Winter Wishes: A Regency Christmas Anthology

by Cheryl Bolen

Chapter 12

  Emily’s maid was pinning her hair up with quick, efficient movements when her two sisters-in-law entered her bedroom.

  “Am I late?” Emily asked.

  Tonight was to be their first dinner together, just the Hathaways, Jonah, and Mrs. Stanton. She couldn’t help thinking that if things went well between her and Jonah, they’d soon be one large family.

  Grace shook her head. “No, we’re a little early. Although the men have already gone downstairs.”

  While they waited for the maid to finish, the two women perched on the edge of her bed and chatted about how it was infinitely more difficult to host a house party than to be a guest.

  Her maid tucked the last few pins in her hair and took her leave. When Emily turned in her seat at the dressing table, she saw that Sarah and Grace were looking at her with great interest. She had to hold back her sigh.

  Hoping to forestall further speculation on their part, she said, “No, I will not be encouraging Lord Kirby.”

  Sarah tilted her head to one side, her gaze sharp. “Forget about Lord Kirby. I know James wants to see you settled with someone solid, but to him that means boring. Lord Kirby would smother the very life from you.”

  Why did everyone think they knew her so well? “Perhaps I’d liven him up, make him more outgoing.”

  “Perhaps,” Grace said. “But it’s been my observation that men rarely change once they’ve reached adulthood.”

  Grace met Sarah’s gaze. The two of them had a plan in mind, and she was almost afraid to find out what it was.

  “Perhaps we should go down—” Emily started.

  Sarah continued as though she hadn’t spoken. “How do you feel about Sir Jonah?”

  Grace nodded in agreement. “We know you’ve been acquainted with him since you were a child, but he’s been away for so long. Edward thinks you consider him a brother, but perhaps there could be something more?”

  Emily sighed. These two were relentless in their desire to find her a husband. She knew their meddling came from a place of love though and couldn’t be angry with them. And if she was being completely honest, she wanted to share her secret with them. But she couldn’t tell them what she was planning. They wouldn’t tell her brothers if she asked them not to, but she was loath to ask them to do something that would anger their husbands.

  “I’ll consider it.” She laughed when she saw the twin expressions of disbelief on both Sarah’s and Grace’s faces. “Come, let’s not keep everyone waiting.”

  “You can’t just say that and leave,” Sarah said following her to the bedroom door.

  Grace was right behind her. “I never realized before today that you have a mean streak. Surely you’re going to tell us more.”

  “I’ll tell you more when there’s more to say.” That wasn’t strictly true, but Emily didn’t know what to think about the current situation herself. How could she talk about her feelings when they confused her so much?

  She’d relived her conversation—and kiss—with Jonah over and over in her mind. But before she shared any details with the two women who’d come to mean so much to her, she needed to explore her newfound feelings. Given her lack of luck when it came to finding love, she was afraid speaking of them would somehow jinx her and Jonah’s relationship before it even started.

  The three of them entered the drawing room together to find everyone else already present. The men were standing by the fireplace, discussing something in low, earnest tones while Mama and Mrs. Stanton sat on the settee, equally engrossed in conversation.

  It took all of Emily’s self-restraint not to stare at Jonah lest she betray her interest to the other occupants of the room. James had already cornered her before she’d gone upstairs to change for dinner to ask her how she felt about Lord Kirby. He hadn’t been surprised when she replied that he seemed pleasant enough and that she was sure he’d make some other woman a fine husband. The last thing she wanted was to draw his attention to a potential alliance with the man who’d remained behind.

  She wondered if it had ever occurred to James to consider a match between her and Jonah. They’d been friends for most of their lives since the Stantons’ estate bordered their former home in Newmarket. She was so much younger than Jonah and couldn’t be considered a contemporary, not with an eight-year age gap between them. But what seemed unthinkable at ten and eighteen would scarcely be considered much of a difference now that they were twenty and twenty-eight.

  Despite Emily’s attempt to appear casual in his presence, it was impossible to ignore how handsome Jonah looked. He was slightly taller than her brothers, and of the three anyone would agree he was the most handsome. He was dressed in deep blue, and it occurred to her that since she also wore blue, they matched.

  She watched her brothers move to greet their wives, telling them how beautiful they looked. Really, you’d think they hadn’t seen one another in a month, but Emily knew what they’d been up to earlier in the day after the last guest had departed.

  Emily wanted that type of relationship so much it almost hurt.

  She was so taken by the display of marital affection displayed before her that she didn’t notice Jonah approaching until he was standing next to her.

  “How is it possible that you grow more beautiful each time I see you?”

  His voice was low, for her ears only, and Emily felt her heart skip. She would have thought he was teasing her—poking fun at the display her brothers were giving them—but the intensity of his expression told her otherwise. She hadn’t forgotten he’d called her beautiful and wasn’t ashamed to admit she’d dressed to capture his attention, the bodice of her dress lower than what she normally wore.

  She gave a slight curtsy, trying to hide the effect his words had on her. “Thank you, kind sir.” She was about to pay him a compliment as well, but she became aware of other eyes on them and chose to remain silent.

