Christmas.”
Then, before she could lose her courage, she turned and fled.
By the time she reached the door to the drawing room at the rear of the house, she was breathless, both from her dash through the snow and her encounter with David.
Ivy met her at the door, her forehead creased. “Fanny! I’ve been so worried.” She pulled her sister inside and wrapped her in a fierce hug.” When she drew back, she looked down at Fanny’s snow-covered cloak. “You’re soaking wet.”
“And now you are too,” Fanny said with a touch of irony.
“So it would seem.” Ivy raised her gaze to Fanny’s. “Where have you been?”
“Trying to save a rabbit.”
“Of course you were,” Ivy muttered. “West and Dart and Ned are out looking for you, silly. I’ll send some footmen out after them. In the meantime, go upstairs and take a warm bath.”
“Yes, Ivy.” Fanny leaned forward and kissed her sister’s cheek before departing the drawing room. On the way, she waved at Lucy and Aquilla who were on the floor with the babies.
Later, when she was warm and dry, Fanny joined everyone for dinner. She apologized to West and the others for having to go out in the snow looking for her. They were all just glad she was all right.
Afterward, they placed small candles in the tree and when they were lit, Fanny gasped with wonder.
Ivy, holding her nearly-asleep daughter against her chest, moved close to Fanny’s side, smiling. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
“It is.”
“Who knows where you’ll be this time next year,” Ivy said with a touch of sadness. “You may be married. I’ll miss you, especially when we’ve just found each other.” Ivy had left home more than a decade ago and had only renewed contact with Fanny and the rest of their family last fall.
“I’ll miss you too. I may not be married. Maybe I’m meant to be a spinster.”
Ivy laughed. “No, not you.”
“You nearly were.”
“Yes, and as you can see, you can never be too sure about the path you’re meant to take.”
Fanny thought about the path she’d taken that day and wished it had ended differently.
West came over then and slipped his arm around Ivy. “Oh look, Dart is hanging some mistletoe.”
A feeling of warmth coupled with a pang of loss wrapped around Fanny’s heart. She knew right then that she’d never look at mistletoe the same.
Or Christmas.
The house was quiet when West climbed into bed next to his wife. Gathering Ivy close, he kissed her forehead, her cheek, her delicious lips. She sighed as she snuggled into his chest.
“Tonight was beautiful,” she said.
“Right up until we had to extinguish every one of those candles.” That had taken great care so as not to catch the entire bloody house on fire.
Ivy laughed. “Don’t you think it was worth it? I don’t care—we’re doing it every year. Just imagine Leah’s face next Christmas.”
“And her little brother’s.” He brought his hand around to his wife’s belly and stroked the soft plane through the linen of her nightgown.
“Oh, you think this one will be a boy?” Ivy asked.
“I was right about Leah, wasn’t I?”
“Yes.” Ivy traced her fingertip around his chest, arousing him with the simplest touch. “Did Fanny seem different to you tonight? She was quiet.”
“She was.” Fanny liked to talk and talk, but tonight she’d seemed a bit distracted. “I expect she was tired after traipsing after that rabbit she never caught.”
“Yes, that must be it. I’m so glad she’s here with us.” Ivy rolled West to his back and rose over him, her eyes darkening with desire. “Have I thanked you for welcoming her into our family?”
“Many times, but I shall always accept your appreciation.”
“What about my undying devotion?” Ivy reached down and stroked his rapidly-hardening shaft.
“I’ll take that too.” He let out a soft groan as her hand worked its magic. “You’re going to drive me mad, woman.”
She grinned down at him. “But you’ll enjoy it, won’t you?”
“Every blessed moment.” He clasped the back of her neck and brought her mouth to his for a soul-searing kiss. “Happy Christmas, wife.”
“Happy Christmas, husband.”
The Duke of Ruin Christmas Scene
This is a “deleted” scene from The Duke of Ruin. Simon and Diana were recently married at Gretna Green and are on their way back to his estate in the south of England. They are traveling over Christmas and stop in Oxford for a few days to celebrate the holiday. Enjoy! If you haven’t read The Duke of Ruin, grab your copy now!
December 24, 1817
“It’s Christmas Eve!” Simon