Christmas at Pendragon (BookStrand Publishing Romance)

by Rosemary J. Anderson

  A quick shower, a couple of analgesics and soon she was ready to go down to breakfast. Although a feeling of trepidation insidiously wound its way into her subconscious, first there had been the push over the cliff, because despite what Goran believed, she knew she had been pushed and now, the rock to the back of the head. Was someone, and by someone she meant Annabel, trying to kill her?

  Goran got to his feet as Hannah entered the dining room. Striding over to her he took her hand in his and gazing into her eyes he kissed her gently on each fluttering eyelid before tenderly cupping her face and brushing her lips with his. Hannah smiled tremulously up into his eyes, and it was with a slightly hot face she turned to the interested spectators at table. Breakfast turned out to be a relaxed affair with everyone appearing concerned for her welfare. However, once breakfast over Goran announced he was going to take Hannah into town for some Christmas shopping, and would anyone else like to join them. Hannah’s sudden feeling of euphoria at Goran’s announcement of taking her into town, dropped just as suddenly at the open invitation. She sighed in frustration. So much for the perceived intimacy her entrance had created.

  * * * *

  The local town was to Hannah beautiful, very old-world with a quintessential English feel. The stone cottages with their thatched roofs were quaint as were a lot of the local shops where the service was second to none, making the shopper feel as if they were the only one that mattered. The town was beautifully decorated with lights, and garlands of holly and mistletoe and in the town square an enormous tree with a sparkling star was as standard. Beside the quaint little church was a perfect replica of the stable scene with not only all the main characters, but perfect imitations in plaster of lambs, cows, calves and donkeys. Hannah stood enchanted. This was what Christmas was all about.

  Goran gathering his posse around him glanced at his watch and after suggesting they split up agreed to meet at the local hotel at one for lunch. Hannah feeling an upsurge of disappointment that Goran hadn’t wanted to spend the morning shopping with her, shook off the sudden feeling of depression and with a quick smile decided to throw herself into the excitement of Christmas shopping.

  The snow had begun to fall again, pretty little flakes in a myriad of shapes, turning the whole town into that of a Christmas card scene. Shopping was fun, deciding what to buy and having willing shop assistants wrapping them in a glorious cornucopia of paper and ribbons really brought home the nearness of that special day. The children were easy to buy for, as at their young age they were still into crayons and paper, books and Lego. For Ethel Hannah bought lavender and rose soaps and dainty lace handkerchiefs but Annabel was a different matter altogether, and after a long time gazing absently at gloves, scarves and earrings she settled on a large flagon of perfume by the apt name of Poison. However, when it came to Goran she was completely and utterly stumped. A quick glance at her watch told her it was time to meet the others for lunch, so making her way to the hotel weighed down by a profusion of brightly coloured bags and parcels she suddenly felt a nudge ion her back and she went sprawling off the kerb in front of an oncoming car.

  Then everything seemed to happen in slow motion. Her parcels flew high into the air, she fell forward and someone cried out. The screech of brakes, and the commotion that followed seemed a blur, an out of body experience that had her nerves jangling and her heart pounding. Then there was pain, her knees, her hands and her pride.

  Many hands helped her to her feet, gathered parcels and assured themselves that she was relatively unhurt. However, continuing on her way to the hotel, her knees stinging like the blazes and conscious of her dishevelment, Hannah felt apprehensive. She knew she had felt that push just as she had the other time, so someone was out to do her harm, and the only person she could think who would benefit by her demise was Annabel.

  Everyone was there waiting impatiently for her to arrive. Goran took one look at her woebegone person and quickly led her to one side. Questioning her as to what had happened ended up with Hannah in tears. Shock had finally set in, that and the overwhelming sense of paranoia. Goran listened intently to her account his face growing grimmer and grimmer by the second. Finally, as her voice petered out he suggested she go to the powder room to compose herself and he’d get her a drink to calm her frayed nerves. Taking her packages from her he lifted Hannah’s chin and gazed silently into her eyes. Putting a small pink tongue out to moisten her suddenly dry lips Hannah stared in nervous anticipation at Goran. He was going to kiss her, she knew he was. Her eyes closed in anticipation and she puckered up. A few seconds passed and her eyes snapped open. What? Where was the much anticipated kiss?

