Under The Kissing Bough: 15 Romantic Holiday Novellas

by Kathryn Le Veque

  He might think her forward, but in this moment, she couldn’t bring herself to care. As long as he didn’t stop.

  His kisses lowered to her neckline even as he ran his hands along her arm then her waist. When he moved his hand to tease the sensitive flesh at the top of her breasts, she moaned with pleasure.

  “Katherine.” It was both a plea and a demand.

  She reveled that it was either. “Yes.” She looked into his eyes, wanting him to understand her meaning. A crease marked the center of his brow. “Please.”

  As understanding came over his expression, she kissed him again and made her meaning clear. His tongue swirled with hers, sending waves of longing with each pass. She shifted on his lap, noting his erection against her hip.

  Her movements left him breathless, and he broke the kiss. “I don’t think you understand where this is leading.”

  “Cole.” Again she met his gaze as she took his hand to press a kiss on the calloused palm. “I was married. I know exactly where this is going. I would be honored to make love with you.”

  Too late, she realized her word choice was all wrong. He hardly knew her. She couldn’t expect him to feel anything for her other than simple desire. In this moment, that was enough. She held her breath, awaiting his answer.

  “You offer too much,” he protested.

  “No. I want too much.” Disappointment flowed through her at his hesitation. “Let us offer comfort to each other, however briefly. When the holiday is over, I must leave, and you must return to your life. Why not enjoy these stolen moments?”

  “You tempt me, Katherine.” He swallowed hard. “You have no idea what you do to me.”

  “Then show me. Please.” Made bold by the heat in his hazel eyes, she pressed his hand to her breast.

  Holding her gaze, he molded it with his fingers then reached behind her to loosen her bodice. He continued to caress her as she quickly shed it. She rose and stood before the fire as she removed her gown, leaving her in her corset and chemise.

  The admiration on his face as he watched her made desire pool low in her belly. As she untied the ribbons of her corset, he stood. “May I assist you?”

  “Oh, yes,” she responded with a smile.

  Soon the corset rested on top of her gown. He reached out a finger to touch the tip of her breast, causing her to jolt in reaction. He caressed the mound, and her breath came faster. Then he bent to take her nipple into his mouth, chemise and all.

  She caught her breath as he touched her other breast. When he drew the chemise down to take her nipple into his mouth, she closed her eyes with the pleasure. He kissed her again, sending her head spinning as her body grew languid with desire.

  She slid her hands over his shoulders, removing his coat and vest in one movement. She dearly wanted to see what he looked like underneath all those clothes. With quick fingers, she undid his shirt and allowed it to drop to the floor as she took in the sight before her.

  “My goodness.” She ran her hands along his torso, loving the feel of his muscles, the coarse hair of his chest, how it tapered to a narrow line leading lower.

  The sweetness of the moment struck her--snow falling outside, a fire blazing inside, but most of all, the man before her. It was her fairytale come to life.

  “It’s perfect here. You’re perfect.” She rose up on her toes to kiss him again, loving the feel of him against her scantily clad form.

  “I want to see you, Katherine. All of you.” He tugged the ribbon of her chemise and removed the garment in quick order.

  She stood bare before him, resisting the urge to shield her flaws as his gaze swept over her.

  “So beautiful,” he murmured, then took her into his arms. The heat of his body set hers on fire. “So perfect.”

  Within moments, he’d shed his trousers, groaning when she caressed his shaft. He took her hand and held it as he caught his breath. “Are you certain?”

  “Completely.”

  He sat on the chair and drew her onto his lap, facing him, one knee on either side of his legs. As he kissed her deeply, his hands roamed everywhere, heating her until she could stand it no more.

  His hand trailed up her bare thigh to the sensitive skin of her hip then to the apex of her thighs, brushing against her damp curls. When his finger touched her very center, her thighs tightened in reaction. His movements drove her higher, and it was all she could do not to cry out.

  “Now,” she begged.

