A Lady’s Christmas Rake

by Andresen, Tammy

  When her friend refrained from providing an answer, Christine took a deep breath. Married for less than a year, Marianne had been deliriously happy only a few weeks ago. To see her in such misery now once more proved to Christine that marriage was not a desirable state for anyone. Even those who entered into it with love in their hearts would one day wake up and find it gone. Slipped out in the middle of the night.

  What followed then was heartbreak and humiliation, at least for the female half of the population, whereas men generally sought to distract themselves by entering into an affair. Christine had observed so more than once and had long since come to the conclusion that a husband would not do for her.

  However, taking a lover was something that she seriously began to consider.

  If only she were a man and could do so without worrying too much about her reputation. At least, her father’s generous foresight ensured that she would never be without means.

  “What should I do?” Marianne’s feeble voice jarred Christine out of her own wonderings.

  Christine shrugged. “Discover the truth,” she advised, “and then find a way to live with it.” After all, what else could she say? Marianne was Lord Fythe’s wife, and until the day of his demise, her choices were, therefore, severely limited.

  A knock on the door saved her from saying anything further that might hurt her friend’s feelings. “Enter.”

  Stepping into the parlour, her father’s butler bowed to her, a silver platter in his hand holding a sealed envelope. “I apologise, Miss, but this was just delivered. The messenger said it was urgent.”

  “Thank you,” Christine mumbled and reached for the letter. As she recognised the seal, her heartbeat quickened, and she flipped the letter open, her eyes eager for the words hastily scrawled on the page.

  Dear Miss Dansby,

  I apologise for the manner of this communique, however, time is of the essence. I formally request your presence at Harrington Park.

  “Merton,” Christine called over her shoulder. “Have my things packed immediately. I’ll be leaving within the hour.”

  “Is something wrong?” Marianne enquired, her face pale as her eyes glanced at the letter in Christine’s hands.

  Ignoring her friend, Christine read on.

  My brother, William, has been thrown, and as he has yet to regain consciousness, your sister, as you can imagine, is beside herself with worry. Therefore, I’d be much obliged if you could travel to Harrington Park post-haste.

  Yours sincerely,

  Wesley Everett

  Chapter One

  Chapter One − Curse you, Wesley Everett

  As the carriage rumbled along the snow-covered road, Christine tapped her right foot on its puddle-splattered floor. Glancing out the window, she tried to guess how much longer it would take for them to arrive as her eyes drifted over the heaps of snow to her left and right. Once more she cursed the timing of such an emergency!

  Taking a deep breath, Christine forced her foot to still. However, the tension coursing through her body like a live being caught up with her before long, and too soon she found her foot tapping the floor at an even accelerated pace. Gritting her teeth, her fingers curled into the thick fabric of her overcoat.

  In her mind, she saw her sister’s face, tear-streaked and pale, sitting at her brother-in-law’s bedside, his eyes closed and his body still.

  Catherine had always been the more delicate of the two sisters, and yet, a hidden strength rested beneath her soft nature, and Christine hoped that she would not despair.

  Despite her own misgivings of marriage in general, Christine knew of the deep love that lived between her sister and her brother-in-law. With her own eyes, she had watched them fall in love in a single night, and although she had sought to caution her sister, she had been unable to ignore the tender devotion that connected the two. On their wedding day, Christine had prayed with all her might that Catherine and William’s love would last, that they could be counted among only a handful of fortunate individuals, who never lost the glow that came to their eyes upon beholding the other.

  Never had Christine contemplated the thought that Catherine would lose the love of her life to an accident. Of course, such things did happen, however, …

  Shaking her head, Christine once more glanced out the window, wondering where they were. With trees, bushes and meadows covered in snow, she could not even guess at their location. For the millionth time, Christine pulled the letter that had sent her on this troublesome journey from her reticule. As her eyes once more flew over the lines as though hoping to find something she hadn’t seen before, Christine swore under her breath.

