Page 147 of Ten Lords for the Holidays

And he knew exactly who to ask.

CHAPTER12

“Merry Christmas, my lady.”

Holly awoke to the sound of Sarah’ greeting as the maid burst through the doorway of her bedchamber.

Setting down a cup of chocolate by the bed, Sarah moved to open the curtains to a bright, snow-filled day.

It looked like a fairy world, enchanting and frozen. And for the first time since she’d been a girl, Holly felt free to enjoy it. Even, perhaps, a little excited.

She sat up and plucked her cup of chocolate off the side table, sipping at the liquid and enjoying its heat on such a cold morning.

“Is my grandmother awake, Sarah?” she asked over a yawn.

She was exhausted this morning. But it was a happy exhaustion.

She’d danced one more dance with Evan after the opening. Anything more than that would have set tongues wagging. But he’d been sure to procure the promise of the supper dance and therefore enabled them to sit together for the feast.

Holly hadn’t had the chance to spend any more time alone with him that evening.

By the time the ball was finished and guests who weren’t staying had been seen off, the smattering of remaining guests had already retired.

Holly had been disappointed, since she’d rather wickedly been looking forward to another kiss.

He’d turned her into a veritable wanton, she thought with a smile.

“No, my lady. Tis far too early for your grandmother to be up and about.”

At her words, Holly glanced at the ormolu clock on the mantle, surprised at the early hour.

“Is there a problem, Sarah?” she asked as she placed the now empty cup back on the table and stood from the bed. “Does someone need me?”

“No, my lady. Well, yes, actually. I –“

Holly frowned at Sarah’s prevarication.

“Your friend, Lady Angela. She was quite – er – demanding. Wants you downstairs at once.”

Holly stared at Sarah for an age.

Just what was the Lady Angela up to now?

Well, there was only one way to find out.

“I suppose I should get dressed then.” She smiled weakly. “And see what the lady needs.”

Not thirty minutes later, Holly entered the dining room to find Angela sitting at the table, regal as a queen.

There was to be a rather elaborate meal this morning in deference to the day before a truly elaborate spectacle for the dinner hour, so Holly wasn’t intending to eat at the moment.

But Sarah had told her that Angela was quite adamant they meet in the dining room, and so that’s where she went.

“Good morning, Lady Angela,” she said when the lady made no sign that she’d heard her enter. “Merry Christmas.”

Angela looked up from her tea, her bright green eyes raking over Holly’s burgundy, long-sleeved gown and hastily gathered curls.

She hadn’t had much time to see to her ablutions since she hadn’t wanted to keep the older lady waiting, so she’d only attached a white lace fichu and fixed a white band of ribbon across the crown of her hair.

---