Mistletoe and Mayhem - Cheryl Bolen Page 0,294

turned back to Tobias. “What about you? Do you think Anne would slap you if you dared to kiss her?”

Tobias cringed.

“Ah!” his brother exclaimed as though he’d just solved a most fascinating riddle. “I see, you’ve wondered about it yourself.”

Swallowing hard, Tobias linked his arms behind his back, trying his utmost not to look at Anne, who was still−to his utter regret−speaking to Lord Gillingham.

Beside him, Phineas sighed, “Simply kiss the girl,” he whispered before his black gaze met Tobias’s, a wicked gleam coming to his eyes, “or I shall do it for you.” His brows went up and down in challenge before he turned and walked away without another word.

Shocked, Tobias stared after him, worried what his brother might do. For although Phineas was no fool, he’d more than once proved to be a rogue of the worst kind.

Chapter Six ~ Under the Mistletoe

For the life of her, Anne could not find a polite way to rid herself of Lord Gillingham’s company. The man had been all but stuck to her side ever since he’d arrived earlier that day. Fate also saw them seated next to one another during supper, refusing to grant Anne a short reprieve.

By the time everyone returned to the drawing room, Anne was exhausted.

“The venison was exquisite,” Lord Gillingham commented as they stood near the pianoforte at a safe distance from the nearest sprig of mistletoe. Thanks to Leonora’s diligent observations, Anne knew well which areas to avoid. “This has indeed been a splendid evening.” He smiled at her, and she could see his blue eyes light up with delight. “I’ve enjoyed your company very much.”

“You’re too kind, Lord Gillingham,” Anne urged herself to reply. After all, he was not only polite and attentive, but also a perfect gentleman. Moreover, Anne had been unable to note any of the objections Leonora had inquired after at the Barrington ball a few weeks back. All in all, there was no reason why she ought to object to his company.

But she did.

In truth, Anne had spent most of the evening trying not to stare at Tobias. He had been seated not directly across from her, but a few chairs down the table on Lord Gillingham’s side next to Grandmother Edie. Fortunately, that had granted her an excuse to turn her gaze in his direction as she did her best to follow Lord Gillingham’s retelling of his last trip to the Continent.

Still, Tobias had been the only one on her mind. She’d stolen glimpses at him as often as inconspicuously possible. His gaze had been distant, his jaw somewhat taut as though something plagued him. Then he’d looked up, and their eyes had met for a split second before Anne had dropped her gaze in utter panic. She’d felt herself blush profusely, unable not to think of her cousin’s plan in that very moment.

What would a kiss feel like?

Tobias’s kiss?

“Would you care for a refreshment?” Lord Gillingham asked her in that moment, jarring Anne from her wayward thoughts. “Or perhaps a turn about the gardens?”

Anne was about to decline when she stopped. Perhaps a brisk walk through the snow would finally chase away that lingering blush that grew each time her eyes fell on her childhood friend. Indeed, it seemed whenever she lifted her gaze this night, Tobias was there, his brown eyes finding hers without fail. Was she simply imagining his presence? Or was it her cousin’s blasted plan that made her overinterpret everything?

“A turn about the gardens sounds lovely,” Anne told Lord Gillingham. “I must admit I feel a bit flushed.”

Immediately, the young lord offered her his arm, and they strode out into the hall.

“Pardon me,” someone spoke out from behind them, and Anne cringed at the sound of Louisa’s voice.

Stopping, Lord Gillingham turned back to look at Louisa. “Yes? Is there something I can help you with, Lady Louisa? Perhaps you would like to join us in the gardens?”

A gentle but somewhat insincere smile came to Louisa’s face. “What a lovely idea,” she told Lord Gillingham with a sideways glance at Anne that made Anne want to sink into a hole in the ground. “However, I’m afraid I need to speak with my cousin about a matter of importance. Would you excuse us?”

A matter of importance? Anne knew that at present there was only one important matter on Louisa’s mind, and she wished her cousin would simply forget about it.

Knowing Louisa, Anne was certain that hell would freeze over before that happened though.

“Of course,” Lord Gillingham