Snowflakes and Scandals

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

“Your uncle was a fine man,” Lord Stratton told Hugh.

“Yes, he was. His death was a shock, needless to say.”

The men had gathered in the billiard room for a drink and a game. Hugh was anxious to recover from his earlier misstep when he’d met the lord with Olivia in his arms.

What had seemed like an innocent moment had turned embarrassing. He had been trying to act like a gentleman, and though he’d pondered precisely where he went wrong, he still wasn’t quite sure.

Should he not have followed Mrs. Stamper’s suggestion of asking Olivia to join him for the sleigh ride since the older lady declined? Should he not have carried Olivia up the steps? Of course, it would have been wise to put her down sooner, that much was clear.

Never mind that he’d enjoyed the feel of her in his arms. However, he was sorry to have caused her distress, and the stricken look on her face made it clear he had.

At the first available opportunity, he needed to apologize.

“How do you find your new position?” Lord Stratton asked after taking another shot.

Lord Ballard sent Hugh a pointed look, suggesting this was his opportunity to impress the man. That was what he should be focused on if he wanted a chance to ask for Lady Ellen’s hand in marriage rather than worrying over Olivia’s feelings.

“I am blessed that my uncle left the estate and holdings in good repair,” he said, choosing his words carefully. “Of course, it has been challenging to learn what is expected.” Hugh nodded toward Ballard. “Lord Ballard has been kind enough to answer many questions.”

Stratton nodded in approval. “Ballard will provide a steady guiding hand.”

“It is greatly appreciated.” Hugh took his turn, striking a ball into the pocket. Billiards happened to be one thing he was already good at. If only he were equally as good at navigating this kind of social situation. That was all the more reason he needed the right wife.

He frowned as an image of Olivia filled his mind.

“Is something amiss?” Stratton asked.

“Not at all. Just considering my next shot.” Hugh pushed away the image. Lady Ellen seemed exactly the kind of lady he should hope to marry. She was attractive, outgoing, and poised based on their initial meeting.

But...

He halted the doubt before it could take hold.

He fumbled his next shot, but Stratton’s smile suggested that was a good thing. A glance at Ballard confirmed it, for the lord dipped his head in approval.

A rush of satisfaction filled him. The feeling was welcome as he had rarely received praise from his own father. It made him eager to earn it again.

Hugh retrieved his drink as he watched Stratton take another successful shot, the gleam in the lord’s eye making it clear that he liked to win. Under other circumstances, Hugh would’ve done his best to defeat him and deflate his ego a bit. The older man’s arrogance was already proving difficult to endure.

But there was a chance this man would be his father-in-law. He needed to not only impress him but also ingratiate himself if he wanted to be deemed worthy of his daughter’s hand.

He took another small sip of his drink, hoping he could mask his true feelings for the remainder of the house party. With that purpose in mind, Hugh made two solid shots before deliberately missing the next.

“How unfortunate.” Stratton shook his head. “Perhaps your luck will change with the next game.”

Sadly, Hugh knew it wouldn’t.

Olivia smothered a sigh as Lady Ellen regaled them with the details of her most recent trip to London. Every. Minute. Of it. The lady had yet to allow anyone else to utter a word while her mother looked on with pride.

Aunt Ester sent Olivia a look that nearly had her choking back a laugh. Apparently Olivia wasn’t the only one who’d had enough of the conversation.

“That’s lovely to hear.” Lady Ballard smiled stiffly. “I’m pleased you enjoyed the city.” She glanced between Aunt Ester and Olivia. “Ester, didn’t you recently return from a trip?”

Their host seemed eager to change the conversation, too.

“I immensely enjoyed Italy, but I’m also pleased to have the chance to be with family over the holidays.” Aunt Ester smiled at Olivia. “It has been several years since we celebrated Christmas together.”

“Yes, it has.” Olivia looked forward to the holiday this year. Aunt Ester made everything more interesting merely with her presence. Olivia hoped her aunt’s enthusiasm for life might rub off on her mother during the visit, though she supposed that was too much to expect.

“Do you intend to venture to London for the Season?” Lady Ellen asked Olivia, one brow lifted.

Olivia’s heart squeezed. “I don’t know as of yet. It is dependent on my mother’s health.”

“Oh, yes, I forgot you mentioned she wasn’t feeling well last time we spoke.” Lady Ellen frowned. “Although that was some time ago. She’s still under the weather?”

“Yes.” There was so much more she wanted to add, but to what end? Lady Ellen didn’t care.

“Of course, I remember she’s older.” Lady Ellen shook her head. “How terrible.”

Anger took hold but Olivia pressed her lips tight to keep it back. Telling Lady Ellen how rude she was would only make Olivia look poorly for pointing it out.

