“What is he doing here?” Estella hissed at Helene, irritated.
“He is visiting my husband,” Helene defended herself. “I wasn’t aware that you disliked him so much, he said he wasn’t interested in joining us, so I’m not sure what he’s here.”
“Lady Estella.” He bowed, and Estella rolled her eyes, turning away from him.
“Your Grace,” Viktor said, tone lofty. He didn’t stand to greet the Duke — and was it Estellas imagination, or did Viktor creep closer to her side?
Henry ignored him, eyes on her. “Tella, if I could please talk to you for a moment in private.”
Estella took a deep breath, ignoring her childhood nickname. The way he said it always made her feel small again, like a little girl who didn’t deserve any notice from her older brother or her older brother’s friends.
“Anything you have to say you can say in front of my friends,” she said, hotly.
Henry raised an eyebrow at the word friends and looked suggestively at Viktor. “From what I heard from Helene, this was an all female excursion.”
It was clear to Estella that Henry didn’t like Viktor — for reasons she couldn’t tell. She didn’t know why anyone could have an issue with the man. He was absolutely friendly, charming, and good natured, unlike Henry.
“Am I not allowed to have male friends?” Estella challenged, taking a sip of her tea.
Henry’s jaw twitched, fingers drumming against his thighs. Estella had clearly irritated him, and she felt proud of the fact, that is, until Henry decided to be even more of an arse.
“Well.” He folded up the paper he had in his hands, tucking it under his arm. “If men are allowed, then I shall simply invited myself.”
With that, he sat directly between Estella and Viktor — so close his thighs brushed the other man’s pants, clearly making him feel uncomfortable. Estella caught a flash of irritation of Viktor’s face before he politely put distance between himself and Henry, turning his attention instead to Belle, who sat to his other side.
“You bastard—” Estella whispered.
Henry’s brow furrowed. “Did His Grace teach you such vulgar words too? I don’t see why you have to be such an arrogant little—”
Estella gasped. “Don’t call me arrogant when you yourself are the most imposing, irritating—”
Estella stopped when she caught the look of Helene, telling her to calm down. It was true, Estella was getting too worked up about this, but she didn’t see why Henry had to come over and be such a let down when she was finally having a chance of love with someone else.
“This isn’t like your books, Estella,” Henry’s tone softened, almost enough that she believed he actually cared. It was the voice he used with her when she was a little girl, when he was telling her not to worry about the other girl’s teasing, not to worry when her dolly got a small tear in her foot. “The Viktor Cromley is a bad man, and I’m just trying to protect you.”
Estella didn’t care. “If you got your head out of yourself for a moment, you’d wake up and realize that Viktor is not a bad man. You’re just jealous…”
It was the only explanation that Estella could think of, and now that she considered it, she didn’t know why Henry was jealous. They hadn’t seen each other in years, so it wasn’t like Viktor was stealing anything from Henry. Besides, Henry wasn’t in love with Estella… and if he wasn’t in love, why else would he be jealous?
But when Estella looked up at Henry, her stomach did an odd little flip — there was something about his steady look, his fleeting glance to her mouth that made her doubt her other previous thoughts.
“You’re right,” his voice seemed deeper, different… His eyes darkened, slipping again to her mouth. “I am jealous of Viktor.”
With that, he stood up and brushed off his jacket, leaving the picnic behind him with slam of the door.
“Well, isn’t he in the holiday spirits?” Viktor joked.
For some reason, Estella couldn’t find it funny.
Four.
“You look stunning, if I may be so bold,” Viktor whispered into her ear, brushing the tips of his fingers across her palm.
“You stand to close, Your Grace.” Estella didn’t look at him, pretending to be absorbed by the dancers in front of her.
“I stand not close enough,” his tone was heated, suggestive of all the things they were going to do…
Once they were married, of course, Estella reasoned. She was beginning to fall madly in love with the Duke of Merden — over the course of the past month and a half they had courted wildly. It had been some of the most exhilarating moments of her entire life, some of them practically coming out of the pages of a Crimson Parish novel.
Nevermind the subtle warnings her friends were giving her, no. If they were in her position, they would understand… Never knowing what was going to happen next was too exciting, too addicting. They were just jealous, she supposed.
But why hasn’t he proposed? She wondered.
He hadn’t mentioned a thing, not even a suggestion of courtship. If he wasn’t such an attentive lover, she would be irritated, but she knew that he had good intentions. He was probably waiting until the holidays, perhaps it would be her Christmas surprise. After all, Caroline had told her that she was going to marry a duke this Christmas season.
“Come with me,” he whispered, taking her hand in his and pulling her deeper into the shadows. “There are too many watching eyes here.”
She giggled as they snuck about the halls, going deeper and deeper into the deserted house. The further they went back, the more quiet it got, separating themselves from the rest of the crowd. Estella’s heart beat wildly in her chest, knowing this was one of the first moments they had spent truly alone together…
Would he finally kiss her?
