All I Want for Christmas Is a Duke

by Vivienne Lorret

  Elizabeth glanced over at her. “What did you expect, dear?”

  “I expected him to be formal and rigid and dukelike. He’s quite personable, really. And, of course, he’s very handsome, don’t you think so, Mother?” She waggled her eyebrows at Elizabeth.

  Elizabeth gave her a warning stare. “I’ll see you later, dear.”

  Evie smiled at her again and ducked from the room.

  Elizabeth took a deep breath. Fighting her nerves, she made her way downstairs to the drawing room near the dining room to meet Nathan before dinner.

  He was standing near the window, looking out onto the dark grounds. He turned, and Elizabeth sucked in her breath. He was wearing formal black evening clothes and a perfectly knotted white cravat. It reminded her of the night they’d met.

  “Good evening,” he said, turning to her and bowing. “Seems I’d left a few things in my wardrobe. I suppose a certain look never quite goes out of style, does it?”

  “No,” she breathed.

  “What was that?” he asked.

  “Lucky for you,” she replied a bit louder.

  “You are beautiful, Elizabeth.” He moved toward her, a drink in his hand. “This is for you.” He handed her a glass of wine.

  “My favorite,” she said, trying to ignore his compliment.

  “Yes, Evie told me you never say no to a glass of wine. I must say I was surprised to hear it.”

  Elizabeth laughed. “Evie told you that?”

  “She did.”

  “Yes, well. I’ve changed.” She lifted the glass of wine in semblance of a toast.

  He returned the gesture. “So it seems.”

  Elizabeth nervously plucked at her earlobe. “Evie and Gena are having dinner with their grandmother.”

  “Mother told me.” He cleared his throat. “How is the invalid?”

  Elizabeth took a sip of her wine. “Wrenched his back, poor thing. He’s resting in the front drawing room.”

  Nathan’s eyes took on a kind glow. “I’m glad you agreed to have dinner with me, Elizabeth. Alone. And I’m sorry—­about earlier.”

  She watched him carefully. “Sorry you kissed me, or sorry about what you said about Tony?”

  “What I said about Tony. I’m not sorry I kissed you at all.” His grin was positively wicked.

  She arched a brow. “You’re . . . apologizing?”

  He flashed his straight white teeth in a grin. “Does that surprise you?”

  “Very much. The Nathan I knew a dozen years ago didn’t apologize for anything. I believe you even told me that once.”

  “I said that?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m sorry for that too, then.”

  Elizabeth downed another fourth of her wine. She needed to change the subject. This was all a bit too serious of a sudden. And Nathan was a bit too . . . different. He was no longer the stubborn man who never apologized? What else would she discover about him?

  “How could I refuse dinner with you?” she asked with a bright smile. “It’s Christmas Eve.”

  He lifted his glass in a salute. “So it is.”

  He moved toward her and looked her in the eye, unnerving her a bit. “Evie tells me that you say—­let me see if I can remember all of the accolades—­that I’m handsome and intelligent and kind and generous.”

  Elizabeth nearly choked on her wine. She pressed a gloved hand to her throat. “She said that?”

  “Yes.”

  “She exaggerates.”

  He smiled at her, and it made her go weak in the knees. “No, she doesn’t.”

  Elizabeth shrugged one shoulder. “Well, I couldn’t very well let her think her father was awful, could I?”

  “Thank you. I never spoke a bad word about you to Gena either. Believe me.”

  Elizabeth sighed. “I suppose we owe them both a better explanation than they’ve been given.”

  “Now that they’ve met, we can’t very well keep them apart,” Nathan said.

  “I agree. What do you propose?”

  The question hung in the air, and their eyes locked. For a heart-­stopping moment, Elizabeth was sure he was going to kiss her again. Her gaze dipped to his firm lips. Their kiss earlier played itself again and again in her mind. Somehow she’d blocked out the memory of their lovemaking over the years, but now it was coming back to her in vivid, bold pictures. His rock-­ hard, naked abdomen, his muscled shoulders, his narrow waist. His mouth on her—­

  “Why don’t we take turns?” he asked.

