Thawing the Viscount's Heart: A Christmas Regency Romance (Belles of Christmas: Frost Fair Book 3)

by Mindy Burbidge Strunk

  His eyes shone, and his lips parted slightly. It was the same look he’d given her when they had fallen in the snow. He shook his head and clasped his hands together. “Uh, yes. That would…” His eyes dropped to her lips again. “What I mean to say is, uh, I would enjoy it—you being here too.” He sucked in a deep sigh and scowled in obvious frustration.

  Gabby stepped toward him and reached out, pressing her hand to his forearm. “I would enjoy it as well.”

  His throat bobbed up and down, but his posture relaxed. “It is settled then. We shall read together.”

  Chapter 16

  Aaron walked down the corridor with Kirtley at his side. They had cut their evening port short so they could join the ladies in the drawing room. The ladies. Lady was perhaps a better term where Aaron was concerned as there was only one he cared to see tonight.

  He’d thought of hardly anything else the whole of the day. And yesterday. And even the day before. He thought on her almost to the point of distraction. There had been several times when he was speaking to someone and they had to repeat themselves because Aaron had not been listening the first time.

  He shook his head. What was wrong with him? How had he let her invade his thoughts so thoroughly?

  It had started the other day with the snowball fight and their near kiss—no, it had started even before that. Had he not been waiting for her in the library for hours? Oh, the library. How had he thought them being together there—together—a good idea?

  He had enjoyed her company. Just having her close to him was better than he could imagine. That was not the problem. The notion that it took all of his restraint not to lean over and kiss her was the problem. And not just once, but repeatedly. It was a blessing the door was open, and a maid present.

  Even still, Aaron had studied her lips so intently, he felt he already knew them quite intimately.

  He pulled at his collar. How could he be such a rake?

  Gabby was a lady and deserved admiration, not ogling.

  Kirtley cleared his throat. “Are you listening to a word I’ve said?”

  Aaron stared at him. “What?” Lud, he had done it again.

  Kirtley threw his head back and laughed. “You have been woolgathering the whole evening. Tell me, what has you so captivated?” His eyes sparkled and Aaron could tell he was holding back more laughter.

  Aaron reached out a hand and pulled Kirtley to a stop, even though a part of him wanted to punch his friend in the mouth, but more pressing matters took precedence. “You love Lady Kirtley, do you not?”

  Kirtley raised a brow but nodded. “Very much. But you knew that already.”

  “Yes. As I mentioned before, it is obvious in the way you look on her—as if there is nothing else in the world but her.” Aaron’s mouth twisted. How much did he confide in his friend? “Was it always such?”

  Kirtley folded his arms across his chest? “Do you mean to ask if I always looked on her in that way?”

  Aaron nodded.

  “I like to believe I hid my emotions until I was certain of hers. You see, I fell in love with Eleanor almost the moment I saw her. But Eleanor will tell you I failed quite miserably in my disguise.” He grinned. “She will also suggest it took her a bit more time to discover she loved me also.” Kirtley nudged Aaron. “But it is all a Banbury story.”

  “How did you know? That it was love, I mean. I have never considered myself in love before.”

  “But you consider yourself in love now?”

  Aaron shrugged. “I cannot say for sure. I am not certain I would know it when it happens.”

  Kirtley cleared his throat. “When it happens?”

  Aaron’s cravat felt constrictive on his neck and he pulled it away from his skin. Why had he thought to have this conversation with Kirtley? Surely this was a conversation to have with…who? Not his mother, that was for certain. That would be a disaster. And while he was beginning to feel that he could talk to Gabby about most things, this was not one of them. Lud. Why had he not just figured it out on his own?

  Kirtley nodded. He knew Aaron was not being entirely truthful. But was Aaron really lying?

  His head told him he was not in love with Gabby, that it was merely desire for a beautiful woman, though that thought made him want to land himself a facer. But his heart was not so easily deterred. It hammered and skittered and tightened, sometimes all at the same time, when Gabby was around. Or when he thought on her. Or smelled something that reminded him of her.