  “Curse you, Wesley Everett,” she hissed. Could he not have elaborated? Told her more than the few scrawled words that were neither here nor there?

  Picturing his dark brown locks and piercing blue eyes, she wondered what he would say if she were to trade a polite greeting upon her arrival for a forceful smack to his cheek. Would he be stumped? Or would he grin, a devilish twinkle in his eyes as though he had expected no less of her?

  Wesley Everett truly was a strange man. He had this annoying ability to make her blood boil with anger with a single look or curl to his lips. Everything he did felt like a challenge, and Christine wondered what it would feel like to see him again for the first time after her sister’s wedding day.

  Had he grown to be even more insufferable in her absence? She could only hope he’d stay out of her way. With her sister in desperate need of comfort and guidance, the last thing in the world that Christine needed was a man like Wesley Everett getting in her way.

  * * *

  Leaving his brother’s bedchamber, Wesley took a deep breath and for a moment rested his back against the heavy wooden door. Nothing! His brother still remembered nothing of the past five years. How was this possible?

  Again, Catherine’s tear-streaked face drifted before his eyes, and he cringed at the desperate longing he had seen in her gaze. What would she do if William never remembered her? If he never remembered his wife? The woman he loved?

  Shaking his head, Wesley started down the corridor. He ought to make certain she was all right. After she had fled her husband’s chamber the day before, he had not seen her. His mother had told him that she was fine considering the circumstances, but still Wesley felt the need to see for himself.

  As he approached the door to her chamber, it suddenly opened and with her back to him, his sister-in-law stepped out. Moving silently, she reached for the door handle and quietly pulled it closed.

  A frown on his face, Wesley watched her. “Catherine? Are you all right?” Then she turned, and his heart jumped into his throat.

  “Chris,” he whispered as he took in her smoky green eyes and full lips. A devilish grin came to her face as she beheld him and her eyes narrowed. Like a predator, she took a step closer, her eyes never leaving his face, and his heart began to hammer in his chest.

  “I didn’t know you’d already arrived,” he said, clearing his throat, as he watched her approach. Still, she remained silent, her eyes trained on his, a calculating gleam in them that sent chills down his back. In response, his own gaze narrowed, and he saw the tension that held her, her right arm quivering ever so slightly. “Are you all right?”

  Coming to stand before him, she took a deep breath.

  For a moment, he felt himself relax before she suddenly drew back her arm and her hand connected with his cheek a split second later.

  Flinching, Wesley reached up and touched a hand to his burning cheek, annoyance chasing away the more delicate feelings that had seized him upon seeing her. “Are you mad, woman?” he snapped, rubbing his cheek, as his eyes searched her face. “Why did you do that?”

  “Because you’re an idiot!” she snapped, poking an accusing finger at his chest. “How dare you send me such a letter?” Her eyes blazed with fire. “I was beside myself with worry, not knowing what was happening and how dire things were. Could you not have elaborated?”
<
br />   Shaking his head, Wesley stared down at her. “And that’s why you slapped me? That’s hardly a reason!”

  “It’s a bloody good reason!” Stomping her feet, she glared at him. “You halfwit! You inconsiderate−”

  “I wrote what I could under the circumstances,” Wesley defended himself. “As I said time was of−”

  “Of the essence,” Christine finished. “Yes, I know. Still, you couldn’t have taken two minutes? Two minutes?” Shaking her head, she looked at him with a hint of pity in her eyes as though he was someone of low intelligence who couldn’t possibly have reached such a conclusion.

  Taking a slow breath, Wesley swallowed. “I admit I probably could have been a little more detailed,” he forced out, and a triumphant sparkle came to her dark eyes.

  Her voice, however, sounded sincere as she spoke. “Thank you.” Brushing down her dress, she took a deep breath, and the tension left her shoulders. Looking up at him, she asked, “How’s your brother?”