  Goran smiled wryly and she swallowed. The beast he knew she wanted to be kissed. Leaning forward he wiped a small spot of blood off her forehead before smiling in real amusement before turning her with a quick smack on her derriere towards the cloakroom.

  Goran watched her back as she retreated to the ladies’. She looked frail and somehow lost and his heart was wrung by her anguished demeanour. Hannah had suffered an inordinate amount of accidents in the last few weeks and although wanting to dismiss her fears and worries outright he had no option but to take them seriously. However, it was hard to say who the culprit was, Annabel had arrived at the hotel with the children and Ethel’s arrival had been only moments later after a visit to the ladies’ room. So who had found the time to double back and push Hannah off the kerb? He was worried Hannah was so vulnerable, even though her reputation as far as Jeffrey Stevens was concerned put her in the role of vamp, he knew she’d had a hard life so perhaps the Stevens affair could be forgiven. Sometimes desperation made people do things they wouldn’t normally have considered. He sighed as he made his way back to the table, strange how she’d infiltrated her way into his heart. He’d guarded and protected that unpretentious organ so well in the past, but without knowing how, his heart had been besieged once again when he wasn’t looking.

  Hannah stared in the mirror and was horrified at the state she was in. Her hair was a tangled mass around her head and made her look like Medusa. Her cheeks were pale and drawn and had dirty tear tracks marring their surface and her emerald eyes had lost their brightness. Taking a deep breath she pulled some wipes from her bag and began the clean-up. Adding a last touch of gloss to her slightly trembling lips she drew back her shoulders. It was time to fight. No way was she going to be the victim, she had to keep her wits about her and ensure she survived this holiday. She smiled whimsically, survive the holiday, survive the coward that was out to get her and most of all, survive the unrequited love she felt for Goran.

  Lunch over and amongst concerned questions as to her well-being it was decided to carry on with their shopping until four, then they were to all meet up at the car park so they could be home in time for tea.

  Hannah spent her time keeping one wary eye out for any would be attackers and one eye out for a present for Goran. What on earth did you give a man that had everything?

  Chapter Nineteen

  The return journey to Pendragon was completed in almost silence, on Hannah’s part it was because not only did she ache from her fall but because she was racking her brains to find ways of surviving the rest of her stay at the castle. Annabel was obviously very bitter about the engagement and she was not to know that the whole affair was a farce. Hannah stole a sideways look at Goran, wishing with all her heart that Goran really was her fiancé. He was everything she wanted in a man. Handsome, that was true, but strong, dependable, trustworthy and loyal what more could a woman hope for, but she had to keep reminding herself, he was not hers.

  She had fallen in love with him almost from the very moment they met, she’d fought with him, made love with him and even at times felt she could strangle him, but love him she did. Sighing deeply she returned to gazing out of the window. The snow was falling heavier now and it was growing dark. She shivered. There was a cold wind blowing from the north indicating more snow was on the way. Looking out at the countryside she noticed the tre
es were just dark shadows, and looked lonely, she gave a small smile at her whimsy, how could trees look lonely? But maybe it was the loneliness in her heart that made everything look forlorn and abandoned. Startled she glanced down as Goran’s hand reached out and captured hers. Looking up she met his glance and at his smile her heart turned over. Oh if only…

  Arriving back at Pendragon brought a flurry of activity as the children were shooed upstairs for a quick tea, bath, and bed. The adults were left to collect their various parcels and bags and make their way to their rooms to shower and dress for dinner.

