His Mistress By Christmas (22 page)

“Thank you all.” Veronica summoned up her brightest smile and downed her wine, wishing for something stronger.

“You are a lucky man, Sebastian.” James chuckled, then glanced at his wife. “Not as lucky as I am, but lucky nonetheless.”

Diana nodded, and the rest of the family laughed.

Sebastian’s gaze met hers, and her heart caught. “Yes, I am,” he said.

She stared at him for a moment, then drew a deep breath. She might not be the true mistress of the house, in more ways than one, but now was not the time to shatter that particular illusion. She had no intention of confronting Sebastian in front of his family. Until she spoke privately with him, she was not going to announce to these people, whose opinion he valued, that either they had made an assumption he had let stand or he had lied to them. She would not embarrass him. Nor would she embarrass herself. And she was nothing if not an accomplished hostess. She rose to her feet, the men immediately following suit.

“Ladies, I suggest we adjourn to the other room and allow the men to indulge in their brandy and port without us.”

“And cigars, I hope,” Hugh said with a grin.

Ah, well, in for a penny, as they say. Veronica fixed him with a firm look. “Not in this room, I’m afraid. However, there is a billiards room you might prefer.”

“We’ll be quite content right here, sans cigars,” Adrian said firmly. “Tonight at least.”

Veronica smiled, then addressed the other women. “I shall join you in a few minutes. I should speak to Cook about tomorrow.”

Diana winced. “I’m afraid my cook would be in a bit of a dither if I presented her with a houseful of unexpected guests.” She and her sisters filed out of the room. “But then she tends to be rather inflexible and even at the best of times . . .”

“Not too long, now, gentlemen.” Veronica smiled in her best hostess manner and met Sebastian’s gaze. “Given the enthusiastic nature of tonight’s dinner conversation, I’m sure there is much more we all wish to talk about.”

The men echoed their agreement. Veronica nodded and pushed through the swinging door to the corridor that led to the kitchen. She leaned back against the wall and caught her breath.

They thought she and Sebastian were married? Where could they have come up with such an idea? Bianca and Miranda certainly knew they weren’t married. Surely Sebastian didn’t tell them they were, although he did not seem to be in any hurry to correct the wrong impression.

And why should he? She sighed, straightened, and started down the corridor. Bianca had made a point of telling Veronica how Sebastian had always felt like something of a disappointment to the family. How now, with the purchase of a house and staying in England, he was trying to prove himself worthy of being a member of a family where he’d never quite fit. How on earth could he tell them the truth? How could she?

She wasn’t sure if she was angry or merely annoyed or even a bit amused. Now that the shock of discovering herself married had faded, it seemed best to wait until she spoke with Sebastian and heard whatever feeble explanation he had to offer before doing anything at all. Yet another awkward situation one was not adequately prepared for in finishing school.

However, right now she squared her shoulders. She had a houseful of guests for Christmas and an untried staff. Regardless of whether she was Lady Smithson or the new Lady Hadley-Attwater, she was an accomplished hostess with any number of successful house parties to her credit. Why, people vied to receive one of her invitations. She was not about to let a little thing like confusion over her marital state destroy that reputation.

Indeed, Sebastian was right. This would be a splendid Christmas. A Christmas to remember.

God help them all.

“I must say, I am surprised.” Hugh swirled the brandy in his glass.

Sebastian smiled absently, fully intending to follow Veronica at the first opportunity. He couldn’t imagine what she was thinking. She must be furious.

“Surprised?” James chuckled. “
Shocked
seems a more accurate word.”

Certainly she didn’t seem angry, but she was too well bred and entirely too clever to make a scene in front of his family. As for his brothers, what would they think of this deception? This mistake ? This fiasco?

“Why?” Adrian asked. “Didn’t you suspect someday Sebastian would come home to stay?”

“Yes, I suppose.” Hugh sighed. “But it did seem that he was having rather a good time of it. I would be hard-pressed to give it up.”

How was he going to tell them the truth, and more to the point, when? A deception of this magnitude would surely shatter any possibility of them approving his inheritance. Lying about a wife and having a mistress share his house for Christmas were not the type of things that would impress his brothers with how much he had changed.

