His Mistress By Christmas (24 page)

“What?”

“This family, these people.” She shook her head. “Aside from his proper nature, I had thought Adrian was a solitary sort. At least that’s the impression I had before we married. Now I find myself part of this large group of people who are connected in a way unfamiliar to me. I had always been rather used to being, oh, independent.” She thought for a moment. “Certainly, they have their disagreements, often at the top of their lungs, but there isn’t one of them who wouldn’t do whatever was necessary to help another. Sometimes when that help is neither expected nor wanted.”

Veronica laughed.

Evelyn smiled. “They do have a tendency to interfere.”

In front of them, Diana and Miranda laughed at something Bianca said.

“Yes, I have noticed that,” Veronica said wryly.

“You couldn’t miss it, as we have all showed up uninvited for Christmas.” Evelyn chuckled. “You do have my apologies for that.”

“There is nothing to apologize for.” Veronica shrugged. “I suspect such things are to be expected when one is part of a family like this.”
Even if only for just this Christmas.
The oddest pang stabbed her at the thought.

The children, their father and uncles appeared at the top of a rise and headed toward the rest of the gathering. Laughter and high spirits filled the air and grew louder with each step.

“They care for one another, although I imagine affection is to be expected in a family. But they like each other as well, which I suspect is rather rare.” Evelyn studied the approaching group with a smile. “Look at them all. It never fails to amuse me. The largest of those children—”

“The men?”

Evelyn nodded. “They have the most fun of all.”

“So it appears.” Veronica chuckled and considered the other woman. She appeared to be about Veronica’s age. “You don’t have children?”

“Not yet.” She sighed. “Possibly not at all, although I would like children. I would hate to see all this end.” She glanced at Veronica. “I assume you want children.”

“I do.” Even as she said the words, she realized the truth of them. When she had turned down Sebastian’s proposal, children had been mentioned. But it hadn’t so much as crossed her mind then that, regardless of her views on propriety, she would never bring a child into this world out of wedlock. Apparently, she was not as free spirited as she thought. Yet another one of those things she hadn’t considered. Sebastian waved, and without thinking, she waved back. It was the most natural thing in the world.

“We found it,” Sebastian called.

Veronica bent her head toward Evelyn. “Dare I ask what they found?”

“You’ll see.” She grinned. “They have all sorts of traditions. This is one.”

Diana called to Evelyn, and she hurried to catch up with the oldest sister. Miranda dropped back to take her place.

“I wanted to thank you,” Miranda said quietly.

“No thanks are necessary,” Veronica said with a smile. “Although a warning would have been nice.”

“I know.” Miranda winced. “I am sorry we thrust you into this situation.”

“It isn’t what I expected.” Veronica chuckled. “But it will definitely be a memorable Christmas.”

“Having a mistress here, well . . .” She shuddered. “It would be difficult to explain. It’s important to him, Sebastian, that is, that his brothers not think of him as irresponsible and flighty and undependable. He’s trying to prove that he has changed, grown up, if you will.”

Veronica raised a brow. “And does he need to do that? I should think his considerable accomplishments would prove that.”

“One would think.” Miranda chose her words with care. “In truth, I’m not certain if he’s trying to prove something to his brothers as much as to himself.”

“I haven’t noticed any lack of confidence about him.” Veronica tried and failed to hide a defensive note in her voice. “Indeed, in many aspects he is most arrogant.”

Surprise widened Miranda’s eyes. “Well, yes, I suppose. . . .” She sighed. “I could be entirely wrong. We haven’t seen much of him in recent years, you know.”

“I know.” Veronica laid her hand on the younger woman’s arm. “And thank you.”

“For embroiling you in a family dilemma?”

“No, darling.” She squeezed her arm and smiled. “For including me.”

Miranda stared at her for a moment, then returned her smile. Veronica had the oddest sensation that she had just passed a test or been approved.

The two groups merged, the ladies chattering almost as much as the children. Sebastian’s gaze met hers and he grinned. His face was ruddy with the cold; his blue eyes sparkled with amusement.

“We located the tree the groundskeeper had selected, and the children have approved it. It won’t be cut until tomorrow, of course.” Sebastian leaned close and spoke low into her ear. “I have a groundskeeper, you know.”

“Imagine that.” She bit back a grin.

