On A Cold Christmas Eve Read Online Free PDF

hideous cow, even if she wasn't the most attractive woman in England, the way her uncle did every time they sat down to a meal.  Despite the duke's reputation for being a devil, she could already tell from their brief encounter that he was far too noble and kind for such things.  She had been right about that, at least.
    "Very well," she agreed softly, sinking back into the pillows, tired again and wanting nothing more than to sink back into the peaceful oblivion of sleep.  "I accept.  Thank you, my lord."  Then she offered him a smile, just so that he would know she did indeed appreciate his kindness.
    He grinned at her again, and Lucy felt the heat of his smile all the way to her toes.  That would not do.  He was only doing his duty by her and nothing more.  She would do well to remember that.  "Excellent.  I shall leave Fenster with you for company, as well as protection."  He gestured to the large dog that was now lying on the floor waiting for his master's command.  "He's an Irish Wolfhound, and a baby at heart.  However, he is also fiercely loyal to me and will protect that which is mine.  Have no fear, Lady Lucy.  You are well safe with him."
    Then Adam whistled, three short sounds and Fenster leapt to attention.  "Sit.  Guard," Adam commanded, and the dog, surprisingly obeyed.  It was nothing like anything Lucy had ever seen before, but before she could remark upon it, the duke was gone, striding out of the room, leaving her just a little dizzier than she had been before.

    As Adam closed the door to Lucy's room when he departed, he felt a familiar presence come up behind him.  "How long have you been there, Amelia?"  Amelia St. John, now Amelia Frost, also known as Lady Houghton, had been listening in on Adam's private conversations for as long as he could remember.  Since they were twins, that was a very long time, indeed.
    She shrugged and adjusted her skirts, which bore a few stains that were near the bottom, leaving Adam to suspect she'd just come from the nursery where her two young sons were currently ensconced.  "Long enough."  If there was one woman on the planet that Adam could not bring to heel with merely a look, it was his sister.  He no longer even tried and probably would not have done so were he even able.  "So Archibald has done it again.  You knew he would."  There was a clear note of censure in her voice.
    "I had hoped he wouldn't," Adam replied with a sigh, knowing his sister was correct, as she frequently was.  "The other chit was lucky.  Archibald only bedded her.  He didn't wed her, much as I wanted to force the issue."
    Waving her hand, Amelia dismissed the excuse with a sniff of disgust.  "Yes, yes.  And you were able to buy her a wealthy husband, one who didn't care about her deflowered state, and all was well."  She snorted then, much like Lucy had, which made him smile despite himself.  There was a strength to Lucy that he found refreshing.  
    "You cannot keep cleaning up his messes and buying husbands as if they grew on trees.  I can assure you, they do not!"  At one and thirty, Amelia had only married two years pervious, and only then after a lengthy pursuit by Fitzherbert Frost, the current Earl of Houghton.  So husband hunting was something of a touchy subject for her.
    "That time," Adam reminded her gently, "there was no contract or special license.  Not to mention that Archibald promised he would never do such a thing again."  He sighed and leaned back against the wall.  This was not how he had planned to spend the holiday season  "Bloody bastard lied to me.  Again."
    "He always lies to you," Amelia informed him tartly without a hint of sympathy in her tone.  "This is not news to anyone but you.  You are the only person on earth foolish enough to fall for his lies, and he knows it."  She considered for a moment and then looked at him intently.  "Though perhaps Lady Lucy's uncle is just as stupid."  Then she shook her head, clearly