Page 69 of The Mistletoe Dare

“Not everyone wants to be the centre of attention, at least not all the time. Though I think you enjoyed your time as belle of the ball.”

She snorted at the idea she’d been the belle. “Hardly that,” she protested. “But yes, I had fun. I’ve never danced so much in my life.”

“And you’re not… disappointed?” he asked. “About Rochford.”

“Disappointed?” she repeated, puzzled, and then laughed. “You think I was hoping to be his duchess? Good heavens, you’re as daft as Georgie. Do you know she was jealous because I danced with him? As if that was ever in the cards.”

He shrugged, looking away from her. “He’s a duke. You’d have status and wealth—”

“And a man who speaks in grunts and a castle in the middle of nowhere,” she cut in, shaking her head. “I think he’s a good man, and that perhaps Georgie is strong enough to stand up to him when he’s being difficult. She also loves living in the wilds, and stomping miles through mud and rain is her idea of fun. I’d rather read a good book tucked up by the fire with a cup of chocolate in my hand.”

Louis gave a soft laugh and reached out, tucking a loose curl behind her ear. “And you need society. You need people around you and noise and bustle so you can arrange everyone and everything just as you like.”

“Heavens, you make me sound like a despot,” she said indignantly. “It seems I must make many more New Year’s resolutions than I had bargained for.”

“What ones were you planning on making?” he asked.

Evie considered, growing aware that they really ought not linger in the alcove alone. If it were any other man, he might get the wrong idea, but Louis knew her too well to mistake her intentions.

“To have more fun,” she said sheepishly. It wasn’t a very noble aspiration after all, when one should probably resolve to do more work for charity, or to improve one’s mind, or at least eat less cake.

“I should like to help with that,” he said gravely.

Evie nodded, equally serious. “I hope you will.”

“What else?”

She hesitated, and Louis waited patiently for her answer. “Not to heed others’ opinions of me when my friends like me as I am. And to be more confident, which is perhaps the same thing. I began at the Christmas ball, and you were right, you know. I had a marvellous time, though it was all because of that gown. It made me feel so much more at ease. Silly, isn’t it?”

Louis shook his head. “Not silly at all. Clothes are a kind of armour. Knowing you are dressed correctly and well puts you at ease.”

She gave him a speculative look. “Surely, you do not need such armour, Louis. You would look handsome wearing rags and, you know it.”

He quirked a dark eyebrow at her. “I am far too vain to appear anything less than perfectly attired. Besides which, Elton would likely cast himself into the Thames if I did such a reprehensible thing. He considers himself an artist, you see, and me, his canvas.”

“How tiring for you, and you know you’re not the least bit vain, so don’t give me that.”

“Oh, but I am,” he insisted. “More than you realise.”

She frowned at him, uncertain of his words, which held a private note. “You liked your Christmas present?” she asked him, changing the subject.

“You know I did,” he said, touching a finger to the large blue sapphire pin winking in his cravat. “Though you ought not to have bought it for me.”

Evie shrugged. “I know, but I could not help myself. I had never seen a stone the exact colour of your eyes before and it called to me. I was there to buy a gift for Jules and pretended it was for him. Mama was too busy with her gifts to notice.”

“I suppose I ought to give you a gift too,” he said, his eyes dancing with amusement.

Evie gasped, glaring at him. “Oh, you wretch! You waited until now when you knew I was bursting with anticipation.”

“Did you really think I had not bought you a gift? How cruel you must think me.”

“You are cruel for teasing me so!” she reproached him, tugging him out of the alcove. “May I have it now, Louis? Please!”

He laughed and nodded. “I hid it in the library. Go and look among the novels and see what you can find.”

With a little cry of excitement, Evie picked up her skirts and ran.

Chapter 19