She was going to let him, she decided. There had been a couple other times where she thought he was going to kiss her, but being the respectable gentleman she knew he was, he didn’t act on his desire.
He pulled her into a room and shut the door behind them. She smiled, taking a step back as he approached her, staring at her with a hunger in his eyes that made her stomach feel like lead.
“You are so beautiful…” he whispered. He caught her waist, pulling him flesh against his body. “I absolutely wish to ravish you.”
“Your Grace,” she cooed, just like they did in the books.
Was she supposed to feel this way? She almost felt herself wanting to turn from his embrace, but she knew it was just her nerves. She had never been loved before, not by a man, and even though she had read all of the scandalous love scenes in Crimson Parish’s books with curiosity and desire, she knew deep down that her and Viktor should not be alone.
He pressed his lips to hers, but she felt nothing than his scratchy moustache against her face, his tongue licking across the seam of her mouth… Was that how you kissed? She tried to surrender herself to the passion she felt, but there was something in her growing more and more alarmed.
It was the last straw when he reached for his bodice, and plunged a hand into her skin. She gasped, and he must have mistaken it for pleasure, because he continued.
“Oh, I know you like that, dear child.”
But Estella didn’t like it, she hated it. She was being violated now, she knew, but she couldn’t move her hands to shove him away, not the way he was holding her—
The door slammed open, and Viktor leapt back from her. Estella nearly melted in relief when she saw Henry, eyes aflame with hatred. He barreled over to the other gentleman without a word, slamming his fist into Viktor’s jaw with a crack.
“You will never step near Lady Estella ever again,” he seethed, punching the man again.
“I didn’t do anything—” Viktor cowered.
“You have been ruining her for weeks and I’m not going to stand back—” Viktor fell to the floor, and Henry gave him a hearty kick in the stomach.
“Henry, stop!”
Viktor took a
dvantage of Henry’s shifted focus, holding his bleeding nose and stumbling out of the room. When the man was out of the room and her dangers were over, the relief that was in Estella was quickly replaced with anger.
“Why in the world did you do that, Henry?” Estella raged. “There was no reason for you to intervene—”
“Oh there was all the reason for me to intervene!” he yelled. His hair was wild from the blows, and if Estella wouldn’t have been so mad she would have thought his disarray to be quite endearing. “That man was about to take you innosense!”
“No, he was only trying to kiss me!”
“Would you say the same if I was sticking my hand down you bodice?” He took a step closer to Estella. His eyes flashed. “No, you wouldn’t. And I respect you enough to not take you into secluded places were things could be assumed of you and your reputation could be ruined.”
“You don’t need to protect me, Henry! I can take care of myself,” she argued, tears pricking her eyes. She wanted to tell him how thankful she was, but she was too prideful, too upset by the way he was controlling her all the time—
“I’m not controlling you,” he said a little more calmly. “I’m am trying to protect you.”
“I said I don’t need protected. I can take care of myself.”
“You’re right, you can take care of yourself. But not when you’re not seeing straight yourself. You were so wrapped up in his seductions that you couldn’t see what a vile man he is — even your friends have been warning you, Stella, and you’re ignoring everyone.”
Tears were pouring down her cheeks now, but when Henry offered her his handkerchief, she shoved his hand away.
“You ruin everything and I hate you!” she cried, fleeing from the room.
She didn’t know or care where she was going, only knowing that she had to get away from this mess of feelings she had created. She knew that she should be thankful for what Henry did, but a small part of her had learned to hate him so much these past couple months, she couldn’t let herself see things reasonably.
It was only as the snow started soaking through her delicate slippers that she realized she was outside in the dark and cold — she had no clue where she was, or how to get back home.
Five.
Estella’s body felt heavy and entirely too hot. She tried to shove the layers of blankets and dress off of her, but she realized she was only in a thin nightgown, drenched in her own sweat.
I must look a mess, she thought. But that was silly of her to be thinking of her own appearance right now, not after everything that happened…
“Good morning.”
Estella slowly opened her eyes, revealing the fair form of her sister, Ivy, at the foot of her bed. She looked like an angel, radiate and glowing, a soft smile on her face.
“Glad to see you’re awake, sleepy head.”
“What happened?” Estella tried to sit up, but her head was pounding, her limbs sore with every moment.
Ivy moved quickly to assist her, pulling pillows behind her back. When Estella took a sip of the water Ivy offered her, she realized her throat was dry and scratchy; swallowing was painful, even though the water brought her refreshment.
“You caught a death of a cold,” Ivy said, watching her in concern. “If Henry wouldn’t have found you… you probably would have died.”
“Henry?” Estella’s heart flipped, remembering how he had saved her, even though she hated him for it.
Ivy smiled. “He was here all of five minutes ago… He hadn’t left your side in hours, and we had to force him to go take get some rest and take care of himself.”
“He was helping me?” Estella didn’t know why, but this made her heart swell, her eyes prickle with tears. “Why did he…”
Ivy was silent a moment, considering her younger sister. “I don’t know what happened between you two,” she ventured. “But I think you two need to talk it out and settle things.”