Emma tugged at Veronica’s skirts. “It’s a tradition, Aunt Ronica.”

She smiled down at the little girl. “What is, dear?”

“We get to approve the tree,” the six-year-old said solemnly.

“The youngest in the family always gets to approve the tree.” At age ten, Peter was the oldest. “Mother says it’s been that way for centuries, since she was a girl.”

“Not that it has been centuries since she was a girl,” Diana said under her breath.

“It has to be just right.” William, the second oldest, crossed his arms over his chest. He was a year younger than Peter. “Because it’s a
Christmas
tree.”

“For
Christmas,
” Richard, the youngest boy, repeated, as if he wasn’t entirely sure she understood the significance of the tree. He mimicked his older brother’s stance. “So it’s important.”

“Now that we have all agreed on the importance of the proper tree . . .” Diana signaled to one of the nannies. “I suspect the winner of a race back to the house will be able to claim a special treat from your uncle’s cook.”

The boys exchanged looks and grins, then took off toward the house.

“Mummy.” Emma glared up at her mother. “It’s not fair. The boys are bigger and faster than I am. I never win.”

Diana smiled. “Someday, darling, boys will be falling all over themselves to let you win. Now, go on.” A smiling nanny came and took the little girl’s hand. “I am certain the cook will have something special for you, too.”

“We could all use something a little special.” Sebastian set down his basket, then slid his arm around Veronica’s waist and pulled her close. “Have I told you that you look even more beautiful in the cold?” He grinned down at her.

“Sebastian.” She gasped and tried to pull away. “Stop it this instant. Goodness, in front of your family. What are you thinking?”

“I’m thinking you are the best thing that has ever come into my life.” His voice was low and for her ears alone. “And don’t forget, we are newly wed. We should act like it.”

“Regardless . . .” She pushed against him with far less enthusiasm.

“I’m further thinking you are the very thing I have always wanted for Christmas.”

“Sebastian!”

“Something special . . .”

She laughed in spite of herself. “Your family . . .”

“My family thoroughly approves of tradition.” Without releasing her, he bent and grabbed a bunch of greenery from his basket. Mistletoe.

Her gaze shifted from the mistletoe to his eyes, and she surrendered. “Oh well, as it is tradition . . .” She wrapped her arm around his neck and pulled his face down to hers.

His lips met hers, and everything around them faded away. He kissed her hard, for a moment or forever. And nothing existed save the feel of his lips on hers, his arm around her, the warmth of his body next to hers.

A throat cleared and Sebastian raised his head. He grinned down at her and released her. Heat washed up her face, and she wondered that she could still stand.

“Sebastian,” Adrian said in a voice well used to command. His brow furrowed and he held out his hand. “The mistletoe, if you please.”

Hugh frowned. “Adrian, you don’t—”

“Now,” Adrian snapped. At once the group stilled. Sebastian handed him the mistletoe. “You needn’t all look at me in that manner,” he said in a gruff tone. “I simply wished to kiss my wife as you did.” He smiled at Evelyn. “It was most inspiring.”

Sebastian’s mouth dropped open.

“Adrian.” Evelyn gasped in mock horror. “In front of everyone ?” The twinkle in her eye belied her words.

“Well, it is Christmas.” He dangled the mistletoe over his head. Evelyn laughed and stepped close to him. She placed her palm on his cheek, gazed into his eyes, and kissed him. Veronica resisted the impulse to sigh. Now, that was love.

She glanced at Sebastian and her heart fluttered. As did his.

“Well?” Bianca addressed Diana. “Don’t you want mistletoe?”

“Don’t be absurd.” Diana sniffed and started toward the house. “We know what comes of mistletoe. We have children.”

James grinned, grabbed the greenery from Adrian’s hand, winked at Sebastian, and started after his wife.

Adrian laughed, took Evelyn’s hand, and headed after them. Sebastian took Veronica’s hand and followed suit. If she hadn’t glanced back, she would have missed Bianca and Hugh and Miranda watching their brother and sister and their respective spouses with varying degrees of wistfulness or sorrow or regret in their eyes. Regret for decisions made out of pride or anger perhaps. Sorrow for what had been lost or wistfulness for what might have been. Veronica’s gaze caught Hugh’s, and he shrugged in an offhand manner, as if those sorts of emotions weren’t significant. But then, displays of emotion that personal wouldn’t be entirely proper.

