With that in mind, Serena had decided to share some pies and meats with Mrs. Hodgens, except she’d ended up dallying over tea and had failed to notice when the first snow began to fall. Now, making her way home, she drew the hood of her cloak over her head as frosty flakes churned around her. A storm had set in, and Serena had been caught in the middle of it.
Worst of all, there was still another mile to go before she reached the warm comfort of the house she and her father shared, and that was without considering the discomfort of her cold feet which were wet from the snow that had crept inside her boots.
Clearing her eyes with the back of her hand, she gazed off into the distance and the disappearing road that lay ahead. Everything was a blur of white, save for an orange glow that shone to the right of where she stood. A cool wind whipped across her back, snatching at her cloak. She wrapped her arms more tightly around herself and pondered her options. It didn’t take long for her to make a decision, for her lungs already burned, and her whole body trembled from the bone–deep chill.
Ignoring the weariness swamping her, Serena turned onto the driveway that would take her to Hillcliff, a grand stone edifice with a sprawling park–like garden laid out behind it. Serena knew the family who lived there well enough, even though her own parents had never been nearly as affluent as the Bryants. Still, she had fond memories of playing with their eldest son, Matthew, when she was a child. She’d even had a tendre for him once, but that was a long time ago, before he’d gone away to study at Eton and later at Oxford.
She’d not seen him for at least five years since he and his family always holidayed somewhere else: in the Lake District during the summer and at his grandparents’ estate in Scotland for the winter. Consequently, the only people inhabiting Hillcliff at the moment would be the servants.
Serena dearly hoped they’d take pity on her and allow her the comfort of warming herself by the fire until the worst of the storm had passed.
Arriving at the front door, Serena braced herself while a gust of wind darted past. She raised the heavy iron knocker and banged it as hard as she could in the hope someone would hear. A moment passed and then the door eased open, allowing Serena a limited view of the butler.
“M…May I…” Heaven above, she could not get the words past her chattering teeth.
“Who is it, Brown?” asked a deep, masculine voice from beyond.
Stepping back, the butler dragged open the door until a tall, broad–shouldered gentleman came into view. His hair was the color of wheat bathed in sunshine, his eyes an inquisitive blue that had always intrigued Serena.
“Miss Matheson,” he said, his voice a low murmur that quickly blended with the air around them.
There was no denying that Matthew Bryant, the boy with whom she’d once played, had grown into a fine looking man indeed, making it nearly impossible for Serena not to stare. He stared back, his expression exasperatingly inscrutable.
So much so it came as a relief when he finally looked away and, addressing the butler, said, “Please show our guest upstairs, Brown. Make sure she receives a hot bath and some dry clothes to change into. I’m sure my sister has something in her wardrobe that will suit.”
“I couldn’t possibly–”
“For the sake of your health, Miss Matheson, you must,” Matthew said, cutting her off. “Please join me in the library as soon as you’re ready.”
Serena nodded, but she doubted he noticed the gesture since he was already turning away.
“This way, Miss Matheson,” the butler said, his affected tone filling the gaping silence.
Serena blinked, recalling how cold she actually was. Seeing Matthew again had made her forget the discomfort while her emotions, long since buried, had rushed to the surface. Judging from his reaction toward her however, she doubted this unexpected reunion of theirs had affected him to the same degree.
Seated in a deep, comfortable chair by the fireplace, Matthew took another sip of his brandy while gazing into the flames that leapt around a thick log. He’d been hoping to see Serena again. In fact, it was his reason for returning to Hillcliff this year rather than joining the rest of his family in Scotland where they traditionally spent the holidays.
Not this time though, Matthew had decided. Especially not after his mother had begun foisting every lovely debutante in the country upon him. There was no doubt Mama had grand plans for him. She’d even mentioned a keen desire to see him married to the daughter of a titled gentleman. But the more she spoke on the subject, the clearer it became that the real reason they’d spent every one of his holidays away from Hillcliff was to keep Matthew away from Serena.
Enough was enough. He’d decided this time that he would rather spend Christmas alone than waste another second wondering what might have been had he not stayed away from his childhood friend for so long.
And then the very girl who’d filled his mind for all these years had appeared upon his doorstep, her face flushed from the cold as the blizzard raged behind her. Except she wasn’t a girl any longer, but a woman with rosy lips and hazel–colored eyes framed by long dark lashes.
His chest tightened at the thought of her, and he instinctively looked at the mantelpiece clock to check the time. It was almost an hour since she’d arrived, so he suspected she must be joining him soon.
A knock sounded moments later and Matthew shot to his feet, nerves on alert as he called for whoever it was to enter. The door opened, revealing his butler.
“Miss Matheson,” Brown announced before stepping aside so she could enter.
Matthew’s breath caught the instant she came into view. Gone was the voluminous cloak concealing her figure. Instead, she wore a gown made of pale green cotton. The sleeves were long, but the neckline was deep enough to show off a lovely expanse of flushed skin above a tempting bosom.
Matthew silently thanked his sister for her strict adherence to fashion.
“Please,” he said as he forced himself to tear his gaze away from the flare of her hips. He gestured toward the chair next to his. “You may have a seat over here.”
There was a brief hesitation before she did as he suggested, making her way forward while Brown closed the door. Startled by the sound, she turned, undoubtedly concerned for her reputation since no unmarried lady ought to be left alone with a gentleman with whom she wasn’t related.
Matthew would have none of that however. He’d waited far too long to see her.
“You needn’t worry,” he said. “We’re merely trying to keep the rooms warm. Sherry?” He lifted a decanter for her to see.
“Just half a glass,” she said as she went to her chair and sat.
“Care to tell me what you were doing outside in that awful weather?” He handed her a glass, delighting in the brief brush of fingertips the gesture offered. Stepping back, he resumed his own seat.
“I went to deliver some Christmas food to Mrs. Hodgens since Papa has no interest in partaking in any of it. He still hasn’t recovered from Mama’s passing.”
“My condolences,” Matthew said. “Mama mentioned it and… It must have been extremely difficult for you.”
“Yes, it was.” She blinked, shook her head dismissively, and met his gaze. “In any event, I should have known better than to dally when I saw how gray the sky was getting, but Mrs. Hodgens is all alone and feeling rather poorly too, so when she offered me a cup of tea I ended up staying longer than I ought. I’m sure Papa must be worried about my whereabouts.”