Christmas at the Castle

by Melissa McClone

  She walked away from the painting and from them.

  Gill came after her. “Where are you going?”

  Jamie quickened his pace. “Wait for me.”

  She bit back a frustrated sigh. “I’m going to the restroom.”

  That was the one place the two couldn’t follow her.

  Inside the bathroom, Kat pulled out her cell phone to call Sophie. She would be able to tell Kat how to handle the two men. Except calling wasn’t what a good bridesmaid would do.

  Kat needed to lessen the bride’s stress. Not add more. She had to figure this out herself.

  She placed her phone back in her purse and walked out.

  Both men straightened when they saw her.

  “Is there something in particular you want to see in the museum?” she asked.

  Jamie nodded. “There’s an Impressionist exhibit on the third floor.”

  “The second floor has early Renaissance paintings displayed,” Gill said.

  “Excellent.” An idea formed in Kat’s mind. “Go see those, and I’ll meet you in the lobby later.”

  Jamie’s face fell.

  Gill frowned. “What are you going to do?”

  She motioned to the driver/bodyguard. “I’m going to see if Claude would like to have tea.”

  Claude grinned. “I’d be honored, Miss Kat.”

  Kat walked toward him. She didn’t need to glance back to see the confused expressions on Gill and Jamie’s faces. A bizarre broken mirror collage gave her a perfect view of them.

  “Is Kitty Kat ditching us for the old man?” Jamie asked.

  “It appears so.” Gill stared after her, but surprisingly, he was smiling and she thought she glimpsed pride in his eyes. “Kitty Kat must have lost her patience.”

  “Meow,” she whispered, retracted her claws, and then smiled at Claude. “I hope you’re ready for a nice cup of tea, because I am.”

  Chapter Eight

  ‡

  Standing at the window in Sophie’s bedroom, Kat stared at the fat snowflakes falling from the sky. “The weather forecast finally came true.”

  Sophie sat on a pink upholstered chair and put on her snow boots. The décor of her room was pink and white with touches of silver. A room fit for a princess. “Almost a week later than predicted.”

  “We’ve been so busy; I’m glad the snow held off until this morning.”

  For the past five days, Kat had been helping with the wedding and sightseeing. She’d fallen into a comfortable routine—wake with no alarm, breakfast with Sophie, wedding stuff in the morning, lunch out, sightseeing in the afternoon, and dinner with the royal family and Jamie. Most of it had been enjoyable.

  An intricately patterned snowflake landed against the windowpane. Kat had grown up with winter weather, but Cedar Village, Idaho didn’t get as much snow, and none had fallen this year.

  She couldn’t wait to feel the snow against her face. “It’s really coming down now.”

  “We might get enough to last through Christmas.”

  Hard to believe that was only a week away. “I’d love to have a white Christmas.”

  “You and Gill both.” Sophie smiled. “I’m so glad the two of you are getting along better.”

  “Me, too.”

  An unspoken truce seemed to have been reached after the art museum. Whatever competition was going on between him and Jamie had ended, though Gill continued to eye Kat with suspicion. He wasn’t unpleasant when they spoke, and he hadn’t accused her of anything new, so that was good.

  “How are you and Jamie getting along?”

  Kat faced her friend. “He’s a big flirt, but not as bad as he was those first two days.”

  “That’s because you shut him down at the art museum.”

  “Did Gill tell you that?”

  “Claude,” Sophie admitted. “I don’t blame you given the way he and Gill acted, but do you like Jamie?”

  Kat shrugged. “He’s handsome and eager to lend a hand. It’s sweet how he’s been helping you with the seating arrangement for the wedding dinner.”

  “And…”

  “I enjoy spending time with him.”

  “Anything else?”

  Kat bit her lip. “I get the feeling if I want a kiss that I won’t have to wait for mistletoe.”

  Sophie clapped her hands together. “Wonderful.”

  “Is it?”

  She shrugged. “Who knows what a holiday romance could turn into?”

