With a sigh, she set aside the book, removed her slippers, and stood on the settee, just able to reach the ball. She removed it from the hook then pulled a chair to the window.
She climbed onto the cushion with the ball, raising onto her toes to reach the hook only to hear a sound from nearby, causing her to lose her balance.
Lucy gasped, arms flailing along with the ball as she tried to catch herself.
Strong arms wrapped around her, lifting her to safety. “Lucy!”
She stared at her rescuer, mortified to see it was Hugh.
“Are you all right?” he asked, adjusting his hold on her.
“Yes. Thank you.”
“My apologies. I didn’t mean to frighten you,” he said. “But when I saw you up on that chair, it startled me. What on earth were you doing?”
Her cheeks heated as she looked up at the hook then at the ball she still held. “I wanted to move this.” She refused to call it a kissing bough when Hugh held her. “It was in the wrong place.”
He raised a brow. “You were putting it in the right place?”
“Well,” she realized too late how silly she sounded. “I didn’t care for it to hang directly over the settee.”
“I see.” He studied the two positions, never mind that he still held her. “Perhaps I could be of assistance.”
“That would be kind of you.” She licked her lips, all too aware of the feel of his arms around her, along with the fact that she liked it. Her heart pounded and warmth curled through her. Somewhere in the conversation, she’d placed her hand around his neck while the other clutched the kissing bough as if her life depended on it.
At long last, he slowly bent to set her on her feet, his hands moving along her body before settling on her waist to steady her. “I missed you this evening.”
Her heart pounded even harder at his quiet words. “My aunt wasn’t feeling well, so I kept her company.”
“You are a devoted niece. And I think you have the patience of a saint.”
“I try.” She frowned, feeling guilty for her earlier uncharitable thoughts. “Though I must admit that sometimes it’s more difficult than others.”
“I can’t imagine.” His eyes held on hers and her awareness of him only increased. “I hope your aunt appreciates your efforts.”
“I’m sure she does.” Each breath she took filled her senses with his presence, and it was intoxicating. That lovely mix of forest and musk that she would forever recognize as his.
He lifted his hand, the pad of his thumb brushing her cheek, sending shivers along her flesh. “I hesitate to bring it to your notice, but I believe that is mistletoe you’re holding.”
She glanced at the bough, having nearly forgotten she still held it. “Yes.” She wanted nothing more than to kiss Hugh. “A tradition is a tradition, you know.”
“Yes.” His gaze dropped to her lips.
“Not meant to be broken.”
“No.” He leaned closer.
“It’s only a kiss.” She hadn’t meant to say the words out loud. She’d meant to say them to herself, a reminder that kisses were something people shared every day. It didn’t have to mean anything. Surely her inexperience had made their first kiss more impactful. A second one might not be nearly as exciting.
“Only a kiss,” he repeated, easing even nearer until their breath mingled.
She rose to press her lips to his, both thrilled and terrified when an explosion of sensations erupted inside her.
He moaned as he drew her against him, deepening the kiss, his tongue seeking hers as his hands roamed over her body.
She’d been wrong, she realized too late. This was far more than a kiss. It was an assault on the walls that defended her heart. Hugh represented the outside world that she’d avoided for so long, that she wasn’t certain she wanted. The one she was too frightened to reach for.
“Lucy,” Hugh whispered when he drew back to press kisses along her jaw then down her neck. “You are impossible to resist.”
Did that mean he wanted to resist her? A muddled part of her brain latched onto the concern even as her fingers twined in the hair along his collar, bumping the kissing bough on his back.
His hand shifted upward from her waist, near the swell of her breast, and all thought stopped. Her entire being ached with longing and liquid heat. Yes, touch me there. The tip of her breast tightened in anticipation.
His fingers found her nipple then he reached for the full weight of her breast, kneading it gently.
A wave of desire weakened her limbs as a delicious lethargy filled her. She’d had no idea a touch could make her feel so hot and weak. Why had she hesitated when his touch felt as if it freed her, loosening the tight rein she’d held on her emotions until now.
He released her breast only to cup her bottom instead, lifting her against the firmness of his body. Surprise speared through her as she realized just what particular part of his body she felt. The rigid staff shocked her, much like a cold splash of water, and she shifted back.
“I-I can’t,” she murmured, uncertain whether she was telling him or herself.
Hugh loosened his hold on her, but she couldn’t seem to step away. Nor did she know what she wanted.
“I’m sorry.” He smiled though worry shaded his expression. “Why is it that I’m always apologizing to you?” He shook his head. “I didn’t mean to take the kiss so far. Having you in my arms makes me lose control.”
Lucy was pleased to know she wasn’t the only one with that problem. Hugh made her feel things she’d never felt before. The sensation was overwhelming, and she had no idea what to do about it.
He bent to pick up the kissing bough she’d dropped then looked at the ceiling. “Shall I hang it on the hook?”
“Yes, please.” She eased back to give him room to step on the chair, appreciating a moment to collect herself.
He easily looped the ribbon over the hook, picked one of the white berries, and handed it to her with a smile.
“Thank you.” She held the berry carefully as she pressed her other hand against her still pounding heart. She feared he’d hooked her affections just as surely as he’d done with the kissing bough. The realization frightened her more than she could say.
“Miss Gray!” Hugh hurried along the pavement in the small village near the Waverly estate. Many of the guests had ventured into town to spend the afternoon doing last-minute shopping.
The snow had melted over the past few days except for a few patches that lingered in the shadows. The bright sun turned the sky a pale shade of blue but was deceiving as the temperature was cold once again.
She turned in surprise. “You’re doing some shopping as well?”
“Yes, I am. Do you mind if I walk with you?”
She hesitated briefly then offered a smile as a delicate pink crept up her cheeks. “Not at all. I’d be honored.”
Hugh hadn’t meant to seek Lucy’s company on this outing. In fact, he’d made certain to ride in the coach behind the one she’d taken so they wouldn’t be together.
He’d only seen her briefly at dinner the previous day as most of the men had spent the day hunting. Emma had joined them for part of the ride, her horsemanship skills impressive. But none of that had kept his thoughts from Lucy.