Estella nodded, thoughts wandering off. Without Henry saving her — not once, but twice — she could have been ruined, or dead. Even if she thought that Henry hated her—
“Henry’s never hated you.” Ivy laughed at the suggestion. Estella must have been speaking her thoughts out loud. “You didn’t know? Isn’t it obvious?”
“Isn’t what obvious?” It obviously wasn’t obvious, because whatever Ivy was referring to, Estella didn’t know.
“Henry has always had a soft spot for you Estella,” Ivy continued. “Always. So much so that I’m surprised you never noticed and latched onto his attentions. Ginny and I were always so jealous, but there was nothing we could do about it.”
“But he’s…much older than me.” Estella had a funny feeling in the pit of her stomach, and she didn’t like it.
“Not that much,” Ivy said, always practical. She counted on her fingers. “He’s only… eight years older than you. That’s not that much.”
“But—”
“And why should age matter?” Ivy said, oblivious. “It’s not like you’re going to marry him or anything… He’s always just taken care of you like a little sister, that’s all.”
Estella didn’t really hear the rest of whatever Ivy said, her own realization going through her heart… She was in love with Henry.
Six.
A few days later, when Estella could finally walk again, she found herself at the stately door of Henry’s study, giving a faint knock. She was just beginning to lean herself against the door for support when Henry gave a firm enter from within the room.
Butterflies erupted not just in her stomach, but in her entire body.
He didn’t look up from his work until she found herself seated on the chair in front of his desk. When he did, his pen stilled on his paper, a blotch of ink instantly ruining the page. She cringed.
“Hello,” she offered, not knowing what else to say.
His eyes scanned over her body for a split second, as if checking to see if she was well. His pen dropped to his paper as he pulled himself from his chair and rounded the desk, quickly pulling her into his arms. Her whole body seemed to let out a sigh when he buried his face in her neck, holding her close.
“I’m so sorry…” she sobbed into his chest. “I’m sorry…”
“Estella…” His voice seemed to catch in his throat for a moment. He pulled her away, looking at her closely. “You don’t need to apologize, love.”
Love? Her heart throbbed again and the tears sprang anew. She knew she couldn’t say anything about the way she felt, not now. She finally had Henry back in her life, and she wasn’t going to ruin their friendship by saying something…
“But you saved me, twice—”
“Viktor was a snake and I should have warned you early on, instead of leaving you to fend for yourself,” he hurried to explain. “I didn’t want to hurt you by telling you all the reasons why he should be avoided, but I see now that it’s hurt you more. I should have been honest.”
“You did the right thing, Henry, even if I was being rude for no reason.” She realized how close they were standing and took a step back, but he caught her arms, keeping her in her place. “I just…I don’t know what I would have done without you. Both times. My entire life…”
“I know.” He smiled, softly. “We’ve both been stupid.”
“You haven’t.” She laughed through her tears. “You’ve been…”
She felt the mood shift, and by the look that filled his eyes, she knew he felt it too. He cupped her chin with his hands and pressed the smallest kiss to her forehead, sending a wave of emotion through her — he didn’t even kiss her on the lips, but his small embrace made her shiver with anticipation, in a perfectly good way… Unlike Viktor ever had.
“Estella, I think I’m in love with you,” he said it slowly, as if he was just grasping the idea himself. “I think I’ve been in love with you.”
“You…” Estella’s head spun with happiness. “You are…”
He cringed, taking a step away from her. She felt
his absence instantly. “I shouldn’t have said anything, I’m sorry—”
“No,” she said, firmly. “Please, continue.”
He looked at her in confusion. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.” Estella realized now that it sounded a lot like she was saying yes to something else (a marriage proposal, perhaps) but she didn’t care. “Please continue.”
Even if Henry didn’t marry her, just hearing him say the words I love you in a sentence was enough to make her heart swell.
“I’m going to…” He contemplated his words. “I’ve never been good with expressing myself so I’ll say it… Estella, will you marry me?”
She was about to say yes, but then another thought hit her. “You… you’re a duke!”
He gave her an amused look. “I am indeed… a duke.”
“Caroline was right!” Estella couldn’t believe it.
“Who is Caroline? No, never mind — please, put me out of my misery. Will you say yes?” He grasped her hands, serious concern on his face.
As if I would say no, she thought, smiling.
“Oh, yes.” Estella laughed. “Yes!”
On the fourth day of Christmas…
On December 17th, look out for…
AN AFFAIR BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Charles has always been a bit of a Scrooge during Christmas — and for the right reasons, too. Escaping fine society, he instead spends his Christmas Eve wallowing in the misery of his memories. But something changes when the beautiful barmaid introduces herself as Angel, and he spends just one night in bed with her. Haunted by his own past, he knows he must push her away — no matter how much he craves her love.
Already out…
Book 1 — The Dashing Duke
Book 2 — A Duchess for Christmas
The Twelve Dukes of Christmas
Dreaming 0f A Duke: Novella (The 12 Dukes 0f Christmas Book 3) Page 2
