Mistletoe and Mayhem - Cheryl Bolen Page 0,329

the feeling of freedom it brings.”

Hugh paused to study her, making her feel as if she’d shared a secret she hadn’t realized she’d been keeping. She supposed that was one way of coming to know each other, exchanging preferences and dislikes. Would she have the chance to do the same of him?

“As do I,” Emma added as if not to be left out. “Isn’t it grand? Even at this ungodly hour.”

“We won’t have any sun today it seems.” Hugh finished assisting Emma and turned his attention to Lucy, but she’d already buckled on her skates.

The idea of him holding her foot, even with her boot on, rattled her thoroughly. He offered his hand to help her stand and guided her onto the ice then repeated the gesture for Emma.

Lucy was pleased Emma seemed to be in good spirits as she knew her cousin didn’t care for early mornings. They skated together, going around the pond while Hugh put on his skates.

He quickly joined them, proving to be a natural on the ice, even managing to skate backward in front of them, claiming he wished to see their beauty as he skated.

His outrageous flirting soon had both Emma and her laughing so hard they had to slow their pace.

“Mr. Raybourne, please,” Lucy begged as she pressed her muff against her middle. “My stomach hurts from laughing.”

He feigned a hurt expression. “Why you find my compliments amusing is beyond me. I meant them all.”

“Even the one about the moon rising with each breath we take?” Emma shared a look with Lucy, and they both were in stitches once again.

Hugh heaved a beleaguered sigh then skated between them, offering his elbow to each. “My skills at charming beautiful ladies have obviously grown rusty with disuse.”

A glow of happiness settled around Lucy as they continued circling the pond in companionable silence. The touch of his arm wrapped with hers made her feel like champagne with tiny bubbles of joy rising to the surface. She caught the faint scent of musk and forest, a very manly smell, so different from the lily scent Aunt Edith wore. The only sound breaking the quiet was the swish of their skates as they glided in unison.

The moment was perfect, and she closed her eyes briefly to hold it tight, imprinting it to her memory with all her senses.

“You are lucky to have such a wonderful place away from London,” Hugh said, his gaze sweeping over the rolling hills. He looked content as he admired the view.

Lucy was again surprised a gentleman like him would find pleasure so far away from the frantic pace of the city.

As if sensing her perusal, he looked at her, a gentle smile in his eyes. She returned it, realizing she now held one of his secrets—a fondness of the countryside. The warmth of that knowledge filled her. Perhaps they had more in common than she realized.

“Shall we race?” Emma asked, breaking the fragile moment.

Lucy blinked to clear her thoughts, reminding herself that she was only supposed to become acquainted with him because Emma had asked her to, not for her own pleasure.

“Of course,” he agreed then raised a brow at Lucy. “Shall we?”

“Absolutely.” What could she do but agree?

“Go!” Emma rushed forward, but Lucy and Hugh soon caught up with her.

The three shouted encouragement to each other as they raced to the opposite end.

Lucy had no doubt Hugh allowed Emma to beat him, and she followed suit, holding back to allow the two the victory.

Emma pretended to suddenly lose her balance, and Hugh caught her in his arms. Lucy forced a smile as they laughed, still holding each other. They made a beautiful couple.

Mr. Raybourne was the best of the suitors her cousin had, though Lucy had yet to spend much time with the others. But the thought of sharing her opinion with Emma had Lucy turning away.

After dinner the following evening, once the gentlemen had rejoined the ladies in the drawing room, Hugh watched from across the room as Emma gave Lucy a pointed look. With a reluctant nod, Lucy approached Miss Barnes who stood next to her brother, as always. The woman rarely left his side and acted quite uncomfortable when she did.

He couldn’t hear the conversation, but he had a guess as to what was being said. It proved correct as Miss Barnes followed Lucy a short distance away to join Mrs. Waverly, leaving Emma to speak alone with Mr. Barnes.

Hugh scowled at Emma’s behavior. The more he came to