  Dinner was a festive affair and even while laughing and joking Hannah couldn’t help but watch and listen looking for undercurrents, anything which would indicate that one of them was out to get her. Goran was just as attentive as he had been for the last few days and this puzzled Hannah. The facts seemed all wrong somehow. Their engagement was pretence, fact, but Goran at times acted as if it was real. They were not in love with each other—fact, although she was in love with Goran, he was not with her but he acted as if he was. They were not planning on spending their lives together—fact. But Goran again seemed intent on convincing everyone that this was what was going to happen. Hannah put a hand to her head, confused or what?

  She jumped as she felt Goran’s hand slide under her hair and felt his fingers massaging her neck, she had been unaware until then of his movements. Bending low, he whispered in her ear his breath warm against her neck.

  “Headache or just tired?”

  “Tired I guess.”

  “How about we leave them to it?” He nodded toward Ethel and Annabel who were deep in conversation.

  Nodding, Hannah mumbled an apology to the others who barely glanced up, and with her hand in Goran’s followed him out of the room and up the stairs.

  Once in his room Goran smiled gently and took Hannah in his arms. Shyly but without hesitation she wrapped her arms around his neck as he lowered his head. Their lips met in a gentle, but searching kiss. She sighed, this is where she wanted to be, safe in Goran’s arms.

  Slowly Goran undressed her, devising her of her clothing item by item. With every flick of an opening button came a searing kiss where his fingers had touched. Soon they were both naked. Smiling deep into her eyes, he lifted her into his arms and laid her gently on the bed. Holding her arms up towards him she encouraged him to lower himself onto the bed beside her. Cupping her face he kissed her, and she sighed in sweet surrender. Their joining became a voyage of discovery. He touched, and stroked his way around her body and wherever his hands touched his lips followed. Cupping one of her feet in his strong hand he kissed her toes, then moved his way up her body finding all those funny little places that took her breath and boiled her blood. Behind her knees, the soft and tender skin of her inner thighs, the cluster of downy curls that covered her feminine mound and as his breath whispered across her softly rounded stomach she caught her lip between her teeth as his tongue dipped into the slight dent of her navel. Now, hardly able to breathe as the sensations spiralled out of control Hannah tugged at Goran’s shoulders urging him to take one peaking nipple into his mouth. Her nails grazed his shoulders and she gasped in delight as his teeth tugged gently at each nipple in turn before he rose up and parted her thighs. As he sank deep into her, Hannah cradled him between her thighs, wrapping her slender legs around his hips. Enveloped in whirling sexual mist and a cornucopia of sensations he took her on a proverbial shooting star across the sky to the heavens.

  It was in the early hours of the morning before Hannah stirred. Slowly coming awake she snuggled deeper under the duvet, his duvet. She felt warm and cosy and satisfied. Giving a small smile and still with her eyes closed she reached out a hand beside her. Encountering a muscular chest she writhed in contentment. He was still here, with her, beside her…

  She gasped as Goran rolled on top of her and kneed open her legs. And inside her!

  * * * *

  It was some time later before Hannah wandered down to breakfast. She had woken late and after a hasty shower had scurried back to her own room to dress. Where Goran was she had no idea, he hadn’t been around when she’d woken for the second time. Her lips curved into a smile of contentment and she hugged her arms around her. She felt wonderful, and she couldn’t stop grinning. Surely after last night, after what he’d done to her and her to him, surely that meant he loved her?

  Entering the room she was surprised, although not pleasantly to find only Annabel at the table. She looked different somehow and Hannah surreptitiously scrutinised her. Her hair was the same, a cloud of ringlets about her face and her clothes were as always, immaculate and expensive, but there was something else, something…

  “Well, well, well, if it isn’t little Hannah Darling.” She raised an enquiring eyebrow. “Didn’t you miss something last night?” Smiling smugly she raised her cup to take a sip of coffee. “Or should I say someone?”

  Oh God! What now? Hannah’s heart missed a beat, but she decided to brazen it out. “Miss? No what could I possibly have missed?” She calmly spread an inordinate amount of butter on her toast and topped it with a heap of raspberry jam.

