Kissing by the Mistletoe Read online

  Maddie returned his grin. At five-and-twenty, Kit was finally old enough to take possession of his inheritance, according to the terms of his father’s will. He’d spoken of little else in his last few letters, anxious to re-open the house he and Thomas had spent their boyhood in. “How exciting! I would love nothing more than to go with you, but I’m afraid my mother won’t allow it. I’m to rest today, so I won’t look tired at the assembly tonight.”

  “You’ll look lovely whether you ‘rest’ today or not,” Kit scoffed. “Won’t she, brother?”

  Was it her imagination, or were Thomas’s cheeks turning the faintest shade of pink? “Of course,” he answered, his voice slightly gruff.

  Maddie felt her own cheeks warm unexpectedly. Kit had complimented her more times than she could remember — why did this time provoke such a reaction?

  “Thank you both,” she said, picking up her fork and focusing on her breakfast. “But as long as I reside with my parents, I must comply with their wishes. I expect you boys will have a grand time reliving your past, though. And making plans for the future.”

  With any luck, Kit’s plans would involve finding a wife and Maddie would be free to find her own happiness. What would Thomas do? He had begun working for his uncle, who was a barrister in Edinburgh, after finishing university — did he plan to do so always? Did he hope to strike out on his own some day? Did he, too, plan to marry?

  Maddie was surprised to discover she didn’t know. She was even more surprised to discover that she wanted to know, though that revelation shouldn’t have been so shocking. Thomas was her best friend’s brother, and her friend in his own right. It made perfect sense that she’d be curious about his wishes and goals.

  “As long as we return in time to go to the assembly,” Thomas said, smiling gently at Maddie. “I have a promise to keep.”

  <<<

  “Come, brother, we must be getting back.”

  Thomas acknowledged Kit’s words with an absent nod. He was staring into the frozen brook that cut across the property — the same brook Maddie had pulled her ire-inducing fish from — purposefully delaying their return. He was nervous about dancing with her, even though he’d never been so before. What if he tripped over his own feet? What if he stepped on hers and crushed her toes?

  What if she only wanted to dance with him to spur another, wealthier, man to action?

  “Yes, of course,” he replied, tearing his gaze from the ice, and heading toward the stable with Kit.

  They readied their horses in relative silence, but once they were both in the saddle and on their way back to the Haywards’ home, Kit got chatty.

  “You’ve promised Maddie a dance this evening, have you?”

  “I have,” Thomas said as matter-of-factly as he was able.

  “She told me after you’d gone in search of your boots.”

  Of course she had. She told Kit everything. “Did she also mention that she asked me for the dance?”

  Kit nodded, pulling his beaver hat down lower over his ears. “Yes. She’s afraid only we will pay her any attention and she’ll be stuck sitting with the matrons and wallflowers all evening.” He paused, throwing Thomas a pointed look. “This could be your chance.”

  “Chance for what?” Thomas asked, hoping his brother would change the subject if he played dumb. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to talk about Maddie, but the more they discussed her, the more he let himself imagine a future with her.

  “Your chance with Maddie, you dolt,” Kit chuckled. “She’s asked me to stay away for most of the evening in the hope that other men would speak with her.”

  “Am I ‘other men’?”

  “You certainly could be. And you’ve already secured a dance with her.”

  Thomas licked his dry lips. “It’s just a dance, Kit.”

  “And that is how many happy courtships have begun.”

  The wind picked up, blowing frigid air down from the north and requiring them both to pull their scarves up over their faces, which halted any further conversation. Thomas was glad of it, and of his brother’s silence on the subject of Maddie once they’d returned to the Hayward house with just enough time to ready themselves for the evening.

  The families took two separate carriages to the Flying Horse Inn, the tallest building in the village, and the only place with a room large enough for a gathering of so many people. Once they were all together in the dooryard, Mr. Hayward offered his arm to his wife.

  “Shall we?”

