Page 27 of It's a British Christmas

“Oh, I will stay with you.” Merry immediately looked concerned.

She flicked her hand in dismissal. “Nonsense, you must both go and enjoy yourselves. I don’t want to spoil the fun. Just an old lady’s troubles.”

“Are you sure?” Penrose regarded the rosy cheeked, very healthy-looking duchess with skepticism.

“Absolutely, my dears. I will have Cook send up a tonic. Go off and have fun. It’s a lovely night for a ride.” She glanced out the small window above the hall mirror. “Look at all those stars. My goodness, there must be millions of them.”

“It really isn’t proper for me to ride alone with His Grace,” Merry said.

“Don’t be silly. Who could possibility object to you both enjoying a ride on our own land in an open sleigh? Things in the country are a bit more relaxed than in Town.”

Still looking askance at the duchess, Merry allowed Penrose to take her elbow and escort her out of the house.

The shiny red sides of the conveyance gleamed in the moonlight. His heart lightened just looking at it. So many happy memories rose as he grew closer and helped Merry in. As excited as a boy, he hurried to the other side and climbed into the seat. Reaching behind him, he pulled out a large fur blanket, and tucked it securely over the two of them. “Ready?”

Merry nodded, and he picked up the reins, the jingle of the bells music to his ears. “It has been a very long time since I took a sleigh ride.” He cast Merry a grin.

“It seems to me there are many things you haven’t done in some time. And all of them fun.”

“That’s right. The duties of my title have been foremost in my life for so long, I’ve forgotten how to enjoy myself.” He glanced at her. “But you apparently have no trouble remembering.”

She shook her head and pulled the fur up to her chin. “We must always keep part of the child within us alive.”

“Such philosophy. One of your father’s quotes?”

Merry smiled. “No. My very own.”

They flew past barren trees, ice glistening on branches that stretched upward, reaching for the multitude of stars overhead. The sound of the sleigh bells echoed in their ears, soon followed by Merry’s laughter.

“This is wonderful. How could you not do this every time it snows?”

“Now with you here, you must remind me.” He tugged on the reins, directing the sleigh to the left. “I want to show you something.”

After about ten minutes he pulled up and brought the conveyance to a halt. The horses snorted and stomped, their warm breath visible in the cold night air. In front of them sat a frozen pond, tucked away amidst a circle of bare trees.

“My brother and I used to skate here all winter when we were youths.”

“How lovely!” Merry leaned forward, taking in the ice sparkling in the moonlight. She turned to him. “We must come back here and skate.”

“Oh, no thank you.”

“Why ever not?” She shook her head. “Perhaps because you haven’t done that either in years?” Her lips tilted in a smirk.

“You are correct, and the last thing I want to do is break my neck.”

He laid his arm along the back of the sleigh and tucked an errant curl behind her ear. The moonlight on her face brought attention to her comely features. “Aren’t you afraid of anything, Miss Chambers?” He lowered his voice.

She swallowed, the delicate muscles in her neck working, causing blood to race to his groin.

“Yes. There are some things I’m fearful of.”

“Such as?”

Merry licked her lips, conveying images of what he’d like her to do with that sensuous mouth. He shifted and drew her closer. “I’ll wager there is nothing that scares you.”

“Not so, Your Grace.” The words slid from her mouth on a whispered breath.

“Penrose. We dispensed with Your Grace a while ago.” He bent toward her, leaning his forehead on hers, his hand cupping her cheek. “Do I scare you?”