Page 236 of Ten Lords for the Holidays

“Well.” She gave her husband a look that Sebastian could not interpret, then turned back to him. “At least stay for a bit, your highness. We’re expecting some carolers—it’s one of our family holiday traditions. In fact, they should be arriving at any moment.”

She moved to the window and looked out.

“I should take my leave,” Sebastian said.

“Lord Ashford.” His wife shot the duke a sharp glance. “Please presume upon our guest to remain a short while longer.”

“Do stay,” Ashford said with a wry smile. “Have a glass of mulled wine, at least. If I must endure the singing, then you should, too.”

Sebastian let out a low breath. He was nervous about his next call, though he didn’t like to admit it. But surely it would do no harm to tarry a little longer in Ashford’s warm and cheerful parlor.

“Very well,” he said.

Lady Ashford gave her husband a reproving look. “And really, my lord, the singers are not so terrible as that. It’s the holidays! Where is your sense of cheer in the season?”

The duke went to his wife and kissed her on the forehead. “Standing right before me,” he said. “I need nothing else.”

She raised one hand and cupped his cheek. The raw emotion in the gesture made Sebastian’s chest tighten, and he looked away.

“You’ve discomfited our guest, my dear,” Lady Ashford said. “Give him that cup of wine.”

“I’m afraid you’re planning to discomfit him even further,” the duke said, moving to the refreshment table.

Foreboding settled coldly on Sebastian’s shoulders.

“Lady Ashford,” he said. “Am I correct in thinking that your sister Eliana will be among the carolers?”

She cleared her throat. “Well, yes. And there they are now!”

The sound of singing rose in the air, and Sebastian glimpsed a half-dozen people gathered on the walk. Eliana Banning stood in the middle, her fair hair shining despite the clouds covering the sun. She wore her red pelisse, and Sebastian’s heart thudded loudly in his chest.

“I promised Eliana I’d never see her again,” he said tightly. Yes, he’d meant to break that promise, but not like this. “I would not want to upset her in front of friends and family.”

“Selene,” the duke said to his wife, a note of warning in his voice.

She firmed her lips, seemingly about to argue, then relented.

“Very well. Prince Sebastian, you may wait in the library until they are gone.”

“Quickly.” The duke inclined his head and led Sebastian out of the parlor and a short distance down the hall.

The front door opened and song echoed through the entryway.Love and joy come to you, and to you your wassail too…

Unlikely, Sebastian thought, his pulse spiking as he ducked into the library just in time.

“I apologize for putting you in this situation,” Ashford said. “I didn’t realize you’d given your word.”

“No matter. The entire thing is rather tangled.”

The duke nodded. “Once everyone’s safely in the parlor, I can send a footman to take you out the back, if you’d like.”

It was a reasonable plan, and yet…

“Ashford,” Sebastian said. “Might I speak plainly?”

The duke raised an eyebrow, but waved to a cluster of armchairs in front of the tall bookcases lining the room.

“Certainly,” he said. “Please, sit.”

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