UnexpectedChristmas by Jean Hart Stewart Page A

They’re better than I am at scaling the trees
anyway. The blasted stuff is always at the top.”
    She laughed and held his hand all the way to the house. She
gave him a grateful, lingering look and went to her room.
    He stood motionless, his fists clenched. Damn if letting her
go hadn’t been the hardest task he’d had for a long while. He was shaking with
the temptation to haul her into his room and use his body to persuade her to
accept him.
    Probably it was better he hadn’t but he wasn’t sure. If he
could only be positive she would be his he could stand the delay more
patiently.
    He’d wait in the library while she rested. As his father’s
representative to the House of Lords, he always had a great deal of work to do.
He’d tackle some of it.
    * * * * *
    He was deep in trying to make sense of the latest speech by
a notoriously dim-witted lord when he jerked at the sound of a knock on the
door.
    At his growled “come in” a footman stepped in.
    “My lord. Your father is here. He is waiting for you in the library.
I’ve taken him a bottle of port but he refused it. He seems in haste to see
you.”
    Sebastian groaned. He didn’t need this complication right
now. His father would go into a full rage when he learned Sebastian’s plans to
marry a French teacher. And on top of that the daughter of a disgraced man, no
matter his rank.
    He’d undoubtedly heard Sebastian had brought a woman home
with him. Well, this problem wasn’t going to go away. He might as well face his
father now. He’d not give Caro up. Not a second time. Not ever.
    He would not.
    To make matters worse, Caro appeared at the door, smiling
and fresh from her rest.
    “Caro, my love. You look good enough to eat. I can’t stop
now but will you wait for me here?”
    Raising both Caro’s hands to his lips, he tried to project
only his love but he feared his eyes showed his consternation. She must have
heard the summons.
    Almost in despair, he watched her face form into an
expression that once more reverted to the aloof Caro he hoped he’d seen the
last of.
    “Love, don’t shut me out. I’ll handle this and be with you
soon.”
    Her eyes lowered and she said nothing. Cursing to himself,
he had no choice but to deal with his father and clear the board to pursue Caro
honorably.
    He knew well what his father wanted.
    His marriage to another girl.
    A girl he barely knew.
     

Chapter Four
     
    The marquess was in a tearing temper. That much was
immediately apparent when Sebastian walked into the library. His bushy
eyebrows, now flecked with a few white hairs, were raised high as he regarded
his son and heir.
    Sebastian inclined his head respectfully.
    “Delighted to see you, sir.”
    He wasn’t but Sebastian knew better than to make matters
worse by saying anything inflammatory.
    “Humph. If that’s true I’ll soon find out. I demand you get
rid of this lightskirt you’ve had the audacity to lodge in your house. It’s
time to proceed with your understanding with Lady Cecilia. I want you married
as soon as possible. Her father and I are in agreement. So give up your doxy
and do your duty.”
    Sebastian was almost speechless as he stared at his father.
    He didn’t know which part of that highly offensive speech to
tackle first. But there was really no choice. Calling his love a doxy and a
lightskirt had his fists clenching in temper he didn’t want to unleash on his
father.
    He drew himself straight as he fought down his anger.
    “Sir, I trust you will remember I’ve had no part in this
scheme to marry me and Lady Cecilia. She’s a charming lady but I have no desire
to marry her. And I do wonder which servant of mine reported to you so
quickly.”
    His father’s snort and incredulous look told Sebastian how
far apart their values were.
    “What nonsense. Stick to the point. You can have no
objection. Men of our class marry for position and advantage. If you insist,
set up this woman as your mistress. God knows that would be accepted