  “One step at a time. Jamie is becoming my friend. There’s nothing romantic going on.”

  “Yet.”

  Kat shook her head.

  “I hate leaving you today.” Sophie stood and adjusted the top of her boots. “Are you sure it’s okay if I run into the office?”

  “Go.” Kat understood. Truth was, she’d been tempted to call the animal hospital almost every day since she’d arrived, but she hadn’t. The techs didn’t need to waste their time talking to her about animals when she was too far away to help. “I know you want your work finished before the wedding.”

  “Yes, but you’ve been such a big help. I wish you could have a day full of nothing but fun.”

  “I’ve been having lots of fun.” The other day, she’d traveled from the west to the east borders of Alistonia. The country might be small, but it was rich in history and tradition. “I’ve been getting a real feel for your country and people.”

  “Are you going to meet with Isaac today?”

  The kind waiter, who Kat now called a friend, had been giving her royal etiquette lessons. She’d learned how to eat European style with her fork in her left hand, how to wave during the parade that would occur after the wedding ceremony, and how to greet others without shaking hands.

  “No, he’s off today. Jamie’s already gone to town. I don’t know what your mother and Gill are up to.” Royal duties kept those two busy with ribbon cuttings, groundbreakings, speeches, and luncheons throughout Alistonia. “I’m spending today on my own. Peace and quiet will be nice.”

  “You deserve it. Acting as the liaison between my mother and the duchess must be draining.”

  A root canal would be better than spending another day relaying messages between the queen and the duchess, but Kat wouldn’t add to Sophie’s stress by admitting that.

  “They are quite the pair.” Kat left out how the two women argued worse than a divorcing couple trying to figure out the medical treatment options for a family pet. “But it isn’t long until the big day.”

  Sophie put on a long down coat. “I keep hoping Talia won’t quit.”

  “She won’t.”

  The wedding planner had been brought to tears two days ago, but Talia had confided to Kat that the crown prince had offered her a bonus if she didn’t quit. The amount made putting up with the two mothers worthwhile. Leave it to Gill to take care of his sister.

  “Don’t worry,” Kat said. “Everything’s coming together. And Bertrand will be here soon.”

  “I can’t wait.” Sophie wrapped a plaid, wool scarf around her neck. She glanced at the clock on her nightstand. “Oh, look at the time. I’m late.”

  As usual. “Have a great day. I’m going to get ready for a walk.”

  “If you want company, Gill may be around. He didn’t mention going anywhere.”

  Kat’s muscles bunched. Getting along better was not the same as seeking him out. “I’m sure he has work to do.”

  “Yes, but like you, he needs to work less and play more.”

  “I’ll see if he’s taking a break when I head out.”

  “Do.” Sophie hugged Kat. “I’ll text you when I’m on my way home.”

  As Sophie headed toward the stairs, Kat went to her room and put on her coat, gloves, and hat.

  Downstairs, she glanced toward Gill’s office. The door was closed. She hesitated, but only for a moment. He had work to do. No reason to bother him.

  Coward.

  She was where Gill was concerned. Her stomach felt funny whenever he was
nearby. She didn’t feel that way when she was with Jamie.

  Kat hurried into the music room and out the French doors onto the patio.

  The cold air made her zip her coat all the way to her chin. Snow fell around her. She couldn’t believe how a little white stuff on the ground changed the whole landscape.

  Smiling, she tilted back her head and stuck out her tongue.

  “Catch any?” Gill asked.

  She jumped. “Where did you come from?”

  He wore a coat and gloves, but no hat. His leather dress shoes weren’t made for this kind of weather, but he didn’t seem bothered by that. “I live here.”

  “I meant just now. Your office door was closed.”

  His mouth slanted. “You’ve been checking up on me?”

  “No.” His suspicious tone annoyed her. “Jamie’s spending the day in town. Sophie thought you might want to take a walk, but when I saw the closed door, I figured you were working.”

  “I was on a call.”

