Christmas at Ravencrest: A Dark Hero Christmas Short (Reluctant Heroes) by Lily Silver Read Free Book Online Page A

found him when I was checking Michael’s progress.”
    “That is not possible. I distinctly recall Puck lying on my feet last night.” She insisted, crossing her arms over her chest. What was Donovan about? He was behaving oddly, sending her out on false errands and delaying her in her household schedule.
    Was the man trying to keep something from her? Or was he just trying to get into the Christmas spirit for her benefit, albeit in an obnoxious fashion.
    Don ovan shrugged at her comment and behaved as if he hadn’t inkling as to how the cat could have been in two places at once. He chucked the happy tom beneath his chin. Puck purred louder in response. Donovan didn’t look at her. He kept gazing contentedly at the cat as he stroked the tom’s bright orange striped coat. “Do you have a twin? Or are you living up to your name? Your mistress named you after a very naughty little forest sprite, as I recall.”
    “And furthermore, I’d like to know w hy you played such a rotten prank on me yesterday. Having the servants take part in it, honestly, Donovan. You’re acting like a schoolboy with your odd antics. I thought you well beyond such childish behavior.”
    H e actually laughed. “You’ve been distracted with our house guests and planning the Christmas festivities of late. I wanted you to see that the boy has recovered his speech.” He smirked. “It worked. You went rushing out to see what was wrong with little Gavin. I was able to accomplish some Christmas magic while you were out of the house.”
    Elizabeth wanted to smack him. He was so self assured, so confident. And she wanted to hug him, too. The man was charming and exasperating, all at once. How peculiar she found it that he had such a contrary effect upon her.
    She moved from the door to the man she loved. She bent down to kiss him on the cheek and to take her precious kitten from him. “You shouldn’t involve the servants in your mischief. They can hardly decline to participate when you order them about and pay the ir wages.”
    Donovan’s self satisfied grin annoyed her. He wasn’t one to take correction from others. Why should he? The man was a nobleman. He was rich and owned the island they resided on. However charming he may be, at times, life with Donovan Beaumont could be trying.
    Sensing her annoyance, he gazed up at her. The look he gave her made her insides do a queer little flip. He was a clever, handsome devil, with dark hair and eyes as bright as the sky on a cloudless day. “I told Gavin if you seemed angry to show you his surprise in the stable. Did he show you the new kittens?”
    “Yes.” She said, feel ing the tension leave her body at the thought of those delightful furry little bundles. Oh, he knew her well, this complex and demanding man. “Yes. He showed me the kittens. And he has promised them to me. The entire litter , if I wish.”
    It was stretching the tru th. Elizabeth didn’t care. She would have a small revenge on this man. And to think she was carrying his child? Would she be forever at the mercy of her spouse and a very precocious little boy?
    She sat next to her husband and allowed him to pour her morning chocolate. With a smile Elizabeth continued her fabrication. “I told Gavin I’d take them as soon as they are weaned, in about--hmm---six weeks. We’ll be moving them to the house. They can keep Puck entertained. And, they can sleep with us. All five. And Puck, of course. You know how I adore cats. Just imagine six kittens in our room at night, not just one.”
    Donovan’s brow darkened. “ I think not.”
    “T hey will be in my room, in my bed.” She insisted as she gave him an impervious look she had been practicing for some time in the mirror. “Whether you choose to be there or not is entirely up to you, sir.”
    He didn’ t say anything, but his brow was furrowed. Deeply furrowed. Elizabeth sipped her chocolate and smiled pleasantly at him, enjoying her own prank. Perhaps later she’d recant.