Page 14 of The Dare Before Christmas

“Just how many times must I pick you up before you give this up as a bad idea, you stubborn creature?” he demanded, his voice at once frustrated and amused.

Torie couldn’t answer, could barely breathe, as the object of her desires for so many months held her tight in his arms. If she were bolder, she might have taken the opportunity to kiss him. Her sisters would have. Lottie and Eliza and, shockingly, even well-behaved Rosamund had been brave enough to reach out and take what they wanted, but they had been wanted in return and Mr Godwin… well, he didn’t want her. Not enough to fight for her, anyway. Victoria had all the pride a duke’s daughter might be entitled to, though it was only just enough not to throw herself into the arms of a man who kept rejecting her.

As she stared up at him, too shocked and beguiled by his nearness to move away, Mr Godwin stilled, his grasp on her waist firming, his hazel eyes lowering to focus on her mouth. Torie licked her lips nervously and his gaze darkened, tracking the movement avidly.

“Victoria!”

They both leapt as an imperious voice cut through the undergrowth. It was some distance off, but broke the spell quite effectively. Torie blushed and stepped out of Mr Godwin’s embrace.

“Coming, Mama!” she called, aware of the breathless quality of her voice as she hurried off towards her mother and the rest of the gathering.

Chapter 4

Jules, you devil, where have you gone to ground this time?

Certain young ladies have been asking after you. You’re in trouble, my friend, and none deserve it so richly. When are you back in town? I propose a club meeting of the Sons in the New Year. It’s been too long since we took a head count and caught up with each other. You’ll be pleased to hear that the club is thriving, and membership is up, despite you doing your utmost to drink the profits. Hades is a fitting name for our venture, but you need not try so very hard to play King of the Underworld. Others have this covered, believe me. Kilbane, for example, who turned up three nights ago. I toyed with the idea of denying him entry, but decided it would be more interesting to let him in. He’s a wicked sod, but where he goes, it tends to get lively. It did, incidentally. You missed quite an evening.

You’ll not believe this, but I bumped into Felix Knight the other day and he was badgering me to let him join us! In the first place, the last time I saw him, I swear he was about twelve years old, yet it can only have been a year or two ago, and now the fellow tells me he’s twenty! How the hell did that happen? I felt positively ancient, Jules, old man. In the second, his father would have us by the balls if we let him anywhere near Hades, let alone inducted him as one of the Sons. How did he hear about us, though? That’s what I want to know. Find out will you? I don’t want our privacy jeopardised by curious children.

Is it true you and your family are spending the next few days with the Knights at Heart’s Folly? In which case I might call in one morning. It’s an easy enough ride from my parents’ house, where I have promised to spend some time before they head off to Arabella’s for Christmas, and I have some business to attend to in Lewes. So, I’ll see you soon. You’ve been warned.

―Excerpt of a letter to Jules Adolphus, The Most Hon’ble Marquess of Blackstone (eldest son of Robert and Prunella Adolphus, Their Graces, The Duke and Duchess of Bedwin) from Mr Leo Hunt (eldest son of Mr and Mrs Nathanial and Alice Hunt).

18th December 1844, Heart’s Folly, East Sussex.

“Are you sure you won’t come?” Emmeline said, staring at Torie with concern in her eyes.

Torie shivered and wrapped her thick wool shawl tighter about her. The temperature had plummeted further overnight, and ominous clouds hung low in the sky. She wondered if they’d have a white Christmas this year, for snow did not seem unlikely.

“Quite sure,” Torie replied, smiling at her friend. “I have things I want to do. I’ll be quite content on my own, I assure you.”

Torie kept her attention entirely on Emmeline, though she could feel Mr Godwin standing a little to her left, his gaze upon her.

“Shall I stay too?” Emmeline asked, which was typical of the dear creature, who would happily sacrifice her own pleasure for a friend without the slightest hesitation.

“No!” Torie exclaimed. “You’ve been looking forward to this trip, and you’ve still shopping to do, remember? I was lucky in finding the last things I needed before we came, so I’m all done.”

“Well, if you’re sure. I do still need to get a few things,” Emmeline admitted.

“I am sure. I’m looking forward to doing some exploring on my own,” she whispered so no one but Emmeline could hear.

“Oh!” Em said, her expression clearing. She frowned. “You’ll be careful, though?”

Torie nodded, taking her hands. “I promise.”

Their conversation halted at the sound of hooves on gravel, and everyone turned to look at the man riding up to the front of the house.

“Good morning!” called a cheery voice.

Torie gasped as she recognised the handsome rider. Tall, broad-shouldered and blond, with an irrepressible twinkle in his eyes, Leo Hunt was the image of his father.

“Leo!” Emmeline cried, as she and everyone else rushed to greet him.

He laughed and, handing his reins down to a groom who hurried forward, jumped to the ground with athletic grace.

“Prue, darling, you look more beautiful than ever,” he said, enveloping the duchess in a warm embrace.

“Oh, you!” Prue said, laughing and pushing at his shoulders. “Put me down, you big lummox. How undignified.”