Mistletoe and Mayhem - Cheryl Bolen Page 0,327

moment alone with a man might be all it takes to find you betrothed.”

“I shall be careful. Besides, it’s a thrill to attempt a moment of passion.” She placed both hands over her heart as she spoke.

“A moment of what?” Aunt Edith asked with a frown, suddenly wide awake. “What did you say?”

“Poison,” Emma quickly supplied as she dropped her hands. “We’re discussing a book I’m reading. The heroine has to find poison.”

“Humph.” Aunt Edith considered Emma for a long moment as if unconvinced. Then she closed her eyes once more.

Lucy waited a breath before whispering, “Your recklessness might not end well.”

“You sound like my mother. Where is your sense of adventure, Lucy?” Emma shook her head. “You’ll be a spinster if you don’t find it.”

The thought was a sobering one. Though she loved her aunt, she had no desire to spend the rest of her life living such a solitary existence. Would she have a chance for more? And if that chance came along, would she have the courage to take it?

Hugh arrived early in the drawing room before dinner, hoping to find Miss Waverly. After much thought, he was certain that coming to know her better would be the solution to the absence of a connection he felt when they were together. He might appreciate her beauty, but physical attraction would only last so long.

Yet as he searched the guests, he realized he was looking for dark hair. More specifically, the dark hair of Miss Gray. With a muttered oath, he reminded himself of his need for a wealthy wife if he wished to pursue his dream of raising horses. He could admire Lucy all he wanted, but marriage was a serious business. His future was at stake.

He and his brothers were doing what they could to pay off the debts their father had left and refill the family coffers. Thomas, his younger brother, was doing a fine job at the publishing house with the help of his wife, Annabelle, and her successful books.

Graham, the eldest and the Earl of Carlington, was working to make their entailed properties more efficient as well as bettering their tenants’ lives.

Now it was Hugh’s turn. Unfortunately, the one idea he felt he’d be good at and would eventually provide an income required significant funds.

With renewed determination, he searched for Miss Waverly and turned in time to see her entering the room with Miss Gray and their aunt at her side. He hadn’t seen Mrs. Penrose since her arrival when she’d mistaken him for a servant.

He moved forward to greet them before his competitors could do so. “Good evening, ladies.”

“Mr. Raybourne,” Miss Waverly returned his smile. “I hope the evening finds you well.”

“It does now,” he said as he held each of their gazes in turn. Why was it that his chest tightened when his gaze reached Lucy?

Mrs. Penrose narrowed her eyes as if suspecting he was up to no good. “And why would that be?”

“Because I have the pleasure of speaking with the three most beautiful ladies in the room.”

“Few others have arrived, so your attempt to compliment us has failed,” Mrs. Penrose announced. She turned to Lucy. “Let us find a seat.”

“May I fetch you glasses of sherry?” Hugh offered, deciding to ignore Mrs. Penrose’s comment. One had to assume she was always in a grim mood.

“That would be lovely,” Miss Waverly said. “So kind of you.”

“Quite nice,” Miss Gray agreed with a stern look at her aunt. “Isn’t it, Aunt Edith?”

“Yes. An effort worthy of praise, I’m sure.” Mrs. Penrose gestured toward the settee. “Now I’d like to sit if we’ve all decided how kind Mr. Raybourne is.”

Miss Gray’s look of apology made Hugh long to tell her all was well. She need not worry that her aunt would offend him. Besides, he had no doubt he’d eventually win over the woman. With a bow, he stepped away to pour the sherry.

In short order, he returned with three glasses, pleased to see that none of the other gentlemen had arrived to steal Miss Waverly’s attention. “Here we are.” He handed each of them a glass.

“Thank you.” Lucy looked at him from under her lashes. That simple glance sent awareness prickling under his skin.

“Did you have an enjoyable day, Mr. Raybourne?” Emma asked with a secretive smile.

Did she think their brief time together had made it so? Her confidence was annoying at times. “I did indeed.” He glanced at Lucy. “From the very start, it was enjoyable.”

Her dark eyes, the color