  “It is so good to have everyone gone.” The relief in James’s voice was almost comical. “I haven’t been able to enjoy a meal properly in days.”

  Sarah wound her arm through her husband’s. “Not even when you snuck away and locked yourself in your study? I’m sure I saw at least one of the footmen bring you some food.”

  Emily tilted her head, the picture of innocence, and asked, “Was there anyone here who didn’t expect that to happen?”

  James replied with a shrug. “I may have agreed to host the thing, but I never said I’d dance attendance on the guests every hour of the day. That’s why the rest of you were here.”

  “Well, for once, I actually agree with my brother.” Emily gave an exaggerated shudder. “I thought Lord Kirby was going to call out poor Jonah.”

  “Whose idea was that?” Edward asked. “To have Jonah pretend to be a suitor?”

  Emily felt a twinge of annoyance at the unvoiced implication that Jonah would never be interested in her but ignored it. It had started as pretend after all.

  Jonah replied for her. “It was Emily’s, of course.”

  She shrugged. “You can hardly blame me.”

  James expelled a breath, but in the end he gave her a nod. “Touché. You cleverly outmaneuvered us all.”

  He cast a speculative glance at Jonah, and Emily held her breath, wondering if he suspected there was something more than pretense behind their actions. Fortunately, the dinner bell rang and he turned away from them to lead his wife from the room.

  Jonah leaned down and said softly, “I hope you don’t mind that I’m going to escort my mother in.”

  “Oh no, of course not. We don’t want to risk everyone asking questions if you didn’t.”

  “I’m not going to keep my interest in you a secret forever, Emily.”

  She knew that if anyone was watching them now, the soft smile she gave him would betray her growing feelings for him. “We’ll discover very soon if there’s something real between us.”

  Jonah looked as though he wanted to argue, but instead he gave a small nod and started to turn away
.

  Emily hesitated but decided it was better to be seen handing Jonah a note than to be caught passing him one in secret. James and Edward had already led their wives from the room, and before Jonah could reach his mother’s side, she called his name.

  He turned back to her, one brow raised.

  “I wanted to give you that list I promised you.”

  She took a small, folded note from where she’d stashed it in the palm of her glove and handed it to Jonah. To his credit, he said nothing, simply tucking the note in an inner pocket of his tailcoat.

  “What was that?” Mrs. Stanton asked as she placed a hand on her son’s arm.

  “Emily’s playing matchmaker. She knows I’ll be in London in the spring,” he said before leading his mother from the room.

  He hadn’t lied, she’d give Jonah that. But the note she’d given him had nothing to do with his search for a bride, containing instead the location where they’d meet later that night.

  It was just her and Mama alone in the room. Emily had started to follow the others when her mother laid a hand on her arm. And just like that, she knew her mother hadn’t been fooled.

  “I trust you and Jonah, but please be careful.”

  Emily stared at her for several seconds, then nodded silently in reply. Arranging what she’d hoped would be a secret encounter with Jonah was hardly a topic she wanted to discuss with her mother, after all.

  When she entered the dining room, her gaze met Jonah’s. She said nothing when the footman pulled out the empty seat next to him, and she found herself wondering if everyone realized there was something more than friendship between the two of them.

  Her gaze swept over the group. She believed every woman present knew, or at least suspected. She was certain James had no idea, and Edward was an enigma. But when the younger of her two brothers gave her a half smile that told her he was vastly amused and looked to Jonah, then her, she almost groaned aloud.

  Hoping to draw attention away from her and Jonah, she turned to James as the footmen began serving the soup. “What were the three of you discussing when we came down to dinner? It seemed serious.”

  James’s brows drew into a frown. “I think we’re going to have to sell the old stables.”

  Mama gasped, and Emily felt a small pang of loss. Papa had established those stables, and they’d always been a part of their lives. But when her brother inherited and moved to Northampton four years before, he’d moved their primary horse-breeding establishment here. He and Edward ran it together, with the latter taking control when James was too busy with estate matters. They’d kept the old stables running, however, with help.

  “Fraser feels he’s getting too old to run the Newmarket stables,” Edward said. “He plans to retire soon, and we can’t run it ourselves. Frankly, we’re loath to trust it to someone we don’t know. It would be better to sell it outright while it’s still successful.”

  “Your father loved those stables.” Mama’s voice was so small. She wouldn’t berate her brothers for their decision since she trusted their judgment, but it was clear she was disappointed.

  “I might know someone who can run the stables for you.”

  All eyes turned to Jonah.

  “Well, don’t keep it a secret,” James said.

  Jonah chuckled. “Me.”

  Emily felt her heart give a small leap. Jonah had said he wasn’t planning to return to India, and while she’d wanted to believe him, she realized a part of her had been unsure about his commitment to remaining in England. He’d been actively involved in trade for the past ten years and wasn’t the type of man to enjoy a life of idle leisure.

  But if he helped run one of their stables, that would keep him engaged. It also meant she wouldn’t have to worry about leaving England if they wed. Emily hadn’t even realized a small part of her had worried about that happening until it was no longer a concern.

  Her gaze swung to James and Edward. They were looking at each other, smiles tugging at the corners of their mouths.

