UnexpectedChristmas (8 page)

She smiled the radiant smile he’d seen too seldom. Certainly
at the snowball fight. Now at the thought of picking out a Yule log and some
mistletoe. She was completely unspoiled and he loved her for it but he intended
to cosset her beyond belief after they were married.

“I’ll be in the room next to yours. Knock when you’ve
rested, my love. You will enjoy the superlative woods here and I can hardly
wait to show them to you.”

* * * * *

Sooner than he’d expected he heard the murmuring of female
voices and knew Caro had wakened and was consulting with Marianne. And not too
much longer after that he heard a knock on his door.

Caro stood there, a heavy jacket covering her, boots on her
feet, leather gloves in her hand and her eyes as excited as a child’s. He could
barely resist the urge to grab her and kiss that shining face but he tamped
down his desire. Showing Caro the estate she would someday manage and watching
her delight in choosing a Yule log and mistletoe was more important.

Taking her hand, he held it as he walked her down the
corridor and the sweeping steps and outside to a brilliantly shining day. Caro
was practically skipping by his side, and he decided he’d do nothing but help
her enjoy this day.

“If we go out the kitchen door it’s the quickest way to the
woods. We might have to search for a while to find a suitable log. Have you
rested enough to do a long walk?”

She beamed up at him.

“A long walk in the woods? You can’t imagine what a pleasure
that will be.”

He held her elbow, but lightly. He wanted her to feel comfortable
in his home, helping him with the Christmas traditions that marked the holiday,
undisturbed by his ever-present passion. He was content to watch her delight as
they trudged along the wooded path. The heavy snow that had resulted in their
meeting had not deeply penetrated the dense trees and was mostly melted. A new
light fall made walking through the woods delightful and much in the spirit of
the Christmas season.

They found and rejected several logs.

“Not long enough,” he said about one.

“And this one isn’t thick enough. It wouldn’t burn as long
as a Yule log should last. I trust you’ve saved charcoal from last year’s log,
Sebastian? You know you’ve got to light this year’s from a remnant of the last,
don’t you?”

“Of course, you doubting Thomas. I’m well aware of all the
Christmas traditions. I’m in charge of lighting the new log. Oh look, that
might be the one we want.”

He dragged her to the huge log he’d spotted ignoring the
restrictions against holding an unmarried girl’s hand. They both agreed it was
the perfect size to last through the Christmas festivities. He tied a yellow
rag he’d brought around a branch that sprouted from the huge log and stood back
in satisfaction.

As he turned with a grin to rejoice with her on their
selection, he saw her eyes filling with moisture and a tear sliding down her
cheek. He grabbed her to him, regardless of his resolve to keep his hands off
her until she was ready. Or the damned restrictions he had no intention of
following.

“Caro, what is it? Have I tired you? I’m an unfeeling
brute.”

She pressed against his body as if he were her last refuge.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, Sebastian. It’s just all so
wonderful, and so much as my life used to be.”

He was afraid to say a word. He didn’t want to shatter the
mood but mostly he wanted her to learn to trust him. If he did what his unruly
body demanded he might lose her forever.

She wasn’t ready for his passion.

He kissed her eyelids and held her close for a moment. “We
still have to find the mistletoe. Are you up to more treasure hunting?”

She raised teary eyes but she was smiling.

“Oh yes. I’m very good at spotting mistletoe. We didn’t have
it in our woods but our neighbors did.”

The mistletoe was indeed hard to spot, always high in the
trees and hanging in their clusters of white berries. After they’d found and
marked several trees, he took her hand and started toward the mansion.

“This will be such a special Christmas, Caro. But you have
to be tired. Go rest a little. It will soon be dinnertime. I’ll send some
footmen to collect the mistletoe. They’re better than I am at scaling the trees
anyway. The blasted stuff is always at the top.”

She laughed and held his hand all the way to the house. She
gave him a grateful, lingering look and went to her room.

He stood motionless, his fists clenched. Damn if letting her
go hadn’t been the hardest task he’d had for a long while. He was shaking with
the temptation to haul her into his room and use his body to persuade her to
accept him.

Probably it was better he hadn’t but he wasn’t sure. If he
could only be positive she would be his he could stand the delay more
patiently.

He’d wait in the library while she rested. As his father’s
representative to the House of Lords, he always had a great deal of work to do.
He’d tackle some of it.

* * * * *

He was deep in trying to make sense of the latest speech by
a notoriously dim-witted lord when he jerked at the sound of a knock on the
door.