  Wesley sighed. “Not good.” Gesturing down the corridor, he fell into step beside her as they headed toward the large staircase. “He still does not remember anything,” he said, glancing at her. “I assume Catherine’s told you.”

  Christine nodded. “She did. She’s devastated.” As they descended the stairs to the ground floor, she looked at him. “How can he forget years of his life? I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

  “Neither have I,” Wesley admitted, waiting for her to enter the front parlour before stepping in himself. “Dr. Martin says that he has heard of such cases. However, they are extremely rare.”

  Seating herself on the settee, Christine shook her head. “There’s no treatment, is there?”

  “No.” Taking the armchair across from her, he met her eyes. “I don’t know what to do. I see the pain they’re in, and yet,…” He shrugged.

  “I know.” With her lips pressed together in determination, she nodded. “We’ll think of something.” Again, she nodded as though to convince herself. “We will.”

  A soft smile came to his lips at the gentle devotion that shone in her eyes. She was a fierce woman, one not to be trifled with, and yet, she was loyal to a fault.

  “Tell me about him.” Holding his gaze, Christine nodded in encouragement. “When he woke up, was he aware how much time had passed?”

  “No, to him, it was still May 1813,” Wesley explained, remembering his brother’s pale face. “And when I told him, the truth hit him like a ton of bricks.”

  “And he doesn’t even remember meeting her?”

  “No, for him, it’s as though he has never laid eyes on her in his life.”

  Closing her eyes for a moment, Christine sighed. “We need to do something.”

  “Do you have a suggestion?” Wesley asked, a hint of incredulity in his voice.

  Christine’s eyes narrowed. “Not yet,” she snarled, regarding him with open perusal. “Answer me this, dear Brother-in-law.”

  “I’m not your brother-in-law.”

  Ignoring him, she continued. “Will you just stand by and watch them lose the life they’ve loved? Or are you willing to do whatever it takes to ensure that their story will have a happily-ever-after?” A challenge in her eyes, she watched him, and Wesley couldn’t help but feel uneasy about her question. Deep down, he knew that whatever her mind would concoct would be something rather unwise, and yet, he could not ignore her plea for help.

  Holding her gaze, he nodded his head. “Whatever you need.”

  A soft smile came to her lips, and she leaned back, relaxing against the cushions. “Even if he does not remember her,” she said, determination in her voice, “he fell in love with her once, he will again. They may not get back the past they shared, but at least they’ll have a future.”

  Remembering the pained expression on his brother’s face, Wesley frowned.

  “What is it?”

  “You weren’t there,” Wesley began. “When Catherine came to him after he woke up, he looked at her as though expecting his memories to return instantly. Even more than that. I think a part of him hoped that he would see her and know her to be the woman he’d loved.” Wesley shook his head. “And when that didn’t happen, he could barely look at her. Although he does not remember her, it pains him to see her in such misery. Under such dire circumstances, how are they ever to fall in love again?”

  For a long moment, Christine held his gaze before her eyes became distant, and he could almost see her mind at work.

  After the accident, Wesley had sent word to her because he’d thought Catherine could use the comfort of her sister’s presence. However, sitting across from Christine now, a surge of hopeful expectation went through him, and he realised that somewhere deep down he had hoped that her mind would succeed where his had failed him.

  Even if her plans could usually be categorised as insane, at least, any plan−as insane as it might be−would be better than none.

  After a small eternity, her eyes returned to look into his and a mischievous smile curled up her lips. “I have an idea,” she whispered, and Wesley took a deep breath, bracing himself for what was to come.

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Two − A Ludicrous Plan

  Leaving her sister’s bedchamber, Christine turned to look at Wesley. Admittedly, he looked somewhat pale after their talk with Catherine. “Are you all right, Wes?” she asked, hoping that he hadn’t changed his mind. After gaining her sister’s approval, Christine had thought nothing stood in their way.

  He shrugged. “There still are a few aspects of your plan that have me concerned,” he admitted, his eyes barely meeting hers.