James and Adrian traded glances.

“Regrets, Hugh?” James sipped his brandy.

“That my younger brother has traveled the world in search of adventure, while I am in a profession that requires that I wear a wig?” Hugh scoffed. “None at all.”

The other men laughed.

“We all choose our own paths, and I have been content with mine. As for Sebastian . . .” He aimed a firm look at his younger brother.

Sebastian’s attention jerked back to the conversation at the table. “Me?”

“I am deeply disappointed in you.” Hugh studied Sebastian over the rim of his glass.

“Disappointed?” Adrian’s brow rose. “Surely not in his choice of wife?”

Hugh shook his head. “Not at all. She’s entirely too good for him.”

“She’s amazing,” Sebastian said abruptly. “She’s as intelligent as any man I know and more so than any number I could name.” The words continued of their own accord. “She’s fearless. She’s not afraid to give her opinions, no matter how awkward that might be for her. She says exactly what she thinks, but I have yet to see her be unkind to anyone.”

His brothers stared.

“She’s extremely loyal to her family, and they are an odd lot.”

“She will fit in well,” James murmured.

“She’s quite sensible and rational and yet . . .” The look in her eye at the thought of making love at the Explorers Club flashed through his mind. “She’s not.” He shook his head. “She’s strong and independent but there’s . . .”
A faint hint of vulnerability that I don’t think even she is aware of. She needs me and I need her.
He drew a deep breath. “We suit one another, in more ways than I can name.”

“And she is lovely,” James said, “which isn’t at all important but appreciated nonetheless.”

“Most appreciated.” Sebastian nodded. And tonight, in a fashionable French gown, of a blue color that made her dark eyes glow, she was nothing short of remarkable. There were moments during dinner when he forgot she wasn’t really his wife, wasn’t really
his
at all.

“You have always liked women with red hair.” Hugh raised his glass.

“You have always liked
all
women.” Adrian studied his brother. “Are you willing to give that up?”

“This is the woman I want to be with for the rest of my days. The only woman.” A firm note sounded in his voice. “I want to draw my last breath with her hand in mine.”

For a moment, silence hung in the room.

“She certainly is a good influence on you,” Adrian said at last.

“I was right the first time,” Hugh said. “She is entirely too good for you.”

“It’s nice to know the high regard in which my family holds me,” Sebastian said wryly.

“We hold you in extremely high regard.” Adrian sipped his brandy.

Sebastian aimed a suspicious look at Hugh. “Then the disappointment?”

“I thought I could count on you, but thanks to you, I am the only unmarried man left in the family.” Hugh blew a long breath.

James snorted back a laugh.

“Now that you’re married, Mother will redouble her efforts to get me wed.” Hugh sighed in a mournful manner. “I am next on her list.”

Sebastian shook his head. “Her list?”

“Mother has a list.” Adrian grinned. “Of who should be married next. There’s a specific order.”

James chuckled. “The list is infamous.”

Sebastian’s gaze slid from one man to the next. “Why haven’t I heard about this list?”

Adrian sipped his drink. “It’s not a secret. Mother is more than willing to talk about it. There are things you are going to miss if you aren’t here. The details of life, as it were.”

“There’s a hierarchy to the list,” Hugh said. “Females at the top in order of age, then the men from oldest to youngest. Oh, and never married takes precedence over previously married.”

“So I was—”

“At the very top of her list.” Adrian chuckled. “But you haven’t been here, so you haven’t felt the full force of her—”

“Powers.” James shuddered. “Diana calls them powers.”

Sebastian stared. “Magical powers?”

“Who knows?” James said darkly.

Sebastian scoffed. “You don’t believe that.”

Hugh and Adrian glanced at each other.

“So Portia is also at the top of her list?”

“Which is why she chose to flee the country,” Adrian said.

“I always knew Portia was more intelligent than she lets on,” James said with a knowing nod.

“And why Mother went with her,” Adrian continued. “She’s not about to let a little thing like distance deter her. I suspect she sees Italy as fertile hunting grounds.”

“However, Mother’s departure left us free to come here,” Hugh added.

