Page 19 of The Grand Mistletoe Assembly
“So,” he demanded when they reunited. “Are you going to tell me what has gotten into you?”
“I admit, my actions may appear impulsive, but I do have my reasons, which are quite sound.”
“And what reasons might those be?”
“Why are you so riled, Chatteris?” Pippa countered.Because I kissed you or because I didn’t mean to kiss you?
His jaw clenched. “Have you ever considered howImight feel about the kiss you so carelessly stole?”
She met the earl’s deep, unfathomable gaze. Her heart began to pound. He left her no time to collect her thoughts. The moment the dance ended, he strode away.
* * *
The second ruleof being an exemplary brother: Do not allow your sister’s best friend under your skin.
Nicholas scowledat the wall separating their bedchambers.
He had never acted so rude in his life. Even after he’d cut their night short and dragged his sister and Pippa home, he could not settle down.
He had an alarming sense that all the principles that held up the pillar of his character were about to collapse.
Dammit.
He pressed against his heart with his palm. The beat had always been steady. Never this erratic. Now it was almost painful. Deuced uncomfortable.
He prided himself on his calm. Rules existed for a reason. They provided order.Control.
This fitful heartbeat … It hadn’t steadied since the kiss. The sooner it settled, the better.
Why the hell did she have to kiss him?
For a mad moment, Nicholas wondered: Since it all started the moment she kissed him, would it end the moment he kissed her? The probability seemed small. But it did exist. It would certainly allow him to take back control.
It made perfect sense.
He did not care to dwell on the fact that he had returned her kiss. A mere slip in judgment …
His eyes narrowed at the blue birds patterning the wall that separated him from that little troublemaker. Four inches of stone barrier. What was she doing on the other side? Was she curled up in her bed sleeping? He could not be the only one in such a wretched state, could he?
Too many doubts and questions circled his mind for him to shut his eyes. The moment he did, he would be transported back to the garden. Her taste …
Unacceptable.
Before his brain caught up with his limbs, Nicholas strode to the bird-covered wall and placed his ear against the cold surface.
One moment.
Two.
Nothing.
Nicholas snapped straight and spat a curse at all the birds that seemed to be staring at him with beady little laughing eyes. What the devil had gotten into him? Eavesdropping like a child. Absolutely ludicrous. And probably spoke volumes of his sanity.
He turned on his heel and marched to the liquor cabinet beside a small crackling fire illuminating the chamber. He needed a drink. Several. He poured brandy into a glass and downed it in one gulp. The swirling liquid burned down his throat.
The taste reminded him of the spicy flavor of punch on Pippa’s lips.
Nicholas almost groaned.