  She smiled and laid her hand on the sleeve of his coat. “By all means.”

  Thomas turned to his mother, about to make her the same offer, when Kit swooped in and beat him to it.

  “This way, Mother,” he said, glancing at Thomas for the briefest of moments.

  That left Maddie standing alone.

  “May I escort you in?” Thomas asked, hoping his voice didn’t sound as hesitant to her as it did to him.

  It was dark, but her brown eyes were sparkling in the light of the carriage lanterns. “You may.”

  He’d expected her to formally place her hand on his sleeve, as was the custom. But instead she threaded her arm through his and rested her hand on his biceps. It was likely for show, but it was an intimate gesture all the same and Thomas had to remind himself that tonight was a favour for Maddie, not a prelude to something more.

  He had to remind himself again once they were inside to counter his brother’s words ringing in his ears. Thomas helped her remove her winter cloak, revealing a wine-coloured gown with tiny ruffles along the sleeves and neckline. The rest of the gown was unadorned — some might even call it plain — but she needed nothing else to take his breath.

  She glanced at him over her shoulder, then turned her body to face him. “What?”

  His eyes widened. Had he gasped aloud? “You, erm, you look beautiful. That colour suits you.”

  “Thank you.” She poked a finger into his chest as he shed his greatcoat. “It looks well on you, too.”

  Thomas’s eyes followed her finger and he grinned. Under his chocolate brown cutaway coat, he’d worn a cream waistcoat embroidered in claret red roses. “We’re a match.”

  The words were barely out of his mouth before he realised the double meaning and clamped his mouth shut. Fortunately, Maddie didn’t seem to notice and Thomas allowed a small sigh to escape his lips, of both relief and frustration. Was this how he was going to spend the entire evening? Tripping all over himself around Maddie, then chastising himself for it?

  No, he wasn’t. He was going to enjoy himself and relish a dance with the woman he loved, just for tonight. Tomorrow morning their relationship would return to its previous state, and in a few weeks’ time he would be on his way back to Scotland. Alone.

  “Are you well, Thomas?”

  Maddie’s words snapped him out of his woolgathering and he nodded. “I was wondering if it might be best to have our dance first or if we should wait a little.”

  “First,” she said resolutely. “The sooner I’m seen with someone other than Kit, the better. And,” her pink lips pulled into a smile, “I have been told the first dance is to be a minuet.”

  “You like minuets?” They were old fashioned and falling out of favour with the younger generation. Thomas couldn’t remember the last time he’d danced one.

  Her lashes swept down as her gaze dropped for a moment. “They make me feel rather stately and elegant,” she confessed in a low voice, leaning close enough for Thomas to notice she’d chosen a different scent for the evening — roses. “Something I tend not to be otherwise.”

  He bent his head to speak softly in her ear as he offered her his hand. “Then let’s go be elegant.”

  She took his hand and allowed him to lead her onto the dance floor, a slow smile spreading across her face that sent his heart off at a gallop. The small orchestra began to play and Thomas moved through the steps of the dance with Maddie, to-ing and fro-ing, parting and coming together again. They both wore gloves wit
h their evening wear, of course, but he catalogued every handclasp, every brush of shoulders, every accidental touch so that he might recall them all when he’d returned to his life in Edinburgh without her. If he could never afford to ask Maddie for her hand in marriage, he would at least remember this dance with her.

  The song came to an end and another gentleman approached to ask Maddie for a dance. Thomas bowed and slid away into the crowd, trying with little success to keep from turning and watching her enjoy herself with someone else. It was better that way, he told himself for at least the twentieth time. Thomas might love her, but love would not put food on the table or coal in the fireplace.

  Thomas made for the refreshment table, hoping to find himself a cup of good, strong punch. He turned back one last time, catching a glimpse of Maddie laughing with delight as she hopped her way through a Scotch reel. Good. Her plan had worked, then, and he’d have memories of her to cherish always.

