Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6

A fter breakfast, Holly went to check on Lord Thornton. She wasn’t the least surprised to see Ash dozing away in the chair he’d claimed. The viscount seemed deeply asleep, as well. And if she paused a moment, studying the long line of Lord Thornton’s nose and the way his dark hair fell over his forehead, well, there was no one to take note of it.

Quietly, she shut the bedroom door and went in search of the footmen who’d accompanied the gentlemen to Knavesmire Wood. She’d a promise to fulfill, after all. And a tree to deliver to North Yorkshire.

And a kiss to stop thinking about , she reminded herself sternly.

Unfortunately, the cartman Lord Thornton had hired to transport the tree had returned to York after bringing the viscount to Hartley House. Neither of the footmen know where to find the fellow.

“Do you at least know where the tree is?” she asked, admitting to some exasperation.

“Why, in the wood, milady,” the younger footman said. “Unless someone’s dragged it off for firewood. Make a lovely Yule log, it would.”

“More like a half dozen,” the other man said. “T’was a beast of a fir tree. Nearly killed his lordship, it did. Good thing the viscount was so quick on his feet.”

“Might you go and fetch it?” she asked.

The two men traded uncomfortable glances.

“Would he…want it here, milady?” the younger asked.

“I hardly think it poses a danger any longer,” she said tartly. “We have a cart, don’t we?”

Reluctantly, the footmen agreed to go fetch the fallen tree, no matter how murderous. Holly wasn’t certain how, or even if, she’d manage to send the evergreen from Hartley House up to Dovington, but first things first.

She returned to the breakfast room for a fresh cup of tea, and discovered her brother and sister there. Rose was brightly quizzing Ash about the events of the night, while he hunched over his tea and responded with grunts.

“Oh, Holly, thank goodness,” her sister said, turning to her. “Ash won’t tell me anything. He’s such a bear when he hasn’t gotten enough sleep. What happened with Lord Thornton? Did he really collapse in the hallway, raving about the Christmas tree?”

“More or less.” Holly brought her cup of black tea from the sideboard and settled beside her sister.

“I can’t believe I slept through it!” Rose raised her hands in a dramatic gesture. “I miss all the fun.”

“Hauling a half-conscious man down the hall is no one’s idea of fun,” Ash said, then stretched his shoulders and groaned. “I think I strained something.”

“Is he improved?” Holly asked, ignoring their brother’s transparent attempt at sympathy.

Ash plopped a cube of sugar into his teacup. “He’s lucid, at any rate—which is more than I can say for myself. Sorry if he gave you a scare in the night.”

“It’s no matter.” She hurriedly took a sip of her own tea to hide her sudden blush. “Do you happen to know the address of the cartman he hired?”

Ash shot her a look. “You’re not on about that blasted tree, are you? First he was moaning about it for half an hour in the middle of the night, and now I have to endure more?”

“Did it really almost crush you?” Rose laced her fingers under her chin and stared at Ash. “The servants are saying Lord Thornton saved your life. How does it feel, to have almost died?”

“Wretched,” their brother said, but Holly suspected his ill humor had more to do with lack of sleep than escaping imminent death.

According to the footmen, Ash hadn’t even realized he was about to have a large evergreen land on him when Lord Thornton pushed him out of the way.

“It was quite heroic of the viscount,” Rose continued, a dreamy look in her eyes.

“Does this mean you’re throwing over your baron and setting your cap for Lord Thornton?” Holly couldn’t keep the bite from her voice.

“Jealous?” Rose sat up straight and grinned. “Have you been thinking about what I said, Holly?”

“Not at all.”

“What?” Ash looked at them, his gaze moving from Holly to her younger sister. “What did you say, Rose?”

“Nothing of import,” Holly said. “How long would it take a cart to go from here to North Yorkshire?”

“Oh, no,” Ash said. “We’re not going to the trouble of sending that tree up to Thorn’s family. It can rot in Knavesmire Wood, for all I care.”

“But Lord Thornton cares,” Holly pointed out. “And he did save your life, after all.”

Ash had no reply to that. He went back to his tea, stirring another lump of sugar into his half-full cup, much to Holly’s disgust.

“The weather’s turning,” he said. “A storm’s on the way, and it would be a fool’s errand. Besides, who knows if the tree is even still in Knavesmire?”

“I might have sent the footmen to fetch it,” Holly admitted.

“What?” Ash frowned at her. “Whyever would you do such a thing?”

Because I promised Lord Thornton. And he kissed me. She hoped her thoughts didn’t show on her face.

“Can we install it here?” Rose asked excitedly. “We could put it in the grand hall, beside the staircase. I wonder if we have enough scarlet ribbons to garland it? Or perhaps white?—”

“Enough.” Ash pushed his chair back and rose. “Take the matter up with our parent. My good deeds are done for the day.”

As soon as he departed, Rose grinned at Holly. “How marvelous—a Christmas tree at Hartley House! I’ll go speak with Mother right away. I’m sure she’ll agree.”

“But…” Holly pressed her lips together in thought.

