Page 158 of A Very Bellamy Christmas

His frown deepened. She thought he might argue, but he seemed to think better of it. “I know you like early morning walks. Where were you this morning? Lord Bellamy, Lord So-and-So, and Sir Such-and-Such attacked me with snowballs on my morning ride.”

She laughed. “I take it you mean Lords Hornsby and Jevington.”

He gave a dismissive flick of the hand not still holding her. “Why have you stopped taking your morning walk, Stacia? Is it because of the weather? Or because of me?”

“It is because I have been working,” she retorted, only partly telling the truth, which was that she did not want to encounter him while walking.

“Hmmph. I wanted to make sure you saved all your waltzes for me tonight.” He gave her a teasingly brooding look. “I am quite looking forward to being your slave, Stacia. I will endeavor to behave and please you as I already know you can be a cruel mistress.”

Stacia’s face heated at his unsubtle reminder of that night.

He leaned forward and hissed in her ear, “Will you have me flogged and put in the stocks for the slightest infraction?”

She pursed her lips at his foolishness. “This is not ancient Rome, or even medieval Briton. Your person is quite safe from whips and chains.”

He made a pouting moue. “Pity.”

She forced herself to quit smiling—to quit hoping. “You will have to find somebody else to serve as I won’t be there.”

His eyebrows descended. “What?”

“Lady Addiscombe does not approve.”

His scowl deepened. “Why the devil not? Needham isn’t the only one to revive the old traditions. In the north there is even a King of Misrule who is permitted to order his master to do the most shocking things. Surely your taskmistress is planning to go and do her part? This is her husband’s ancestral home, for all that she is a guest in it now. It is all in good fun.”

“Exactly what has given you the impression that Lady Addiscombe is interested in any fun, good or otherwise?”

“Good God. You are serious!”

“Very.”

He set his hands on her shoulders and pulled her closer. “You needn’t keep working for her, Stacia. The woman is appalling—even her own children don’t want to be around her. Hyacinth would be delighted to take you on as a companion.”

“I know,” Stacia said. “She mentioned it to me already.”

“She looks intimidating but is actually quite kind. And if you don’t want to work for her, I am sure she would help you find a position elsewhere. Unless you are willing to reconsider—”

“No.” Stacia twitched her shoulders until he released her. She hated the injured look on his face, but she simply could not bear him touching her—or even standing near her—without wanting to fling herself into his arms and never let go. She forced a smile. “I appreciate your concern, but—”

“But you want me to mind my own affairs.”

“Please.”

He heaved a sigh and then stepped closer, closing the gap between them once again, regarding her with a warm look that made it hard to breathe. “Fine. You will not be there tonight. But surely she will allow you to go to the ball on Christmas Day? Surely that one will not offend the countess’s sensibilities?”

She took a determined step away. “That is up to Lady Addiscombe.” He looked so chagrined that she felt compelled to add, “I am not being purposely obtuse, my lord. If I ask her about it, it will only set her hackles up.”

“My lord?” he said, and then shook his head sadly.

His expression of rejection was simply unbearable. “I have already kept her waiting too long,” Stacia said sharply, her voice growing colder as her misery deepened. “I must go.”

He merely stared.

Stacia hurried away before she did something they would both regret.

Ackers was just leaving the countess’s chambers when Stacia approached her ladyship’s door. “Ah, there you are.”

“Oh, dear. She sent you to look for me?” Stacia guessed.