  “Yes.” He lifted her hips to ease himself inside her, slowly, inch by glorious inch.

  The sensation of being one with this man was overwhelming, bringing tears to her eyes as desire built, layer upon layer. He held her hips, lifting her time and again in a rhythm as old as life itself.

  When she thought she could bear no more, he reached between them, stroking her moist folds, sending her flying high to break into a million pieces. Then his body pulsed with his own release.

  As this strong man held her so gently and her body floated back to earth, Katherine could only sigh with delight at the unexpected turn life had taken.

  She didn’t want to think of her past or the days to come--only this moment.

  Perhaps Christmas held some magic after all.

  DANCING UNDER THE MISTLETOE

  CHAPTER NINE

  Cole stared out across the moonlit, snow-covered fields through the ballroom window the next evening. The Christmas ball would begin within the hour. From what he could tell, Adair and Grace had invited half the countryside.

  But it was the lovely interlude with Katherine at the cottage that held his thoughts.

  When the snow had slowed as dusk approached, Cole had taken the chance of returning to Crawford House before dark fell. Though loath to leave the intimacy of the cottage, it wasn’t practical to stay. Not when they had no food, and everyone at Crawford House was worried about Katherine.

  Despite her insistence that he not confront Markus, Cole dearly wanted to. As ridiculous as it was, he wanted to save her, to give her back her life. And if the possibility of seeing her again crossed his mind, who would blame him? After all, there was a chance she might be expecting a child. Never mind that she’d dismissed his concerns because she hadn’t conceived a child with her husband.

  Somewhere in the past ten days, Katherine had given him a glimpse of what life could be like. While he was safer keeping his distance from others, he now realized his isolation made for a miserable existence. Avoiding pain meant avoiding happiness. Could he truly live the rest of his life doing that?

  He eyed the kissing bough hanging just to the left of where he stood in a private alcove. With careful planning, he intended to make sure he and Katherine danced beneath it. He couldn’t wait to hold her again. He wanted to make her see they had something special, despite--or maybe because of--their pasts.

  He wasn’t sure what to call these growing feelings he had for her, and he wasn’t about to let her go until he found out. The future was uncertain, but he wanted to explore what they had together, as he knew it was special.

  Could he find a way to convince her to agree?

  ~*~

  Katherine smoothed the gown Grace had insisted she wear for the ball. The pale blue and lace design made her feel like an ice princess. It was far too elegant and would draw too much attention. Yet she couldn’t help but wonder what Cole would think of it.

  The maid had already been by to curl her hair into long ringlets that fell down her back.

  In truth, Katherine hardly recognized the woman in the mirror.

  A knock on her door signaled Grace’s arrival.

  “Oh.” Grace paused in the doorway as she took in Katherine’s appearance.

  “It’s too much. The neckline--”

  “Shows your generous curves.”

  Katherine frowned. That wasn’t what she’d meant at all. “The waist is far too--”

  “It’s perfect. I knew it would be.” Grace moved into the room to take Katherine’s hands in hers. “You look bea
utiful.”

  Katherine shook her head but couldn’t hold back her smile. “You look amazing.”

  Grace’s gown was a rich red trimmed with white satin. With a grin, she released Katherine’s hands and spun in a circle. “We look wonderful, don’t we?”

  “We do.” Katherine attempted to set aside her unease.

  The hours after the incredible afternoon in the cottage with Cole had been a blur. They hadn’t had any time alone together, but the heated glances they’d shared across the dinner table made her heart flutter and her stomach dance.

  The numerous times she reminded herself that she’d be leaving Cole and this fairytale for a new identity in a few short days didn’t stop the flutters or the dancing.

  She refused to worry about any of that tonight. Christmas would be here in two days, and she hoped to stay until then. Somehow she needed to set aside her concern and enjoy this brief respite.

  “Will you be dancing with Cole this evening?” Grace asked, dark eyes sparkling.

  “I dearly hope so.” Katherine hesitated, holding Grace’s hand a moment longer, gaining her friend’s attention.