“I’m so glad it was convenient.” A dry note sounded in Sebastian’s voice.

“We’re glad we could come.” Adrian’s gaze met his. “It’s been too long, little brother. We’ve missed having you with us.”

The oddest lump lodged in Sebastian’s throat. “Yes, well, it has been a long time.”

“But you’re home now. Settled for good, it appears.” Hugh cast him an affectionate smile. “With a house and a wife. Why, you’re very nearly a responsible English gentleman.” He grinned. “Who would have imagined such a thing?”

“Yes, about that . . .” Sebastian cleared his throat. “I should tell you—”

A crash sounded from behind the servants’ door. Sebastian ignored it. “What I was about to say—”

Another crash reverberated in the air.

James glanced at the door. “That sounds like a problem.”

“Perhaps your cook isn’t pleased with your new wife’s plans.” Hugh chuckled.

Adrian scoffed. “I’m sure Veronica is more than capable of handling whatever the problem might be.”

“More than capable.” Sebastian drew a deep breath. “Now, as I was saying—”

A third crash rang from behind the door. Sebastian jumped to his feet. “If you will excuse me, perhaps I should—”

“Handling the staff is the domain of a wife.” A warning sounded in Hugh’s voice. “She will not appreciate your interference.”

“Still, as you bought the house and hired the staff before you so much as met her, it might not be a bad idea to at least make your presence known,” Adrian said thoughtfully. “If I recall correctly, it’s awkward for a lady to abruptly find herself the mistress of a house used to running without one.”

“Yes, of course, awkward,” Sebastian said under his breath. He pushed open the door to the kitchen corridor, stepped through, and let it swing closed behind him. Veronica stood a few steps away, holding a large serving tray out in front of her, obviously preparing to drop it. Again.

“What are you doing?” He snatched the tray from her hands.

She raised a brow. “Attracting your attention.”

“You needn’t demolish the house to do so.”

Her eyes narrowed slightly. “I was not demolishing the house. I simply dropped a tray.”

“Three times.” He set the tray on the serving counter that ran the length of the hall.

“It would have been four if that was what was needed to distract you.”

“Distract me? From—” He frowned. “Were you eavesdropping ?”

“Do you mean, was I standing with my ear pressed against the door?”

“Well, no, I didn’t—”

“Of course I was. Goodness, Sebastian.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “You didn’t think I would abandon you, did you?”

He drew his brows together. “I thought you were going to speak to the cook?”

“I did.” She nodded. “It only took a moment. She has things well in hand and is rather pleased to have a houseful of guests. In fact, she intends to bake gingerbread for the children.” She cast him an admiring look. “You have already earned her loyalty, you know.”

“Because I have filled the house or because I am paying her well?”

She shrugged. “Among other things.”

“That’s good to know.” He eyed her cautiously. “What did you hear that prompted you to drop the tray?”

“You were about to confess all to your brothers, were you not?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t you think you should have talked to me first?”

“I did, but when the opportunity presented itself—”

“You told them we were married.” She studied him closely.

“I most certainly did not,” he said indignantly, then winced. “Miranda and Bianca told them.”

“Oh?”

“I told them not to say anything,” he said quickly.

“Obviously, I am asking the wrong question.” Her eyes narrowed. “Why did your younger sisters think we were married?”

How to explain this to put himself in the best possible light? He thought for a moment. There really wasn’t any way to make this sound better. He drew a deep breath. “They saw us at the theater and came to see me the next day. I told them we would be married by Christmas.”

“Then that was before you asked me?”

“I never imagined you’d say no.” He tried and failed to hide the indignation in his voice. “I had fully intended to be married by Christmas.”

She arched a brow. “My apologies for mucking up your plans.” “Apology accepted,” he said in a lofty manner.

“Obviously when they arrived—”

“Uninvited.”

“—you told them the truth.”

“It seemed best,” he muttered.

“On occasion, the truth does seem to be best.”

“You’re not angry?”

“Apparently not.” She considered him thoughtfully. “Whose idea was it not to let the rest of your family know the truth? And, as well, not to let me know what they thought?”