A Christmas Code (The Code Breakers Series Book 2) by Jacki Delecki Read Free Book Online Page A

was a wood fairy. She was Artemis, the Greek goddess of the wilderness.
    She took Ash’s arm, forcing Henley to offer Lady Charolois his arm. “Did you know the mistletoe leaches nourishment by living on another tree? At our estate, mistletoe grows on a very old apple tree. I think we might have to walk quite a distance to find some. You gentleman will definitely need to do the climbing. As a girl, I always raced my older brothers, Gray and Cord, to claim the mistletoe. If I weren’t wearing these d…these clothes.”
    Ash tried to suppress his chuckle at Gwyneth’s almost unladylike use of the word “damn.”
    “Lady Charolois, is something wrong?” Gwyneth touched the woman’s arm. “You look distressed. I hope my chattering hasn’t upset you? This is my favorite time of year, and I do get carried away.”
    “No, Lady Gwyneth, I’m enjoying your reminiscing. I’m afraid I’ve worn the wrong boots for such a long walk in the woods.” She lifted her dress to reveal a pair of denim half-boots.
    “Oh, my. You’re right. Those boots will be destroyed in the mud. We’ll need to postpone our search for mistletoe to another day.” Ash heard the disappointment in Gwyneth’s voice.
    “Oh, I would never make you alter your plans because of me. I’ll return to the group. You must go ahead without me.”
    Henley, a true English gentleman, stepped to the lady and offered his arm. “I’ll escort you back to the group. We can help with the gathering of the greens.”
    Lady Charolois looked stunned by Henley’s offer. Ash didn’t miss the shift in Henley’s shoulders to a protective stance and a look of concern. There was definitely something between those two, and Ash would bet his best curricle it had nothing to do with espionage.
    “Lady Gwyneth, shall we continue our search for the mistletoe?”
    Gwyneth took his arm and squeezed it tightly. It took all his control to maintain decorum. He whispered, “Watch yourself.”
    She gazed up at him. Her unabashed feelings reflected in her eyes for him to see. “Ash, it is so hard to keep up appearances when all I want to do is be with you during this wondrous season.”
    “Darling, I know. It’s the same for me.” Of course, she wanted to share the traditions of the holiday, and all he thought about was her sharing his bed. “Not much longer and we’ll have many Christmases ahead of us.”
    “I know. It’s what sustains me.”
    “Gwyneth don’t look at me like that, or I’ll do something we both might regret.”
    “I won’t regret whatever you want to do to me, Ash.” Her voice got that husky tone that shot right down his spine into his groin. “Wait until I get you into the woods, away from everyone.”
    “You mean we’re not going to look for mistletoe?” Her teasing voice had the same telling effect on his body parts.
    “I think you might have competition for Henley’s attention,” Ash said.
    “What?”
    “Henley seems to be interested in Lady Charolois.”
    “Yes, the poor man. He doesn’t realize he’s in love with her.”
    Now it was his turn to be shocked. “What?”
    “Yes, but that’s not important. The important part is I’m not sure Lady Charolois has any connections to the threat against the prince. Except for seeing her flee the conservatory.”
    “What?” He asked.
    “Ash, what is the matter with you?”
    Nothing that a night with Gwyneth wouldn’t cure. Who was he kidding? It was going to take a lifetime of nights to satiate himself with Gwyneth.
    “I maneuvered the couple together so I could share my news.”
    Cord and Aunt Euphemia were correct. Gwyneth was skilled at subterfuge.
    “Wait a minute. You weren’t supposed to know about the threat against Prinny.”
    Gwyneth dropped his arm and he gave her the same look he’d given her in childhood when she was about to wallop him—once she’d punched him right in the nose. Of course, deservedly so—he had dunked her in the horse trough after she had interrupted