  “And now?”

  He inhaled. “I’m enjoying the snow. You?”

  “Same.” She shoved her gloved hands into her pockets.

  “Cold?”

  “I should start walking.” She headed down the stairs toward the garden and heard footsteps behind her. Gill was following her.

  She glanced over her shoulder. Snowflakes clung to his hair. He looked so adorable.

  Wait. Adorable wasn’t a word she should use to describe Gill. She faced forward and kept walking. Her boots crunched through the layer of snow on the path.

  “You’ve been keeping busy,” he said.

  She focused on putting one foot in front of the other without slipping on the snow. That might help her avoid the temptation to look back at him. “The wedding is a week away.”

  “So I keep being reminded.”

  She walked through an archway to enter the garden. “You don’t sound happy about that.”

  “Everyone seems to have forgotten Christmas is coming.”

  The snow gave the garden an artsy feel with the bare branches. Too bad she wasn’t a photographer. “Not forgotten, but the wedding is first up.”

  He walked next to her. “Yes, and the date was selected to allow guests to return home in time for their Christmas Eve festivities.”

  The concern in his voice surprised her. “You really care about the holidays.”

  “It’s my favorite time of the year.”

  “Why is that?”

  Three snowflakes landed on his nose, but he didn’t brush them off. “The castle is so big it can feel more like a museum than a house. But whenever I came home from school for the holidays, the trees and decorations made the castle feel more…homey. Every December, the place feels that way again.”

  “I’m fortunate to be here during Christmastime then.”

  Though she imagined this garden—dead during winter—must be beautiful with flowers blooming in the springtime.

  “Especially now that it’s snowing,” he said.

  Kat turned onto a narrower path. Her foot slipped. Her leg slid forward, but her upper body went the opposite way.

  She held out her arms to regain her balance.

  Oh, no. She was going down.

  Gill grabbed her. “I’ve got you. You won’t fall.”

  One of his hands held onto her arm. The other was around her waist. He held her close. His warm breath blew against her head. The scent of his aftershave surrounded her.

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  Physically, yes. Emotionally, she wasn’t so sure.

  Heat radiated from him like a furnace. Whatever chill she’d felt from the cold temperature and snow had disappeared. Being held like this felt way too good.

  And it shouldn’t.

  Not with him.

  “Kat?”

  She looked at him.

  Big mistake.

  His face—make that his lips—were right there. So close she could see the lines of his mouth. And boy, did that mouth look good.

  Gill stared at her as if seeing her for the first time. No smile, but no frown, either.

  Kat had no idea what she was doing, except she wasn’t in any hurry to have him let go of her. But they couldn’t stand here like this forever.

  A few more seconds might be too much.

  Too dangerous.

  She swallowed around the lump in her throat. “I’m okay. Thanks.”

  Her voice sounded deep and raw, not normal.

  She backed away, but he didn’t let go of her.

  Gill kept his arm around her. “Make sure you have your balance, so you don’t fall.”

  Kat felt off-kilter, but she had a feeling that had to do with him, not the slippery path. She straightened. “I do.”

  Gill let go, and she felt a sudden chill.

  “Snow turns the grounds into a winter wonderland, but there’s still ice to watch out for.”

  She nodded. “I’ll pay better attention to where I step.”

  “Not just out here,” he said. “You’ll have to scout out the locations of the mistletoe before the reception starts.”

  “That’s too premeditated.”

  “And finding someone to kiss under the mistletoe ahead of time isn’t?”

  “I think I’m going to be more spontaneous about that.”

  “Spontaneous.” He pronounced the word slowly, as if it were a foreign term. Maybe for him, it was.

  “Yes. If everything is planned out ahead of time, that will take the fun out of it.”

  “And the element of fate?”

  “Exactly.”

  “But what if no one else wants to be spontaneous and kiss under the mistletoe?”

  “There’s always Jamie.”

  Gill’s expression pinched. “Kitty Kat has been kissed by the marquess?”

