Mistletoe Magic by Sophia James

Author:Sophia James [James, Sophia]
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Romance: Historical, Historical, Man-woman relationships, Fiction - Romance, Romance - Historical, Romance - General, General, Love stories, Historical fiction, Christmas stories, English Historical Fiction, English Light Romantic Fiction
ISBN: 9780373295739
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2009-12-01T01:31:56.328000+00:00

‘I hear that congratulations are in order,’ he said in a quiet tone as they met an hour later by one of the pillars in a largely deserted supper room. ‘Your groom-to-be must have made great strides in the art of kissing a woman.’

‘Indeed, Mr Clairmont,’ Lillian replied, ‘and although you may not credit it, there are, in truth, other things that are of much more importance.’

‘There are?’ His surprise made it difficult to maintain her sense of decorum.

‘A man’s reputation for one,’ she bit back, ‘is considered by a careful bride to be essential.’

‘And are you a careful bride, Lilly?’

‘Lillian,’ she echoed, ignoring the true intent of his question. ‘And careful in the way of being certain that John has at least never been a suspect in murder.’

‘Because he plays everything as safely as you do?’

She turned, but he caught at her arm, not gently either, the hard bite of his fingers making her flinch. ‘Perhaps you might wait till the findings of the police are made public before naming me guilty.’

‘Why?’ she retaliated. ‘If you keep the company of gamblers and card sharps and are often covered in the bruises and markings of a man who goes from one squabble to the next, why indeed should I give you any leeway?’

‘Because I hope you know by now, Lilly, that I am not quite as black as you would paint me.’ His accent was soft but distinct, the cadence of the new lands on his tongue.

‘Do I, Lucas? Do I know that?’

It was the first time she had called him by his Christian name and the warm glow in his eyes alarmed her. There was something else there too. A vulnerability that she had not seen before, an unprotected and exposed need that tugged at her because it was so unexpected.

‘Marrying one man because of the faults of another is not the wisest of choices.’

‘So what is it then you would suggest?’

He laughed, the sound filling the empty space around them. ‘Come away with me instead.’

The room whirled, a yearning ache in her body that she was completely astonished by. If only he meant it. If only the laughter that the invitation had been accompanied with did not sound quite so offhand. So casual!

‘And spend the rest of my life wondering when a noose would be placed about your neck?’

‘I had nothing to do with the death of Paget, if that is what you are implying.’

‘You were asked to leave Eton.’

‘I was a boy…’

‘Who stole a watch?’

Again he began to laugh. ‘Such a crime…’ But she allowed his amusement no further rein.

‘I am the only heir to Fairley Manor, Mr Clairmont, and in England we protect our assets by marrying wisely.’

He tipped his head and in the light of the room Lillian saw the beginnings of a reddened scar that snaked from his right ear into the collar of his shirt.

‘A long-ago accident,’ he qualified as he saw her uncertainty.

But she was transfixed. This was no simple wound that would take a day or two to mend.

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