“Age is relative, dear,” Lady Ballard advised the younger woman with a frown. “You will soon see for yourself that we all age eventually.”

The glint in Lady Ellen’s eye suggested that despite the subtle reprimand, she was pleased to have made her point.

To Olivia’s relief, several more guests arrived as the afternoon light faded to dusk. Surely that would help make it easier to stay out of Lady Ellen’s path.

Dinner that evening paled in comparison to her enjoyment of the previous night. Hugh barely looked at her, his attention on Lady Ellen, who was seated next to him. The other guests were nice enough but didn’t hold a candle to the pleasure she’d gleaned from talking with Hugh. Then again, he was several places away from her, making it difficult to converse.

Despite his cool behavior, she was fiercely glad she’d allowed their kiss. That was a memory she would treasure. His interest in her had felt genuine. She need only remember their conversations earlier in the day to have her mood lift and make her smile.

By chance, she glanced at him to find him looking at her. He held her gaze, those blue eyes heating. Awareness tingled along her skin. At that moment, she decided that if they had the chance to share another embrace, she would take it.

Lady Ellen was better suited for him in every possible way, but Olivia knew she hadn’t imagined their connection, a link that bound them together in an inexplicable way.

Her attention was drawn away by another guest, yet she swore she could feel his regard continuing to hold on her.

The ladies soon rose to leave the men to their port and returned to the drawing room. Olivia visited with an older woman who shared several stories about her own daughter and husband. The young couple were coming for Christmas and the lady was quite excited about their plans.

The conversation left Olivia melancholy. How she wished her mother might be the one anticipating her daughter and husband’s arrival for the holiday.

Olivia glanced at the clock on the mantle, wondering how soon she could retire without seeming rude. Settling into bed with a book sounded much more appealing than conversing with strangers.

She managed to catch her aunt’s eye and tip her head toward the doorway. Aunt Ester nodded, much to her relief. Olivia excused herself and stepped out, starting toward her bedchamber only to remember she’d left the book she wanted to read in the study when Hugh had invited her for the sleigh ride.

She started down the stairs, hoping to retrieve it without encountering anyone else. The study was empty, the room dark, but she’d put the book on a table just inside the door and quickly found it.

Book in hand, she turned to go only to run into a solid wall of...man. “Oh.”

“Olivia.” Hugh grasped her upper arms to steady her, a hint of spirits on his breath. “What perfect timing.”

“I-I was just getting the book I left here earlier.” Being this close to him never failed to unsettle her.

“I wanted to apologize,” he began, still holding her arms, the warmth of his bare hands seeping into her skin through the wool of her gown.

“For what?” She could barely make out his features in the dim light that spilled in from the corridor. The darkness lent another layer of intimacy to the moment.

“I managed to bumble what I meant to be a gallant gesture by helping you to the house. Instead, it became an awkward and embarrassing one that caused you unease. I hope you can accept my apology.” The sincerity in his quiet tone warmed her.

“There’s no need for it,” she reassured him. “The moment caught both of us off guard.”

He moved his hands up and down, sending shivers along her skin. “My only excuse is that I didn’t want to let you go.”

Her heart melted at his quiet words. “You are a kind and thoughtful man, Hugh. I hope that never changes.”

He frowned. “That almost sounds like a goodbye.”

“Not at all. However, I have to think that our time together will be limited now that other guests have arrived.” Especially since one of them was Lady Ellen. “I’m sure by tomorrow the house will be full.”

“Let us hope so, for that will make it easier to steal a moment or two alone.”

She smiled, stomach tightening to think he might want that as much as she did. “We must take care. The fact that we went on a sleigh ride alone is being overlooked, but anything else might not be.”

“Ah, yes. I wouldn’t want to do anything to jeopardize your reputation.” He glanced over his shoulder as if to make certain no one was coming before looking back at her. “We will have to make the most of any opportunity that comes our way.”

Her stomach danced. Did he mean now? She waited with bated breath to see.

He cupped her cheek with his hand, his thumb brushing over her lower lip. How shocking to feel her nipples tauten in response. Then to her delight, he brushed her lips with his. “That’s not nearly enough,” he murmured then kissed her again.

She leaned into him only to realize she held the book between them. After lowering it, she leaned closer still, enjoying the heat of his body along with those firm lips.

Wanton . That was how he made her feel. The temptation to see where their passion might lead was nearly overwhelming.

But voices coming from the hall had her drawing back.

“Damn.” He shook his head. “This won’t be easy.” A teasing note entered his voice. “But the effort will be worth it.”

Then he was gone, leaving her to compose herself enough to return to her bedchamber.

Yes , she thought. Yes, it will .