  Christine tensed. “Because it’s my plan?”

  “That doesn’t matter,” he said flatly, walking past her.

  Riled at his dismissive attitude, Christine strode after him. “If you do not believe it will work,” she snapped, stepping in front of him so that he had to stop in order to avoid running into her, “then why did you agree to it in the first place.”

  “Because it’s the only plan we have,” he snapped. His eyes, however, held an amused twinkle as his gaze slid over her.

  Gritting her teeth at the slight shiver that seized her, Christine once more poked her finger in his chest. “Don’t humour me, Wesley Everett. If you believe my plan to fail, then tell me so here and now!”

  “I have doubts,” he admitted as his piercing blue eyes held hers. “After all, this is a serious matter. Whether we succeed or not, we will be deceiving my brother.”

  “For his own good,” Christine countered.

  His eyes narrowed, and he lowered his head to hers. “He might fail to see it that way.” His eyes held hers, and he took a deep breath. “No one likes to be deceived.”

  Holding his gaze, Christine swallowed as his warm breath caressed her skin. “Do not tell me you believe that your brother would not readily agree to anything that would ensure a future with the woman he loves!”

  Considering her words, Wesley stilled. “Assuming he is still the same man he was before.”

  Christine frowned. “Of course, he is.”

  “People change,” Wesley counselled. “Sometimes it takes a long time, and sometimes it happens in the blink of an eye.”

  Confused, Christine held his gaze, feeling as though he was no longer speaking about his brother. Something had changed between them. Christine was certain of it. Before, he had not looked at her the way he did now, had he? If he had, she had not noticed.

  But she did now.

  “At our core, we are who we are,” Christine said, ignoring the fluttering sensation in her belly. “William loves her, whether he knows it or not. And once he does fall for her again, he will not mind the means by which it was achieved. If it makes you feel any better, I will take complete responsibility for what is to happen.”

  A soft smile curled up the corners of his mouth. “Is there anything you wouldn’t do for your sister?”

  “I love her,” Christine whispered, feeling
the sudden need to take a step back. “She is my other half. I cannot be happy if she is not as well.”

  He chuckled. “Are you saying you’re doing this out of pure self-interest?”

  Enjoying the banter in his tone, Christine smiled. “Don’t we all.” Raising her eyebrows in challenge, she said, “Selfless deeds do not exist. We all do what we do to ensure our own happiness. Fortunately for those we love, it is always dependent on theirs.”

  “This is an adventure to you, is it not?” Wesley asked, eyeing her curiously. “You did not solely suggest that your sister take on your identity to allow her to converse with her husband without the pressure of expectation, did you?”

  Grinning, Christine said, “Of course, it was my prime reason. However, a girl can enjoy herself, can she not?” He took a slow breath as his gaze lingered on hers, and Christine felt the need to speak lest he… “Although I must admit that the thought of giving up my wardrobe pains me greatly.”

  A low chuckle escaped his throat. “I dare say it is not the wardrobe that will give you away.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “Do you not believe I can act the proper lady?”

  “Act? Maybe.” The corners of his mouth drew up in amusement. “Be? Never.”

  Shocked by his boldness, Christine felt her hand itch with the need to slap that smug smile off his face. “Wesley, Everett, how dare you−?”

  “Calm yourself,” taking a step back, he glanced at her hand, “and know that what I said was meant as a compliment.”

  “A compliment?”

  “It most certainly was. After all, who would want to be proper when the opposite promises to be a lot more entertaining.” Winking at her, he turned on his heel and walked away.

  Left behind, staring at his receding back, Christine was at a loss for words−a rather rare occurrence, she had to admit. Had he just suggested something indecent? Although his words had been far from explicit, the look in his eyes had spoken of hidden desires; desires that echoed within herself. He had always been handsome, however, now, he possessed the annoying ability to throw her off balance with his mere presence.