Mistletoe and Mayhem - Cheryl Bolen Page 0,309

gaze returned to Anne. “Why don’t you want him to know?”

“Because…because…” Lost for words, Anne knew not what to think, let alone say.

“I can see that you’re afraid,” Louisa replied, her hands settling on the mattress before she pushed herself back against the pillows into a more erect position, “and I understand why you would be. But if you allow that fear to hold you back, you’ll spend the rest of your days dreaming of a life with Tobias instead of living it. Is that what you want?”

Anne closed her eyes. “But what if he doesn’t love me?”

“He does,” Louisa insisted.

“He does,” Grandma Edie agreed as she settled deeper into the armchair, her head coming to rest against the upholstery.

“How do you know?” Anne demanded, looking from one to the other.

Exhaling another exasperated breath, Louisa grasped Anne’s hands anew, a rather impatient insistence in her grip. “Have I not been right about this from the start? Why are you so afraid to trust me? To trust yourself?” Her blue eyes looked deep into Anne’s. “When he kissed you, what did it feel like?”

A smile teased Anne’s lips. However, she could not help but feel a bit uneasy discussing this with her cousin’s grandmother seated only a few steps away. Fortunately, a rather uneasy glance in Grandma Edie’s direction confirmed that the dowager had once again dozed off as she often did quite unexpectedly.

“See?” Louisa declared triumphantly, interpreting Anne’s smile for what it was. “Now, would you stop worrying and go and speak to him? You’re giving me a headache!” Sighing, she rubbed her temples.

A part of Anne wanted nothing more but to seek out Tobias and see Louisa’s words confirmed. Another part, however, still would not let go of the what ifs, fearing she could not gain anything from revealing her feelings, but would instead lose the best friend she’d ever had. “You had no right to tell him,” Anne squeaked, well-aware that she was merely stalling for time. Her hands were trembling, and she feared her heart would beat out of her chest at the thought of facing Tobias.

Louisa, of course, saw right through her. “Stop trying to distract me,” her cousin snapped gently. “What is done is done. Now, stop hiding and go speak to him.” She waved her hands, shooing Anne off the bed. “And avoid Lord Gillingham for I won’t be there to save you another time.” Her brows rose, and she gestured to her ankle.

Anne smiled at her. “Thank you…for saving me.”

“What is family for?” Louisa replied with a devilish grin. “I admit it was fun!”

“But your ankle,” Anne insisted. “You−”

“Out!” Louisa snapped, a warning glare in her eyes. “Now!” Her right arm snapped outward, and her forefinger pointed at the door. “I mean it! Go!”

Inhaling a deep breath, Anne complied, hoping despite her jittery nerves that this day would end as promising as it had begun.

With another kiss!

From the right man, of course.

Chapter Thirteen ~ Out into the Snow

Pulling on a dry pair of boots as well as her heavy winter cloak, Anne headed back outside.

The cold air felt wonderful upon her heated cheeks as her eyes swept the grounds, looking for Tobias. Many guests were still ice-skating while others had begun a snowball fight near the maze in the western half of the garden. The tall hedges provided a good shield behind which one could duck when another missile came flying at one’s head. Laughter echoed across the glistening snow, reminding Anne of the joyful winter days she’d shared with Tobias and Phin when they had been children. Was there any chance they could hold on to this bond now that they were grown?

“Are you looking for someone?”

Looking over her shoulder, Anne found Phineas standing only a few feet away. “I might be,” she replied as a nervous shiver snaked down her back. It would have been easy enough to blame it on the cold; however, Anne knew that she could no longer hide from the truth.

Louisa would never let her.

Phineas grinned. “Am I right to assume that you’re looking for my brother?” He moved closer, his dark gaze watchful and…knowing.

Oh, so knowing.

Anne swallowed. “Perhaps.”

Phin laughed, and his large hands settled upon her shoulders as his eyes looked into hers. “You’re as bad as he is, dear Annie,” he said gently, humor teasing his voice. “I’ll go and fetch him for you, but you have to promise me that you won’t let him get away.”

Anne inhaled a shuddering breath. If only it were