At his growled “come in” a footman stepped in.

“My lord. Your father is here. He is waiting for you in the library.
I’ve taken him a bottle of port but he refused it. He seems in haste to see
you.”

Sebastian groaned. He didn’t need this complication right
now. His father would go into a full rage when he learned Sebastian’s plans to
marry a French teacher. And on top of that the daughter of a disgraced man, no
matter his rank.

He’d undoubtedly heard Sebastian had brought a woman home
with him. Well, this problem wasn’t going to go away. He might as well face his
father now. He’d not give Caro up. Not a second time. Not ever.

He would not.

To make matters worse, Caro appeared at the door, smiling
and fresh from her rest.

“Caro, my love. You look good enough to eat. I can’t stop
now but will you wait for me here?”

Raising both Caro’s hands to his lips, he tried to project
only his love but he feared his eyes showed his consternation. She must have
heard the summons.

Almost in despair, he watched her face form into an
expression that once more reverted to the aloof Caro he hoped he’d seen the
last of.

“Love, don’t shut me out. I’ll handle this and be with you
soon.”

Her eyes lowered and she said nothing. Cursing to himself,
he had no choice but to deal with his father and clear the board to pursue Caro
honorably.

He knew well what his father wanted.

His marriage to another girl.

A girl he barely knew.

The marquess was in a tearing temper. That much was
immediately apparent when Sebastian walked into the library. His bushy
eyebrows, now flecked with a few white hairs, were raised high as he regarded
his son and heir.

Sebastian inclined his head respectfully.

“Delighted to see you, sir.”

He wasn’t but Sebastian knew better than to make matters
worse by saying anything inflammatory.

“Humph. If that’s true I’ll soon find out. I demand you get
rid of this lightskirt you’ve had the audacity to lodge in your house. It’s
time to proceed with your understanding with Lady Cecilia. I want you married
as soon as possible. Her father and I are in agreement. So give up your doxy
and do your duty.”

Sebastian was almost speechless as he stared at his father.

He didn’t know which part of that highly offensive speech to
tackle first. But there was really no choice. Calling his love a doxy and a
lightskirt had his fists clenching in temper he didn’t want to unleash on his
father.

He drew himself straight as he fought down his anger.

“Sir, I trust you will remember I’ve had no part in this
scheme to marry me and Lady Cecilia. She’s a charming lady but I have no desire
to marry her. And I do wonder which servant of mine reported to you so
quickly.”

His father’s snort and incredulous look told Sebastian how
far apart their values were.

“What nonsense. Stick to the point. You can have no
objection. Men of our class marry for position and advantage. If you insist,
set up this woman as your mistress. God knows that would be accepted by our
immoral
ton
. But you
will
marry Lady Cecilia. You may be my son
but I do not have to leave you anything but the entailed property. You’d find
that not enough for a man of your extravagant tastes.”

Sebastian looked his father straight in the eye.

“I assure you I’ll make do. And I’ll not marry any other
than Caro. I don’t think Lady Cecilia will mind. We barely know each other.”

His father’s apoplectic color and his determined glare
worried Sebastian. In no way did he want to widen the gap between himself and
his father. But Caro was the link to his humanity, his better self. He knew
with a knowledge that reached his soul she was the love of his life. He could
not give her up. She might not know yet how much she meant to him but she soon
would.

A fleeting thought almost made him smile. What if he
alienated his father beyond redemption but still could not convince Caro?

Not possible. He would not let her get away from his loving
possession.

The marquess stopped his pacing and turned again to
Sebastian.

“Bring this lightsk—” He stilled at Sebastian’s clenched
fists and heightened color. “Bring this woman to meet me. Now, if you please. I
would at least see what kind of adventuress has ensnared you enough to throw
away your inheritance.”

There was the sound of a sharply inhaled breath. Sebastian
looked up to see Caro standing in the doorway, her hands to her lips. Her great
eyes filled with pain as she shook her head slightly.

As he rushed to her she held him off. “No, Sebastian. Do not
say a word. I would speak with your father and tell him he has nothing to fear
from this adventuress. I will never marry you against his objections.”

Sebastian grabbed her hands. She stood proudly and wrenched
her hands free.

The Marquess of Somerdale swiveled to look at her, whitened
and then spoke in a whisper.

“Althea. My Althea. I never dared hope to see you again.”

As Sebastian turned to his father in confusion, Caro shook
her head in bewilderment.

“Althea? That was my mother’s name.”