  Elizabeth shook her head. Take turns? Doing what? What had they been discussing?

  “With the children?” he continued. “I can have them one holiday. You can have them the next. And so forth.”

  Elizabeth clamped her teeth together so hard that her jaw throbbed. For one moment, for one foolish, awful moment, she’d actually believed he was going to say that they should live under the same roof again. So that their children could be together. But no. He’d only meant to share them. He couldn’t bring himself to live with her again, even for the girls’ sake. Elizabeth pressed her lips together. She’d have to give up Evie even more if she agreed to this. But she must do what was best for Evie, not what was best for her own battered heart.

  “Yes,” she whispered. “That’s probably the right thing to do.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  NATHAN WAS SITTING in the breakfast room early the next morning when Atwater came limping in. None of the others had come down yet, not even the children. Nathan glanced up from his newspaper to eye the slightly younger man. “Atwater?”

  “Merry Christmas, Hollingsworth.”

  “Merry Christmas,” Nathan answered reluctantly. “How is your back?”

  “Better, but only slightly, I’m afraid. I intend to leave for my house immediately. Broderick tells me the road is clear. Apparently, most of the snow has melted overnight. Mother is at home. We should spend Christmastide together. Not to mention I don’t want to be a burden on Liz—­ahem, Her Grace.”

  “How kind of you.” Nathan gave him a tight smile.

  “Will you tell her I said good-­bye? And Evie and Gena, too? Good-­bye and merry Christmas?”

  “I will.” Nathan folded his paper and eyed Atwater carefully.

  “Something tells me your mother will be only too happy to see the back of me.”

  Nathan didn’t reply to that.

  Atwater made his way slowly toward the door, but just before he left, he turned toward Nathan again. “Take care of her, Hollingsworth. She’s still in love with you, you know.”

  And with that astonishing bit of news, the earl was gone. Nathan narrowed his eyes on the space Atwater had just vacated. What could Tony Gillette possibly have to gain by telling Nathan that Elizabeth was in love with him? Was it true? Was it possible?

  The girls ran into the room just then, Sampson on their heels, distracting Nathan from his thoughts.

  “Merry Christmas, Father,” one of them said brightly.

  “Merry Christmas,” he replied. “I daresay, with you wearing matching dressing gowns, I cannot tell you apart.”

  The girls exchanged catlike smiles.

  “I’m Evie.” She curtsied to him. “And I cannot tell you how awfully glad I am to spend Christmastide with you at last.”

  Nathan reached out and squeezed her small hand. “Likewise, Evie. Likewise.”

  “Where’s Mother?” Gena nearly shouted. “I cannot wait to spend my first Christmas with her. Come, Papa. Let’s go look at the gifts!”

  The girls were off in a swirl of white dressing gowns and a trail of giggles. Sampson loped out after them. Nathan folded his paper and followed them, whistling. His first Christmastide here with his girls on his estate. It felt good. It felt right.

  But Nathan stopped whistling. For a moment last nigh
t, he’d wanted to ask Elizabeth if he could move back here. Live with her, if not as man and wife, at least as parents to their daughters. He didn’t have to ask for permission. He knew that. He could move his entire household back here tomorrow and Elizabeth wouldn’t gainsay him, but it didn’t feel right. He wanted to be welcomed. He wanted to be . . . wanted. Instead, he’d offered the foolish compromise of having the children take turns between households, which he didn’t want either. Not only would he miss Gena when she was here but he’d miss Evie, too. And perhaps Elizabeth now, if he was being honest. Damn his foolish pride for even suggesting it. But Elizabeth hadn’t contradicted him. She hadn’t offered another suggestion, hadn’t offered to allow him to come back home. And he sure as hell wasn’t about to beg his wife for her affections or even her acceptance. No, he’d made the best suggestion for all of them, and she’d agreed to it. It was obviously what she wanted.

