Coming Home (Mercers of Montana Book 3) by MacQuaid Evelyn

Author:MacQuaid, Evelyn [MacQuaid, Evelyn]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Evelyn MacQuaid Publishing
Published: 2015-12-17T05:00:00+00:00

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Victor drummed his fingers against his pocket watch, looked down at it and frowned. Tyler had suggested he be the one to lead his sister out into the garden at the Christmas Ball. From there, Charlie would call for help and get Maria into the back alley. Then all Victor had to do was drive by and sweep her into his rented carriage. He checked his watch again. The plan was set for eleven o'clock and it was only ten.

McGarvey's Tea Room was crowded with merry-makers who remarked how fast the time was going. Victor couldn't disagree more. He counted the red velvet bows that hung from the pine boughs for the hundredth time. He contemplated the straining legs of the dessert table, laden with every imaginable Christmas treat from sugar plums to gingerbread cookies. Victor was eyeing the strategically placed mistletoe again when he spied her across the dance floor.

Maria wore a ball gown of emerald green velvet trimmed in black lace. Her long, black satin gloves reached up past her elbows and brought her flawless alabaster skin into glowing contrast. The delicate cameo on a black ribbon around her throat left the tempting dip of her neckline bare, and it sent his pulse jack-rabbiting.

Victor was certain his plan was ill-conceived and she would fly into a rage, but as he watched her from across the room, his courage rose. He was certain it would all be worth it. After tonight, he alone would claim Maria as his own.

Tyler pulled himself up to his full height and winked. "Ready?"

The love-struck man steadied his roiling glass of whiskey and took a long sip. "I am, are you?"

"I've already worked out my route to the garden from the children's room. Charlotte's embroiled in a game and is fleecing all our neighbors of their allowances, so she won't notice when I slip out. I'll flag Maria down from the window. It would be easiest if she was on the dance floor. You should ask her to dance." Tyler's eyes sparkled. It seemed the boy was rearing to work their plan.

"Dance?" Victor threw his head back and laughed. "Look at me, standing alone in a darkened corner. Everyone here knows my parents currently sit in Sheriff Scotsman's jail cell. I'm a social pariah. Ladies, especially your very proper sister, will avoid me at all costs."

"Well, if that's true, maybe you can ruin her reputation with one dance and we can forget the whole kidnapping plan."

Victor looked closely at the boy lest he had any misgivings, but the remark seemed a statement of fact rather than a show of cowardice. He tossed back the rest of his whiskey. "Alright, when the time comes nearer, I will ask her to dance. But first, I need another drink."

The warm slide of whiskey settled in his stomach, but Victor paced until the fumes hit his head. Once the courage-enflaming effects took hold, he straightened his suit and made his way around the crowded room to Maria.

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