cosgrove, if you call me that one more time, I swear I shall go into your trunks and take a scissor to all of your crisp white shirts.” The smile she gave was fit for the devil. She took a sip of her wine, her eyes never leaving his.

  “I would not have to resort to such tactics if you would behave in a civilized fashion.”

  “Civilized?” Bella’s crystal glass clinked loudly when she slammed her glass onto the table. “You—the gambler, the boxer, the whoremonger—you would dare call me uncivilized? I should grab you by the ear and lock you in a closet without supper.”

  Kit and Freddy laughed. Even Violet tried to cover up her chuckle, but didn’t quite manage it.

  “I am not ten years old, Bella.”

  “Have you grown up then? Does the hair on your chest and your baritone suddenly make you an adult when you have the manners of a child?”