Page 22 of The Grand Mistletoe Assembly
She would kiss Dare today.
* * *
The third ruleof being an exemplary brother: Do not eavesdrop on your sister’s conversation, especially if said conversation is with Pippa Averly.
Nicholas could not quite explainhis current mood as he entered Hyde Park on the back of his horse. He hadn’t meant to eavesdrop. Truly, he hadn’t. A gentlemannevereavesdropped. He’d only casually strolled by Pippa’s chamber …
He hadn’t slowed his steps.
Hadn’t pressed his ear up against the door.
Hadn’t overheard Pippa planning to kiss Dare. Nancy planned to kiss someone too. They were going riding at Hyde Park. Dare might be there.
Nicholas clenched his jaw.
What the devil was wrong with the women? Did they only have kissing on their brain? And Pippa … This, after she had already brazenly kissed him. After he had spent a sleepless night dwelling on her lips. Her scent. Was he a deuced rag to be tossed aside after being used?
Unacceptable.
The fire that had exploded in his chest earlier still raged on. He should have locked them in that chamber there and then. But he hadn’t. Instead, he followed them like a scorned lover adamant about catching his partner in the act.
Bloody shameful.
He told himself to remain calm. Observe. Determine what those mischievous creatures were planning and nip it in the bud. Yet the moment he spotted Dare leading Pippa to his phaeton, all rational thought drained from his head.
Nicholas didn’t bother with pleasantries as he halted his horse beside them. “It’s too dangerous for a ride in a phaeton. The weather is turning.”
“Nicholas?” Pippa’s eyes widened.
Nancy frowned. “Weren’t you heading to your club? Why are you here?”
“My plans changed.”
Dare chuckled but said nothing.
Nicholas clenched the reins between his fingers.
Pippa shot him a meaningful glance. “There’s not a cloud in the sky.”
“Clouds have a way of following the depraved.”
Dare’s smile stiffened. “What are you implying, Chatteris?”
Nicholas ignored him. “The roads are also wet. Driving phaetons in these conditions is reckless.” He held out his hand to Pippa, resolved to get her far away from Dare and any possible kiss between the two.
She glared at him.
Of course, Nicholas knew his behavior was rude, atrocious even. He just didn’t care. The only thing that mattered was Pippa. The gawking onlookers melted away as Nicholas waited for her response.
In the end, she did not refuse him.
She placed her hand in his, gasping when he effortlessly lifted her up onto his horse in one fell swoop.
“If you will excuse us,” Nicholas announced. “We have something to discuss.”
“Pippa!” Nancy exclaimed in shock.
Nicholas caged her in his arms and flicked the reins before anyone could stop them, urging the horse into a gallop.
