Mistletoe & Michaelmas Read Free Page B

something about her that managed to catch his attention and hold it longer than was polite.
    As the clock struck ten and some of the mamas began whisking their unmarried daughters off to their rooms, Aaron made his way over to the brightest diamond in the room: Miss Daphne Cavanaugh.
    “I hope you enjoyed your evening,” he said.
    “I did. And you?”
    “Very much.” Aaron ran his hand through his hair and racked his brain for something witty to say. Nothing came to mind.
    Daphne's delicate hand landed on his forearm. “Goodnight, Mr. Lentz.”
    Instinctively, Aaron covered her hand with his then leaned near her ear, her soft blonde hair brushing against his lips. “Goodnight, Miss Cavanaugh. I'll see you on the morrow.”
     

 
     
    Chapter Three
     
     
    December 20, 1816
     
     
    After a full (sleepless) night to think about it, Aaron still couldn't say why, but there was something about this slip of a young lady that called to him like a beacon to a lost ship in the dead of night.
    Ever since Miss Cavanaugh descended her carriage, he was drawn to her. He ran his hands through his hair, then scrubbed his fingers over his face. No. Love was a dangerous game. A game he'd once gambled at and had lost everything . He'd vowed never to do that again and yet, here he was following this young lady around as if she contained the very air he needed to breathe. This needed to stop. Now.
    Well, not now, but today.
    Yes, today, he committed to himself as he made his way down the hall to the library. Before breakfast he'd received a missive, presumably from the duke, instructing Aaron to meet him in the library at ten o'clock. The old codger had added a subscript to the bottom of the missive that ten o'clock meant ten o'clock, not two ticks past ten and not two ticks before ten. Aaron shook his head. Gads, the man was precise. All the more reason to leave today. An image of the lovely Daphne formed in his mind, complete with porcelain cheeks with a small flag of red in the center of each. He smiled—then grimaced. He did not need to be thinking of her. He straightened his blue coat and steeled his resolve. Likely the duke wanted to talk to him about his plans for who he'd be arranging to marry whom. Aaron would agree to perform the ceremony. That was fine. Aaron would do that. He'd show up when he was needed to perform the ceremonies and the rest of the time he'd be at home where his heart would be safe.
    Aaron checked his pocket watch and hastened his step. He'd hate to be late for his meeting with Danby. Just outside the open door, he came to an abrupt halt.
    Inside the library was a card table with three people seated around it: Lord and Lady Worthe and the beautiful Miss Daphne. Aaron couldn't be certain, but the way she looked sitting in front of the window with the sun illuminating her made her the most majestic being he'd ever seen. He drew in a deep, calming breath, then said, “Am I late?”
    ***
    A whirlwind of emotions swirled within Daphne at the sound of his voice. She'd dreamt of him the whole night and if it were possible in the light of day he was even more handsome than he'd been in her dreams.
    “No. You're right on time, Mr. Lentz.” Jane waved him over. “Come on in.”
    Mr. Lentz strolled into the room and made his way to the card table they'd set up. “Don't you need a fourth player for whist?”
    “Last time I played we did,” Gareth said, clapping Mr. Lentz on the shoulder. “Which means you're right on time.”
    “But the duke wanted to play a game of whist with us,” Daphne blurted. It was true. The duke had sent Gareth a note this morning asking for them to meet him in the library for a game of whist.
    “I doubt he'll show,” Mr. Lentz drawled.
    “And if he does, I'll give him my seat,” Gareth said easily, passing all the cards to Daphne.
    Jane and Daphne exchanged a look and Mr. Lentz lowered himself into the empty chair across from Daphne.
    “I'd be delighted to join your game.”