  “It’s been many years since you used to visit us at the stables and help out,” Edward said.

  “But you always did have a knack for handling horses,” James added.

  Emily was almost bouncing in her seat. “And his work for the past few years means he has experience running a business.”

  James’s eyes narrowed at Emily’s staunch endorsement of his old friend. Fortunately, Jonah’s next statement distracted him.

  “I’d be willing to purchase the stables outright, but we all know the Hathaway name has undeniable weight when it comes to the business of breeding and raising horses.”

  Emily watched as her brothers looked at one another again. She had no idea how they did it, but they’d always been able to communicate with few—or even no—words. When she glanced at Jonah again, his expression betrayed no doubt. He already knew how this would go.

  It was Edward who broke the silence. “James and I will discuss the details with you after dinner, but I think we can come to an agreement.”

  Jonah’s eyes flickered to hers before he looked away, but in the second their gazes had met, she could see their entire future.

  Chapter 13

  Jonah glanced down at the note Emily had given him one final time to ensure he’d memorized its contents before tossing it into the fireplace. He watched the edges of the paper begin to darken and curl before it caught flame. When it was nothing but ashes, he stooped to bank the fire.

  He left his bedroom and started along the route Emily had laid out for him. Given how protective her brothers were, he wasn’t surprised she’d thought of everything. His route would take him near the kitchen, giving him an excuse if he should run into anyone since he could always claim he’d lost his way in a quest for something to eat.

  Just before reaching the stairs that led down to the kitchen and servants’ quarters, he veered left down another hallway, his goal the last room on the right. He hadn’t been in this wing of the house before, and he suspected it was normally kept closed.

  He was surprised when he opened the door and found he was in what appeared to be a storage room filled with bedroom furniture. Old, ornate furniture that was heavily covered in gilt.

  He closed the door and when he turned around, Emily popped out from behind a wardrobe. She was a vision. Her dark hair was down, but she still wore the blue dress she’d donned for dinner. He turned back to the door and locked it.

  “Where are we?”

  Emily closed the distance between them. “This was the furniture in James’s bedroom when he first moved in. You should have seen the house. There was gold everywhere. I imagine it would have rivaled the palace of Versailles.”

  Jonah could imagine how his friend had taken that. He wasn’t one to swan about, and he would have hated the ostentation Emily described.

  “You made sure you weren’t followed?”

  Jonah reached for her hand and drew her close. “No one saw me. And if they did, they probably thought I was heading to the kitchen for some food. Although given how much we ate over dinner, they would have to think I possess a bottomless pit for a stomach.”

  Emily’s mouth twisted into a delightful little pout at his teasing. “It was the only thing I could think of to ensure we weren’t discovered.”

  “Speaking of which… Were you hoping to get me killed by passing me that note in front of our mothers? What if one of them said something to your brothers?”

  Emily hesitated, a hint of worry creeping into her eyes. “I think everyone knows about us. Everyone except James, that is. I believe even Edward suspects, but I can’t be certain.”

  He resisted the urge to jump back and place some distance between them. “About tonight?” He could just imagine the chaos that would ensue if her brothers decided to break down the door he’d just locked. He could hold his own against James or Edward, but against the two of them together? It was too gruesome to think about. “Maybe we should postpone our little experiment. I can still ask
James for permission to court you properly first.”

  She tried to draw her hand back, but he didn’t release it. “You don’t have to stay if you don’t want to.”

  “I haven’t changed my mind, Emily. I just don’t want you to be forced into something you don’t want. I don’t care if the entire household storms through that door and demands we wed tomorrow, but I know that isn’t what you want.”

  He took a deep breath when she closed the distance between them and pressed her body against his. His hands settled on her waist, and he reveled in the anticipation that surged through him when she grasped his upper arms.

  “I wanted to tell you earlier how handsome you looked, but I didn’t want to attract more speculation. But I must say, I enjoy seeing you in just your shirt and waistcoat.” Her hands roamed up and down his arms while her eyes remained on his. “You’re very muscular. I find that I like that.”

  Jonah was done with words. He claimed her lips in a kiss that rivaled the heat of the one they’d shared earlier. Emily’s arms went around his neck as she threw herself into the embrace.

  His palms itched with the need to draw up her skirts, but first he needed to know just how much restraint he should show.

  He broke their kiss. She followed the backward movement of his head, trying to keep their mouths pressed together, but he had the advantage of height on his side.

  “I don’t want to stop,” Emily said, her breathing ragged.

  Jonah was powerless to deny her. “I have no intention of stopping, but I need to know… Have you made this offer to other men?”

  A little V formed between her brows. “And if I have? Would that be enough to make you change your mind about me?”

  He dropped a quick kiss onto her forehead, hoping to erase that crease. “That would be the height of hypocrisy on my part. I don’t care if I’m your first as long as I’m your last. But I do need to know whether I should be careful. Often there’s pain the first time a man lies with a woman, and I would spare you as much of that as possible.”

  Emily raised a hand to his cheek and met his eyes, a slow smile blossoming on her face. “I haven’t lain with anyone else—I haven’t wanted to before you. You’ll be my first and hopefully my last.”