A Christmas Seduction: A Regency Anthology Read online

  Just then, Sara sailed past them, skirts flying.

  “Do keep up, Jack,” she called triumphantly as she sprinted past.

  Only seconds later Jackson appeared, rushing after her, issuing enough curses to turn the air blue.

  Louisa turned back to him with her hands firmly on her hips.

  “See? Do you think I could bear to listen to my sisters if one of them should win?”

  Hugh placed a hand to his heart.

  “I am wounded,” he pronounced dramatically. “There I was thinking you wanted to win so you could be my queen at the Frost Ball.”

  She scoffed in a very unladylike manner.

  “I consider that a necessary evil,” she bit out. “Now do hurry. Not only do we want to win, but we also want to keep an eye on those two.”

  She waved a hand in the direction of Meredith and Lucas who were walking slowly toward the front of the maze, their heads bent toward each other, the picture, Hugh had to admit, of romantic bliss.

  “Louisa,” he said softly, bringing them to a halt once more.

  She sighed and threw her eyes to heaven, muttering under her breath.

  “What?” she snapped.

  “I—” Hugh hesitated, wondering what to say. It was odd; most of his conversations with the woman standing in front of him now had been teasing or insulting. Never had he wanted to just talk with her. Until now. ”I think perhaps we should leave them be.”

  Her beautiful eyes narrowed in suspicion.

  “This was your idea,” she reminded him softly.

  Hugh sighed and ran a hand through his hair, a sign that he was agitated.

  “I know, I know. But—” He reached out and clasped her by the shoulders. God, how he loved touching her. “I’ve seen them together. You have too. And I’ve spoken to Luc. I’m starting to think that there is genuine affection between them.”

  She was gazing up at him, a frown of consternation upon her brow, and Hugh had to fight the urge to pull her against him and kiss her the way he wanted to.

  “Isn’t it possible?” he asked, a nervous energy coursing through him. “Isn’t it possible that two people who have long considered themselves enemies could find themselves, well, the opposite?”

  “I want to believe it is,” she said softly. “But, I think—”

  He stepped closer to her, closing even the small distance between them.

  “You think too much,” he said, lowering his head slowly toward hers.

  “You only say that because you don’t think at all,” she argued but she tilted her head just so.

  “You talk too much,” he responded, so close to touching her lips with his own he could almost taste her.

  “Well you—”

  Hugh didn’t give her a chance to argue, yet again. His lips found hers, and he set about trying to remove any thoughts that weren’t of him from her busy mind.

  THEY WERE LOSING AND it was all his fault!

  Louisa desperately clung to her irritation. It was just the defense she needed against the unrelenting, soul-consuming love for him that was lurking inside of her, waiting to pounce.

  She couldn’t allow herself to love him.

  No matter how many seductive words he said, or how heart stopping his kisses.

  Self-preservation was key.

  They were rushing through the maze toward the birdbath, which Hugh was adamant was the answer to the first clue.

  He wouldn’t even discuss it, the great big oaf. Just shouted that it was the birdbath and shot off, dragging her behind him.

  As soon as they’d entered the maze, she managed to wriggle free of his grasp and now she was leading the way.

  “How can they have gotten this far ahead?” she muttered crossly.

  “Does it really matter?” Hugh asked from behind her.

  Louisa swung round to glare at him.

  “I’ve already told you that it matters,” she barked.

  Hugh sighed and ran a hand through his hair, causing a stray jet black lock to fall over his forehead.

  She wanted to brush it back from his face.

  And then she wanted to cut it off because it had no business making her feel like she wanted to push it back.

  God, this was infuriating; him, her feelings for him, his hair now too, apparently.

  It was all far too much to deal with and solve riddles at the same time.

  “Can’t you just leave them to be happy?” he asked.

  He was right, she knew. She should leave well enough alone and, to be fair, Meredith did seem happier and happier in Lucas Mayford’s presence. But that was the rub. Just because he made her happy, didn’t mean he was trustworthy.

  She really didn’t want to get into an argument with him again. Especially because their arguments lately were ending with kisses, and they were confusing and wonderful and really, terribly inappropriate.

  “I do not want to lose,” she answered feebly.

  Hugh studied her for a moment but then, mercifully, turned and began walking again.

  “Come then, to the birdbath.”

  “I’m not even sure if we should be going to the birdbath.”

  “I told you, it’s obvious.”

  “And how would I know? You didn’t even let me read the blasted clue.”

  “Can’t you just trust me,” he asked with a disarming smile.

  Oh, how I wish I could.

  “I trust you about as much as I trust Mama’s pet dog. And that’s a vicious, irritating little thing as well,” she said then moved to take the lead once more.

  HE WAS EITHER GOING to throttle her or kiss her senseless, Hugh decided as she sailed off in front of him, regal as a queen.

  She was driving him bloody well mad.

  Not least because she really did seem determined to come between Luc and Meredith.

  And Hugh was certain that was no longer the right thing to do.

  Who where he and Louisa Bright to stand in the way of their respective siblings’ happiness?

  It seemed a horribly selfish thing to do.

