Mistletoe and Mayhem - Cheryl Bolen Page 0,230

new to you.”

“This might come as a surprise, my lord, but I have ears. I heard you giving commands.”

“Is that true?” He slid his hand beneath her quilted bonnet and cradled her earlobe, gently rolling it between his gloved fingers. A thrilling shiver raced through her. His eyes darkened and a lazy smile lifted one side of his mouth higher than the other. “Indeed, Lady Hadley. You do have ears.”

“At least one,” Octavia said. “Can we go now? It’s cold."

Calliope snickered.

“Remind me why we invited them along.” Julius winked at Bess and dropped his hand to his lap. “It is a straight path from here, but if you want Daisy to go right say gee. Left is hey. Are you ready?”

“Yes,” she said on a wisp of breath. She couldn’t stop smiling. “Daisy, walk.”

The leather creaked and vibrated as if it were alive. All that power at her fingertips sent a rush of exhilaration through her veins. She urged the mare into a trot.

On the horizon, a quaint Tudor-style house came into view. It was nestled between a grove of evergreen trees and a frozen lake. Smoke rose from two of the three chimney stacks, and a ringed fire blazed on the bank. Several of the Seabrook’s offspring had made their way onto the ice. Off to the side, two women were conversing with a peddler hawking his wares.

Calliope squealed. “Look! The gypsies are back.” Julius asked her not to scream in his ear anymore, and he’d allow her to select a new ribbon. She squealed again then slapped her hand over her mouth. “Sorry,” she mumbled.

As Bess drove the sleigh into the yard, a spotted spaniel with floppy ears ran to greet them.

“Mr. Perkins!” Calliope scrambled from the sleigh as soon as it stopped and crouched on the ground to ruffle the dog’s ears.

Bess sought out her cousin and discovered her skating with one of Julius’s brothers. Max, perhaps?

She had worked hard trying to memorize all of Julius’s siblings’ names at breakfast. It was a daunting task, and three sisters hadn’t been present. The only name she remembered with certainty was Hugh’s. The youngest Seabrook boy was rambunctious during the meal and was scolded often. Bess thought the boy was just excited for a fun day with his brothers and sisters where he didn’t have to watch is manners as closely.

Julius’s sister was lying in wait for the birth of her first child. Therefore, she and her husband were not attending the house party. Reportedly, Major and Mrs. Rowland preferred the quiet of the cottage and the company of their dogs anyway, so it was no hardship for either of them. Julius had suggested his brothers and sisters take the party to Ammie and her husband instead. Hence, the impromptu Christmas Eve gathering.

Bess suspected she and Gemma had only been invited because Julius felt an obligation to entertain them since they were his guests. His motive didn’t concern her overmuch. She was thrilled to be included. Since Julius’s arrival on Davensworth Cottage’s doorstep, Bess woke each morning with an unbearable eagerness for his company, like her insides couldn’t settle until she saw his face.

A stablehand came to unharness the mare. Julius extended his hand to Bess. “I imagine you prefer to observe rather than venture onto the ice so soon after your fall.”

“You imagine wrong, my lord.” Placing her hand in his, she climbed from the sleigh. “I want to grab every moment of pleasure this day has to offer.”

Chapter Nine

Julius pressed a mug of warm chocolate into Bess’s hands and returned to the sideboard to retrieve one for himself. She laughed at one of Clive’s stories about the time he, Julius, and Max climbed onto the roof at Everly Manor and became stuck. When they yelled for help, Ammie and Laurel thought there were ghosts in the attic stuck in the afterlife. The smokey sound of Bess’s laughter melted his insides. He loved the rich, sultry tone.

His sister Ammie sidled close to him. Without her hooded cape to hide her condition, her belly appeared even larger than it had that afternoon. He poured a cup for her; she accepted it with an arched brow.

“How thoughtful, Julius.”

“Are you surprised?”

“Yes,” she admitted then shook her head when he frowned. “Not about being a thoughtful brother. You’ve always come to my rescue. I meant the way you are with Lady Hadley. I’ve never seen you dance attendance on anyone. I am filled with optimism.”

“Optimism.” He chuckled under his breath and poured