of coffee beans, widened, and a delicate blush stole up her cheeks. She truly was beautiful.
Emma glanced at her cousin then at him, obviously puzzled by the silent exchange.
“A delightful day all around.” He forced himself to meet Emma’s eyes and offered a charming smile, hoping she’d ignore his remark. What was wrong with him that he’d risk annoying the woman he hoped to court? Nor did he want Lucy to become a target of her cousin’s ire because of him.
Emma smiled then sipped her sherry. “Tomorrow will be great fun as well. We have an afternoon of games planned.”
“Games?” Viscount Jameson joined them with a drink in hand. “What sort of games?”
“Good evening, my lord,” the ladies said in unison.
“All sorts of games, but I refuse to share details now,” Emma continued after greetings were exchanged. “I want them to be a surprise.”
Lucy glanced away, and Hugh realized at once the reason. She would no doubt again be spending the afternoon with her aunt and not participate in the fun. Didn’t Emma realize this? Why had they bothered to invite Lucy if she couldn’t join the festivities? It seemed a cruel gesture in his opinion.
He intended to do what little he could to make certain Lucy enjoyed her free time. Someone needed to assist her, especially if her family wasn’t going to. He told himself it was the unfairness of the situation that bothered him, but that didn’t ring completely true.
Chapter Four
Lucy descended the stairs early the next morning, excited at the prospect of skating again. To her surprise, Hugh already stood in the entranceway wearing his greatcoat. She hadn’t been certain if he would rise early again to skate when he’d skated the previous afternoon, but here he was, prepared to brave the cold.
“Good morning.” His warm smile sent awareness tingling along her skin as she joined him.
“And to you.” A tiny part of her longed for this moment—to have a handsome man waiting, eager to spend a few minutes with her no matter the time of day. But in reality, she knew Hugh was simply being polite. His true focus was on Emma, and she couldn’t forget that.
“Good morning.” Emma descended the stairs a moment later, wearing a fur-lined cloak, matching muff, and looking lovely despite the early hour.
If Lucy hadn’t been watching, she would’ve missed the brief frown marring his brow.
“My cousin decided to join us,” Lucy said to explain Emma’s presence.
When Emma had demanded an explanation for his remark in the drawing room, Lucy told her about their brief meeting at the ice-skating area earlier and their plan to skate again. Of course Emma wanted to join them. While Lucy knew it wouldn’t have been appropriate for them to be alone, she now felt like the chaperone. But the outing wasn’t to be wasted, and she set her mind to enjoy it, regardless of the details.
Warmly bundled with skates in hand, they left the house. Low clouds hung in the sky, making the air feel even colder.
“Do you think it might snow?” Emma asked from the depths of her hooded cloak. “Christmas would be perfect if it did.”
Lucy sniffed the air, trying to detect the hint of moisture that often accompanied snow. “It might.”
Hugh chuckled. “We rarely have snow for the holiday, but I have no doubt if both of you ladies wished it so, the weather will cooperate.”
“If only we had that power.” Lucy shared a smile with Emma. There were many things she’d wish for if she could. To spend one more holiday with her parents. To have a family of her own. To find love. But such wishes were both impractical and impossible. For now, she hoped for a pleasurable morning of skating.
If there was one lesson she’d learned over the past few years, it was to appreciate the small moments. This promised to be a particularly fine one, and she wanted to enjoy it fully then tuck it away to pull out on a lonely night yet to come.
They reached the ice-skating pond and excitement filled her. Not that she’d have the chance to glide across the ice on Hugh’s arm. His escort would be for Emma to enjoy. But just the image of skating with him made her smile.
“You must truly love to skate, Miss Gray.” He bent to assist Emma to strap on her skates, much to her cousin’s delight. “That is a bright smile for so early on a cold morning.”
“Yes, I do,” Lucy said. “There’s nothing like