A Kiss At Christmastide: Regency Novella Read Online Free PDF Page A

estate and sought refuge.” Pippa was starting to warm to the idea of keeping one of Lady Natalie’s guests from arriving on time for her celebration. If she could dampen Natalie’s spirits, it would be well deserved for how she’d embarrassed Pippa. “I will call for Briars.”
    Pippa pulled quickly on the bell rope under the stairs…giving it an extra tug to make sure it awoke her servant.
    â€œPlease, do not let me keep you from your studies.” He glanced at the book, still lying askew on the floor between them. “I can await your servant here and explain my predicament.”
    â€œYou were not interrupting me,” Pippa said. “I was merely reading for pleasure. Besides, it is long past my bedtime.”
    â€œReading for pleasure?” he asked as if it were a foreign concept to him.
    â€œYes.” She made no move to retrieve her book. “It is something I enjoy.”
    â€œThere are many things I do for pleasure—and reading is not one of them,” he mused, as if to himself. “But a bed…that is something that leads to great pleasure.”
    Pippa knew better than to gasp at his outrageous and highly scandalous remark. It was his aim to make her uncomfortable, though she knew not why.
    â€œMy lady?” a sleepy voice called from the hall off the foyer.
    â€œBriars!” Pippa called, relief flooding her at the appearance of another person. It would put an end to her time alone with Lucas. “This is the Earl of Maddox, Lucas Hartfeld. His carriage broke a wheel on his way to the Sheridan estate. The storm is far too fierce for him to continue on tonight. Please, prepare a room, meal, and hot bath for him—in any order he requires.”
    â€œCertainly, Lady Pippa,” Briars replied. “My apologies for the lateness of my arrival.”
    Pippa flipped her hand in dismissal as if to show his delayed assistance hadn’t done any harm, and that she hadn’t been highly uncomfortable during her time alone with the earl—yet, she knew she’d be unable to banish the sight of Lucas’ wet, clinging linen shirt anytime soon. She only wondered what had become of his coat.
    Briars cleared his throat. His eyes traveled from her head to her toes, silently insisting she do the same.
    She’d completely forgotten her less than proper receiving attire due to Lucas’s frustrating comments and demands for shelter. The man had a knack for distracting her.
    â€œYes, well, I will retire for the evening,” Pippa said. “I bid you both a restful night.”
    She turned, with less flourish than earlier as it had only landed her in far deeper waters with the earl. She started toward the stairs—and the safety of her quarters.
    â€œLady Pippa?” Lucas called behind her. Lucas—she needed to remember that he was essentially a stranger, the Earl of Maddox, or “my lord.” She turned to see he’d retrieved her forgotten book and held it out to her. “You will likely be missing this come morning.”
    He took the few steps to meet her, dissuading her from ignoring his offer of the book and fleeing to her chambers.
    Pippa sighed and reached for the book.
    She stiffened when their fingers touched—acutely aware of her nipples hardening beneath her nightshift.
    At his inhaled breath, Pippa knew he’d noticed, too.
    Quickly, she snatched the book and nodded in thanks before turning and rushing up the stairs; the book in one hand and her shift held high with the other. It would add insult to injury if she were to stumble before she was out of his sight.
    â€œSweet dreams, Lady Pippa.”
    The words floated after her until she reached the landing and turned down the corridor that led to her suite of rooms, a chuckle greeting her as she slammed the door behind her, throwing the bolt for safety’s sake.

Chapter 4
    L ucas stalked toward the aroma of eggs, ham, and warm bread, his anger