His Mistress By Christmas (35 page)

“Forgive me for interrupting,” Bianca said in a loud voice. “But none of us can hear a word you’re saying.”

“More’s the pity,” her grandmother said.

Evelyn chimed in. “Although we are fairly confident all has turned out well.”

Sebastian kissed Veronica again, hard and quick, and released her. She adjusted her hat and surveyed the gathering with a cool demeanor that belied the way the feathers in her hat quivered. Damnation, he loved that.

“Then, as that is settled, and no one is more pleased than I, and as it is Sebastian’s birthday”—Adrian cast his brother an affectionate smile—”there are a few things that need to be said.”

“Indeed there are.” Indignation flashed in Veronica’s eyes. “And I intend to say them.”

Behind Sebastian, her father chuckled.

Adrian stared. “Very well, then, go on.”

“I realize it’s some sort of tradition, but how dare you, any of you, presume to judge whether Sebastian is worthy of an inheritance or of being part of this family or anything else?” Veronica glared at the assembly of Hadley-Attwaters. Sinclair wisely stepped away from the others, no doubt to avoid any misdirected fury.

“Sebastian is a man of courage and intelligence and, for the most part, honesty. He’s certainly not perfect—”

Someone, Sebastian wasn’t sure who, choked back a laugh.

“—but then few of us are. I wouldn’t want a man who was perfect. I would certainly not fare well in comparison. And yes, he can be most annoying, and he is certainly one of the most arrogant—”

Sebastian leaned toward her and lowered his voice. “Are you defending me?”

“Yes, darling, I am,” she said firmly.

“Interesting way to go about it,” Diana murmured.

“But it’s those very flaws that make him so endearing.” She crossed her arms over her chest and glared, looking for all the world like an irate governess chastising naughty children. “The man has been knighted. He has traveled the world. He has faced all sorts of adventures that would have had most men shaking in their boots, and he has written about his exploits so that others, whose lives are not nearly so exciting, may experience adventure through his eyes. He has represented his family, and indeed this country, with courage and fortitude and intelligence and honor and . . . and . . .”

“Humor?” Sinclair suggested.

“Yes.” Veronica nodded. “Thank you. He can be most amusing. He makes me laugh even as I want to smack him.”

Sebastian stared at her. “My God, I am a catch.”

“Thank you, dear, for proving my point.” She turned back toward his family, narrowed her eyes, and continued. “For any of you to think, for so much as a moment, that he is not worthy of receiving an inheritance left to him by his father is absurd. You should be proud of him.”

Hugh stared. “We are proud of him.”

“Nonsense.” She sniffed. “You think he’s a disappointment.” Adrian’s gaze slid from Veronica to Sebastian. “Is that what you think?”

“Well, yes. I have always thought that. However . . .” He drew a deep breath. “It appears it no longer matters. Not that I don’t love you all but . . .” He smiled at his soon-to-be wife. “This is a remarkable woman. And if I am worthy enough for her, that’s all I need. Or want.”

Hugh rolled his gaze heavenward. “I said it before and I shall say it again. You are an idiot.”

“Sebastian.” Adrian pinned him with a hard look. “This is exactly what I’ve been trying to talk to you about since Christmas. We have always intended for you to have what Father left to you. There was never a question about that.”

“We were shocked that you thought otherwise.” Hugh shook his head. “The very idea that you would need a house and a wife and whatever else to make us think you were worthy to receive what Father wanted you to have is absurd.”

Sebastian stared at his brothers. “But I—”

“Some of this may be our fault.” Adrian continued, “Obviously, we have not let our pride in your accomplishments show.”

“Although, might I point out, you were never around,” Diana said. “It’s difficult to let someone know your true feelings when they’re never present.”

“I know when you went off on your first expedition, Father was not pleased.” Adrian shook his head slowly. “But he was proud of you. He said you had the courage to follow your dreams. He didn’t agree with you, but then what father wishes to see his son go off to places where his life is in frequent jeopardy? Where he might never be heard from again? Where his family might never know what has become of him?”

“That’s never been my favorite part,” Mother murmured.

“We are all proud of you. Of what you have done and who you are. Of the man you’ve become.” Hugh directed his attention to Veronica. “We could have given that speech ourselves, Veronica. Perhaps we don’t find him quite as endearing as you do, but that’s for the best.”

“Although that portion about finding him amusing and wanting to smack him at the same time does sound familiar.” Miranda smiled.

Sebastian shook his head in disbelief. “This is not . . . that is . . .” His gaze slid from one smiling face to the next.

Veronica nudged him. “A man should admit when he is wrong, remember?”

“Well, yes . . .” Sebastian grinned. “This is an excellent birthday, after all.”

“And you get your inheritance as well.” Veronica nodded with satisfaction.

“About that,” he said to her. “This is another one of those misunderstandings we seem to be so good at. It’s not a fortune.”

“Well, however much it is.”

“It’s not money, Veronica.”

“It’s not?” She stared at him in confusion. “What is it, then?”

“It’s a watch,” Sebastian said simply.

Veronica’s brow furrowed. “A watch?”

“Father had three possessions he valued above all others,” Adrian began. “Three things that were always on his person. A signet ring, which went to me. Gold cuff buttons—”

Hugh raised his hand. “Those are mine.”

“—and his pocket watch. All are engraved with the family crest,” Adrian added.

“You did all of this, buying a house, changing your life, not to mention pretending to be married, for a watch?” Disbelief rang in Sinclair’s voice. “A watch?”

“For
my father’s
watch,” Sebastian said firmly. “But no, I did all this because it was time for me to do so. Not the pretending to be married. That was a misunderstanding grown out of control. Admittedly, I was hoping to show my brothers that I am a different man than I once was, but only because I am. The watch is nothing more than a symbol.”

Veronica smiled up at him. “I rather like that, you know. That it wasn’t money.”

“I have money.” He shrugged. “What I didn’t have, what I
thought
I didn’t have, was the respect of my family.” He chuckled. “In that, too, apparently, I was wrong.”

“I know.” Her eyes sparkled with amusement. “It’s most endearing.”

“As for pretending to be married, I know I should apologize for that to all of you, but I can’t honestly say I regret it.” His gaze met hers. “It did allow me to have the woman I love as my wife for Christmas, even if it wasn’t entirely real.”

She smiled into his eyes. “Wasn’t it?”

He leaned close to her, his words for her ears alone. “It has been from the moment we met.”

And disregarding his family and her family and anyone else who might be observing, he pulled her back into his arms and kissed her for a long moment. A kiss that promised she would be his mistress, and his wife, for next Christmas and all the Christmases to come.

And each and every one would be a Christmas to remember.