She’d told Lord Thornton she’d see about the tree—yet if it wasn’t feasible to transport it to Dovington Hall, she supposed Hartley House would suffice. Besides, Ash had sent a messenger to Lord Thornton’s family the day before, after it became clear the viscount would be unable to travel. His sister would know that he wasn’t coming for Christmas, and surely she would understand that the tree was included in that change of plans.

Still, if the viscount insisted the evergreen go to North Yorkshire, Holly would do her best to see that it did.

“Wait a bit before asking Mother,” she said to Rose. “I’m sure she’ll agree, since you can always talk her into your schemes—but let me speak with the viscount first.”

Rose’s brows rose, but she didn’t argue. “Then by all means, go have a word with our guest.”

Holly gave a sharp nod, more to reassure herself than her sister. Then, before she could lose her nerve, she finished her tea and went to speak with Lord Thornton.

Theo lay in the guest bed, his foot propped up with pillows, and scowled at his ankle. The doctor had told him to stay off it for at least a week—a week! No matter how much he wanted to continue his journey, riding was out of the question. But he refused to remain bedridden through the holidays. Surely Ash could procure him a crutch of some kind, so that he could at least hobble about.

He was sorry he wouldn’t reach Dovington Hall in time for Christmas. And sorry about the tree, and how disappointed Viola would be. Theo had to admit that the sight of a majestic evergreen inside the house, decked with glittery things and sparkling with candles, had become the new hallmark of the season.

The one he’d picked out in the wood yesterday had been the best yet, but, alas, it was doomed to lie there, rotting back into the soil. Which, after that near-disaster, was probably for the best. At least Ash was all right, though the injury to his own ankle was annoying at best. Perhaps, in the future, he wouldn’t choose to fell quite as impressive a tree.

A quiet knock came at Theo’s door, and he called for them enter—probably a servant with a tisane or somesuch. Instead, Lady Holly stepped inside, leaving the door properly ajar.

“Good day, Lord Thornton,” she said with a tentative smile. “I hope you’re feeling better.”

“I am, though my ankle pains me a bit,” he admitted, and gestured to the chair drawn up beside the bed. “Please, sit a moment. I’d be glad of your company.”

She moved gracefully to the indicated seat, and he had a sudden memory of dancing with her at the Christmas Ball last year. At the time, he’d been intent on escaping his sister’s machinations to snare him a wife, but even then he’d noted that Lady Holly was light on her feet.

“How did you sleep?” she asked, giving him an intent look.

“Restlessly. I believe laudanum gives me bad dreams.”

“Do you not recall getting out of bed in the night?”

He shook his head. “Ash told me the servants found me wandering the halls.” A scrap of memory tugged at him—her face, very close to his, gold flecks in her hazel eyes. “Were you there, Lady Holly?”

“Briefly.” She dropped her gaze to the quilted coverlet. “The commotion woke me.”

“Then I must I apologize.” He smiled wryly. “I assure you, I don’t make a habit of wandering about in a delirium.”

“I’m glad to hear it, sir.” She flicked her eyes up to his, then away.

Speaking of habits, this was a perfect time for him to pursue his investigation into Lady Holly’s penchant for gambling. But subtly—Ash’s sister had shown she was quick-witted.

“I’m supposed to stay off my ankle,” he said, nodding at the offending limb. “To pass the time, would you join me in a hand of cards? Perhaps we might also bring your siblings into a game of whist.”

She tilted her head, suspicion flashing through her eyes. “Do you enjoy the tables then, sir?”

“Moderately. Growing up, we wagered for almonds. I must say, my sister Viola is quite cutthroat at cards.”

She didn’t rise to the bait, as he’d hoped, only giving him a demure smile.

“If you’d like to play, Lord Thornton, then I will endeavor to indulge you. You’re our guest for Christmas, after all.”

“No matter how unintended.” He shot her a rueful look.

“Yet welcome all the same.” The faintest blush rose on her cheeks. “But that reminds me—if you’ll give me the name of the cartman, I’ll see about getting your tree up to Dovington Hall.”

“Kind of you, but unnecessary. Sadly, my family will have to weather its loss this year.”

Her brows drew together in a faint frown. “Are you quite certain?”

“Yes. The poor driver shouldn’t have to miss his own Christmas to fulfill my whims. And there are trees on the Dovington grounds. Not as splendid, of course, but the entire drive is lined with evergreens. If my sister desires a tree, she can procure one for herself.”

“If you say so.” Lady Holly smoothed her skirts and rose. “I’ll leave you to rest now.”

“Thank you for the visit,” he said. “Don’t forget your promise.”

She startled and gave him a quick glance.

“To play cards with me,” he clarified, her reaction making his suspicions flare anew.

“Of course. I will see you later this afternoon, if that suits.”

He gestured to the bedroom and his own bedridden form. “I’ll be here, whenever you find it convenient.”

With a quick nod, she slipped out the door, shutting it gently behind her, and Theo let out a sigh. At least he’d talked her into a hand of cards. No matter how clever she might be, surely she’d give herself away once they commenced to play.