  “What is it?”

  “There’s something I want to tell you, that I’ve wanted to share with you for a long while.” She swallowed hard, wanting desperately to tell Grace everything, that she wasn’t who Grace thought she was.

  The brisk knock on the door took both of them by surprise.

  “Come in,” Grace called out.

  Adair peeked in. “Our guests are arriving. Are you two lovely ladies ready?”

  Grace turned back to Katherine with brow raised.

  “Of course.” Katherine knew the opportunity was lost. She would find another to explain to Grace about the lies she’d told and ask for forgiveness. It had waited this long. A little longer wouldn’t hurt.

  Katherine left the handsome couple in the foyer to greet their guests and entered the ballroom, intending to make one last circuit around the room to ensure all was as it should be.

  She couldn’t help but stop to admire the room. It truly was perfect. The refreshment table was set up just as Grace wanted, complete with small Christmas cakes and biscuits baked by the cook this morning, along with an enormous bowl of wassail punch. More substantial fare would be served in a side room as the evening progressed. The musicians were warming up at the far end. Footmen would mingle amid the guests with trays of drinks and cakes.

  “Good evening.”

  The deep voice sent awareness spearing through her, for she knew exactly to whom it belonged. Unwelcome tears stung her eyes. She blinked quickly, reminding herself this night would warm her in the nights to come. She wasn’t about to ruin it by becoming overly emotional.

  Forcing a smile, she turned to face Cole, her heart doing a long, slow roll at the sight of him. Her smile grew as she took in his appearance. “You look so handsome.”

  He frowned at her comment, making her grin. “I believe the compliment should be for me to say.” His gaze swept up and down her form, his expression softening. He took her hand in his and lifted it to his lips. “You are beautiful.”

  The intensity of his gaze caught her breath. It almost allowed her to forget who she was. “Thank you, my lord.”

  “May I have the honor of a dance or two?”

  “I would enjoy that more than anything.”

  He tucked her hand under his elbow as though he never intended to let her go, then turned so they could face the entrance.

  The night was already going beyond her wildest dreams. She closed her eyes, trying to press the moment on her heart to remember forever. She couldn’t allow the emotion welling up inside her to ruin everything.

  Cole’s happiness lifted her mood. He was charming as he told her who was who amidst the local lords and ladies arriving. His insightful comments showed how much he cared about the people who lived here. His connection to his community was impressive and heartwarming, but unfamiliar to her. She’d never had those sort of ties.

  At last Grace and Adair joined the growing crowd in the ballroom and the ball began in earnest.

  “Shall we?” Cole asked.

  Her heart soaring, Katherine walked with him to the dance floor, hoping she remembered the proper steps. It had been a long time since she’d danced.

  Waltzing with Cole was as close to flying as she could imagine. She felt so graceful in his arms, and his attentiveness set her heart pounding.

  A commotion rippled through the crowd, causing the dancers on the floor to halt.

  “What--” Her question didn’t fully form as she saw who stood near Grace and Adair only a few feet away.

  Markus.

  Panic choked her. Every instinct in her body screamed for her to run.

  Yet the feel of Cole’s arm around her anchored her. As she hesitated between standing to fight and running once again to avoid the terrible accusations she knew Markus would utter, Grace turned to look at her. Her expression of confusion, doubt, and hurt twisted Katherine’s heart.

  Why hadn’t she told her friend the truth weeks ago?

  Adair’s expression had cooled. Obviously Markus had already said much of what he came to say. “Perhaps you should explain, Mrs. Flemming.”

  Katherine’s mind went blank, unable to think of what to say. Once again, her world was falling apart. She turned to Cole, fearful of what he might think.

  All she saw was patient understanding as he met her gaze. “Tell them the truth,” he urged.

  “Katherine, what is all this about?” Grace asked.

  “Yes, tell them,” Markus insisted. “Explain how you murdered your husband, my brother. How you poisoned him so you could have his money.”

