Page 2 of Yule Be Mine

“Why don’t we set ourselves a little wager regarding the party, then?” Yule grinned, hoping to encourage Julius to move forward with his courting. “The first one of us to secure an invitation to tea with a new young lady wins the bet. How does that sound? Something to give us an incentive to mingle at the party.”

“When you say new, do you mean someone we’ve not met before?” Julius dug the wager book out of his jacket pocket. “Or simply a young lady we’ve not previously shown an interest in?”

Yule thought for a moment. What were the chances of unknown ladies turning up at the Kastner party? Well, some of their unknown relatives from Germany perhaps, but otherwise that was doubtful. “The latter I think. It’s so difficult to meet completely new ladies this time of year.”

“Agreed.” Julius wrote the wager down in his meticulous script. “You’ve really had no luck at all finding someone you think will suit you?”

“I did have hopes for a brief time of Lady Cora Hastings. We’d been introduced at some garden party last year, before she was out. Then I met her again this past August at Lord Caxton’s house party where Alex met Emma. We seemed to suit rather well, I thought. She and I share an interest in Greek mythology—we had a very spirited discussion of my namesake and his journey home one evening—and while that can’t be considered a major reason to marry someone, shared interests certainly help.”

“But you don’t think Lady Cora is interested in pursuing a courtship with you?” Julius looked sympathetic.

“No, not a chance. I heard last week she’s become betrothed to Lord Roydon.” Yule shrugged. “It’s no matter. My heart was not engaged in the slightest.” But he thought it could have been, had there been more time to spend with the lady. After the house party, however, her family had headed north to Scotland for grouse hunting. Yule had let the matter slip his mind what with Alex’s wedding and then the debacle of Sandy being jilted at the altar. He’d had his own affairs to see to as well, and then last week his mother had mentioned Lady Cora’s betrothal.

“Buck up, old chap.” Julius’ face lit up with an uncharacteristic grin. “You’re now pitted against me to find a bride. Given my history, your luck’s bound to change for the better.”

Yule laughed and slapped his cousin on the back. There was nothing like family to raise one’s spirits.

*

December 6

Ashford, Kent, England

The drawing roomat Ashland Park had been furnished with understated splendor to Yule’s eye as he and Fritz Kastner reminisced about their university days at Oxford. The sage green walls, with their elegant white and gold molding, exuded calm. The furniture complimented both the color and the style of the room, several chaise lounges, a camelback sofa, and numerous chairs were scattered around the room in clever groupings that invited guests to sit and sip the beverage of their choice. Yule and his friend had opted for the somewhat stronger brandy, and now stood near the bowed window that looked out over the stunning parkland belonging to the estate.

A restful house, to be sure. Yule could easily see himself settling down in one like this, with the proper wife to run it for him, that was. Keeping an ear on the conversation, Yule kept an eye cocked in anticipation of finding a young lady who would help him win his wager with Julius by inviting him to tea, and perhaps winning his heart as well. At least, Yule still lived in hopes something of the sort would happen. Not so much for the wager’s sake, for once, but for his own happiness.

He returned his attention to his friend. “I understand your sister Elise is to be married in the New Year. I shall give her my felicitations as soon as I see her.” Yule breathed deeply, then ventured a question. “You have three sisters, as I recall, Fritz. Are the others married as well?”

“Yes, Elise was the baby of the family,” his friend said, smiling broadly. “Anna married the year I graduated from university, and Suzanna followed the year after.” Fritz grinned. “I am now the only one of us still unfettered, and likely to remain so for some time. I have a business to run and a house to acquire before I can think of marriage.” Fritz cocked his head. “You are also too young to think of marriage, are you not, Ulysses?”

“Well…” Yule didn’t want to dissemble, exactly, but neither did he wish the marriage wager to be broadcast during the weekend. “A gentleman of my station is always watching out for the right young lady, should she come along.”

“Ah, yes, the English drive to marry and father an heir early in your life.” His friend shook his head. “That is fine for the ladies, I suppose. But we gentlemen need to ‘sow our wild oats’ as they say, do we not?”

“My cousin Tom Weston certainly seems to think so.” Yule shook his head. Ever since Grandfather had given him his ship, Tom had become one of the ton’s worst rakes. Rumors, as well as eye-witness accounts, of his carousing and taking up with a stream of mistresses had come to the ears of the family. Grandfather had simply laughed and made a bet as to how many women Tom would bed before he settled down and married. “He’s made it clear he’s not got marriage on his mind yet.”

“Perhaps we three shall make a pact not to marry until we are at least thirty.” Fritz laughed and snagged a glass from a passing footman.

“With your determination, Tom and I would be at quite a disadvantage.” For other reasons as well, of course.

“I’m sorry, Ulysses. We have additional guests arriving, I see.” Fritz set his drink down. “Please allow me to excuse myself. I’ve been pressed into service to help as host tonight by my parents.”

“Of course, old man. When duty calls.” Yule waved him on, and his friend hurried to the doorway where a family had just entered. A father, mother, and two daughters…

Gazing at the young ladies, Yule’s rational thoughts ceased. Both young ladies were beautiful, however the slightly smaller one, willowy and dressed in a lovely green flowy gown captured his attention first. The gown’s bodice, cut in a deep vee, showed her figure to excellent advantage. A large emerald pendant nestled in at the top of her decolletage drew his gaze immediately, the emerald drop earrings keeping his attention fastened on the vivacious lady. Her deep auburn hair glittered in the flickering candlelight, making it seem like molten copper.

Yule’s heart began to race, his cock coming to attention in an instant. Where had this entrancing creature been hiding? He certainly had never been introduced to her, so perhaps she wasn’t out in Society yet. Still, that would mean she was almost of marriageable age.

And Fritz must know her and could introduce her to him.

Yule smiled his widest, about to start across the room to where his friend was speaking to the parents, when the young lady spied him, and her face broke into a broad smile that changed her from being simply beautiful to the most exquisite creature he’d ever beheld.

Amazingly, she started toward him. “Sissy? Is that you?”

Yule froze, the childish nickname dousing his ardor like a face full of snow. No one had ever called him that but—

“Sissy! Don’t you recognize me?” She’d arrived at his side and to his chagrin, threw her arms around him. “It’s me, P—”