Page 115 of Ten Lords for the Holidays

What on earth could she say to such unconventionality? And where on earth was Carstairs to tell her who this elderly lady was?

“Forgive me,” she finally settled on. “I’m Lady Holly Sallins, Lord Northwood’s daughter. I’m afraid that I wasn’t expecting you Miss —?”

“Call me Angela.” The old lady instructed rather brusquely.

That was it. Just Angela.

“Oh, but –“

“I have travelled a very long way, Lady Holly. Perhaps I might trouble you for some tea?”

Holly jumped to her feet, feeling terrible that a guest – even an uninvited one – would have to ask for her own refreshments.

“Of course,” she said, ringing the bell at once. “And – um – are you staying?”

She had no idea how to ask such a question delicately.

“Why, yes,” Angela said. “I believe I am.”

Grandmama must have invited her, Holly thought.

“And ah – how long will we be enjoying your company?” Holly asked, her brown eyes watching closely for signs that her questions were causing offence.

Angela, however, laughed.

“Well done, Holly,” she said, blatantly dropping the title. “That was very polite, considering how I’ve landed myself on you.”

The door swung open, and a maid entered carrying a tray of tea things.

Holly thanked the young servant then set about pouring the tea into china cups and offering sugary gingerbread cookies, ignoring the usual pang of sadness that accompanied the Yuletide treats.

“As for how long I’m staying,” Angela said, demolishing the gingerbread with relish. “I’ll stay exactly as long as I’m needed and no longer than that.”

Holly could only smile weakly and wonder what on earth was going on, and who this odd little lady was.

CHAPTER2

Evan Belmont heldhis rifle aloft, awaiting the release of whatever game could be found on such a cold morning.

The problem with a quiet hunt like this was that he had plenty of time to think, or rather worry.

He worried for his tenants. He worried for his future, and the future of the earldom.

Being the Earl of Stockton had its benefits and its drawbacks.

The benefits were obvious; wealth, prosperity, entrée into polite Society in case it suddenly interested him one day, and a seat in the House of Lords so he could do his best for the voiceless of their country.

But the drawbacks — they were far more complicated.

Becoming engaged to a woman who patently didn’t love him, all for the furtherment of the Stockton name? That had been a drawback.

Hearing her tell him that she wouldn’t stay with him, watching her run from him and the life he had offered? That had been a major drawback indeed.

For his own part, Evan had been relatively unmoved by the loss of his would-be wife.

He had been sad that that she’d lost the life she should have had, but not sad that she’d left him, really. More humiliated than heartbroken.

Celia hadn’t been happy with him and had never made a secret of that fact.

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