The Winter Wish Read Free

Please, Lady
Kincaid. Accept my sincerest apology.”
    Beside
her, Sarah felt Lily relax. “Oh, very well. I suppose it must be difficult
placing names with the faces of all the women you have danced with. Although,”
she said, holding up one finger, “I shall accept your apology on only one
condition.”
    “Which
is?” Devlin asked.
    “You
take my dearest friend for a ride in your sleigh.”
    Sarah
felt her knees buckle. Of all the outlandish, inappropriate, ridiculous—
    “Certainly,”
Devlin agreed. “If,” he continued, flashing a dimple as he smiled while Sarah
tried desperately not to swoon, “you accompany us as well.”
    “I
am frightened of horses,” Lily said, blinking innocently. “But Sarah just
adores them, do you not Sarah?”
    It
was a lie. It was Lily who loved horses, not Sarah. Sarah was terrified
of them ever since she had taken a particularly nasty spill from a stubborn
mare some years before. She opened her mouth to say exactly that and received a
quick jab in the side courtesy of Lily’s elbow. “I… I love horses,” she said
weakly. “They… They are m-marvelous creatures.”
    Devlin
look at her a little oddly, but Lily beamed. “There, you see? They are, after
all, her favorite animal and she is quite the accomplished equestrian. Why, I
have never seen a better rider.”
    A
glimmer of interest surfaced in Devlin’s eyes. For the first time he looked at
Sarah directly and the full force of that piercing gaze was enough to have her
swaying on her feet. “Do you hunt?” he asked.
    “Do
I w-what?”
    “Hunt,”
he repeated. “On horseback. Do you hunt?”
    “Oh,
she goes hunting all the time,” Lily interceded, giving Sarah’s arm a tight
squeeze through her cloak. “It is her favorite thing to do. Right, dearest?”
    Sarah
blinked. What was Lily saying? She could not focus when Devlin was looking at
her as if she were the only woman within a hundred miles. He grinned, showing
both dimples this time, and she stopped breathing. “Yes,” she said dazedly. “It
is my most favorite thing.”
    “Excellent,”
the Viscount declared. “I have never met a woman who enjoyed that particular
activity before. Perhaps you can tell me about your last outing while I take
you around the park. When should I call on you?”
    Sarah
opened her mouth to reply, but Lily beat her to it. “Why waste time?” she
chirped, waving a hand in the air. “The weather can be so finicky. Go now,
while there is enough snow on the ground. Go,” she repeated, giving Sarah a
little push forward, “and have a wonderful time. You can bring her to Twinings
when you are finished.”
    Twinings,
a small tea shop on the outskirts of the park, was well known by nearly every
member of the Ton .
    “Lily
I cannot,” Sarah hissed, looking desperately back over her shoulder. The very
idea of being in the close confines of the sleigh alone with Devlin thrilled
her even as it terrified her. Never in her wildest dreams had she ever imagined
speaking to him, let alone being near enough to touch! What would she do? What
would she say ? It was too daunting a task to even comprehend. No, it was
much safer in the corner of the room. She did not possess the courage necessary
to dance in the middle with all eyes watching. Some women did, but not her.
Never her.
    “You
are such a dear for remembering to return my muff,” Lily said loudly. Grabbing
Sarah’s hand she pulled her in close under the guise of having her hand warmer
returned. “Now you listen to me,” she whispered fiercely. “This is your chance,
Sarah! This is your wish come true.”
    Sarah
blanched. “I do not think—”
    “When
will an opportunity like this ever arise again? You and Lord Heathcliff.” Her
eyes fairly gleamed. “Alone in a sleigh with nothing but a shared blanket to
keep you warm. Now go on, before I remember I have a great affinity for horses
and love to fox hunt.”
    “Are
you coming or not?” Devlin queried. He had returned to