Mistletoe and Mayhem - Cheryl Bolen Page 0,181

watched him calculating what sort of timeframe she might agree to. "I would guess a week or two, at the most," she added. "I cannot promise anything beyond that."

He appeared taken aback by her response. "I have delivered a similar message in the past and never realized until now how disheartening it could be."

She laughed. "You have never been the recipient?"

"No." His lips pursed with momentary pique. "I never anticipated I would be."

"You are quite alluring, of course." She halted before confessing he nearly tempted her to see if it was possible to engage in something beyond a short affair. The wine, the anonymity of the mask, the intimacy of their lovers' nook, all of it was conspiring to make her lose her wits.

"I am gratified you think so." His eyes glittered once more, making Lorelei wonder if he was able to divine her thoughts. "I have been captivated by you since the moment you arrived."

Lorelei's heart pleaded with her to continue with this man. Fate had surely brought them together. After all, he had been intended for another, while she had merely attended so she could regale her sister with the details of the event. Yet now it seemed there was meant to be more for them. How could she possibly resist?

"It would be a shame for all of this attraction, and mistletoe, to go to waste," she said with a smile. "Still, it is only meant to last until Twelfth Night, and legend says it must be burned at that time."

"And if it is not?"

She gave him a brief kiss. "We are bound to quarrel before the year ends."

He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close while he continued to press light kisses to her lips. "I have no wish to quarrel. Unless it is about how many kisses are to be used. We never did come to a decision on that question."

Lorelei slowly disengaged herself from his embrace, while she had the will to do so. "That shall be a quarrel for another day then."

His grin was a delicious one. It invited her to stay longer, but she knew it was best to leave now, when they were both filled with anticipation.

"Farewell, Desmond."

"I cannot say farewell until I know when we shall meet again."

"When I am not yet certain of. But where is easy." She whispered in his ear. "Meet me at the mistletoe."

Before he could ask her anything more, she spun away and raced towards the exit.

Chapter Three

"Martin, she is extraordinary. I will admit I had my doubts about your matchmaking skills at first. But I cannot imagine anyone could suit me better."

Lorelei.

She had picked a most suitable name for an alias, because she was beyond tempting. His thoughts had remained on her nearly every moment since she had departed. It was merely hours ago but it felt like an eternity. Especially since he was uncertain when he would see her again.

Desmond continued the stroll with his friend through the local village. Martin had suggested the jaunt, as he needed something from the apothecary, and did not in good conscience want to send one of his servants as they were already so busy with the numerous planned holiday events.

Martin beamed. "I was certain you would be a good match." He halted so he could peer into one of the shop windows. "Shall I invite both of you to tea so you can meet without your masks?"

"Of course. Without delay. I am impatient to see her again."

"We could have both of you arrive wearing your masks, and then there could be a dramatic unveiling—"

Desmond snorted, ready to deliver a blistering retort, but a delicious laugh rang through the air—one he had thought about constantly since he had first heard it the previous evening.

He whipped his head around, his heart thundering in his chest.

It was indeed the beauty from the night before. Even without the mask covering her eyes, he recognized the intriguing smile she had bestowed on him numerous times. That distinctive laugh could belong to no one but her.

In the next instant, however, his heart fell to his toes.

She was chasing after two young children, a young boy and girl, both of whom resembled her.

"I did not anticipate you would match me with a married woman, especially one with young children."

Martin frowned. "But I did not."

It was Desmond's turn to frown. "She is the woman I met last night. She had the torn card in hand as well."

"I do not know how she came to