Mistletoe and Mayhem - Cheryl Bolen Page 0,300

as annoyed with her inability to speak her mind as I am with yours.” He fixed his brother with a pointed stare. “So, she thought what better way to end this little dance you two do around one another than to have you kiss.”

Tobias frowned. “But it didn’t solve anything. I still−”

“I admit Lulu’s plan wasn’t perfect. She−”

“Do you have to call her Lulu?” Tobias demanded, wondering about his brother’s sanity. After all, despite Phineas’s feigned disinterest, he seemed to care for the meddlesome Lady Louisa. Why on earth would he constantly aggravate her?

“Yes,” was all his brother cared to say on the subject. “She failed to consider the strain of being observed by a bunch of obnoxious tattletales. If you want my advice−”

“I’m not certain I do.”

Phin chuckled, “Believe me, you do.” He slapped his brother on the back. “Find our little Annie alone and kiss her again. But do it right this time, or you might truly frighten her off.” Grinning, he patted Tobias on the shoulder a couple of times before he turned to leave. “I’d suggest the library,” he remarked over his shoulder. “Even you should be able to think of a pretext to lure her in there.”

Watching his brother walk away, Tobias once more leaned against the wall at his back, his heart beating fast with this new revelation. Could it be true? Could Phineas be right? Did Anne genuinely care for him? What if he took his brother’s advice, kissed her again and she…?

Tobias gritted his teeth and nodded to himself. “There’s only one way to find out.”

Chapter Eight ~ In the Library

Anne barely slept a wink all night for her mind chose to torture her by replaying the moment under the mistletoe again and again. And every time, she cringed at the sight of Tobias’s taut face, the hard look in his eyes, his set jaw.

Oh, what had she done? Would he still be her friend today? How would they meet after what had happened? Was it possible to simply pretend that it never had happened?

As sleep proved elusive, Anne rose early. She donned a simple dress, not bothering to wake her maid, and ventured downstairs. She had no destination in mind but found herself wandering the hallways rather aimlessly. Her eyes were blind to the softly glistening snow outside as the sun began to peek over the horizon, announcing a new day. Her feet moved on their own, her gaze gliding over paintings of Lord Archibald’s ancestors as well as his extensive collection of Greek urns. She heard her footfalls on the marble floors and noted their absence as she stepped across the threshold into the library. Here, a large carpet covered the floor where a sitting area had been set up near the large fireplace. Flames danced in its grate, sending out their warmth like waves rolling onto a beach.

Walking up to the window, Anne stared out into the white gardens of Windmere Park, her thoughts still lingering on what to say, how to apologize, how to right the wrong she’d done Tobias. Ought she tell him the truth about her cousin’s ludicrous idea?

The thought sent a shiver down her back for Anne knew without a doubt that it would destroy her if Tobias laughed it off as she herself had pretended to more than once. For the truth was that Louisa was right. Heaven help her, but her cousin was right.

“He’s no brother to me,” Anne whispered into the stillness of the early morning. “Nor is he simply a friend.” Still, Anne would be forever grateful if only she did not lose his friendship. A life without Tobias was one she could not even begin to imagine.

“You’re up early.”

At the sound of Tobias’s voice, Anne spun around, her eyes wide and her cheeks burning hotter than the fire in the grate. Had he heard what she’d just foolishly said out loud?

Standing in the doorway, he looked at her, his warm gaze familiar and comforting. Although there was a hint of tension on his face, he seemed more relaxed than the day before. “Are you all right?” he asked as he stepped toward her, and for one precious moment, she found herself looking at the friend she knew.

Always had he looked out for her, his gaze watchful, easily detecting even the smallest concern that rested upon her mind. He’d always known the measurements of her heart, been a confidante to her fears and dreams. And never had she looked at him