  Gah. He was an idiot. But the whole thing left him feeling slightly confused about which organ he should believe. Head or heart?

  “You are only fooling yourself, you know.” Kirtley leaned back against the wall. “I believe everyone in the house but you knows you are in love.”

  Aaron narrowed his eyes. “Oh? And what gives you that notion?”

  “Come, man. For the same reason you knew of my feelings for Eleanor. It is written upon your face whenever you see her.”

  Aaron sighed again. “You never answered my question. How did you know?”

  Kirtley stared at him. “When did I know? I knew when she would not leave my thoughts or my dreams. When I made up excuses to see her just so I could be in the same room with her. I knew when everything I saw brought her face to my mind. When I could not imagine living without her at my side. And a dozen other reasons.”

  Aaron rubbed at his neck. Kirtley had almost completely described his own feelings for Gabby. Did that mean his heart was correct?

  “But she is French. That changes things.” But did it really? Or was he just using it as an excuse. And why was he looking for excuses?

  Kirtley tsked. “There will not always be a war, Brinton. Besides, she is sounding less and less French every day. I say the devil take hindmost. If you love her, do not wait for the Season. There are many who will not care a wit about her nationality when they discover the amount of her dowry.”

  Aaron frowned. “I don’t care about her dowry.”

  Kirtley nodded, continuing to grin. “Yes, I know.”

  They continued down the corridor.

  If everyone knew Aaron loved her, did that mean Gabby did also? Whether she did or did not, how did he proceed? He had been so horrible to her in the beginning. How did one even begin to make amends for that?

  He shook his head. “Then it seems even more cruel that she will never accept me.”

  “Gabby? Never accept you? You are dafter than I thought.” Kirtley thumped Aaron on the back and laughed. When had his laugh become so annoying? “It is not Gabby you will have to convince—she is yours and has been for some time, I believe.”

  Aaron’s brow crinkled. “Then whom shall I need to convince?”

  Kirtley laughed again. “Peter. Lord Rockwell is very protective of his ward, every bit as much as a brother would be.” Kirtley thumped him one more time. “I would not buy the special license just yet.”

  Rockwell?

  Aaron had forgotten about him. They were friends. But why should Kirtley think Rockwell would disapprove of Aaron? That was something new he needed to ponder. Later.

  They stepped into the drawing room, and Aaron’s gaze immediately swept the group, stopping only when he spotted her.

  She sat on the settee at the far side of the room, her head bent toward Rebekah as the two talked. Gabby smiled and laughed quietly, touching Rebekah on the arm.

  Aaron stood just inside the door, in no hurry to join the conversations buzzing about. “As I said, I should not think she will stay a miss long once the Season is underway. I would not delay if I were you.”

  Even the thought of someone else making an offer for Gabby made Aaron’s throat tighten. He swallowed painfully.

  Could Kirtley be correct? Had Gabby already forgiven him?

  Kirtley moved away, leaving Aaron to watch Gabby alone for a moment longer. He knew he needed to join the group eventually, but for now, he was content. It was as if, for this one instant, his life was very nearly perfect.

>   As if sensing his gaze, Gabby looked back over her shoulder toward the doorway, her lips curving until the whole of her face smiled.

  Aaron’s chest squeezed. Was this feeling one of the indicators Kirtley had used? If not, he should add it to the list.

  Aaron made his way over to the group clustered around the fire, his gaze never leaving Gabby.

  His mother looked up at his approach. Her brow creased, and she flicked a glance to Gabby, before giving a smile. “Aaron, dearest. I am glad you did not linger over your port this evening.”

  He found it hard to pull his gaze away, but he did it anyway. “Oh, and why is that, Mother?”

  “I should like to play a game. We have played none of the games we usually play at Christmastide. If Hen—” She halted. “That is to say, I thought it could be fun.”

  Aaron stared at his mother, but she ducked her head. “I could not agree more, Mother. What shall we play?”

  She lifted her head and her eyes brightened as if she had thought he would refuse her. “What about a game of move-all?”

