Page 29 of Yule Be Mine

“Is it very bad this time?” Mrs. St. Claire’s voice sounded worried.

“I’m not sure. I hope it will pass, though.” The doubt in her voice was absolutely genuine.

“Have you had these headaches before?” Yule asked.

“Sometimes, yes. Oh, dear!” Her cry was louder this time, making several patrons’ heads turn toward them.

“It must be another megrim.” Mrs. St. Claire looked alarmed. “James,” she said, turning to her husband, “we must go. Penelope has one of her sick headaches.”

“Oh, no, Mama. You should not have to miss the pantomime because I am ill.” She winced again.

“But you need to lie down in a darkened room. You know that’s the only thing that helps.” Mrs. St. Claire gathered her reticule in her hands. “Come along, James, Charlotte.”

“No, Mama.” Penelope turned hopeful eyes on Yule. “Yule will take me home, won’t you?” She looked at him hopefully.

“Of course not.” Yule was on his feet in an instant. “I do not mind at all, Mrs. St. Claire.”

The lights in the theatre flickered, signaling the start of the show.

“Well,” Mrs. St. Claire looked first at Yule, then intently at Penelope. “As you are betrothed, there’s no reason you cannot take her home, Yule. If you will see her inside the house, her maid can tend to her until we return. The megrim will likely have subsided by then. They come on suddenly, but don’t always last long.”

“I’ll put a vinegar cloth on my forehead, Mama. That always helps too.” Penelope rose and grasped Yule’s arm to steady herself. “Please enjoy the show and be sure to take in every detail so you can tell me when you get home.”

“I will, my dear.” Her mother settled back into her seat. “And if you are no better when we return, we will send for the doctor.”

“I’m certain that won’t be necessary, Mama.” Penelope smiled bravely and they turned to go.

Carefully, Yule escorted her up the steps. “Are they looking at us?” he asked, sotto voce.

“Yes, Mama is looking this way. Here, I’m going to stumble. Take my arm.” Penelope staggered toward Yule, and he caught her as they climbed toward the exit doors.

“I think that will do the trick.” Yule opened the door and ushered her out into the lobby. “Let me send immediately for my carriage.” Yule snagged a passing usher and made his request, then they headed down the main staircase to the entry hall. “Perhaps we can see another pantomime later in the week. I don’t want to deprive you, my dear. But I truly wanted to spend the time with you, not watching a performance for five hours.” They stood at the main doors, peering out.

“Oh, but I don’t mind at all, Yule.” She flashed him a seductive grin. “I want to spend the time with you as well.”

Her dazzling smile made his cock take notice. Again. “Let us stand outside the doors and wait for my carriage.” The cold air might help restrain his baser urgings.

They continued outside, dodging around latecomers scurrying into the theater.

“This way, my dear.” Forgoing some decorum, Yule put his arm around Penelope so she would not be buffeted by any theatergoers rushing to claim their seats. She leaned into him, sending waves of heat searing through him. He repressed a groan. Her nearness never ceased to arouse him.

At last, his carriage arrived and Yule opened the door, the steps rattling down immediately, and he all but picked Penelope up and put her in the conveyance. He bounded up behind her and took his seat beside her. “Now where shall we go, my love? We have at least four hours before we need to head to your house.” He called to the coachman, “Start out into traffic, Lewis. I’ll let you know where to in a moment.”

The carriage jolted forward, and Yule settled back in the seat, fumbling for a blanket to tuck around Penelope. “Is that better, my dear?”

By way of reply, she turned toward him, her eyes snapping with excitement. “Very much better, Yule.” Then she slipped her arms around his neck and pulled his face close to hers.

Stunned, Yule could say or do nothing save stare down into the beautiful face of the woman who would be his wife as soon as humanly possible and wonder what she would do next.

*

“Even better now.”Penelope kissed him, pressing her body against his in the most abandoned way she could think of. Yule’s plan to steal some time together—going for sweets in the market or riding together in the park—was excellent. However, she wanted to make the most of every single stolen moment. If they were going to be thieves, then they must aim for the highest prize.

At last she broke the kiss and Yule managed to pull her arms away from his neck. “Penelope, what are you doing?”

She shot him a triumphant grin. “I thought you’d know what I was doing, Yule. You taught me.”

Groaning, Yule firmly set her back on the seat and slid a little farther from her. “This is not the way proper young ladies act.”