Page 69 of Christmas Magic

Sadness etched her features. “Would there have been any point? You’d have responded just as you are now.”

Lucian shoved his chair back. “This is all…unsettling. I need some air.”

“I’ll come with you, milord.”

Lucian half expected Molly to tell him to sit back down, but instead, she just nodded. “I’ll phone in our order for dinner. Would you like your usual?”

“That’s fine. Thanks.” He started for the doorway then glanced back at her. “Don’t wait for me.”

Molly stood under streaming water in the master bathroom’s shower. Tilting her chin up, she let the wetness pour over her head and down her back. She’d hoped the hot water would help ease the knots that had settled between her shoulder blades, but so far, no luck.

Lucian had been away a while. Where had he gone? Hopefully he hadn’t met up with Cora.

As Molly rinsed conditioner out of her hair, Rose batted the glass door of the shower. “Lucian’s back.”

Molly finished showering and dried off. Her hair wet and wearing only a towel, she went to find him. The beep of the microwave alerted her that he was in the kitchen.

The fluffy golden cat lay sprawled on the floor near Lucian, who was taking a plate of heated takeout from the microwave. At the patter of her bare feet, his head turned. His gaze wandered over her and settled on her hands holding the edges of the towel together. But he didn’t try to pull her into his arms or playfully snatch her towel away. What she would give to see roguish mischief in his eyes.

“Where did you go?” she asked.

“I took a walk on the beach.”

She glanced at Galahad, who discreetly nodded: Lucian hadn’t lied to her.

“Can we talk a bit more?”

“It’s been a long day. I’m pretty tired.” He opened the drawer to get a fork.

“I’m tired too,” she said, “but we didn’t finish our conversation earlier.”

“Can we leave it until tomorrow?”

He looked worn, as though he struggled to untangle his emotions. She hated seeing him so conflicted, but their discussion would go nowhere if he wasn’t ready to talk. “Okay,” she said.

Taking his plate of food and the container of cookies, he headed into the living room.

The squire followed. “I’ll stay with him. I’ll see if I can talk some sense into him.”

Petunia, hovering in the kitchen doorway, sighed. “Let’s hope you can.”

Forty-five minutes later, Molly curled on her side in the king-size bed in the dark bedroom. She stared at the light cast on the opposite wall by streetlamps. A while ago, she’d heard Lucian put his dishes in the dishwasher and start the cycle, but he hadn’t come to find her.

Tim lay on the quilt, his back against her belly. The kitten purred loudly while she trailed her fingers over his downy fur.

“Dis is de best night’s sleep I’ve ever had.” His voice sounded drowsy.

“If you’re talking,” Molly said, “you’re not asleep.”

“I know, but I’m sure it’s gonna be good. Way better dan sweeping outside in de cowd.”

She gently rubbed his ear. “How long were you on your own?”

“Dunno.” He snuggled closer. “After my weg got hurt, I tried to find a safe pwace to hide. I went from one street to another, untiw I ended up by de dumpster.”

“Thank goodness Galahad found you.”

“I was wucky.”

Daisy, snoozing along with the other female cats at the foot of the bed, mewled in agreement. The cats had slept on the end of the bed ever since Molly had moved in with Lucian.

Tears pricked Molly’s eyes. She missed Lucian’s arms around her, the little kisses he pressed on the back of her neck, and his soft snores. The emptiness of his side of the bed was a more poignant statement than any words he’d spoken that night.

With a despondent sigh, Molly tucked the quilt under her chin and brushed her hand down Tim’s fur again. The kitten didn’t stir. Asleep.

Was Lucian sleeping? She hadn’t heard him move from the living room. He sometimes napped on the sofa, so perhaps he’d lain down there and gone to sleep.

Or, he might be doing as she was: lying awake and staring at the light on the wall.

Oh, Lucian. I miss you. I am not giving up on you.

Molly closed her burning eyes. She could only hope that when Julius arrived in Cat’s Paw Cove tomorrow evening, that he’d be able to help.