  Rebekah clapped her hands. “I adore that game. It is part of my family’s Christmastide tradition. I admit to feeling a bit out of sorts over missing out this year.”

  “Gather the chairs around in a circle then.” Aaron nearly laughed out loud. This was a perfect game. If he was lucky, he may just get Gabby—if not on top of him like she had been in the snow—at least on his lap for a moment. And he could not think of anything better. It would be less obvious what he was trying to do if there were more people here to play, but there were not. He would just need to be sneakier in his attempts. Might they even hold hands?

  “What do you think about asking Miss Carter to join us?” Gabby asked.

  Had she read his mind? Although only one additional person was not the crowds of people he’d hoped could distract from his ulterior motives.

  Lady Kirtley nodded. “I see no reason for her not to join us. Nurse Jones can look after the children for the evening.”

  “I shall fetch her then.” Gabby stood.

  “Wait.” Aaron nearly lunged to stop her. If Gabby went to the nursery, it might be hours before she returned—if she returned at all. And that did not fit into his plans for the evening. “I shall send a maid to fetch her.”

  Gabby raised a brow. “That is unnecessary. You need not trouble a maid.”

  Aaron dashed to the bell pull. “Come now. We both know if Miss Sophia sees you in the nursery, she will not allow you to leave.”

  Lady Kirtley nodded. “He is correct, Gabby. She was asking for you before supper.”

  “She was?”

  Lady Kirtley held up a hand. “You are not going to her. I am certain she is asleep by now. You may see her in the morning.”

  Gabby smiled mischievously. “But if Sophia is already asleep, why can I not go fetch Miss Carter?”

  Lady Kirtley shook her head in vexation.

  “You rang, my lord.” A maid dipped a curtsy at the doorway.

  “Thank the heavens your staff is prompt, my lord.” Lady Kirtley cast a look at Gabby.

  “Yes, Lucy. Please have Miss Carter fetched from the schoolroom. We should like another person to play move-all with us.”

  The maid curtsied and disappeared as they pushed a table against the wall, making room for six chairs. They spaced them evenly in a circle and then waited for Miss Carter to arrive.

  Aaron moved in next to Gabby. He leaned down close to her ear. “Tell me, Gabby,” he whispered. “Have you ever played move-all before?”

  She held still, but he observed the gooseflesh dotting her skin between the tops of her long gloves and the bottom of her sleeve. He thrilled at the knowledge that he could affect her so. Perhaps Kirtley was right, and Aaron need only worry about Rockwell.

  She shook her head. “No. I was hoping someone might explain it to me before we start.”

  “Let me do the honors.” He took the chance to move even closer, the folds of her skirt rubbing against his leg. He pointed to the circle. “One person will stand in the middle while everyone else takes a seat. The person in the middle hollers ‘move all’ and everyone must find a different chair. The person left without a seat becomes the new caller in the center and the game begins again.”

  Gabby nodded. “That does not seem too complicated.”

  Aaron nodded. “I believe it shall be rather fun.” He intended to have a great deal of fun, anyhow. He could already picture her face as he slid into a chair just before her. He grinned and glanced up as Rebekah moved into his line of sight. “Oh, Gabby, I have been meaning to thank you.”

  She turned her head toward him, and their noses nearly touched. She pulled back slightly. “Me? But why? What do you have to thank me for?”

  He motioned with his head to Rebekah. “Rebekah told me of her decision. She mentioned you were very helpful in making it.”

  Gabby grunted and shrugged. “I believe she is giving me undue credit. My only advice was that we both needed to accept our fates and move on with our lives as quickly as possible.”

  Accept their fates? What fate did Gabby think she had? Surely if she had an arrangement with someone else, Kirtley would have mentioned it. “Yes, well, whatever you said, it seemed to be of help to her.”

  “I am glad for it. She has become a dear friend and I should like to see her happily settled.”

  “I am grateful for your friendship toward her. She has not seemed as sad of late. I am certain that is, in part, thanks to you.”

