A Yuletide Invitation. Christine Merrill

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      ‘I will agree with that,’ said Rosalind. ‘For I have never met a couple better suited, no matter what they might think.’

      He nodded. ‘We agree that they belong together. And she does want to come home to him, since he did not come to London and get her. So be damned to Harry’s machinations for the holidays. I have devised a plan of my own.’

      ‘Really?’ Someone else with a plan? She could not decide if she should meet the news with eagerness or dread.

      ‘Harry’s scheme, whatever it might be, requires my eagerness to win his wife away from him. In this he does not have my co-operation. I have kept her safe from interlopers for two months now, but it is time she returned home. I was hoping to find my host, lose the bet, and make a hasty escape before Elise realised what had happened. In no time, I would have been back in London. And she would have been back here with Harry, where she belongs.’

      She shook her head. ‘Until such time as Harry loaned her a coach so that she could leave him again. Which he will do, the moment she asks. It will do no good at all if you leave only to have Elise following in your wake.’

      Tremaine grimaced in disgust. ‘Why on earth would Harry lend her a coach? I have brought her as far as Lincolnshire. If he lacks the sense to hold on to her once he has her again then you can hardly expect me to do more.’

      Rosalind replied, ‘Elise’s main argument with the man seems to be that he is too agreeable. And he has admitted to me that he would deny her nothing. If she wished to leave, he would not stop her.’

      ‘Damn Harry and his agreeable nature,’ he said. ‘In any case, the snow is keeping me from the execution of my plan, since it required a rapid getaway and that appears to be impossible.’ He stared at her for a moment. ‘But finding you here adds an interesting ripple to the proceedings. Considering our history together, and the results that came of it, I thought perhaps …’

      ‘That I would allow you to dishonour me again to precipitate another falling-out with Elise?’ She gave him a sceptical glare. ‘While I cannot fault you for the deviousness of it, I do not see what good it would do. You might have escaped marriage to me once, but I expect Harry would call you out if you refused me now.’

      He glared at her. ‘Very well, Miss Morley. You have proved my plans to be non-starters. I shall fall back on my last resort, of taking all my meals in this room and avoiding both the lord and the lady of the house until I can leave. Unless you have a better idea?’ The challenge hung in the air.

      She smiled back. ‘I was hoping you would ask. For I have a far superior plan.’ Or rather Harry had, if she could get Tremaine to agree with it. It would be quite hopeless if he meant to hide in the library the whole visit.

      He favoured her with a dry expression, and reached for his teacup to take a fortifying sip. ‘Do you, now?’

      ‘Of course. You admit you are concerned with Elise’s welfare. And, while I wish her well, I am more worried about Harry. If we are in agreement that what they need for mutual happiness is each other, then it makes sense that we pool our resources and work together to solve their difficulties.’

      ‘Because we have had such good luck together in the past?’

      She sniffed in disapproval. ‘I would not be expecting you to do anything more than you have done already. Pay courteous attention to Elise. Be her confidant, her escort, her friend. But to do that you must come out of this room, participate in the activities I have planned, and see that she does as well. Your mere presence may be enough to goad Harry to action on the matter, if he is the one who must apologise.’

      ‘That is exactly what I fear.’ Tremaine shuddered theatrically. ‘Although Harry seems to be a mild-mannered chap, I’ve found in the past that this type of fellow can be the most dangerous, when finally “goaded to action”. If your plan involves me meeting with violence at the hands of an irate husband …’

      ‘I doubt it will come to that.’

      ‘You doubt? Miss Morley, that is hardly encouraging.’ He spread his hands in front of him, as though admiring a portrait. ‘I can see it all now. You and the other guests look on in approval as Harry beats me to a bloody pulp. And then, Elise falls into his arms. While I wish them all the best, I fail to see the advantages to me in this scenario.’

      ‘Do not be ridiculous, sir. I doubt Harry is capable of such a level of violence.’ She considered. ‘Although, if you could see your way clear to letting him plant you a facer …’

      ‘No, I could not,’ He stared at her in curiosity. ‘Tell me, Miss Morley, are all your ideas this daft, or only those plans that concern me?’

      ‘There is nothing the least bit daft about it. It is no more foolish than taking a lover in an effort to get her to return to her husband.’ She stared back at him. ‘You will pardon me for saying it, but if that is the projected result of an affair with you, it does not speak well of your romantic abilities.’

      ‘I have the utmost confidence in my “romantic abilities”. But if you doubt them, I would be only too happy to demonstrate.’

      She cleared her throat. ‘Not necessary, Tremaine. But, since you are concerned for your safety, we will find a way to make Harry jealous that involves no personal harm to you. Is that satisfactory?’

      ‘Why must we make him jealous at all? If I stay clear of him, and we allow time to pass and nature to take its course …’

      ‘Spoken as a true city-dweller, Tremaine. If you had ever taken the time to observe nature, you would have found that it moves with incredible slowness. The majestic glaciers are called to mind. So deliberate as to show no movement at all. And as cold as that idea.’

      He shook his head. ‘Spoken by someone who has never seen the ruins of Pompeii. They are a far better example of what happens when natural passions are allowed their sway. Death and destruction for all who stand in the way. Which is why I prefer to keep my distance.’

      ‘You have seen them?’ she asked eagerly.

      ‘Harry and Elise? Of course. And I suspect that, although they do not show it outright—’

      ‘No. The ruins of Pompeii.’

      He stopped, confused by the sudden turn in the conversation. ‘Of course. I took the Grand Tour. It is not so unusual.’

      She leaned forward on the couch. ‘Were they as amazing as some have said?’

      ‘Well, yes. I suppose. I did not give it much thought at the time.’

      She groaned in frustration. ‘I have spent my whole life sequestered in the country, drawing the same watercolours of the same spring flowers, year after year. And you have seen the world. But you did not think on it.’

      ‘You are sequestered in the country because you cannot be trusted out of sight of home,’ he snapped.

      ‘Because of one mistake. With you.’ She pointed a finger. ‘But I notice you are to be trusted to go wherever you like.’

      ‘That is because I am a man. You are a girl. It is an entirely different thing.’

      ‘Please cease referring to me as a girl. I am fully grown, and have СКАЧАТЬ