  “No! It wasn’t like that.” Katherine looked at her friends, desperate to make them believe her but holding no hope they would. The guests gathered around them, making her want to flee.

  Cole brought her closer to his side as though lending her his strength. He nodded encouragement. “Continue.”

  “Don’t listen to anything this murderess has to say. She killed my brother.”

  She ignored the gasp of the crowd. “I begged him to let me send for the doctor. But he insisted the medicine the apothecary prescribed was helping.” She tapped the corner of her eye. “I tried to stop him, and his ring caught me when we struggled over it.”

  Markus glanced at her scar even as his lips tightened. “It contained poison, and you knew it. That’s why you gave it to him morning and night.”

  “You’re right,” she agreed, surprising Markus. “I’ve spoken with doctors who confirmed two of the ingredients were poisonous. Perhaps harmless in smaller doses. But the apothecary mistakenly told Walter to take it more often than he should’ve.”

  She turned to Cole, then to Grace and Adair, doing her best to ignore everyone else. “I loved my husband. He was a good man. I didn’t want him to die, let alone suffer.”

  Cole took her hand and squeezed it tight. “I don’t believe for a moment that you’d deliberately harm another.”

  The shadows in Cole’s eyes that had lightened in the past few days returned as he looked at Markus. “I understand how you feel, what it’s like to be the only one left behind, the sole survivor. You see, I lost my mother, father, and sister two years ago to influenza. I was gone, traveling, enjoying adventures with friends while they were ill.” He looked away, his pain palpable. “I wish I’d been there. Maybe I could’ve done something to save them. I think of that every day. The guilt is unbearable at times.”

  Katherine’s heart tugged at his distress. That explained so much.

  Markus scowled. “Someone should pay for his untimely death.”

  Katherine’s heart sank. Would this nightmare never end? What more could she say to make him understand?

  “I felt the same way,” Cole said. “I chose to blame myself.”

  “I’m sorry, Markus,” Katherine offered. “Sorrier than you’ll ever know. I should’ve done more.” She closed her eyes. �
�I should’ve made him listen.”

  “He was so stubborn.” Markus held her gaze, the anger in his expression shifting to reveal his grief. “He rarely listened to me either.”

  “Sometimes bad things--terrible things--happen,” Cole said. “It’s no one’s fault.” He looked at Katherine. “And sometimes good things happen when you least expect them.”

  Katherine felt her heart swell. Cole’s unwavering support meant the world to her. “I don’t want the money, Markus. I never wanted it. It’s yours.”

  Adair cleared his throat. “Mr. Flemming, I hope you find Katherine’s explanation satisfactory. We certainly do.” His tone held all the nobility of his title. “She is a dear friend of ours.”

  Cole squeezed Katherine’s hand again. “We hold her in the highest regard.”

  Markus glanced around, as though finally noting the crowd gathered around them. “I suppose I allowed my grief to turn into something else. I wanted someone to be punished. My apologies for interrupting your celebration.” He turned to face Katherine. “I was convinced you married Walter for the money. I’m sorry, Katherine.”

  A sob caught in her throat. His apology was something she’d never expected. The idea of having her life back made her legs tremble. “The money belongs to you.”

  Grace hooked her arm through Katherine’s, her smile filling Katherine with relief. “You are welcome to join us, sir.”

  “At least have a cup of wassail. It’s cold out this evening.” Cole raised a brow at Katherine as though to make certain she agreed.

  “Do stay, Markus. Christmas shouldn’t be spent alone.” She shared a long look with Cole, hoping he truly heard her.

  “I couldn’t,” Markus protested.

  It took Adair’s insistence, but soon Markus held a cup in one hand and a Christmas cake in the other and was visiting with a local squire.

  “Is it really over? After all these years?” She stared at Markus in disbelief, blinking back tears.

  “The support of friends can change everything.” Cole’s deep voice sent shivers down her back. “It helps us forgive ourselves for the past. That is something we both need to work on.” He turned to face her. “Where were we?”