Page 37 of To Love a Beast

How was such a thing possible? Callista and he had formed a friendship, yes, and he knew her to be a woman of deep character who cared little for outward appearances. But for her to actually desire him? He couldn't fathom it. Being able to look past a disfigurement was one thing. Quite another to exhibit actual attraction. He had to be reading her wrong. Yet years of flirtation experience told him he wasn't. The dreams of love and family that he'd ruthlessly murdered years ago resurrected to dance within his chest—a dangerous dance of hope that logic insisted would only bring pain. However, as he watched Callista's eyes light when she untied the string around her first package, he found he didn't care two figs for logic's opinion. Only hers.

"Griff told us about your rule of not spending any money on the gifts," Lightfoot said as she pulled away the brown paper from the gift that must have been from the valet, seeing as how the paper folds were as crisp as the creases in his trousers.

Callista unwrapped a slender box that had likely housed one of Lightfoot's neckties. She took her time opening it, savoring the experience. Her indrawn breath acted like a magnet, pulling Everett closer until he leaned almost as far forward as Lightfoot.

"It's beautiful!" She removed a lace-edged handkerchief of fine linen from the box and held it up for all to see. "I've never owned anything so delicate."

Timens raised a brow. "What are you doing with a lady's handkerchief in your collection, Ray?"

Lightfoot offered a cocky grin. "A well-trained valet must be prepared for any eventuality, my friend."

But as he looked back to Callista, his gaze softened with a sentimentality that roused Everett's suspicions that something more than practicality had caused Lightfoot to hold onto that handkerchief. Could it have belonged to his late wife?

Callista folded the cloth neatly and placed it carefully atop its box. "Thank you, Mr. Lightfoot. It's such a thoughtful gift."

"I'm glad you like it."

Mrs. Potter handed her the next present, this one wrapped in a small, drawstring bag. Callista untied the bow, loosened the string, and tipped the contents into her palm.

"A pocket watch?" She looked up from the odd-looking timepiece—the front casing a different color than the back—shaking her head. "Oh, this is far too costly. I couldn't possibly accept."

Timens held up a hand. "I insist. Besides, it wasn't costly at all. I'm a bit of a tinkerer, you see. I enjoy taking clocks apart and putting them back together. I keep a box or two of spare parts on hand for when repairs are needed."

"A box or two?" Lightfoot scoffed. "You have an entire dresser drawer filled with cogs and gears."

Timens raised a haughty brow at his friend. "Not all of us are clotheshorses. I don't need a drawer for my extensive collection of cravats and neckties. Hence, I have space available to dedicate to more practical pursuits."

"Oh, yes. Keeping a drawer full of broken clocks is much more practical than storing gentlemen's fashion accessories."

Callista hid a smile behind her hand as Mrs. Potter shot a disapproving glare at the bickering pair.

Timens cleared his throat. "Anyway." He nodded at the gift in Callista's hand. "I can assure you there was no cost involved in the procurement of that watch. I pieced it together from remnants already in my collection. It's well within the rules."

"You built this watch?" Callista's awe brought a touch of red to the butler's neck. "My goodness! You're a man of hidden talents, Mr. Timens. I'm thoroughly impressed."

"Yes, well . . . one must have a hobby of some sort to pass the time."

"And here you are . . . passing the time . . . on to our dear Miss Rosenfeld." Lightfoot pantomimed the giving of a gift between the butler and Callista, earning a moan from Timens.

"I didn't think it possible, but your jokes have actually worsened since your injury."

"Perhaps my timing is off. Or maybe I'm too wound up. I'll try to put a better face on things in the future."

Timens rolled his eyes. "Must you torture us with your dull wit? This is supposed to be a party."

Lightfoot, eyes dancing, turned to Callista and winked at her. "I guess I need to watch what I say."

Timens groaned and Callista giggled, the sound so joyful and light even Everett found himself smiling.

Callista swallowed her laughter, though, and beamed a grateful smile toward Timens. "I will use this every day. Such a handsome and practical gift. I'll think of you every time I check the time." She shifted her skirt, placed the watch inside her pocket, then gave it a little pat.

"This one's from me," Mrs. Potter said as she passed a square box to Callista.

Callista lifted it up to her face and gave it a sniff. "Hmm. It doesn't smell like teacakes."

Mrs. Potter laughed. "Don't worry. I made plenty of your favorites for our dessert tonight."

"You mean I get teacakes and whatever is in this box?"