  She flinched. Gill didn’t seem the nosey type, especially where she was concerned, but her friendship—and that was all it was—with Jamie wasn’t something she wanted to discuss.

  “I don’t kiss and tell. Or not kiss and tell.” Best to change the subject. A gate was ahead of them. “This leads down to the stable, right?”

  Gill nodded. “Your nose is turning pink.”

  “So are your cheeks.”

  “We should go back inside.”

  “Go ahead.” She let the cold air fill her lungs. “I’m just getting started.”

  “I’ll stay out here a few more minutes.”

  Curiosity was getting the better of her. She had to ask. “Is this some kind of keep-your-enemy-close kind of tactic?”

  His jaw thrust forward. “You see me as an enemy?”

  “We’ve never been that friendly, so we can’t be frenemies.”

  “I’ve been friendly,” he countered. “I warned you about my mother.”

  “That was a quid pro quo for my mentioning Sophie’s wedding diet. I don’t need examples. I asked why because I was curious.”

  “You know what happened to the curious cat.”

  “Yes, but I’ll take my chances.”

  A cry sounded. She froze. “What was that?”

  “What?”

  “I heard a noise. It sounded like a child.”

  “There aren’t any children on the grounds or living nearby. I didn’t hear anything.”

  Kat had. She listened. Nothing.

  “Are you—”

  “Shhh.”

  Another noise sounded. A cry, no a whimper. Every muscle tensed. Not a child. A dog.

  Maximillian.

  Adrenaline surged.

  Kat didn’t need a degree in veterinary medicine to recognize a cry of pain. The anguished sound hurt her heart.

  She ran toward the sound.

  Something was very wrong.

  *

  “Where are you going?” Gill yelled after Kat. He had no idea why she was running, but he followed her down the path and across the lawn. She didn’t slow. If anything, she ran faster.

  A noise sounded.

&
nbsp; That must have been what she heard.

  A cry. Or a…

  His chest tightened.

  Maximillian.

  His pulse kicked up. He’d never heard his dog make that sound.

  Kat stopped and dropped to her knees next to Maximillian, who lay on the snow with his left front paw caught in a trap.

  No. Gill’s heart pounded against his rib cage. Traps weren’t used on the castle grounds. How could this have happened?

  “Don’t worry, Max,” she said in a comforting voice. “We’ll have you fixed up in no time.”

  Gill’s insides twisted. “He’s bleeding.”

  “There’s no trail of blood, so that’s a good sign.” She examined Maximillian’s leg. “This trap was loose. Look at the prints in the snow. He was probably trying to make it back to the castle.”

  She sounded competent and in control.

  Gill felt the opposite way. A million and one bad things circled around his mind like speed skaters practicing on the local rink.

  He kneeled next to her, but she stopped him from reaching out to his dog.

  “Be careful.” She touched Gill’s arm. “Sometimes dogs that are injured act differently than they usually do.”

  “We’re here, mate.” Gill forced the words from his dry throat. A lump burned, making it difficult to talk. He swallowed, but that didn’t help.

  An ache spread from his stomach to his heart. He wanted to make his dog better, but he didn’t know how. His mother had once mentioned how hard seeing him and Sophie hurt or ill was for her. He hadn’t understood until now.

  He looked at Kat. “Is Maximillian going to be okay?”

  Once the words were out, Gill wasn’t sure he wanted to know the answer.

  “The damage to his foot could be much worse.” Her voice held no worry. She spoke professionally like the veterinarians who worked at the animal clinic in town. “I need to get this trap off before more damage is done.”

  “Let’s call his vet first.” The words tumbled out of his mouth before he could stop them.

  “Gill, I know what I’m doing. I would never hurt Maximillian.” Her tone sounded sincere. “Please, trust me.”

  That was the problem. Gill still didn’t trust her.

  The entire royal guard brigade seemed to be standing on his chest. He could barely breathe. Sophie and Maximillian meant more to Gill than life itself. “I—”