  He sighed and found himself a cup, silently toasting happiness as he downed the contents in one gulp.

  Chapter Three

  The Haywards and Mathisons gathered in the Hayward parlour the next afternoon, whiling away the grey day in relative quiet and comfort. Mr. Hayward was sprawled in a chair reading the newspaper, Kit was writing letters at the small desk in the corner, and Mrs. Mathison and Mrs. Hayward were working out of their sewing baskets by the fire with Maddie, whose eyes kept drifting toward the window opposite her.

  Thomas tried to focus on the book he was holding, but The Philosophy of Nature, or, the Influence of Scenery on the Mind and Heart just wasn’t capturing his attention.

  “Maddie, would you like to take a walk with me?” he asked across the small room. “I know it’s cold outside...”

  “Yes,” she answered quickly. “I believe I could use some fresh air.”

  There were the usual admonishments from the parents to dress warmly, which they both heeded, wearing heavy boots, thick stockings, and extra layers beneath their long coats when they met at the door. They left the house and walked along in silence for a dozen yards, not touching but not actively avoiding one another either.

  “I’m so glad you asked me to walk with you,” Maddie finally said, her breath puffing out before her in a small cloud. “I wanted to thank you for last night. For the first time in over a year I danced with two other gentlemen, and had an entire conversation where Kit wasn’t even mentioned. All thanks to you.”

  He’d tried to ignore her dancing partners last night — both well-dressed gentlemen with tolerable manners — but had been unable to ignore the luminous smile she’d worn all evening. He’d have run into a burning building to see that smile, but it hadn’t been for him. “I’m glad you enjoyed yourself,” he said softly. “And that I could be of service.”

  They walked along for a few more minutes without speaking before he felt her mittened hand on his arm. “I— I don’t want to impose, but might I ask another favour of you?”

  “Of course,” he answered without hesitation. If there was any earthly thing he could do to make her happy, he would certainly do it.

  “Would you, perhaps… We’re all going to the Duke of Alston’s Midwinter Fête a few days hence, and I thought you might...”

  Ah. No dancing during this outing, but he could see where she was going. “Might like to escort you? While Kit keeps out of the way, of course.”

  He said the last with a bit of cheek and she laughed nervously, clasping her hands together at her waist. “I know it’s a lot to ask...”

  Thomas stopped and reached for her hands, bringing her to a gentle halt before him. “You know Kit would do anything to secure your happiness.” He squeezed her hands, wishing for a moment that they were indoors again with no need of mittens. “As would I.”

  “Truly?”

  “Always.”

  She took a small step closer to him, dropping her gaze to the snow beneath their feet for a moment. “Then might I impose upon you for the length of your stay here?”

  He pressed his lips together and raised his brows, trying to discern her meaning. “You want me to escort you, instead of Kit... until I depart?”

  “More than that,” she said, tipping her head back to meet his gaze. “I would like you to pretend to court me until you depart so people will know I’m not betrothed to Kit.”

  She was trembling now, and Thomas tried to resist the urge to pull her against him. “You’re freezing,” he said instead. “We should go back inside and warm you up.”

  Maddie shook her head. “I’m not cold. But I might be slightly terrified.”

  “Of me?”

  “Of what you must think of me for being so forward,” she said, releasing his hands, and wrapping her arms around herself. “And of what your answer will be.”

  He glanced around and, noting a copse of pines a few feet away, drew her among them, out of the wind and away from any prying eyes that might be about. “Might I be forward for a moment? You look as though you need to be held, and I would like to oblige you.”

  She went into his arms without another word, pressing her cheek against his coat and holding on to him like a drowning woman to a raft. Her trembling ceased a few moments later, and Thomas felt his own muscles relax as he rested his chin on the top of her head. It was a relief and a boon to be able to offer her comfort, and the embrace gave him time absorb her request.

  “Better?”

