Secrets of a Scandalous Marriage

CHAPTER 32

The snow was falling steadily by the time James arrived at Colton House. The sun had just begun to set across the Surrey countryside, and the sky was turning dark. It was speckled with the white snowflakes that wandered to the earth like fat little clouds.

James brushed through the front doors of the manor, a cold wind sweeping in with him. He shook the snow off his hat and coat and stomped his boots before turning to greet Lily with a present under his arm. Themis, whom he’d brought with him, gave a hard shake to rid her fur of the excess snow, then she quickly bounded after Bandit and Leo who had materialized from the hallway.

“Aren’t they having a grand time already?” he said with a laugh, as the dogs raced away.

“Obviously they are in the Christmas spirit,” Lily replied, hugging her friend. “Merry Christmas, James.”

“Merry Christmas, Lily.” He returned her smile as best he could, but he couldn’t think of the last time he’d been so melancholy on Christmas. He’d told himself during the entire ride to Colton House that it had absolutely nothing to do with Kate. Why, he hadn’t even known the woman two weeks ago, and in two more he’d have completely forgotten about her. Wouldn’t he? Oh blast, even as he had the thought, he knew it wasn’t true.

Where was Kate tonight? Who was she celebrating Christmas with? Surely Mr. Abernathy had seen to it that she had someplace to go. Blast it. James should have seen to it that she wasn’t alone, only she’d made it quite clear that her association with him was at an end.

“Come into the library, Medford,” Lily said, pulling him from his thoughts. “Devon and Jordan are there having drinks.”

He arched a brow. “Of course they are.”

Lily returned his look. “Don’t act so smug. Devon told me he found you drinking at the club not so long ago.”

Medford rolled his eyes and followed Lily down the hall, the present still tucked under his arm. “Hmm. Now that you mention it, a drink sounds perfect.”

Lily led him down the marble hallway to the library. The large mahogany doors swung open to reveal Colton and Ashbourne relaxing in large leather chairs, both imbibing. Across from them, curled up on the sofa, Annie had her nose buried in a book. A fire crackled in the huge hearth across the room, and mistletoe hung above the doorway.

Colton stepped forward immediately and pulled his wife into his arms for a kiss. “Just ensuring you didn’t do it, Medford,” he said with a smug look in James’s direction.

James shook his head. “You’re funny when you’re drunk, Colton.” Then to the room at large he added, “Merry Christmas, everyone.”

Ashbourne raised his glass. “Ah, Medford, finally here.”

“Better late than never,” James replied.

Ashbourne sighed. “I suppose.”

Colton stepped over and shook James’s hand. “Merry Christmas, Medford. Good to see you, old chap.”

“I’m not sure I believe the good part, Colton. And your wife informs me that you’ve been telling her my secrets.”

Colton shrugged. “If you’re going to go drinking in public…”

“As if drinking at the club is such a scandal,” James replied.

“Not for me it isn’t.” Colton cracked a smile. “But for you it’s nearly front-page news.”

James ignored that. “Where’s Justin?”

“He’s in his room, preparing to make way for all of his new Christmas gifts.”

“Ah, perfect, this will do nicely, then.” James pulled the present from under his arm and handed it to Colton. Then he turned to Annie. “What are you reading there, Countess? Hannah More again?”

Annie sprang up from the settee and came to hug him. “Oh God, no. No more Hannah More. I only read that drivel before I was married. I’m much more interested in love stories these days. I’m finding Emma positively delightful. Though I do so wonder which lady wrote it. It wasn’t you, was it, Lily?”

Lily snorted. “Hardly. I retired my quill after Secrets of a Wedding Night.”

After kissing Medford on the cheek, Annie returned to the sofa and opened the book again.

James took a seat in a large leather chair next to the other two men.

“Drink, Medford?” Ashbourne asked.

James gave him a tight smile. “No. Thank you.”

Ashbourne grinned. “Are you quite sure you don’t want any blue ruin?”

James shoved his hands in his pockets. “Ah, Ashbourne. You never miss a chance to bring up our drinking contest.”

Ashbourne winked at his wife who managed to give her husband a warning grunt without taking her eyes from the page. “Why would I miss an opportunity?” Ashbourne said. “I won!”

“Yes, but I tricked you. I let you win.” James narrowed his eyes on Ashbourne.

Annie glanced up from her book then. “Don’t make me come elbow you, Medford. We promised not to mention that, ahem, incident again.” But she smiled at her friend.

James grinned back at her.

Lily shook her head. “Please don’t mention it. I never found out the details of all that and I daresay I don’t want to know.”

James inclined his head toward Lily. “Allow me to change the subject, then. Ashbourne, where are your brothers? Why aren’t you spending the evening with them at Ashbourne Manor?”

“Trying to get rid of me so soon? Why, you only just arrived.” Ashbourne cracked a smile.

Annie gave her husband a warning glare. “Actually, Medford, all of Jordan’s brothers are arriving in the morning. We’re spending the night here, and then we’ll be traveling back to Ashbourne Manor after breakfast.”

James nodded. “I see. At any rate, be sure to tell the lot of them I said Merry Christmas.”

“You act as if there are half a dozen, Medford. There are still only three.”

Medford nodded. He was struck as usual by the fact that Ashbourne had such a large family. While the earl’s three younger brothers were not married, two of them were engaged, and all three were very close to Ashbourne. Until recently, the earl had been set on remaining a bachelor and allowing his brothers to carry on the family name. That is, until Annie had come along and swept him off his feet, as it were.

“I’m glad you’ve arrived before dinner, James,” Lily said, scooting her chair closer to his. “There’s something I wanted to tell you.”

James glanced up at her. “Why don’t I like the sound of that? Or the look on your face?”

Lily fluttered a hand in the air. “Oh, it’s nothing dreadful. It’s just that…” She hesitated, glancing first at Devon, then at Annie.

“Out with it,” Devon prompted, while Annie gave her sister an encouraging nod.

“Yes,” James agreed. “Out with it.” He crossed his arms over his chest and regarded her down the length of his nose.

“It’s just that … Well…” Lily bit her lip. “Kate is here.”