Page 220 of Ten Lords for the Holidays

“Hello, Count Nikolai,” she said. “You found me out easily enough. Please come inside. Father wants to meet you.”

“Ah.” This was a complication he’d not expected. “Of course. Will someone—”

“One of the footmen will come out to tend the sleigh.” She glanced at it, her eyes bright with anticipation. “It’s lovely. Wherever did you get a sleigh on such short notice?”

“An acquaintance of my mother’s is in possession of a number of unusual carriages and other vehicles. I thought of him this morning, and he was kind enough to lend me his sleigh.”

“I thought you had no family in London?”

“She met him some time ago.” Sebastian skidded over the truth. “Tell me, is your father a dragon that I must appease to win your company this afternoon?”

Her cheeks blushed a soft pink. “I believe most fathers are protective of their daughters. He wants to ensure that you are not a wolf, waiting to gobble me up.”

Damnation. Her words made him want to scoop her off her feet, toss her into the sleigh, and dash off through the snow in search of a secluded place where he might kiss her again.

“I told you last night, I am quite tame.”

“Then you do not deny it.”

“You are deliciously attractive, Mademoiselle Red, of that there is no doubt. But I am a gentleman.”

The groom arrived at that moment, allowing Miss Eliana to turn away to hide the color in her cheeks.

“You ought to call me Miss Banning,” she said, leading him up to the front door. “I told Father we were introduced last night. Did you truly pester Lady Entwhistle until she told you who I was?”

“I did indeed, until she revealed that the lady in the red cloak was a certain Miss Eliana Banning, youngest daughter of Lord and Lady Blake.”

“What if she’d been wrong?” Miss Eliana flashed a smile at him. “You’d be in a bit of a pickle by now.”

He feared he already was. There was no point in trying to conceal himself from Lord Blake, who was reputed to be a perceptive fellow. Any attempt at subterfuge would result in instant mistrust, and there would be no hope of driving out with Miss Eliana that afternoon.

Of course, revealing he was Prince Sebastian could well have the same result.

Assuming that she would not recognize him the moment he removed his hat and muffler, which he rather feared she would. Miss Eliana’s intelligence was one of the reasons he was drawn to her, after all.

The butler opened the door, and Sebastian halted, catching her arm.

“I must make a confession,” he said, dropping his faux-Russian accent. “I’m afraid I’ve deceived you, Miss Banning, and for that you have my deepest apologies.”

The smile faded from her face, and her dark blue eyes searched his. “What are you saying, my lord? You are not actually Count Nikolai?”

“I’m afraid not.”

The butler cleared his throat and pulled the door a little wider. “Do come in.”

He did not need to mention how rude it was to keep Miss Eliana standing on the front step in the chilly winter air.

Regret washing over him, Sebastian released her and gestured her to step inside. Well. He’d been a fool twice over, and now was about to pay the price.

He silently followed and removed his hat, handing it to the butler. The door closed, but the cold remained as Sebastian unwound the soft woolen muffler concealing his features. He was conscious of Miss Eliana staring at him, but could not meet her gaze.

He pulled his scarf away, and the silence was broken by her quick gasp.

“Prince Sebastian.” Her voice was hard. “I don’t know what games you think to play with me, but they are not welcome. Nor are you. Please take your leave, your highness.”

“Miss Banning, please.” He looked at her then, hoping for a glimmer of warmth in her eyes. “Let me explain.”

Her gaze was frosty. “After making a laughingstock of Lady Peony last year, you thought to do the same with me? Were you hoping we would be discovered—”

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