Page 78 of Christmas Magic

Children squealed with excitement.

“Toys, milord?” Lucian’s face paled. Cora smothered a giggle behind her hand, because she hadn’t known Lucian was such a good actor. He was certainly engaging the crowd.

“I have a sack full of presents ready to deliver,” Fred said. “I won’t ask you to help pull my sleigh, though. That’s the job of my reindeer, and they might get upset.”

“Rudolph!” a little girl cried.

“Ho ho ho! That’s right. Rudolph leads with his red nose. Dasher, Dancer and other reindeer are on the team, too.”

Lucian looked like he might keel over from shock. “Reindeer? Don’t you mean steeds, milord?”

“Ho ho ho. No, only reindeer pull my sleigh. Also, there’s no need to call me ‘milord.’ Just jolly old Saint Nick.”

Lucian’s eyes widened. “You’re a saint?”

“Just call him Santa,” Cora said. “That’s what everyone else calls him.” Aware of Frank’s attention upon her, she moved next to Lucian and put her arm around him.

Fred’s gaze flickered.

Unable to resist, she set her hand on Lucian’s flat stomach. How she loved the feel of his ripped abs.

Murmurs spread through the crowd, but Cora refused to break Fred’s narrowed stare.

“Santa.” The elf who was standing by the waiting child waved from the front of the queue. “We have a packed schedule. You need to get back to our guests.”

“Yes. Thank you, O Christmas knight, for visiting us at Coquina Castle today. Everyone, let’s give a round of applause to this bold knight. Ho ho ho.”

The crowd cheered and clapped.

Lucian shook his head. “Milord…Santa…I need to speak—”

“Thanks for offering your help, but my elves and reindeer are all set for Christmas Eve. I should be able to fill stockings and deliver presents as I do every year.”

Santa was going to walk away.

A dismissal.

Lucian’s jaw clenched. He couldn’t leave until he’d been given the permission he needed, for he wouldn’t risk being punished for impersonating Santa. While he hadn’t yet located the dungeon at Coquina Castle, there had to be one. He didn’t want to end up in it.

“I cannot leave yet.” Lucian raised his voice to be heard over the dwindling cheers and claps. “I came here to discuss an important matter.”

Once again, Lucian sensed people watching him. Santa was looking at Cora, clinging to Lucian like a tavern wench. In truth, he found her demeanor a bit too much, but she could be trying to show that without any doubt, he had her support.

“To be honest, O Christmas knight,” his lordship said coolly, “it looks like your attention’s needed elsewhere.”

As though encouraged by Santa’s words, Cora glided her fingers over Lucian’s belly again. He caught her hand, curtailing its wandering. He mustn’t let her womanly wiles distract him.

When Santa turned and headed for the throne, Lucian broke away from Cora and hurried to block his lordship’s path.

Santa lurched, almost tripping over his boots.

“Forgive me, milord, but I must insist.”

“Stand aside,” Santa said firmly, his gaze shifting to the crowd. “Otherwise, my elves will put your name on the naughty list.”

Naughty list?

“Ho ho ho.” Santa wagged a finger. “You don’t want that to happen.”