“I’m pleased to help.” Lucy glanced at the clock on the dressing table. “It’s nearly time to go down.”
Emma clapped her hands, her smile bright. “I shall dance with each of them and take careful note of how I feel.” She leaned forward to place a quick kiss on Lucy’s cheek. “Thank you. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Lucy watched her hurry from the room. Emma had done just fine with very little of Lucy’s presence the past few years other than the letters they wrote. But it was nice to feel needed by someone other than Aunt Edith for a change.
She went to her aunt’s bedchamber to collect her, pleased she felt well enough to attend the ball for a short while. Aunt Jane had expressed concern as to Aunt Edith’s wellbeing and how frequently the elderly woman felt ill, but Aunt Edith looked happy this evening, Lucy thought when her aunt opened the door.
“You look beautiful,” Lucy exclaimed. “The red is festive and becoming.”
“Thank you.” Aunt Edith beamed, a bright flush of color in her cheeks. “Just look at you. You won’t be short on dance partners.”
Aunt Edith’s words proved true. Lucy danced as much as Emma and enjoyed herself thoroughly. But her dance with Hugh was the highlight of the evening.
“You are beautiful, Lucy.” The admiration in his blue eyes caused her heart to sing.
He was an excellent partner, making her feel as if she were floating as they turned and twirled, moving away from each other only to return together again. His hand on hers was firm as if he’d never let her go. This was even better than ice skating, she realized.
Her emotions left her breathless even as they made her heart hurt. After all, the house party was nearly at end. Only Christmas Day was left. The guests would depart the following day.
But that was a worry for later. For now, she enjoyed the dance, holding Hugh’s gaze, reveling in the way he looked at her. She did her own share of looking. He was so handsome in his evening clothes, his cravat brushing his firm jawline. The contrast between his rugged good looks and the formal attire sent heat along her skin.
The dance ended all too soon, and he bowed while she curtsied then he took her hand to escort her back toward where her aunt stood. Before they reached her, he suddenly paused then glanced about as if in search of something.
“Who are you looking for?” she asked.
“I was hoping for a bit of mistletoe so I might kiss you again.” His smile caused her heart to rise to her throat.
No matter that she knew nothing could come of her feelings for this man. She was going to miss him deeply when their time together was over.
Hugh entered the village church the next morning and looked for Lucy. How much he had changed since the beginning of the party when he’d told himself he would spend every opportunity he could find to be with Emma. She was a lovely person, and he’d enjoyed their dance the previous evening. But Lucy was the one who held his affection. Especially after their delightful dance the previous evening. She was unique—beautiful inside and out, though he didn’t think she realized how special that was.
Sunlight streamed in the stained-glass windows and candles lit the altar. The church was crowded, but he had no difficulty picking out Lucy. Lucky for him, there was an empty spot beside her.
“May I sit with you?” he asked as he arrived at her pew.
Her brown eyes widened in surprise. “Oh.” She glanced across the aisle, and he turned to see Emma and her parents seated there. “Wouldn’t you prefer to sit by Emma?”
“No, thank you.” He settled beside her and nodded at her aunt, whose lips pressed together in a thin line of disapproval. “This will do nicely.”
Lucy blinked several times but said nothing.
“Happy Christmas,” he whispered.
“And to you.” She smiled then turned her attention to the minister who began the sermon.
The service was long enough that the hard bench became uncomfortable, but not nearly long enough for him to sit beside Lucy.
When the sermon ended, Hugh leaned close to Lucy. “Is it only me who is tempted to applaud the man for finally stopping?”
Lucy chuckled. “He had much to share today.” She waved at her cousin. “Doesn’t Emma look lovely today?”
Hugh glanced at Emma and nodded though uncertain to what Lucy referred. “Indeed.”
“We’re going to return to the house now,” Lucy advised him as she glanced at her aunt and uncle and Emma who visited with friends. “Aunt Edith doesn’t care for the cold. We’ll see you there.”
“May I accompany you?” Hugh asked. “That will leave more room in the next coach for those who wish to linger.”
“Wouldn’t you prefer to ride with Emma?”
He frowned, disappointed that she was pushing him toward her cousin. “No, thank you. I’ll see her soon enough.” Christmas dinner and the lighting of the Yule log were yet to come. But he hoped to have a moment alone with Lucy to give her the present he’d bought.
They settled in the coach with several guests and returned to the house. He caught Lucy’s arm before she followed her aunt up the stairs. “Do you have a moment? Will you meet me in the sitting room?”
She hesitated before nodding. “Of course.”
After retrieving the gift from his bedchamber, he waited in the sitting room, unable to keep his gaze from the mistletoe that was still on the hook where he’d placed it. Could Lucy be persuaded to share another kiss?
Then she stood in the doorway, a parcel wrapped with a gold bow in her hands.
His heart thudded dully as she drew closer. He held out his gift. “I have something for you.”
“How kind,” she said.
He gestured toward the settee before the fire, and they took a seat then exchanged the gifts. He was ridiculously pleased she’d given him one. It didn’t matter what it was. “Please open mine,” he said.
“So thoughtful of you,” she murmured as she undid the paper with care only to gasp at the sight of the small horse figurine with the white blaze on its forehead nestled in a box. “Hugh.” Her gaze returned to his, her smile bright. “I don’t know what to say. Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome.” He returned her smile, pleased that she liked it. Her gaze shifted to stare at the horse, the longing in her expression caused his chest to ache.
“Now you.” She tore her eyes away and glanced at the gift in his lap.
“I’m honored you thought of me.” He opened the wrapping to find a handkerchief neatly folded. Something dark on one corner caught his notice and he examined it, realizing it was a galloping horse. He glanced up in surprise, touched by her thoughtfulness. “You embroidered it? For me?”
Lucy nodded. “Apparently, we were of the same mind.”
“Thank you. I shall cherish it always.” His heart melted as he ran a finger over the stitching. To think she’d used her talents to personalize a gift for him shifted the floor beneath his feet.
This. More moments exactly like this were what he wanted. Surely the other details of how it would be possible would work themselves out. But did she feel the same?
“Lucy,” he began, his heartbeat thrumming in his ears, making it difficult to think. He’d been so careful to avoid the two L’s—love and lust—thus far in his life. But when struck by both, he had no doubt they were real and could last a lifetime. “I realize we haven’t known each other long, but I admire you very much. Is there a chance you feel the same? That I might call on you after Christmas?”