  “Goran of course.” Annabel grinned maliciously. “After he had his little—dalliance with you, he came to me. From your bed, Hannah, straight to mine. Could it be you didn’t satisfy him enough?”

  Hannah’s cup clattered on its saucer and she glared across the table at the other woman. “I don’t know what you’re implying Annabel but whatever it is, it’s a lie. Goran and I are, are…”

  “Engaged?” Annabel made a small moue. “Really, Hannah, you don’t expect us, me to still believe that little fantasy do you?”

  Hannah took a deep calming breath. “It’s no fantasy, Annabel. No matter what you’d like to believe, Goran and I are in love and we will be getting married. In fact…” she added with a certain amount of relish. “We’re actually planning on getting married Christmas Day, so put that in your, oh so superior pipe and smoke it.” Hannah drew a liberating breath, and slowly turned her head to look at whatever had caught Annabel’s gaze.

  Goran was standing just inside the doorway his face set and his expression one of extreme anger. She closed her eyes in despair. Oh why did everything happen to her? Why was it when she’d just thought she’d for once got the better of Annabel with her spur of the moment fabrication did Goran have to come into the room? Her gaze flickered to Annabel’s smug expression.

  “Hannah a moment if you please.” Goran held the door open and looked pointedly at her his voice holding all the warmth of an Eskimo running naked through the icebergs.

  “Yes of course, darling.” Bravely, Hannah sent a coy look toward Goran and a small smile of satisfaction at Annabel. “Excuse me, Annabel, my fiancé wants me.” Well she might as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb.

  Chapter Twenty

  Deciding to brazen it out, Hannah stomped passed Goran and into the study supremely conscious of him only feet behind her. Reaching his paper strewn desk she swung to face him her countenance one of belligerence.

  “Well?”

  Goran, his face set at her defiance placed clenched fists on his hips.

  “Well, is that all you’ve got to say for yourself?”

  Biting her lip, conscious of exactly what she’d said to Annabel, her face grew hot beneath his stare. “Well, I.” She drew a sustaining breath. “I guess, sorry?” She risked a peek.

  “Sorry!”

  “Well okay, I’m very sorry, but, you’ve got to understand Goran, Annabel was baiting me.”

  “How so?” Goran perched on the end of the desk crossed his ankles and waited.

  “Well, after what happened last night between us, mmm…”

  “Sex you mean?”

  Hannah felt her face flame. “Well yes, I suppose it was just…” She sighed. “Well anyway, the thing is, Annabel knew about it, and well she said that you went from my bed to hers and I just saw red. I mean, you wouldn’t?”

  Feeling i
rritated when Goran failed to answer, Hannah continued. “After all it was your idea to be engaged and well, what would be the point if you, if you went to b—” Hannah, feeling frustrated by his lack of response, finally decided to take the bull by the horns and call a spade a spade. “I mean, if you had sex with her.”

  “Indeed.”

  Indeed! Is that all he had to say? Where were the protestations of innocence, the categorical denials?

  “Well?”

  “Well?” Goran repeated, a small smile playing around his mouth and one eyebrow lifting in satanic mirth.

  Ohhh! Her fists clenched at her sides. If only she were brave enough she’d, well, she’d box his ears.

  “Well, did you leave my bed to go to Annabel’s?”

  Goran slowly stood up and moving closer cupped her face between his hands, and gazing deeply into her eyes lowered his head and covered her mouth in a deep, soul destroying kiss. A kiss of which she’d never felt the like before. Silently she groaned and giving herself up into his embrace wrapped her arms around his neck. Leaning in, her body pressed comfortably and knowledgeably against his she kissed him back. Her mouth opened and her small tongue entwined with his in an imitation of the age old mating dance.

  It was but minutes later, when her body was lethargic from his sensual touch and her mind was devoid of all rational thought that Goran put her from him. Dazed, she stared silently up into his amused eyes.

  “Now, you have your answer, Hannah.”

  Shaking her head in order to clear the mists that befogged her brain, Hannah nodded confusedly. Did she?