Sebastian moved to her and took her hand. He said nothing
but his protective stance was evident.

Caro looked at the marquess with her entire face showing her
incomprehension.

“You knew my mother, my lord? I am told I resemble her.”

The marquess answered in a softer voice than Sebastian had
ever heard.

“You are her image, my dear. That my son has fallen in love
with you is understandable.” He took a deep breath and continued. “I would have
married your mother in an instant but she decided otherwise.”

Caro’s questioning eyes prompted the marquess to continue.
She felt Sebastian’s start of surprise though he said nothing.

The marquess took her hand and half dragged her to a chair
beside one he lowered himself into. His motions were those of someone in a
dazed dream but he never freed Caro’s hand.

“I loved her, you know. I thought at the time Althea
returned my regard. Just foolish wishing on my part. She certainly looked on me
as a trusted friend. I wanted much more than that. I stormed and railed at her
when she announced she was in love with your father. She was genuinely
distressed but stuck to her resolve. Was she happy, my dear? Please tell me
that at least she was happy.”

Caro looked at her hand in his for a long while.

“You must know my father committed suicide. I cannot
understand all you are telling me, sir. I really can make no comment. I will
leave immediately. Of course you do not want your son to marry a woman who the
ton
holds in disgrace. I had already realized I could not do that to him.”

She turned and started away when Sebastian laid his hand on
her arm and stopped her.

“Caro, I do not care about anything or anyone but you.”

“Then you are a fool, my lord.”

Her head high and her shoulders stiff, she left the room.

Two astonished men watched her go.

Sebastian turned to his father. “I will have her, sir.”

The marquess nodded. “I understand, Sebastian.” His voice
was deep and quiet and Sebastian stared at him in wonder.

No protesting, no storming, no attempt to stop him?
Sebastian didn’t have time to ponder his father’s astounding turnaround. He
must find Caro.

She’d looked far too resolute for his peace of mind.

* * * * *

Sebastian found his love in the garden on a bench near the
door. Her hands were tightly gripped, even though they were shaking. Her head
was down and sunlight glinted on her shining hair. She wore one of her newly
acquired dresses, a sea green that clung to her curvaceous breasts. Her skirts
flowed around her, making her look like a painting by a master. A jersey shawl
of aquamarine was thrown over her shoulders. She looked lovelier than any
mermaid he could imagine in his dreams.

He went down on his haunches so he could take her shoulders
in his hands and look into her face.

“My love, I don’t want you to worry about a thing. I never
made any promises to Lady Cecilia. In fact, I barely know her. I don’t think
she’s in favor of a match with me at all. I understand she has a suitor she
favors. It’s been our fathers’ dream, not mine or hers.”

Caro shook her head. “That’s not what bothers me, Sebastian.
Seeing and hearing your father made me realize that of course we can’t marry.
My lowly status aside, the disgrace of my father’s suicide will never be
forgotten. I’ve not let myself think of this for far too long. I shut it out of
my mind as too painful to deal with. But I’ll not let you lower yourself by
marrying me.”

Sebastian rose to his feet, his strong hands pulling her up
with him. He attempted to embrace her but she held herself stiffly and then
moved away.

“I’ll never be considered fit to be your wife, Sebastian. I
honor you for even thinking I might be. I have no place to go until after
Christmas but I’ll stay out of your way as much as possible. I’ll not embarrass
you further.”

Sebastian grabbed her hands again.

“My love, and you are my only love, stop talking such
nonsense. After we are married the gossip will die down. My father will see to
that. The way he looked at you tells me he’s changed his mind. I think he’d be
glad to have you in the family.”

She looked at him sadly.

“Will he? Right now he is overcome with his remembrances. He
will soon remember not my mother but my father, and how unsuitable I am for
you. I can do nothing until after Christmas when I’ll return to the school. But
I’ll not let you ruin your life.”

Sebastian held her face steady while shaking his head.

“You’ll ruin my life only if you leave me.”

Caro said nothing more. As she turned to leave he saw the
tears brimming in her beautiful eyes. One fell on her cheek and he reached out
to grab her.

She walked with her head down and didn’t see him.

He had never felt so helpless.

“Caro, please don’t do this to us.”

He heard her gulp down a sob but she kept on walking.

Watching her leave was one of the hardest things he’d ever
endured but there was no use in following her now. She was not ready to listen.
Besides, he needed to think.