  He felt her chest expand against him as she breathed deeply in, then contract again when she exhaled slowly. “Yes. Thank you. I don’t know what came over me...”

  “You’re stuck in an undesirable situation, and need help getting out of it,” he said, palming her cheek for the briefest of touches. “I might react the same way in your place.”

  “I doubt it,” she returned, pulling back with a slight smile. “But thank you for saying so. I just — I am also more than slightly terrified that I’ll never find a husband. Which I’m sure sounds silly to you.”

  “Not at all,” he said. And it didn’t. He knew what society thought of women who eschewed matrimony, regardless of the reason. He also knew how much more independence she’d have as a married woman with the right husband. She’d have a home and possibly children of her own, but she’d also have the freedom to go about in public without anyone else’s permission — independence she would never be allowed as a spinster daughter still living with her parents. “I didn’t realise Kit’s presence loomed so large.”

  She sighed and took another half step backward, still within the circle of his arms but apart from him at the same time. “It does, even more so now that he’s come to claim his inheritance. Eligible men won’t even look at me. All they see is Kit’s intended.”

  “But if someone else is courting you, the illusion of your impending marriage to Kit shatters.”

  “Exactly.” She slid her hands down his arms, clasping his fingers in hers. “There is no one else I can ask to do this, Thomas. But I don’t want you to feel pressured into agreeing. If you are uncomfortable with this idea, you may tell me so and there will be no hard feelings.”

  She might not want him to feel pressured, yet he did all the same. The pressure wasn’t coming from Maddie, though — it came from himself. Certainly, he wanted to do everything in his power to make her happy. Did that include inducing his own insanity? For him there would be no pretending. Anytime that he touched her, looked at her, caught the scent of gardenias she often wore, he would look for all the world like a man in love, because he would be one. Then he’d have to forget anything had ever happened and hie himself back to Edinburgh, while she made a life with another man.

  Could he do it?

  He looked down into her dark eyes and saw hope mingling with fear. If he said no, she’d remain in social limbo as Kit’s future wife without actually being Kit’s future wife.

  But if he said yes, he would be giving her a measure of control back. And she would be his, even if only for a few weeks.

  “Have you spo
ken to Kit about this plan?”

  “No. This is your decision alone. I came to you first.”

  So there truly was no outside pressure. No one would ever know if he refused her.

  But he would know. “I said that I would do anything to secure your happiness. If a beau for Christmas is what you need, then that is what I shall be.”

  <<<

  “You’re going to do what?”

  Maddie stood with Thomas in the bedchamber he shared with his brother. Thomas wasn’t touching her, but his presence beside her was enough to bolster her courage.

  “Thomas and I are going to have a faux courtship,” she repeated, meeting Kit’s gaze with determination. “And we need you to play along.”

  “You’re to play this game until Thomas returns to Scotland after the New Year?”

  “Yes.”

  Kit’s brow wrinkled. “Won’t people just go back to assuming you and I are betrothed?”

  That was a legitimate concern, particularly with Kit remaining at his childhood home not two miles away.

  “Not if someone takes an interest in her before my departure,” Thomas said.

  Kit raised a blond eyebrow at that, but it quickly returned to its usual place. “So I am to stay away from you in public, and I can’t spend any time with you alone during our visit.”

  “I know it isn’t ideal,” Maddie told him. “I’ve missed you, and we haven’t really spent much time together since your arrival. But if we maintain a public distance, even around our parents, then I may finally have a suitor — a chance at a life of my own.”

  Kit’s eyes flicked from Maddie to Thomas, then back again. “And you’ve agreed to this, brother?”

  “I have.”

  Maddie smiled at his declaration. She had no idea how she’d ever repay Thomas for his cooperation in this scheme, but she would spend the rest of her days finding a way.

  “All right, then. I’ll play my part as well.” Kit rose from the bed where he’d been sitting and grinned. “I suppose that means we won’t be playing skittles together this year, then.”