  When he came to the front drawing room, he paused a moment before he entered. Elizabeth was there. He heard her speaking softly to the girls. She’d been so beautiful last night. So damned beautiful in that shining gown with a soft curl brushing the smooth skin of her shoulder. And that kiss yesterday in his bedchamber . . . No. No good could come of that way of thinking.

  “Merry Christmas,” he said, walking into the room and smiling. The room smelled like pine needles and sherbet lemons.

  Elizabeth glanced up at him. She seemed a bit startled to see him. She was wearing a pink dressing gown and looked as fresh and pretty as a spring flower.

  “Merry Christmas,” she replied, glancing away shyly.

  The girls were busily shaking the gifts that sat on a table near the center of the room.

  “I didn’t bring any of Gena’s gifts,” he said.

  “Don’t worry. I’m giving her some of mine, Father,” Evie called out.

  Elizabeth’s smile brightened her eyes. “They’ve already learned to share.”

  Nathan took a seat next to Elizabeth on the settee. “Mother should be down shortly,” he said. “She’s never been one for mornings.”

  “Broderick mentioned that Tony left,” Elizabeth said quietly. “Apparently, the road is clear.”

  “Yes,” Nathan replied. “Atwater stopped by the breakfast room on his way. He said to tell you all good-­bye and merry Christmas.”

  Elizabeth tugged at the sleeve of her dressing gown. “I wish he would have stayed.”

  A knife sliced through Nathan’s chest. Did she? Did she wish Tony had stayed? Did she wish he were here with her now instead of him? Did she love Atwater, despite that fact that Atwater appeared to believe that she loved him? Was that why she’d so readily agreed to his plan to take turns with the girls?

  Nathan shook his head. He needed to concentrate on making the holiday enjoyable for the children and then get back to London. If the road was clear enough for Tony to get home, no doubt it was clear enough for him and Gena and Mother to return to London.

  He stood and moved away from Elizabeth. “Girls, wait for a few moments. I’m sure your grandmama would enjoy seeing you open your presents,” he called.

  SIX HOURS LATER, all the gifts had been opened, carols had been sung, and a sumptuous feast had been consumed by all five members of the Hollister family. Despite the happy holiday, Nathan couldn’t justify staying a moment longer.

  “Gena, gather your things. We must get on the road back to town before it gets too dark.”

  Gena crossed her arms over her chest. “No, Father.”

  Nathan’s brows shot up. “No?”

  “That’s right.” The girl nodded firmly and set her jaw.

  Elizabeth turned to look at their daughter. “What do you mean, no?”

  The girls stood side by side, their arms crossed over their chests. They had changed into nearly identical gowns, one red, one green. They looked like adorable Christmastide elves. “We’ve decided we want to spend more of our holiday together.”

  “Gena.” Nathan drew out the name in his most domineering, dukelike tone.

  “How do you know I am Gena?” one of them said.

  He narrowed his eyes on her. “What do you mean?”

  “I may be Evie,” she replied.

  “Or am I Evie?” the other said.

  Elizabeth pressed a hand to her cheek. She crossed over to the girls and bent down and stared hard at one girl’s face. “This is Evie. I’m sure of it.”

  “Are you certain? Truly certain?” the girl said.

  Elizabeth frowned. “This is not funny, girls.”

  “We have a proposal,” one of them said. “We want you both to come to London with us for a special event in three days. After that, we’ll tell you who is who and you can switch us back.”

  Nathan eyed them both. His daughters were clearly getting to an age at which they intended to rebel. But he had to admit that half of him was curious as to what sort of event they had planned in London. “What if I threatened to spank both of you until you couldn’t sit down for a sennight?”

  “You’ll just have to spank us, Father. Because we absolutely refuse to tell you until three nights hence,” one of them said, while the other nodded vigorously in obvious solidarity.

  Elizabeth turned to Nathan. “I don’t know what to say.”

  Nathan glanced at his mother, who was quietly sitting on the settee, sipping tea. “What do you have to say about this?”

