Read Online His Mistletoe Bride by Vanessa Kelly - Free Book Online Page A

child, and she had better stop clinging to Lucas as if she were.
    Uncle Arthur gestured to Lucas. “Why don’t you join us in the library? It’s been weeks since you and Silverton saw each other, what with the time you’ve been spending down in Kent at the manor.”
    Lucas gave his uncle a polite bow. “Forgive me, sir, but I have an appointment I must attend. Another time, I promise.”
    His gaze turned wary and slid over to Lord Silverton, who looked down his nose at Lucas in a haughty manner. Just like that, the tension that had gripped the room earlier returned. Aunt Georgie let out a tiny sigh.
    â€œIf that’s the case,” the marquess said in a cold voice, “you needn’t trouble yourself to return. Meredith and I will escort Phoebe home.”
    Lucas studied his cousin. Even though he barely moved, a noticeable change came over him. Suddenly, he looked every inch the soldier, and a dangerous one at that. He did not need a uniform or a rifle for Phoebe to recognize the ruthless nature lurking beneath the polished exterior.
    â€œPhoebe is my responsibility,” he said. “I will return for her in an hour and take her home.”
    â€œPerhaps I can engage a hackney for my return to Mrs. Poole’s house,” Phoebe ventured. “I do not want to cause any inconvenience.”
    â€œIt’s no inconvenience,” Lucas said in a hard voice. “And you will remain here until I return to pick you up. Do you understand ?”
    Speechless, she stared at him.
    â€œThere’s no need to go ordering your poor cousin about like she’s some raw recruit,” Uncle Arthur barked. “You’ll frighten her.”
    Phoebe sighed. Her relatives must think her a poor dab of a girl, indeed. Not that she liked the way Lucas snarled at her, but she was not ready to hide under the sofa just yet.
    Lucas raised his eyebrows in a skeptical arch. “Did I frighten you?”
    â€œNo. I simply do not wish to inconvenience you.”
    Lord Silverton parted his lips in something that only remotely resembled a smile. “So, it’s settled then. We’ll take Phoebe home and you can run along to your important appointment.”
    Lucas hissed out a breath, and Phoebe almost choked on the realization that the two men were staring at each other with hatred. It swirled so thickly around them that it almost made her ill, as did the notion they were using her as a means to express it.
    â€œOh, for God’s sake,” Meredith exclaimed. She got up and dodged around the tea table, inserting herself between the two men. “Lucas,” she said, turning her back on her husband, “your sense of responsibility toward Phoebe is commendable, but you can’t be so selfish as to keep her all to yourself.” She sounded cheerful, but no one in the room could miss the warning in her voice. “We’ll take Phoebe home when she’s ready to go, and you can call on her later to finalize the arrangements for her move to Stanton House.”
    As tall as Meredith was, Lucas still loomed over her, looking very intimidating. But Meredith simply stared up into his face, a little smile playing around her lips.
    After a tense moment, he let out a grudging laugh. Much to Phoebe’s surprise, he bent to drop a quick kiss on Meredith’s cheek. Lord Silverton’s eyes narrowed but he remained silent.
    â€œI stand corrected. Forgive me for being such a selfish brute.” He cast a hard glance at Lord Silverton. “This woman is too good for you. I hope you know that.”
    â€œI do,” his cousin replied. “But that’s hardly any of your business.”
    Meredith turned to her husband and began to scold him in a quiet but no less vehement tone.
    â€œPhoebe,” Lucas said as he came to make his farewells, “I’ll see you tonight.”
    She simply nodded, too distressed to say anything. Lucas bowed his good-byes and left