Ha. He nearly scoffed out loud at the thought. He was self-aware enough to admit that he was attracted to her on every level possible. Except for the part where that meant opening himself to feelings he’d locked tight in a box and shoved in the attic of his mind.
Suddenly aware of Adair’s steady regard, Cole shook his head, bringing himself back to the box in his arms and the dusty attic. And Adair’s question.
“It makes no difference. I’ll leave that to your judgment. I’ll be fine.” Wasn’t he always? Whether he willed it or not, he remained in good health, rising each day, placing one foot in front of the other.
Alone.
This fortnight was a brief respite from his own company. No doubt once it was over, he’d be eager to return to the solitude of his home.
“Very well.” Adair nodded, his grey eyes watchful. “Do let me know if you change your mind.”
~*~
That evening, Katherine entered the drawing room, where it had become a habit for them to gather for conversation and a drink prior to supper. This would be the last one with only the four of them.
Her stomach gave a little jolt as she spotted Cole standing near the fireplace, a crystal glass filled with amber liquid cupped in his hand. He was turned partially away from her, his expression somber as he stared into the dancing flames. The shadows made his broad shoulders appear massive, his hips narrow. He was obviously an active man who spent much of his time outdoors. Much different from the pasty, overweight lords and merchants she often encountered in London.
His dark hair was smoothed to the side, the back of it clipped short. While a thin layer of civility covered him, there was no denying the virile man hidden by his black suit.
The notion gave her a little shiver. What would it be like to see that strength and power unleashed?
His gaze swung to her as though sensing her presence. “Good evening,” he said, straightening to face her.
“How was your day?” She moved forward, hands folded before her.
“Filled with more fetching and carrying.” He said the words with a small smile, as though he hadn’t minded his tasks overmuch. Without asking, he moved to the sideboard to pour her a small glass of sherry. “And yours?”
“Much the same.” She took the glass, her fingers brushing his. What might it feel like to hold his strong hand in hers? She’d noted the calluses on his palms, the small scuffs and scars that showed how active he truly was. He might be a nobleman, but he wasn’t an idle one.
Her breath caught as he trailed a finger along her cheek to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. That simple touch sent desire flooding through her.
“Surely Grace can’t find another place to decorate.” Cole glanced at the greenery flowing out of a square crystal vase on the sideboard as he stepped back.
Katherine chuckled, trying to regain her balance. “I wouldn’t be so sure. Each time I think everything looks perfect, she finds something else.”
She hoped he didn’t take this chance to try to learn more about her. Despite their kiss, she was still intimidated that he was a lord. What could they possibly have in common? Thus far, she’d told him as little about herself as possible without being rude.
“Do you spend all your time in Northamptonshire?” Better to shift the conversation before he asked any questions.
He was silent for a long moment. “I have for the past two years.” He took a sip of his drink, the shadows in his eyes back in full force. “I traveled for a time after university.”
“Your grand tour?” At his nod, she added, “That must’ve been an amazing experience.”
“Parts of it were. What of you? Have you ventured far?”
Her cheeks heated as she glanced down at her drink. “You’ll think me quite unsophisticated, but this is probably the farthest I’ve traveled from London.”
“Did the opportunity not present itself, or do you prefer to stay close to home?” He watched her as though quite curious.
“The opportunity never arose.” The truth was that her family hadn’t had the resources to do so. Her father had been moderately successful in the banking business. That provided them with a comfortable home and lifestyle but not enough to travel.
Her husband had been quite wealthy but insisted travel didn’t agree with him.
“You say that as though any possibility has come and gone.”
She should’ve realized how astute he was and guarded her words more carefully. How she hated the lies. “My life has changed much in the past few years, so I’m doubtful of the chance.”
He waited, remaining silent and watchful, as though allowing her to expand on her comment if she wished. But he didn’t ask any further questions.
“I hope we haven’t kept you waiting.” Adair glanced at Grace as they walked into the room. “She was making me rearrange the garland in our bedroom.”
Grace laughed. “I just want everything perfect.” She reached up to touch his cheek. “Especially for you.”
The love in their eyes as they looked at each other sent a sharp pang through Katherine. She drew a deep breath, hoping to release its grasp around her heart.
A small sound had her turning to look at Cole. For a brief moment, she had the oddest notion he felt the same.
Was that the reason for the sadness in his eyes? Loneliness? Then perhaps they had more in common than she thought. If only she could determine a way to ease that during their brief time here together.
DANCING UNDER THE MISTLETOE
CHAPTER SIX
The next evening, after the guests settled in, they enjoyed a meal of roast beef with potatoes and gravy and baked apples for dessert, followed by games in the drawing room.
Cole had never felt so uncomfortable in his life. Captain Hawke and his bride were friendly, as were Viscount Frost and his new wife. He enjoyed their company.
But playing charades and “pass the slipper” held far too many memories of Christmas past with his family.
He rose from the group with the excuse of refilling his wassail cup and slipped out the garden door to clear his head. Unfortunately, the memories came with him.
