Mistletoe Kisses and Yuletide Joy Read Online Free PDF Page A

involve more than just insertion and planting of seed.
    It must surely involve embracing.
    And kissing, she thought sleepily.
    And perhaps even blowing in ears...?
     
    ((---))
     
    Kitty rose from her bed the next morning, disturbed and distressed by her own behavior -- by her reactions, her thoughts, and her dreams. It was all outrageous, and she would have no more of it.
    She repeated that sternly to Sherry when she let her out of the bedroom. Returning downstairs, however, Kitty paused by a window that looked out over the back garden, restlessly rubbing her arms and thinking of a dream-like encounter.
    The optimistic cats returned that night and Kitty fancied she could pick out Rochester's dominant caterwaul. Of course, she should never have expected responsible behavior from Lord Chatterton.
    Then the racket was cut short. Had one of the men taken action? She turned over in her bed and pulled the covers up over her ears, rejecting the temptation to go to a window to try to see which man it was.
    It would be the servant anyway.
    In a very short while, the noise started up again, but different now, lacking the ringleader. It kept her awake and she lay there thinking -- and it wasn't about the servant.
    How strange that the heir to an earldom seemed to be lurking in his servants' quarters with the knocker off. It was especially strange so close to Christmas when most people were with family and friends. Perhaps he'd wasted his money on whores and gambling and was now forced to hide from his creditors.
    It was perfectly reasonable, she told herself, to be curious about such a thing. It wasn't that she was particularly interested in the man himself.
    She found a chance to find out a little more about Lord Chatterton and his family after church on Christmas Day. For once, Christmas was sunny so despite the nip in the air everyone was happy to linger for a while.
    Doctor and Mrs. Whitworth, who lived three doors down from Kitty's house, paused to wish her a happy Christmas. They were a plump, solidly respectable couple who had spent evenings at her house when her parents were alive.
    "I gather it was your mother's little white cat who attracted all that commotion, Miss Mayhew." The twinkle in the doctor's eye made Kitty feel quite hot.
    " Yes, I'm afraid so."
    " Poor little cat," said the doctor, still twinkling.
    Perhaps, in private, she would ask him if there was something she could give Sherry to stop these fits. For now, she said, "The worst tom apparently belongs to the Earl of Felstowe's house on Wells Street."
    " Indeed! Then you'll know where to complain if kittens arrive."
    " There's no question of that, thank goodness." Kitty saw Mrs. Whitworth poke her elbow in her husband's ribs and give him a look.
    The doctor cleared his throat. "Oh, ay. Well, the earl's not a bad sort, Miss Mayhew, though high in the instep. I've been called in to his servants now and then."
    " I don't think he's in residence at the moment."
    " No, likely not. He doesn't come to London often, as I understand it. His heir uses it the most. Viscount Chatterton. He's attended service today, did you know? There he is. Over there, creating quite a flutter."
    Kitty hardly heard the last words because she was staring. How had she missed him in church?
    He certainly couldn't be missed now, for he stood out in this plebeian crowd. It was partly height, though there were other tall men. It was largely presence. And, she realized, the fact that a number of people, including the vicar, were fawning all over him.
    " I don't know that he's ever attended service at St. Caspian's before," said Mrs. Whitworth. "Or his father. Right and proper that he should, mind you, him living in the parish."
    As if he felt eyes upon him, Lord Chatterton looked over. Then he smiled and bowed. Kitty felt obliged to incline her head, though she'd dearly like to cut the man.
    "Goodness, Miss Mayhew, do you know him?" asked Mrs. Whitworth.
    Kitty forced a mild smile. "We spoke.