Page 105 of All We Want for Christmas
‘I’ve no idea … but I can’t wait to find out.’
Luke returned, dressed as the Green Man. ‘I feel like a right tit.’
Lara stifled a giggle. ‘I think you look magnificent.’
Jazz snorted her drink.
They chatted for a few minutes – as much as you could chat amid the rising hubbub and the music from the medieval musicians – when Jazz pointed towards the door. ‘Is thatFlynn?’
Jazz stood on tiptoes, pointing in the direction of the rear of the banqueting hall, where Lara could just make out a tall figure in a tricorn. The inner fireworks exploded again. Flynn looked every inch the swaggering highwayman and she could hardly wait to explore what was under the top coat and breeches.
‘Yes. I think it is …’
‘See you later,’ Jazz said, with a smirk. ‘I want to join in the medieval dancing and I want you to show us how to do it.’
Lara made her way towards the corner of the hall, weaving past knights in armour, Elizabeth I, plus Robin Hood and Maid Marian. Flynn lingered in the archway, obviously struggling to hobble through the throngs with his crutches.
Finally, with many apologies for squeezing past people, Lara made it to the corner where Flynn waited at the rear of the hall – in the very spot where he’d made his dramatic entrance on a wild and stormy Halloween. She’d been lost for words then, and she was again now.
‘Wow. Wow.’ He blew out a breath. ‘You look absolutely incredible. Like a princess.’
Lara was aware that the green velvet dress, fit for the medieval noblewoman she was, skimmed every curve of her body. She’d been taken aback when she’d first tried it on; it was so unlike her usual uniform of jeans and a fleece – but also stunned that she could look so regal. Flynn’s reaction, his eyes practically devouring her, made her tingle all over.
‘I’m meant to be the Lady of Shalott. She was in love with Sir Lancelot but it didn’t end well.’
‘Really?’ He pulled her closer to him. ‘Let’s make sureourstory does, then.’ He kissed her.
‘You don’t look so bad yourself. Very rakish. Very disreputable.’
Flynn laughed. ‘Two people have already asked if I’ve come as Long John Silver. All I need is a parrot on my shoulder. But, wow, I can’t get over that dress on you – or you in the dress. I mean, I love everything you wear and everything youdon’t…’
Heat rushed to her cheeks and her décolletage – andthere was a lot of décolletage on show, thanks to the low-cut design of the dress. Her hand went to her breastbone, fingers touching the cool stones of the necklace Flynn had given her for Christmas.
‘The necklace looks great, by the way. Is it OK?’
‘It’s perfect. The colours are beautiful, almost as if you knew what I was going to wear.’
‘I didn’t. You kept it a secret. I just got lucky.’ His gaze raked over her again, seeming to leave a trail of heat. ‘In every way.’
Lara thought of leaning in for another kiss when the clang of a gong interrupted them.
‘My lords, ladies and gentlemen. May I have your attention as we welcome your hosts for the ball, Henry and Fiona, the Earl and Countess of Penhaligon.’
Leaning on Lara’s arm, Flynn moved forward so they could see the arrival of Henry and Fiona. There were cheers and applause as they walked in dressed as characters that Lara and most of the staff would recognise instantly.
‘Who are they?’ Flynn whispered to Lara.
‘The first earl and his lady.’
Behind them, a man dressed as a page carried a red tasselled cushion. Lara recognised him as one of the security team, although it was a stretch to see him in medieval livery in place of his high-vis and uniform.
Lara stifled a shriek of horror and squeezed Flynn’s hand so tightly, he let out an ‘Oof. What’s the matter?’
‘Th-that. That blue box on the cushion. It’s the chalice!’
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
It might have been the crowds or the heat in the banqueting hall, but Lara felt her legs weaken and a hot flush come over her.
