Page 93 of The Duke's Wicked Widow
Afraid? Nay, not afraid. Not quite.
He took her hand, pulling it away from her lovely smile, and raised her fingers to his lips. He brushed a kiss across her fingertips and swore he saw her shiver, her gaze following his lips.
Then he pulled her back toward the tree.
Away from the temptation of a kiss.
Back to the family.
“Look, Fawkes! Look, Ellie! I found the angels—oops!”
Fawkes lunged to catch the little girl but it was too late. She’d tripped over one of the boxes, and fallen face-first, thrusting her little hands out to catch herself.
Luckily, she landed on Tramp.
Of course, the dog didn’t think that, yowling and trying to bolt sideways, at the same time Ellie cried, “Merida!” and rushed toward her.
Fawkes was already reaching for the girl, turning her over gently, pulling the ornaments from her hands. “Och, what a brave lassie,” he murmured, checking to make certain the angels hadn’t broken and sliced her skin. His hackles lowered. She was fine. She was safe. And he needed to distract her. “Ye saved them!”
“They’re your favorites!” Merida declared.
That’s when Ellie gasped—a horrified gasp—and he glanced up to see her gaze locked on the little girl’s face. Fawkes turned his attention away from her small hands, and winced himself. There was blood dribbling from between her lips.
Hurriedly, he put the angels aside and reached for his handkerchief. Ellie snatched it from him and leaned toward the girl, murmuring soothingly as she tried to dab at the blood, which really wasn’t that much.
Fawkes was distracted when Tramp nudged his elbow, obviously trying to get in on the excitement. “Look, Merida,” he announced, trying to distract her, “Tramp is worried about ye.”
“I’m alright—stop it Ellie, I’m alright!” She pushed away the handkerchief and sat up, still supported by Fawkes. “Tramp broke my fall, didn’t you, boy? Such a good boy.”
Fawkes hid his grin. “Likely too dumb to get out of the way.”
Ellie’s response was a relieved sigh.
“Hey!” Merida gasped suddenly, reaching toward her mouth. “Hey, look!”
From behind him, Mother announced, “Another loose tooth, dear?”
“No!” Triumphantly, the little girl lifted something from her mouth. “Ilostmy tooth! I finally lost my tooth! Where are the mice?”
Ellie’s lips curled into a grin. A brilliant grin, one she didn’t try to hide. “Well thank goodness. The foreshadowing was getting a little heavy-handed, wasn’t it?”
This time, when Fawkes began to chuckle, even Merida joined in.
Chapter 16
“And remember,lassie, ye must go to sleep immediately, or the Teeth Mice willnae have time to sneak in and remove the tooth from beneath yer pillow.” Fawkes bent over Merida and brushed a lock of hair from her forehead. “I’m proud of ye.”
“Goodnight, Fawkes,” she yawned. “Love you.”
Ellie kissed the girl’s cheek. “Only three more sleeps until Christmas,” she whispered, heart squeezing. “I love you.”
“Love you too, Ellie.”
Merida’s eyes were already closed as Ellie backed from the room, snagging Fawkes’s hand on the way and pulling him along. They left one of the lamps burning low, as per Merida’s request.
In the corridor, Ellie shut the door softly and shook her head. “Your mother has been embroidering an adorable little pillow with a pocket, so Merida can put her tooth in there. She must be disappointed the first tooth fell out so soon.”
Fawkes didn’t respond. When she turned, she was surprised to see him staring at the closed door.