Satan’s bones, he would
not
lose her. He only had to
figure out what to do next. He was an intelligent man, wasn’t he? There must be
something he could do to prove his love. She would make an extraordinary
marchioness someday. Her poise, her beauty, her compassionate nature, all were
unsurpassed. He needed her body in his bed every night for the rest of his life.
Her tight cunt clutching him as he pounded into her. The very thought of what
they’d do there turned his cock to a steel rigidity pressing against his
damnably tight trousers. His groan was loud and heartfelt. He had to quit
thinking of what he’d like to do to her and figure out this blasted, goddamn
mess.

He wanted to marry her, by god. To make her his countess.

So why didn’t he at least one idea of what to do next?

* * * * *

Disgusted with his lack of a solution, Sebastian paced the
room. Soon he felt the walls creeping closer to his worried pacing and headed
out the door at the end of the hall to the kitchen. If he had any hope of
gaining back his wits he needed to clear his brain with some exercise and fresh
air.

He needed to start thinking with something beside his cock.
His thoughts constantly on Caro, he remembered how wonderful it had felt that
first day at the deserted inn, when he’d realized his strength was needed to
keep them alive. Nothing had felt so good in a long while as that plebeian task
of chopping wood. He and Caro could both have died in that miserable freezing
excuse of an inn. Surely fate had meant them to be together. If he’d only come
to that conclusion a little sooner, his path would now be easier. He’d been
wasting his life, throwing it away on ephemeral pleasures that meant nothing.

Caro had showed him what life could truly be.

Striding along, he realized he was headed for the stables.
He’d see how Thunder was faring and perhaps give him an extra rubdown. He could
use the exercise.

He was halfway to the stables when he heard Thunder’s mighty
neigh. Fearing something had angered the stallion beyond endurance, he broke
into a run. Even as he ran he heard the sound of shattering wood. Dammit to a
roué’s hell, Thunder was beyond control and he had to find the cause and
correct it before the horse injured himself or a stable hand.

To his utter dismay he found Thunder rearing and bringing
his mighty hooves down with a devastating force, seeking to shatter his stall
or anything near him. Worse, much worse, Becky was in the far corner of the
stall, an apple clutched in her hand, one small arm across her head.

Sebastian rushed to his stallion, putting his hand on his
flank, using his touch and his murmuring voice to try to pierce through the dark
cloud of Thunder’s fury. Neither Sebastian’s voice nor his touch could reach
his horse’s frenzied mind. Thunder was beyond communication. His loud and
frantic neighs showed his desperate state, a state in which he sought only to
destroy.

Sebastian realized he must concentrate on saving Becky from
those crashing hooves.

With a prayer of desperation, he dropped to his knees and
began to crawl toward her. Terrified, Becky crouched against the walls of the
stall, her knees against her chest, drawing herself into as small a ball as she
could manage. Sebastian edged along the wall, inching slowly, hoping not to
draw attention to himself. Not until he’d taken Becky to safety.

Speaking as softly as he could, he called her name.

“Becky, can you edge along the wall and get closer to me?
Move very slowly. Don’t do anything sudden to attract Thunder’s attention.”

“I’m afraid to move, sir.” Her shaking voice underlined the
extent of her terror.

“I’m here to help. Just come as slowly as you can and keep
to the side of the stall. I’ll catch you and take you to safety.”

Her panicked eyes looked less wild. “Yes sir. I’ll try.”

Sebastian knew the child was doing her best. Trembling and
frightened, she did as he’d said. She inched along the side of the stall, the
apple still clenched in her hand. He lay on his stomach, reaching toward her,
hoping to grab her feet and pull her so she was sheltered by his body.

“Drop the apple,” he said in a whisper. “Then keep backing
up toward me.”

He wanted her to be able to clutch herself to him as soon as
he could get his arms around her but she didn’t seem to hear or understand.
Still she kept slowly coming. Thunder was still rearing and bringing the mighty
weight of his front hooves crashing against the sides of the stall. He’d
already hit the boards where she’d been crouching. Sebastian prayed silently as
the child backed slowly to him.

Finally he could grab her feet and he pulled her to him,
sheltering her with his body. Just then Thunder seemed to notice their activity
and, rearing and neighing, brought his hooves down with all his force.
Sebastian hunched quickly with Becky sheltered by his body, his arms wrapped
around her. He heard bones in his arm crack but he kept inching away, Becky
secured with his other arm. And then one of the stable hands advanced,
pitchfork in hand, and held the stallion at bay. Thunder roared with pain as
the tines penetrated his chest but the mad glint in his eyes disappeared and
two more stable hands pulled Sebastian and Becky to safety.