All I Want for Christmas...is you Read Online Free Page B

was apparently true, it
did not seem to help her own reaction to him. Just now, standing
out in the crisp air, seeing the ocher lantern had cast light and
shadow over the bones and hollows of his face, aware, too aware, of
his frame too in snug trousers and formal black and stark white,
that seemed to enhance the warm colors of his skin, she kept
telling herself it had finally happened, that introduction.
    Rena kept saying in her head, that he
actually had said what she thought he did, and there was an
intimacy in his words, and it played hell on her composure and
poise. Because he was no green boy or feckless young lord, but a
seasoned male who reeked masculine appeal in every way.
    Yes. He was mortal, and yes, no one knew more
than she, that there was something there besides title and rep.
Rena wanted with long held desperation to know just the right way
and wherewithal to take every advantage of these moments and this
chance. She never had been anything other than who she was either,
though much of that was stifled during these occasions, because of
social rules.
    Furthermore, she had never been a silly
woman, nor one who took things overly serious. Yet to engage a man
like this, his interest, and hold it, was a walk down a blind alley
for her. She had no earthy idea even from his devastating smile and
jesting, or the subtle compliments and flirting, how transparent or
how careful she should be, in showing her true attraction to
him.
    She said whilst thinking all of that, “That
is good to know, milord, as men and women seldom get the
opportunity at society functions to interact beyond bounds of rules
and proper politeness. Yes, it does limit ones prospect to erase
misconceptions and see beyond social masks.”
    That gaze went over her face again and Verena
got the notion that he was too was reading and weighing her words
and meaning, before he said, “Let us correct that then, shall we?”
he asked, “Are you chilled out here, would you like to reenter the
ballroom?”
    She looked at the crush, which was spilling
more, and more out the side doors as guests sought to make room for
dancers and more arrivals. “I am in no hurry to enter.” Her smile
touched him as she looked back. “Though the snow is picking up and
I doubt my hair will stand up to getting wet.” She touched a long
curl. “It is normally stick straight, and I shall appear quite
bedraggled.”
    He tossed the liquid from the cup and set it
down, offering his arm. “I believe I can find us a haven to
converse and remain dry. Though I doubt your assessment of what wet
hair would result in is true. I have seen your hair uncurled once,
at some summer gathering, and it is quite lovely.”
    She murmured her thanks and let him lead her
inside, basking mentally in that compliment, and because of the
crush, slid her hand from his arm. Nevertheless, she felt a
discreet hand on her spine as he steered her to some destination he
could likely see because of his superior height.
     
    * * * *
     
    Leaning inside the card room doorway, Jerome
glanced over at Bram, who was watching the pair make their way
through the crowd as he was. “It must be the season of miracles. I
cannot believe that the old boy has finally realized he is not
ready for night caps and toddies.”
    “It saves us the trouble of playing
matchmaker as planned.” Bram grinned and raised his brow. “When
Rena called my attention to him, I was trying to remember if you
said you’d bring him over or not, but didn’t spot you
anywhere…”
    “I was trying to get through that crowd and
had, when I noticed him looking at her, and there she was looking
at him, and when he began to cross that room, I thought, at last,
Lucas’s blood is red after all, and has stirred enough to prod him
to action. I have never understood what held him back, until
perhaps this year.”
    “You said that you caught him watching her
for years. I have a notion that my sister did likewise, and do
recall her not so subtly