His By Christmas (Hamilton Sisters) Read Free Page B

back with punch.”
    Kate’s freckled face wrinkled in amusement. “Really, Yvette, I don’t understand why you’re in such a rush to marry him.”
    Yvette remained silent for she could not quite put into words why she felt such a need to hurry or why she had chosen Christmas as a goal for herself. But she just knew that if she became a duchess her life would instantly change for the better. She would lead society and host the most fashionable parties and events. She would wear the most stylish clothes. Everyone would love and admire her. Being married to a duke would be the most romantic thing that could happen to her.
    “If I were you, I’d try for Lord Eddington,” Kate continued in a voice full of utter longing. “He’s the most dashing gentleman I’ve ever met. He’s the one you ought to marry, Yvette.”
    Yvette laughed at the absurdity of such a prospect. “Lord Eddington? I could never marry him!”
    “Why ever not? He is so devastatingly handsome and charming. He’s terribly rich too. And he’s known to have made all the ladies swoon. You know what they say about him . . .” Kate gave a little sigh and fluttered her fan.
    “Putting aside the fact that he’s been like a brother to me, he’s . . . he’s . . .” Yvette struggled to find the proper words.
    Yes, Jeffrey Eddington was indeed all of the things Kate had said. He was also funny, sweet, and unfailingly loyal. In fact, he was quite dear to her. Yvette had to admit that he held a special place in her heart. He had been a part of her life since she was a young girl and she could hardly recall a time when she had not known him. But as for marriage? To Jeffrey Eddington? It was completely ridiculous!
    “I know you used to be sweet on him, Yvette.”
    She paused. Perhaps she had nursed a childish infatuation for Jeffrey years ago, but as a mature woman of almost twenty-one she had quite outgrown such juvenile illusions. “Well, I was a silly little girl then. Besides Jeffrey is not what one would call marriage material.”
    “Is it . . . is it because he’s a . . . he’s a . . . he was born on the wrong side of the blanket?” Kate asked in a furtive whisper.
    It was common knowledge in society that Lord Eddington was the illegitimate son of the Duke of Rathmore and a ballet dancer. Although the duke had long ago claimed Jeffrey as his son, no one ever forgot he was illegitimate.
    “Well, yes . . .” Yvette responded, wondering why they were discussing this at all. “Besides I can’t very well marry Lord Eddington if I wish to become a duchess, now can I?”
    “How are you enjoying the ball, Yvette?”
    At the sound of a very deep familiar voice, Yvette’s heart raced as she turned in his direction. There stood the very subject of their conversation, Lord Jeffrey Eddington, and from the look on his face, Yvette was fairly certain he had heard everything she had just said.
    “Oh, Lord Eddington!” Kate’s freckled face turned a deep shade of scarlet. “Good evening!”
    “Jeffrey!” Yvette cried out in surprise. Fluttering her fan as if she hadn’t a care in the world, she murmured, “I didn’t know you were in attendance this evening.”
    “I only just arrived. And here I find the two prettiest girls in London standing alone among the potted plants. How is such a thing possible?” He gave them his signature heart-melting grin, completely ignoring the fact that he had just overheard them gossiping about him.
    It was so utterly Jeffrey to save them from embarrassment that Yvette wanted to hug him, in spite of her own feelings of discomfiture. Looking up at him, she could not deny that Jeffrey Eddington was an exceptionally handsome man. Tall with broad shoulders and hair the color of ebony and clear, deep blue eyes, he was muscular and strong, wearing his evening clothes with careless elegance. His classically sculpted, clean-shaven face had a devil-may-care allure that caused women to swoon when he looked their way. But now