“Is all well?” Katherine asked as she joined him, rubbing her bare arms from the cold. Obviously, she’d learned of his past if she’d followed him out here.
“Just needed some fresh air.” Cole turned to face her, bracing himself for the pity.
“I’m pleased you did, for it gave me an excuse to do the same.” She smiled at him then looked up at the night sky.
Her profile, including the long line of her neck, drew his gaze. “Need an escape?”
“They’re all just so...happy.” She turned to look at him as though hoping he understood.
“It’s nice to see but hard to watch.”
“Exactly,” she agreed.
He removed his suit coat and placed it over her shoulders, noticing how her gaze fell to his mouth.
“Thank you. You didn’t have to do that.”
“My pleasure.” It gave him an excuse to draw nearer. He dearly wanted another kiss. “Did you play those games as a child?”
“Yes. They’re still fun, aren’t they?”
He held his silence.
“No?”
“They remind me of better times.” He hoped she’d let it go at that.
She reached up to place her gloved hand on his chest. “Yes.”
That single word expressed so much. Understanding. Agreement. Empathy. His skin heated where she touched him. He gave into his desire and kissed her, long and deep. The vividness of his memories faded, allowing his mind to fill with the woman in his arms.
Though his relief might be only temporary, he appreciated it all the same. Yet he worried Katherine would have false hope for the future, and that was something he couldn’t offer.
“Katherine--”
“Shh.” She reached up to place a finger on his lips and gently smiled. “No regrets. No excuses. It’s Christmas, and that was just a kiss.”
~*~
The next day, Katherine admired the bow-front windows of the jewelry shop, full of pretty gift ideas. The guests had wanted to explore the village all decked in its Christmas finery.
It had been a long time since she’d had the chance to window-shop, other than glancing at the displays of the stores near the modiste’s.
Clouds hung heavy in the sky this afternoon. An extra dampness that hadn’t been there yesterday lingered in the air. Might that mean the possibility of snow?
She smiled at the thought, which made her as giddy as a schoolgirl. It was impossible to be in a foul mood in this village. The scents, sounds, and sights of the holiday were everywhere--from the greenery hanging above shop doors, to the cinnamon scent that wafted through the air, to the hums of Christmas carols from other shoppers.
While she was grateful for a chance to explore the village, the little money she had needed to be saved for her new life. She’d already made a keepsake box for Grace and found a toy train whistle for Matthew. Those would have to be the extent of her gift giving this year.
A bank account in her name had significant funds, but accessing it alerted her husband’s brother. She could only surmise he’d convinced someone at the bank that she was a gold digger who’d murdered her husband and gotten away with it. The thought made her ill.
She preferred to earn her own way, though that was no easy feat when she was chased from position to position every few months.
The other ladies in the party were just ahead of her, Grace included. Their laughter drew Katherine’s eye. Their high spirits lifted her yet made her all the more aware of her solitary existence.
“Katherine? Are you coming?” Grace called.
As she moved forward, Katherine sensed the weight of someone’s gaze across the street. She glanced over to see a man standing in the doorway of a shop. Something about the way he stared had Katherine turning away even as her heart leapt.
Markus?
Could it be? Surely not.
Her hands shook as she followed Grace and the other ladies inside. She positioned herself far enough from the window that no one could see her but she had a view of the street.
Her pulse skittered as she searched the area. How could he have found her so quickly? Where could she go? What could she do?
“Is something amiss?” Grace’s whispered question had Katherine turning to face her.
Katherine drew a breath to calm herself. Giving into her fear wouldn’t get her anywhere. Above all, she didn’t want her murky past to ruin Grace’s Christmas. Not after all the hard work she’d put into the preparations.
“I thought I saw someone I knew, but it was nothing.”
“Are you certain? You’ve gone pale.” Grace’s dark eyes were full of concern.
In many ways, it only made Katherine feel worse. How could she call Grace a friend when Grace didn’t even know her real name? She’d known Grace had questions from that first day Katherine and the modiste had visited her home on Grosvenor Square. Grace had never pressed her for the truth. She’d only reached out in friendship.
Katherine had responded with lies.
But what choice did she have? She couldn’t bear the idea of Grace learning how Katherine had been suspected of aiding in her husband’s death. A wealthy, older husband. Markus, Walter’s brother, had deemed her a gold digger from the moment he’d met her. He’d disapproved of the marriage and done all in his power to convince his brother that Katherine was an unsuitable bride and a thief.
Walter had dismissed his allegations and married Katherine anyway. They’d spent several pleasant years together until he’d fallen ill. Then everything had gone wrong.
Katherine didn’t want to remember that dark time.
Nor could she bear for Grace to look at her with suspicion in her eyes, as so many others had.
She’d need to leave soon. But where? If only she’d planned her next identity and position rather than celebrating the holiday. Such frivolous behavior was not for her. What had she been thinking?
If that was Markus and he’d caught sight of her, she needed to make a quick escape. Did she dare return to Crawford House?
