Page 15 of The Dare Before Christmas

“Oh, don’t pretend you haven’t missed me,” he said, grinning at the way her cheeks grew pink.

“Well, of course we’ve missed you, you wicked boy, and whose fault is that? If you weren’t so busy with all your wicked goings on, you might have time for us. And must you set Jules such a dreadful example? It isn’t as if he needs the help to go to perdition.”

“Mother!” Jules groaned, rolling his eyes.

Leo laughed and patted his friend heartily on the shoulder. “Well met, Jules. How do?”

“Marvellous,” Jules replied dryly. “And dreadfully sorry to inform you, but we’re off out Christmas shopping in Lewes. So, sadly, we cannot offer you tea and crumpets.”

He pouted and made a sad face that had Leo snorting with amusement.

“I can see you are devastated to miss out on my visit, so I shall come with you. I told you I had things to do in Lewes, did I not?”

Jules groaned. “Fine, but do not gossip about me to my mother. She has quite enough information about my tarnished soul. Believe me, she needs no more.”

“There’s more?” Prue said, her gaze narrowing.

“Er….” Jules said, sending Leo a panicked glance.

Leo held out his hands. “Well, you walked into that with no help from me.”

“We really should be going, Mother,” Jules began, when Mr Godwin walked up to them.

“Leo?” he said in confusion. “Leo Hunt, is that you?”

Leo’s eyes grew wide. “Oh, my word, Barmy Godwin! It’s been an age. I keep seeing you in the distance at events, but never seem to track you down. How the devil are you?”

“Barmy Godwin? You two know each other?” Louis César asked, looking between them with interest.

“How do, Monsieur le Comte,” Leo said, shaking Louis’ hand with a smile. “Oh, yes, we go way back. At school together. Barnaby was two years below me, but he was the school’s secret weapon.”

Louis’ eyebrows went up. “Secret weapon? Barmy Godwin? This I need to hear.”

Leo laughed, a rich, infectious sound that had everyone’s attention riveted upon him. “Sports. Barnaby’s an absolute fiend. Ruthless, I tell you. Won more games for us than I can recall. Don’t let those soulful eyes and that mild manner dupe you. Put him on a horse, on a football field, cricket pitch, or God help me, try sparring with him. He’s an entirely different beast when there’s a competition afoot.”

Everyone swivelled to stare at Barnaby, their surprise so apparent that Torie felt quite annoyed on his behalf. The poor man turned pink, sending Leo a look of irritation.

“What nonsense,” he muttered, tugging at his cravat.

“Oh, ho! Tell my mother that,” Leo replied with a snort. “She’s still not forgiven you for knocking me out cold that time. Lord, I had that shiner for weeks.”

“Barnaby?” Louis said, staring at his friend as if he’d never seen him before. “I do recall you saying you were good at sports, but… is this true? Have you been hiding your light under a bushel all this time?”

“That was a long time ago,” Barnaby said with a huff before glancing up at the sky. “If we’re going, I think we ought to hurry. The sky is looking rather ominous.”

“Also adept at changing the subject,” Leo remarked with a smirk. “But we’ll leave him be for now. Always was modest about his talents, old Barmy.”

Barnaby returned a warning glare and walked towards one of the waiting carriages.

“Come along Leo, there’s room with us,” Jules said, waving him to follow them. “The groom will take care of your horse.”

With an easy nod, Leo followed his friend and Torie turned her attention back to Emmeline.

“Well, it seems you’re in for an entertaining day with Leo and Jules together,” she said dryly.

Emmeline snorted. “Provided they don’t start a riot. By the way, did you have any idea… about Mr Godwin, I mean?”

Torie thought about that. “No, not exactly, but I’ve always known there’s far more to him than he lets people see. Leo is right: he’s modest, not the sort to shout about himself or want to be the centre of attention. He’s always making certain everyone else is happy and entertained rather than trying to make himself look good. It’s one of the things I’ve always admired most about him.”