  Gabby shook her head but was kept from a reply when Miss Carter stepped into the room. “You asked to see me, my lady?” She looked concerned, as if she feared she may be in trouble.

  “Yes, Miss Carter. Miss Babineaux thought you might enjoy playing some games with us this evening.”

  Miss Carter flicked her gaze to Gabby, before returning it to Lady Kirtley. Her brow creased, and she twisted her hands. “I would enjoy playing. Thank you for thinking of me, my lady.” Aaron noted the governess thanked Lady Kirtley, rather than Gabby, even though Gabby was the one who had suggested she be included. This was not the first time he had sensed tension between the two women.

  “Let us begin the game.” His mother waved everyone to the circle. “I was the one to suggest the game, so I believe it only proper that I shall start in the middle.”

  “Oh no, my lady. I would be happy to start in the middle.” Rebekah shooed the dowager viscountess to a chair. “It is just as we played it when I was a girl. I always started the game off.”

  Aaron lifted his elbow to Gabby. “May I escort you to the circle, Miss Babineaux?”

  She chuckled but placed her hand on his arm.

  It may have only been for four steps, but it was worth it. Aaron realized that he had been wrong earlier. This was the moment that his life was nearly perfect. He glanced over at Gabby and there was only one thing that could make it even more so. He just needed to plan the best time to speak to her about it.

  They moved into the circle. The only chairs not taken were across from each other.

  Aaron led Gabby to one of them. “I hope this one will suffice.”

  She dipped her head. “Of course, my lord. Thank you.”

  Everyone sat, leaning slightly forward in anticipation of the call. Rebekah turned in a slow circle, eyeing each person as she turned. “Move all!” she yelled, and everyone clamored from their seats.

  Aaron kept his eyes on Gabby, looking for which direction she would go. She raced toward the seat next to him.

  He waited a second and sat in the chair. But he had timed it too late, meaning he was the one on Gabby’s lap.

  A low roar of laughter sounded when everyone noticed their predicament.

  Gabby let out a squeak, and he looked over his shoulder to see her face a pretty shade of pink. It was not as he had planned, but it was not in the least bit unpleasant.

  Still, it meant he was in the center for this round—not that that would change his plans any.

>   He replaced Rebekah, turning around and around. He kept his eyes on Gabby and hollered “move all,” this time making sure he made it to the chair first.

  She slid onto his lap, the fabric of her skirt slipping beneath her and nearly sending her to the ground.

  He grinned as he wrapped his arms around her waist. “Woah. Don’t slide onto the floor.” He doubted most of the others would believe Gabby’s rescue was his only motivation. From the double brow raise from Kirtley, Aaron knew he’d not fooled his friend. But he did not care in the least. Gabby was in his arms, even if it was only for a moment.

  “It seems I am the one in the middle this time,” she said.

  He sighed and gave her a slight squeeze—one he hoped no one else noticed—just before releasing her to stand. When she didn’t stand immediately, he thought to pull her back to him but did not act fast enough before she stood, moving to the center.

  She turned in a circle and he watched her eyes, looking for where she would run next.

  Kirtley nodded to him, and Aaron knew he had an ally.

  “Move all,” Gabby yelled and raced to a chair opposite of where Aaron had been seated.

  Aaron hurried over, but found he was not the only one vying for the spot. Miss Carter, a stouter lady than Gabby, was there also. She moved toward the chair, giving a flick of her hips as she sat and sending Gabby sprawling to the floor.

  Gabby landed hard on the rug. “Ooh.”

  Aaron reached down to help her up. “Are you alright?” What was Miss Carter about? He knew she was not fond of Gabby, but this seemed wholly out of line.

  Gabby stood up, rubbing at her elbow that had obviously hit one of the chairs on her way down. She looked over at Miss Carter who looked up with doe eyed innocence. “Pardon me, Miss Babineaux. Are you well?”

  Gabby smiled tightly and Aaron had the urge to call the governess out.

  “Quite well, thank you.” Gabby stepped back to the middle of the circle. “I suppose I am it again.”