Page 5 of A Storme's First Noelle

Chapter Three

December 22, 1818

Trey’s mood hadlifted exponentially from where it was yesterday. As he began his afternoon walk about his father’s—now Royce’s—country estate, he whistled a jaunty tune from a popular but bawdy tavern song he’d heard recently. Fat gray clouds scudding across the skies held the promise of snow, for it had grown quite chilly in the overnight hours. The rain from yesterday was a thing of the past, and that worked to buoy his spirits as well. Snow reminded him of the Christmastides of his childhood when he and his siblings had cavorted on this very acreage for hours on end.

And snow made him remember his conversation with Miss Gedney and how she saw snow as blanketing everything, giving the world a fresh start.

More’s the pity that didn’t work with people.

Then his mind shifted, and he no longer thought about the weather. He would not acknowledge that his elevated attitude might have been a result of running into an old friend yesterday, and he further refused to think that being smashed against her in the tight confines of the gig as he’d driven her into the village had affected him more than it should. Absolutely he would not dwell on the scent of her lilac perfume or how it haunted him even now.

“Hullo, Captain Marsden.”

What the devil?Trey jerked his head up at the dulcet sound ofhervoice. It was as if he’d conjured her there merely by thinking about her.

When Miss Gedney raised a gloved hand as she came toward him from the direction of the manor, he stood as if frozen in place. For the life of him he couldn’t recall how to form words, so, like the nodcock he was, Trey watched her approach. Her plum-colored skirts provided a cheerful flash of color every time they peeked from beneath her black cloak. Sturdy brown half-boots were the same she’d worn the day before, and he managed to give her an encouraging grin. At least she was a practical sort and didn’t wear flimsy slippers out of doors.

Then she’d joined him with twin spots of color blooming in her pale cheeks and delight in her cornflower blue eyes. “Hullo.”

He couldn’t help a snort of amusement. “You already said that.”

“I did, but since you didn’t offer a response, I decided to say it again.” When she smiled, he had the temporary but distinct sensation of falling. One of her blonde eyebrows rose. “Well?”

“Right.” He cleared his throat. Where were his manners? One would think he’d been raised in a barn. “Hullo, Miss Gedney. What brings you out to the Park today?”

“My father paid Lord Worchester a visit today.” Concern shadowed her face beneath the shallow brim of her bonnet. “He didn’t wish to wait until after Twelfth Night to see if your brother would retain his services, so he took matters into his own hands. They’re meeting as we speak. I accompanied him because I didn’t wish to sit at home alone on a day like this, but since they’re likely to remain ensconced in the study for hours, I decided to walk home.”

Trey frowned. “A day filled with clouds with snow in the offing?”

“Of course.” She glanced into the skies. “Don’t you feel that?”

“Feel what?” There were times when he felt decidedly off-kilter while in this woman’s company, but that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

“There’s change in the air, Captain Marsden. And when that occurs, we need to pay attention, for that means something marvelous has the potential to happen.” When she glanced at him and caught his gaze, he nodded, encouraging her to continue. “Truth to tell, I’d welcome a different path than the one I’m on now.”

“Are you not happy with your life?” Finally remembering how to move his limbs, he offered her his arm, and when she slipped her hand into his crooked elbow, heated awareness slid up to his shoulder. Had she felt it too?

“I wouldn’t say I’m unhappy,” she answered in a guarded voice, “but I’m rather bored with things just now.”

“Oh?” This strange creature had honestly managed to capture his attention like no other woman before her. He set them into motion. Might as well continue his daily walk, but it was nice to have company. “How do you mean?”

“Well, for so long everything has been the same. Each day has a certain monotony about it. There’s no variety or excitement.” She turned her head and peered up at him. “I can’t imagine doing the same thing for years on end, let alone weeks. Can you?”

“There’s security in that, though.” He thought about his own life, the work at the clinic in London, the way the days since his father’s death had dragged out, the not quite fitting in with his family now that his siblings were married with other things to occupy their attention. A sigh escaped before he could stop it. “But I can see what you mean, and yes, perhaps change would be welcome. The problem is, I can’t imagine how anything will prove different.”

“It’s a conundrum.” She lightly squeezed her fingers upon his arm. “However, meeting you is enough of an aberration from daily life that I can’t complain.”

He was in danger of being distracted by her—the lilac scent that wafted like a wraith upon the air, the heat of her fingers on his arm, the occasional flap of her cloak against his legs. “To tell you the truth, I feel the same way.” Yesterday, he’d fallen in maudlin thoughts with no hope of escape, then those damned sheep happened, andshecame to brighten his outlook. “Is it odd to admit it feels as we’ve known each other forever?” She was certainly easy to talk with.

Her low trill of laughter sent awareness over him. “Wehaveknown each other for a long time.” When she turned her head and caught his gaze, a distinct yearning in those blue pools tugged at his chest. Was it for the same belonging that he felt? “Truth to tell, I wouldn’t mind the chance at knowing you better.”

Was that a proposition or an extension for friendship?

Whatever it was, the attraction, that connection between them couldn’t be denied. “Honestly, I’d like that.” There was no sense in playing coy or drawing out some sort of hide and seek game. He’d survived the war, he saw daily how fleeting and cruel life was to men, and he didn’t wish to squander anything.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

It wasn’t the same in context, but making himself vulnerable before a woman, perhaps even extending his heart made him terrified indeed. His chest was tight, the muscles in his stomach pulled as he drew Miss Gedney to a halt. “I wasn’t looking forward to the Christmastide season for the simple fact I was toting up all the things I didn’t have or hadn’t done, when instead I should have counted my blessings… one of which was having you come along.”

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