'Tis the Season for Lady Sarah - Maggie Dallen Page 0,1

her older brother’s best friend, but that did not mean he could treat her like a little sister.

“This is my home,” she reminded him pertly. “One cannot be skulking about in one’s own home.”

“Then what were you doing, tiptoeing so stealthily in your own home?” He glanced toward the darkened hallway behind her. “Do tell, Sarah. I’d love to hear.”

The condescension in his tone had her shoulders straightening, her chin tilting up. “If you must know, I couldn’t sleep. I was on my way to fetch a book from the library.”

His eyes lit with laughter, clear as day even in this dark. “Indeed?” He glanced toward the library, which was in the opposite direction from where she had been heading. He proffered an arm. “I could do with some poetry myself tonight. It would be my pleasure to escort you.”

She glared up at him. That wasn’t a mere smirk. It was the smug smile of a predator toying with its prey. “No. Thank you.” The “thank you” came out through gritted teeth and she could have sworn she saw him stifle a laugh at her expense.

She glanced behind her. “With all the activity this evening, I failed to eat enough.” She forced an innocent smile. “I should like to fix myself some food before I head back to my room.”

“The servants will be rising within the hour,” he said. “If you wait a little while longer I’m certain they would be happy to help.”

She opened her mouth to protest but he continued before she was able, his voice harder than before.

“At least, that was what I told Mr. Stallworth when I found him sneaking about the garden a moment ago.”

She froze with her lips still parted, her eyes wide in shock and horror and…

No. No, no, no.

Her insides lurched as tears sprang to her eyes. Everly hadn’t. He wouldn’t have.

One glance at the now-grim expression on the earl’s face said to her that yes—he would

He had.

She tried to swallow. She tried to breathe, but—it was over. Her one chance to see Mr. Stallworth again before he left on his journey. Her last opportunity for a farewell. All the promises she’d planned to make, the vows she’d planned to exchange. Everly had ruined it all.

“Go to bed, Sarah.” Everly’s voice was surprisingly gentle but she still tensed at the fatherly tone. His lips hitched up in a small smile that lacked the mockery she’d come to expect from him. “A young girl such as yourself needs her sleep if you are to take part in all those festivities your mother has planned for the morning.”

Her brows drew down as anger battled with pain. Her heart was breaking and he wished to distract her with talk of festivities? Her love was leaving and he thought to dismiss her like this was some joke?

“I am not a child—”

“Then stop acting like one.” That gentleness was gone in a flash and his eyes hard as flint. She jerked back at his harsh tone. “Go to bed, Sarah.”

Her lower lip quivered but she would never give him the satisfaction of seeing her tears. “You are in no position to order me about,” she said. “This is my home and—”

“And your father would be most interested to hear about your nocturnal activities, I am certain,” he said.

She narrowed her eyes. “You wouldn’t.”

He arched a brow. “You think not?” He crossed his arms and moved closer until she felt as though she were shrinking before him. “I promised Max I would look after you, Sarah—”

“Well, consider yourself relieved of that duty,” she snapped. “Max is my brother and even he would not treat me like this.”

“Like a silly fool,” he said, mockery once more lacing his tone and making her blood boil in her veins.

“Child?” she snapped. “Silly fool? I am a grown lady—”

“Then I suggest you behave as such.” He sighed, seemingly bored by this interaction, as though ruining a girl’s dreams was a regular activity for him. As though smashing a lady’s heart was a tedious activity.

Perhaps it was. Judging by the rumors about his romantic dalliances, she suspected breaking hearts was just another trivial pastime for him, like riding or playing cards. Those girls were the fools. Not her.

“I will say this once more, Sarah.” He leaned down slightly and his height and breadth were nothing compared to the intimidating glare he fixed on her. “Go. To. Bed.” His gaze raked over her as he straightened again. “Perhaps you’ll come to your senses in