Duke of Christmas by Ellie St. Clair

Author:Ellie St. Clair
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: 0
Published: 2019-01-28T16:00:00+00:00

10

Lionel had not attended a church service in … well, years, he realized with some surprise. However, if Marie was going to church tonight, then he would as well. Besides that, his mother had just arrived and there was no chance he was going to leave the two of them alone together. They were both strong-willed females, and he didn’t want to admit how nervous he was for the two of them to be alone.

“Darling,” his mother said as she walked in the door, her arms coming around him in the requisite embrace, though it was difficult to feel any comfort in it when the beading upon her jacket felt as though it was stabbing him. “Happy Christmas,” she said with a tight-lipped smile as she looked past him and around the great hall into the foyer, where all had gathered before leaving for church.

“Happy Christmas, Mother.”

“You look well.”

“As do you.”

Their stilted greetings finished, he heard murmurs behind him, and he turned to see Marie slowly descending the stairs, her gold and green gown trailing on the steps behind her. The woman certainly knew how to dress, he thought, as he took in the matching hat tipped jauntily on her head, showcasing her luxurious dark curls. He thought of them cascading through his fingers but an hour or two earlier, and he swallowed hard as he tried to push the thoughts away.

He was drawn to her side when she reached the bottom stair, his arm extending in offering to him. She took it, looking up at him with a smile reserved for a lover.

“Marie,” her brother said, joining them with a worried look on his face. “Are you well? I know Mother pushed you to attend this evening, but you know how she is. If you want to stay behind—”

“I’m fine,” she said, placing a hand on his arm. “Thank you, Ned, for your concern, but I am considerably warmed.”

Lionel coughed.

“I’m glad to hear it,” her brother said. If only he knew the particulars, he might not be so pleased. “Now, we must be off or we will be late.”

They filed through the door to begin the short walk to the village church. Lionel was so focused on Marie that he had forgotten his mother until she joined him on his other side.

“Lady Catherine,” Marie said, peering around him. “How lovely to see you again. I am so pleased that you were able to join us this evening.”

“Yes, well,” his mother said with a sniff. “I would have preferred staying at Lady Panmore’s house party, but Lionel insisted on attending this party instead of joining me there — and of course, I wanted to be near him on Christmas. So here I am.”

“I hope you shall enjoy tonight’s service.”

“I’m sure it will be very … provincial.”

Lionel glanced at Marie out of the corner of his eye, and he could tell the smile she wore on her face was forced.

“Mother,” he said, sending a look of warning her way.

“Yes, darling?”

“Lord St. James and his family have been very welcoming, and I am rather enjoying my time here.

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