Tomorrow was Christmas Eve, and they would all decorate the house together. The tree would be set up in Sebastian’s great hall, and again they would share in the decoration. Veronica couldn’t remember the last time she had looked forward to Christmas, but this year, well, this year was different. This year she was with a family that wasn’t nearly as proper as she’d been told. And a man who was somewhat more proper than one would have thought. It was all so confusing.

Sebastian had kissed her like it was his right. Like she was his. And, Lord help her, she’d kissed him back, in front of his family, like he was truly hers.

Sebastian sat at his desk in the library and looked over the papers his estate manager had left for him.
His estate manager.
He grinned. Once again all was going well in his world.

Veronica hadn’t been angry with him, although he still wasn’t sure why. The woman he loved was pretending to be his wife, which was not as good as her really being his wife but wasn’t bad nonetheless. Everyone in the family seemed to be enjoying themselves. And Christmas was only a day away. Yes, indeed, all was going extremely well.

“Sir,” Stokes said from the open door. “You have a visitor. An American.” He sniffed. “A Mr. Sinclair.”

“Sinclair is here?”

“Yes, sir.”

“How odd.” What on earth would Sinclair be doing here? “Show him in.”

“Yes, sir.” Stokes turned, then turned back. “And might I say, on behalf of the staff, you have our heartiest congratulations.”

“I do?” Sebastian said cautiously.

“Apparently, there was some confusion upon your arrival. We did not realize that Lady Smithson, or rather Lady Hadley-Attwater, was your wife.” A slight hint of reproach shone in his eyes.

“Yes, well.” Sebastian tried not to squirm. Yet another deceit he would have to confess to, although this one could really be called a mistake and certainly not intentional. He brightened at the thought. “Nothing to worry about, Stokes. Misunderstandings happen all the time.”

“Yes, sir.” Stoked nodded and left the room. Sebastian had the distinct impression the butler knew exactly what was going on in the house.

Sinclair strolled into the library. “Greetings and felicitations of the season, old man. Quite an impressive little place you have.”

Sebastian eyed his friend. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to warn you, and at no little inconvenience, I might add.”

“Warn me about what?”

“First, your sisters came and demanded to know exactly where your new house was located.” He sank into a chair and shook his head. “The older one, the fair-haired one, is . . . Well, to call her annoying is being kind. What a demanding bit of baggage she is.”

Sebastian chuckled. “Bianca does have a way about her.” Sinclair lowered his voice as if to guard against eavesdroppers. “She’s frightening is what she is. She threatened me with dismemberment if I didn’t give her your location. And from the look in her eye, I’d wager she would do it, too.”

“If you’re here to warn me about their arrival, you are too late.”

“I considered warning you about them, but I decided a man who doesn’t tell his closest friend that he’s married doesn’t deserve warning.” He shook his head. “How could you not tell me?”

“Keep your voice down.” Sebastian jumped to his feet, strode to the door, and shut it quickly. “I’m not married.”

“What do you mean, you’re not married? Your sisters said—”

“I mean, I asked her, and as you know, she said no. You suggested I accept her offer to be my mistress, at least for now, and I did so.” He strode back to his chair and sat down. “Unfortunately, my younger sisters jumped to the conclusion that we had married. They told my brothers and older sister, all of whom took it upon themselves to join us for Christmas.” He blew a long breath. “And only Miranda and Bianca know Veronica is not my wife.”

“And Lady Smithson is?”

“Acting as my wife.” Sebastian nodded. “Just until after Christmas.”

“Then you’ll tell your family?”

“I’ll have to.”

“After Christmas but before your birthday? Or afterward?”

“Bloody hell.” Sebastian groaned. “I hadn’t thought of that. It very nearly slipped my mind. I haven’t mentioned it to Veronica, either, and I probably should.”

The American stared in obvious disbelief, then snorted back a laugh. “Good God, man, what were you thinking?”

“Apparently I wasn’t.” Sebastian shrugged. “But it seems to be going well. . . .”

Sinclair laughed. “Not for long.”

“What do you mean?” Sebastian narrowed his eyes. “You said you came to warn me. Warn me about what?”