Page 3 of Starlight Night (The St. Clairs 5.50)

Chapter Two

Luke St. Clair,Earl of Mayfield, opened the door and left Evie’s Bookstore a final time, going to stand in front of the largest window to assess the final display his wife, Caroline, had just completed. Caroline had filled the store with greenery, much as she had their country estate, giving Evie’s a festive air for the holiday season. He studied the window’s contents with a careful eye, knowing Caroline expected his honest opinion.

He motioned for her to switch a couple of items around and then nodded with satisfaction. A beautiful smile lit up her face, first as she gazed at her work and then as she met her husband’s eyes. Love burst inside and shone brightly within him. He’d been blessed with three wonderful children and a fulfilling life with this beautiful, kind, compassionate woman. His wife was his confidant, lover, and best friend. Luke winked at Caroline and she began laughing as he hurried from the chilled air and returned inside.

“You’ve outdone yourself this year,” he said as he embraced her. Lowering his lips to her ear, he added, “And I’m sure you’ll outdo yourself tonight in our bedchamber.”

“Luke St. Clair!” she admonished, trying to keep a proper air of dignity and failing miserably.

Instead, it was Caroline who kissed him, long and deep, the kiss filled with the promise of what would come later that evening. She broke the kiss.

“You’re sure everything looks perfect?” she asked. “I so want it to please Catherine when she arrives tomorrow for her reading.”

“Catherine will be overjoyed at the displays, especially since so many of her books, including her latest release, are presented so prominently,” he replied. “You’ve always had a great eye for detail. Catherine—and the patrons of Evie’s Bookstore—will notice and admire all you’ve done.

Evie’s Bookstore and Tearoom was owned outright by Caroline, a combined business she’d established even before their marriage six years ago. It had become the custom for his sister-in-law, the Duchess of Everton, to come to do a reading for an audience of children and adults each time she published one of her new children’s book. Catherine’s reading ofThe Kind Caterpillar’s Christmastomorrow was the reason Luke and Caroline had come to London this time of year and brought their children along. Usually, they remained in the country unless it was the Season.

“Shall we go home?” he asked. “There’s nothing more to be done here.”

Caroline agreed and they went to the waiting carriage. He handed her up and the driver set off for their London townhouse. On the short way there, they discussed what presents they would purchase in London before returning to the country two days from now. This year, they would be spending Christmas at Edgemere, home to his sister, Rachel. The St. Clairs were close-knit siblings and they rotated between their country estates, celebrating Christmas with their entire families each year. Rachel was home with Evan, the Marquess of Merrick, preparing for their visit in ten days’ time, while his brother, Jeremy, had accompanied Catherine and their children to the city for the book reading.

Laurel would have to miss this St. Clair Christmas, though. She and Anthony were awaiting the birth of their second child, which the doctor said was likely to come on Christmas Day. Hudson, her twin, had chosen to go to Linwood during his university holidays in order to be the first St. Clair to meet the new niece or nephew.

When Luke and Caroline arrived at the townhouse, they learned Nanny had already taken their three children to the Everton household to spend the night with Jeremy’s brood. He glanced at the grandfather clock and saw they were due at Jeremy and Catherine’s for dinner within an hour—which gave them plenty of time for what he had in mind. He led his wife to their bedchamber and helped remove Caroline’s cloak, nibbling on her neck.

“You are still a rascal,” she said as she turned to face him, her voice low and husky, bringing a tingling of anticipation to him. Then she frowned.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, ever sensitive to her moods.

“Oh, I forgot my reticule in Walton’s office,” she told him, worrying her bottom lip.

He couldn’t understand why women even carried them, much less why Caroline fretted, especially since they’d be back at Evie’s tomorrow morning. “Do you need it?”

A blush tinting her porcelain cheeks. “Actually, I do. I’d ordered a...specialbook. It came in and I slipped it inside my reticule.”

He captured her waist, his thumbs massaging her ribcage. He loved watching her eyes go large and hearing the hitch in her breath. “How special?”

“It was... something I thought... we might look at tonight. Together,” she demurred.

He lowered his face until his lips were hovering above hers. “It’s naughty?”

“Yes,” she said, the corners of her mouth turning up. “Rachel told me about it.”

He chuckled. “Leave it to my sister to find something like that.”

“Rachel said it’sveryinteresting. And there are all kinds of things to... try out.”

Luke’s lips touched hers and he took his time leisurely exploring her mouth, enjoying those little noises that came from the back of her throat. He broke the kiss.

“Then I better go back and retrieve it. We’ve only tonight to ourselves to enjoy total peace and quiet until the monsters return tomorrow.”

Caroline swatted him playfully. “They are not,” she protested. “They are the sweetest of children and you love them dearly.”

“I do love them dearly,” he agreed, nuzzling her neck. “And I adore their mama even more.” With a final, swift kiss, he released her. “I’ll be back soon. You can dress for dinner. You know it never takes me long to get ready.”

“Luke?” She grabbed his lapels and gave him a sweet kiss. “Thank you for going.” With a twinkle in her eyes, she added, “I promise more of that when you return.”

“Then I will run the entire way there and back.”

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