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

Not too soon, however. If he wanted to play tricks on her, then she’d repay the favor in kind.
    Show her the kittens, indeed!
    Elizabeth assumed an air of dignity and outrage as she sipped her chocolate. She tried, very hard, to not smile at his suggestion to the boy. Show her the kittens to soften her anger! Oh, darn the man. Donovan knew her very well.
    At last, her mouth softened and an unwilling smile replaced her hard frown. Kittens. Yes, just thinking of the soft furry little darlings made her feel light and happy again.
    Uncle Gareth and Chloe came down the stairs. They paused at the entry to the sunny yellow salon and peered inside. Seeing the inhabitants therein posed no threat to his amour, Gareth bent his ebony head toward Chloe. As he did so the thick serpentine locks he had twisted into clumps moved like snakes about his shoulders. His dark face hovered beside Chloe’s pale lips and they shared a quick kiss beneath the mistletoe. Once the kiss was ended, Uncle Gareth reached up and snagged a berry from the bunch and stuck it into his vest pocket.
    “So, nephew ?” He grinned, his brilliant white teeth flashing against his dark lips. “Care to wager which one of us will collect the most berries by midnight tonight?” His good hearted chuckle echoed in the room, breaking the tension between Donovan and Elizabeth. Gareth had that effect on everyone. His natural warmth and pleasant humor were contagious. Few people could remain sullen in his presence, Donovan included.
    “Yes. I’ll take twice the  number as you.” Donovan replied to the challenge.
    As if to goad him, Gareth kissed a distracted Chloe on the cheek and then reached up to pluck another berry with his long, lean brown finge rs. “I have two berries now, how many do you have?”
    “None, but the day is early.” Donovan stood. “Breakfast awaits, my lad y.” He offered Elizabeth his hand. She rose from her chair, set her kitty on the seat and took Donovan’s arm. He led her under the doorway and stopped. The wide grin on his face told Elizabeth what was coming. Sure enough, he leaned close and engaged her in a searching kiss, that, had they been alone, would have quickly led to more kissing and less clothing.
    As it ended, he reached up and snatched two berr ies. “That’s worth two.”
    “Stop it, both of you.” Elizabeth chided as Chloe giggled and the men grinned at her like impudent rogues. “This is for tonight. No more kissing under the mistletoe until the party, understood?”
    Gareth sighed and shook his dark ebony head at her censure. “It’s going to be a long day, I fear.”
    “You can kiss me.” Chloe put in boldly, as it was only the four of them gathered. “She jus t meant you couldn’t do it here and steal all the berries before the party starts.”
    That livened Gareth’s eyes. 
    “Oh, I’ve plenty for you to do, Uncle Gareth.” Elizabeth informed him. “And you as well, my lord. You can help Chloe and I hang the greens after breakfast. And I would like to have a Yule log in the fireplace even if it is too balmy here for a roaring fire. It’s tradition. The two of you could ride out and search for one this afternoon. You could take Mr. Marceau with you and Mr. Barnaby as well. They are our guests. They need to be properly entertained. You are the hosts, so you can have the task of entertaining them today. Kieran can’t ride with his arm in a sling, however. He’ll have to stay behind.” Elizabeth bit her lip, realizing her impromptu plan to entertain their male houseguests left out her older brother.
    “He can ride in the wagon. We’ll need a wagon to bring back a tree trunk as you require.” Donovan added. “That’s a go od idea, Lizzie. You and Miss Ramirez will come with us. We’ll make it a picnic on the beach near the lagoon. What do you think, Miss Ramirez?” He looked to Elizabeth’s friend for support. “A chance for all of us to get out of the house for the afternoon.”
    “ Yes . How