  And, really, Meredith Bright wouldn’t be the worst sister-in-law in the world.

  In truth, she’d always been the most tolerable of all the girls. That was until Louisa Bright had grown and become very, very tolerable.

  But Louisa still had a heart of solid rock; he was convinced, if her determination to come between the lovebirds was anything to go by.

  And Sara — well, Sara was probably the most frightening of them all.

  Anyone who looked so doll-like and angelic, and still managed to wreck the havoc she did, was not to be trusted, even for a moment. Poor Jackson.

  Jackson, however, was not his priority right then. Louisa was.

  “You really do need to do something about that temper of yours,” he called as he caught up to her.

  “I have no problem with my temper. I have a problem with you.”

  “Why?”

  He distinctly heard several whispered curses before she spun back around to him.

  “Because you’re distracting and — and flustering. And I cannot think properly when you stand so close.”

  Her words where music to his ears.

  “And you can rid yourself of that smile. It’s not a compliment.”

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  “HERE IT IS. The birdbath. I told you,” Hugh said triumphantly, seconds before Louisa arrived to see that he had been right.

  Drat the man.

  Now he’d never shut up about it.

  Her irritation however was quickly replaced by suspicion when she eyed the other occupants of the small space.

  Lucas and Meredith had beaten them here and the pair of them looked guiltier than children who’d been caught doing something naughty.

  “Ah, I see you two figured out the clue as well.” Lucas was saying to Hugh, a self-satisfied grin plastered on his face.

  Louisa ignored the gentlemen and looked instead at her sister. Meredith was avoiding eye contact, a sure sign
that she was up to something she shouldn’t be. But, she did look happy, just as Hugh had said. She really did.

  Louisa felt suddenly unsure about the grand plan to keep her sister away from the dastardly Lord Ashbury.

  “Too bad you’ll need to wait till we read the next clue.”

  Lucas was obviously taking great delight in annoying his brother, as he waved the envelope in the air, a defiant expression on his face.

  Hugh was scowling at his brother.

  And it all seemed so, so normal. Two brothers bantering and enjoying themselves. Not at all like the cruel, terrible frogs they had painted the Mayfords as all those years ago.

  It was disconcerting. More so because her feelings for Hugh were already confusing. She didn’t need to start liking his family, too.

  “Well be quick about it! I aim to win!” Hugh was demanding.

  “Me too,” Louisa spoke, drawing Meredith’s attention. She offered her sister a smile, making sure to seem as though she were merely being competitive, not planning to put a stop to the relationship developing between her sister and the earl.

  Without another word, Lucas pulled Meredith farther along and around a small bend so that they were out of sight.

  After a moment the envelope containing the clue flew toward the bushes.

  Hugh laughingly called foul but Lucas and Meredith were already dashing away, if their stomping footsteps were anything to go by.

  Hugh sighed and turned back to face her.

  “I suppose you want to chase after them?”

  Louisa took a deep, steadying breath.

  She’d never been the type to admit defeat. Never.

  But sometimes, one had to recognize that there were things which could not be controlled. Perhaps her sister’s involvement with Lucas was one of them.

  She glanced up at Hugh, feeling her heart do its usual gallop in the face of his harsh, masculine beauty.

  She would never tire of looking at his face. Which was a problem, admittedly. But at least it was a problem with a nice view.

  “Perhaps we should just let them go. Let them win.”

  His eyes lit with pride and Louisa thrilled at the expression.

  His opinion of her had suddenly become rather important.

  “You know that means you won’t get to be my queen at the Frost Ball?” he teased, smiling and stepping closer to her.

  Louisa’s breath quickened.

  “Well then, it will be a happy ending for all of us,” she quipped, but her tone lacked its usual bite.

  Hugh grinned wolfishly.

  “Oh, I hope so, sweetheart.”

  There was a sudden commotion behind them and Louisa looked round to see Sara come rushing forward, looking decidedly less put together than she had at dinner.

  “Sara? What has happened?” Louisa asked, studying her sister’s disheveled state.

  “Nothing,” Sara replied mutinously.

  Hugh was frowning at her.

  “Where is — ah, Jackson.”

  Louisa looked as a very cross looking Jackson Mayford came into view.

  He and Sara stared daggers at each other.

  “Where’s the clue?” Jackson asked sulkily.

  Hugh bit his lip and looked as though he were trying very hard not to laugh.

  Wordlessly he pointed toward the bush.

  Jackson reached up and grabbed the paper but before he had a chance to even glance at it, Sara reached forward, snatched it and then turned to dash away.

  “My thanks,” she called laughing.

  Jackson frowned darkly, looking murderous. But Louisa had caught the flare of appreciation in his eyes, too.

  It couldn’t be, could it?

  Before she could think any longer on it, Jackson took off after Sara.

  This week obviously wasn’t turning out as any of them had expected.

  Louisa turned once more to Hugh and her breath caught at the predatory glint in his eyes.

  He dipped his head toward her own.

  “If we’re not in a rush to win,” he whispered close to her lips, “that means we can take our own sweet time.”

  Louisa could think of no way to answer, except to close the final, minuscule distance between them.