“I am not feeling my best.” Katherine swallowed hard as she told yet another lie. “I think I’ll go back to the house and rest.”
“Oh, no. Take one of the carriages and send it back. I don’t think the other ladies are done shopping yet.”
“Thank you.”
When Grace gave her a warm hug, a lump formed in Katherine’s throat. She’d miss Grace more than she had anyone in a long time when she had to leave.
“Feel better. We’ll see you soon.”
Katherine nodded. With luck, she’d be able to escape Markus’s notice and return to Crawford House. She searched out the window but saw no sign of him. Gathering her courage, she stepped onto the walkway and drew up the hood of her cloak, hoping to make herself less recognizable.
The carriage waited at the end of the street. A man stepped onto the walkway between her and the carriage.
Markus.
Katherine spun around to walk in the opposite direction, heart racing.
Dear heavens. There could be no doubt it was him.
Whatever could she do now?
~*~
Cole sighed as he glanced up and down the main street of the village. He’d nearly remained behind but remembered he had yet to select a gift for his hosts. A splendid wooden toy train was already tucked away for Matthew. And he’d found a cameo pin for Katherine. Should he try to pick several little trinkets for the other guests as well?
The small town was bustling today. Christmas was only three days away. Smoke billowed out of the baker’s chimney, bringing with it the scent of gingerbread and an idea. Perhaps some sort of treat might be appropriate to give each couple.
As he headed in that direction, he realized how many strangers were on the walkways. The holidays always brought relatives to town, but he knew many of them. A sign of the prosperity of the area, he supposed, that more people were making their homes here, which meant more strangers.
He preferred it the way it had been.
“Good day to you, Lord Barclay.” The baker’s wife’s rounded face was lit with a smile and the heat of the oven.
“Business is brisk today, eh?”
She leaned forward as she wiped her hands on her apron. “It’s both a blessing and a curse.”
He made his selections, and she wrapped each in brown paper.
“Many strangers are roaming the village,” he remarked as she worked.
“A few of them are downright rude, asking all sorts of questions about the earl and his new wife.” She shook her head in disgust even as her fingers flew, tying each of his packages with string.
“Oh?” Cole didn’t care for the sound of that. “Was it someone in particular?”
“A man, a few years older than you, I’d say. By the way he’s dressed and his accent, he must be from London. Looked down his nose at our little village.”
“What sort of information was he asking?”
“He wanted to know about the earl’s guests.”
Cole reached for the wrapped bundles, dismissing the woman’s worries. “Probably just curious.”
“He also wanted to know if there was a young woman amongst the guests. One that would’ve recently arrived from London alone. Said she had some skill as a seamstress.”
Cole paused, his senses on high alert. That described Katherine. Could this man be searching for her for some reason?
Mrs. Barnaby shook her head. “I’d say he doesn’t feel an ounce of affection for the woman. He seemed almost angry, as if he resented having to come all this way to find her.”
“What did you tell him?”
“That I didn’t know who the earl had invited for the holidays, and even if I did, I wouldn’t share that with a stranger.” She gave a nod.
“Hopefully that will have him thinking twice before he goes around to the other merchants asking such things.”
“Well done, Mrs. Barnaby. Will you let me know if he returns? Send word to Crawford House, as I’m staying there over the holidays.”
Cole took his leave, glancing up and down the walkway with the faint hope of finding Katherine. Surely she’d want to know someone was searching for her.
He caught sight of Grace leaving the jewelry store and hurried toward her.
“Katherine returned to the house. She said she wasn’t feeling well and was going to rest.”
The news should’ve relaxed Cole, but the nagging worry continued. As he waited for the other guests, he walked slowly up and down the street but didn’t find a man fitting Mrs. Barnaby’s description.
That didn’t reassure him either. He couldn’t release his unease.
A bell chimed from the door of a shop behind him, and he turned to see a man step out.
The man’s somber expression seemed out of place in the festive atmosphere of the village. And his dark hair and suit matched Mrs. Barnaby’s description.
“Excuse me,” Cole said, determined to find out what the man was about. This was his village, at least he considered it so, and he had no intention of allowing a stranger to upset anyone in it. “Did I hear you were searching for someone?”
The man’s cool blue eyes held Cole’s for a long moment before he answered. “Yes, perhaps you can assist me.” He pulled a pocket watch out of his vest and clicked it open. “Have you seen this woman?”
A picture of Katherine with an older man was tucked inside. It was a younger version of her, but there was no mistaking the arch of her brow or the curve of her cheek. “Who is she?”
The man clenched his jaw with impatience. “A relative. Have you seen her?”
Cole studied the picture again, noting the resemblance between the man in the photograph and this man. Brothers, perhaps? “I haven’t seen her. It’s a small village. If she’d been here, I’d know.”
“Humph.” The man snapped the watch closed. “Thank you.”
Under The Kissing Bough: 15 Romantic Holiday Novellas Page 112