  The dowager arrested her teacup halfway to her lips. “I say Elizabeth had better pack for London, because I certainly cannot tell them apart.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  ELIZABETH HAD TO admit that despite her daughters’ coercion, she was actually looking forward to the trip to London. The city was always a pleasure to explore, and she hadn’t been there in so long. It was a shame that she’d only be there for a short time. She would adore having the chance to do some shopping on Bond Street or take in a play at one of the theaters.

  They set out the next morning. Elizabeth, Mary, and the girls rode in Elizabeth’s carriage, hidden under a bundle of blankets and furs, while Nathan and his mother rode in the ducal coach. Elizabeth didn’t bother asking the girls who was who during the ride. She just enjoyed their company and spent not a little time trying to guess what it was that they wanted their parents to do while together in the city. She also spent a fair amount of time fretting about Tony’s back. She’d sent him a note to let him know she was going to London and not to worry about her. She’d apologized for his unfortunate accident and sent her best wishes for a happy holiday to him and his mother.

  Many hours later, when the coaches arrived in London, Elizabeth stared out the window of the conveyance with as much glee and awe as the children. The coaches quickly passed through the outskirts of the town into the streets of Mayfair and finally came to a stop at the fashionable residence that Nathan called home.

  Butterflies swarmed through Elizabeth’s belly as she walked up the stairs to the imposing white stone town house. Would the servants remember her? Would they wonder why she’d come? Oh, of course they would.

  She did not have long to contemplate it. The door to the house flew open, and Mrs. Curtis came hurrying down the steps to meet her. “Your Grace, you’re home!” she said, her smile reaching ear to ear. “The dowager sent word and told me you were coming. It’s been an age. Far too long, if you ask me,” she whispered. And then more loudly, “I have your bedchamber all made up for you. And one for Lady Evangeline as well.”

  Well, that settled that. The sleeping arrangements, at least. Elizabeth had wondered if she would be sleeping in her old suite, which was—­just as in the country—­next door to Nathan’s with an adjoining door. No doubt the dowager had made such an arrangement.

  In a flurry of activity, Elizabeth was whisked into the house and up the stairs to her bedchamber, where a bath and a tray of food were waiting, and then she was promptly order
ed by Mrs. Curtis to take a nap. In all these years, she hadn’t forgotten how domineering the housekeeper could be. Elizabeth snuggled under the soft covers of her bed and hid her smile against the pillow.

  “The dowager’s orders. You’re to rest and enjoy yourself for the next two days. Then, there’s to be a ball, you know?”

  Elizabeth blinked. A ball? No. She hadn’t known. How had Mrs. Curtis known? Elizabeth opened her mouth to ask about it, but the whirlwind of a housekeeper had already gathered Elizabeth’s dusty traveling clothing and exited the room.

  The next two days were a blur of activity and family togetherness that tugged unmercifully at Elizabeth’s heart. She and Nathan spent the days in the park together with the children teaching Gena how to ride without shrieking. The evenings were spent playing games together in the drawing room, where Nathan and Gena taught Evie how to play several questionable card games. After Evie taught Gena how to play a decent rendition of Mozart on the pianoforte, Gena returned the favor by teaching Evie how to play the bawdy tune she’d played for Elizabeth. Elizabeth shook her head and hid her smile as she watched her formal daughter sing a silly song and laugh uproariously about it afterward. They really were good for each other, the twins, which made the prospect of pulling them apart again soon even that much more heartwrenching.

  For her part, the dowager duchess stayed away. Mrs. Curtis mentioned something about her having come down with a head cold. Regardless, Elizabeth did her best to enjoy the inexplicable gift of time with her daughters and the new Nathan, who, she quickly learned, was a man just as kind, generous, and intelligent as she’d always told Evie that he was. When the evening of the third day drew near, Elizabeth couldn’t help her nerves. A ball? There was to be a ball? But for what purpose? The children, of course, weren’t saying.

  MARY OUTDID HERSELF. She presented Elizabeth with the most gorgeous, deep-­green gown Elizabeth had ever seen and wrapped Elizabeth’s hair in a loose chignon. Then Mary twined emeralds through Elizabeth’s blond hair and placed a glorious matching emerald necklace around her neck.