  She loved him. She knew that now. What she didn’t know was what on earth to do about it.

  HUGH MADE A HERCULEAN effort to pull himself away from Louisa.

  She was utterly irresistible but he was conscious of the fact that there were other guests at this party and they would start to come upon them.

  Much as he wanted her, he didn’t relish the idea of making it a spectator sport.

  He studied her face for a moment, drinking in her heart-stopping beauty.

  The sooner he got her back to the house and in a private room somewhere, the better.

  “Come,” he said softly, taking her hand and walking toward the exit of the maze.

  They walked in silence; Hugh was lost in his own thoughts and he assumed Louisa was lost in hers.

  Still, she didn’t move her hand from his and Hugh was surprised at how happy that simple act made him. It felt right somehow, to be holding her hand, as though she had always belonged right there, walking beside him.

  “Are you warm enough?” he asked her quietly, not wanting to speak loudly and ruin the perfect stillness that surrounded them.

  Louisa smiled wryly.

  “Not really,” she confessed.

  He wasn’t surprised.

  The sky was bright and cloud free; the stars and full moon gleaming, illuminating the gardens with a white light and though it was beautiful to see, it certainly made it chilly.

  There was already frost forming on the grass beneath their feet.

  And much as her dress was stunning enough to cause an apoplexy, it wasn’t conducive to keeping the cold at bay.

  “Here,” he said gruffly, removing his coat and placing it around her shoulders.

  It swamped her, which didn’t surprise him since she didn’t even come up to his chin.

  What did surprise him was his reaction to seeing her in it.

  All of a sudden, he was filled with a need to protect her, to keep her safe always.

  It was a heady feeling but one which was more than a little confusing.

  “Thank you,” she said softly.

  “My pleasure,” he said.

  And then, because she looked so endearing, he leaned forward and placed a tender kiss on the top of her head.

  It was a moment of perfection and he was starting to want a lifetime of them.

  SHE WAS SURROUNDED BY his scent and it was exquisite.

  Furtively, Louisa clasped the lapels of the dark blue superfine and inhaled. It smelled of soap, sandalwood, and Hugh. It was heavenly.

  Hugh wasn’t speaking much and nor was she.

  His chivalrous act, his concern for her wellbeing, his love for his brother and, of course, his kisses were forces too strong for her to fight.

  She might as well embrace the fact that she loved him.

  Then, when he rejected her as he had three years ago, she could go away and lick her wounds in peace.

  But wouldn’t it be nice to just let herself enjoy his company?

  “Let’s get inside and get warm,” Hugh interrupted her thoughts.

  She looked guiltily at him.

  “Oh, Hugh, you must be freezing,” she said, starting to remove his coat. Here, take—” her words trailed off as she looked at him, really looked at him, since he’d given her his coat.

  Now that he wasn’t wearing his jacket, she could see more of him and what she saw was enough to make her mouth drier than the Sahara.

  She could see the muscles of his arms through the thin material of his lawn shirt, they looked so defined, so big.

  And his jacket had very obviously not been padded like that of some of the dandies of the ton, given the size of his shoulders and the breadth of his chest.

  “Louisa?”

  Her eyes snapped up to hi
s, and she was horrified to see the light of amusement in them. He knew, the cad. He knew the effect his body was having on her.

  “You were saying?” he continued with a smug grin.

  “I thought you might be cold. I was g-giving you back your coat,” she murmured dropping her eyes and refusing to meet his gaze again.

  “Keep it,” he said, chuckling softly. “I do believe your heated glances are enough to keep my blood warm.”

  Louisa gasped in outrage. How dare he embarrass her so?

  “I beg your pardon,” she exclaimed. “I am not giving you heated glances. The very idea.”

  He laughed again then bent to give her a swift kiss.

  “You are one in a million, Louisa Bright. Come on.”

  He moved ahead of her, and Louisa scrambled to keep up.

  “Take the coat back,” she demanded.

  “No,” he answered mutinously.

  “Hugh,” she said exasperatedly.

  “Louisa.” He imitated her tone like a big, overgrown child.

  “Will you take the bloody coat?” she screeched.

  “I’ll tell you what,” he said, his tone placating. “Meet me later tonight, and you can return it to me.”

  She eyed him suspiciously, her eyes narrowed.

  “Can’t you just take it now?” she asked.

  “I could. But I don’t want to. If you return it later, that means I get to see you later.”

  Louisa couldn’t help but laugh at his charming smile.

  And hadn’t she decided to just enjoy her time?

  Still, it seemed that she was playing with a fire that she wasn’t equipped to deal with.

  “Sweetheart, can’t you just ease up and have a little fun?” he cajoled.

  “Why are you doing this?” she asked rather than acquiesce.

  He sighed and shook his head.

  “So mistrustful,” he whispered reaching out and stroking her cheeks softly.”Isn’t it obvious that I’m doing this because I want, quite desperately I might add, to spend time alone with you? That I want to explore this thing that’s growing between us?”

  His words were so coaxing, his touch intoxicating.

  “You did it for Meredith, allowed yourself to let go and give Lucas his chance to woo her.”