Deck The Halls With Love: Lost Lords Of Pembrook Novella by Lorraine Heath Read Free Book Online Page A

wet.”
    “I’m familiar with the dangers of ice skating. I’ve never had ice buckle beneath me.”
    “Then let’s not have today be the first time.”
    She didn’t think it would be. It was so terribly cold up here. If she didn’t spend a good deal of her time outdoors, she’d no doubt be shivering. But her woolen riding habit and heavy cloak helped to keep her somewhat warm. Having Chetwyn nearby didn’t hurt either.
    With her hand on his arm, she cut a swathe through the snow until they reached the pond. It was strange, but the blue of the water viewed through the ice reminded her of the eyes of the Pembrook lords.
    “Do you suppose it’s possible that Keswick’s ancestors studied this pond in winter for so long that it changed the shade of their eyes?” she asked.
    “Are you trying to weave a fairy tale?”
    “I guess I am being fanciful. I tend to do that from time to time. It’s only that they have such unusual eyes.”
    “Not boring like mine.”
    She jerked her head around to stare at him. “They’re not boring.” They were the color of hot cocoa when there was more cocoa than milk. And they spoke volumes, which was the reason that she’d thought he would be asking for her hand. She had read so much into his words based upon what his eyes were saying. Now she was afraid to read too much, to believe that the affection she saw there was true.
    He led her onto the ice. While he may have wished to walk alongside her, she glided much faster than he walked. She slipped her hand away from his.
    “Don’t go out far, Merry.”
    “Honestly, Chetwyn, you worry too much. The duchess told me that the pond has been iced over for a couple of weeks now.”
    “That doesn’t mean it’s perfectly safe.”
    Safer than you, she thought. She welcomed the brisk air brushing over her face, the snow melting on her eyelashes. With the silence, she could almost imagine that she was completely and absolutely alone. It was what she’d thought she wanted.
    Only now she realized that she wanted to be with him: walking, talking, her arm linked with his. She pirouetted to face him. She heard a crack of thunder. He was rushing toward her.
    “Merry, don’t move!”
    Another crack, louder than the first, and she realized with horror that the storm wasn’t above her, but beneath her.
    “Chetwyn!”
    Then the ice gave way.

 

C HAPTER F IVE
----
    C hetwyn managed to grab her and haul her to the bank with enough force that they both tumbled onto the snow. Fortunately, not enough of the ice had given way that she was in danger of falling through, but still his heart was pounding. “Are you all right?” he asked.
    She nodded, then released a breath that was more laugh than air. “I was terrified for a moment there. It sounded awful. I’m embarrassed that I screamed.”
    “I barely heard it because of my shout. But I think we should head back now.”
    “Yes, indeed. The weather seems to be worsening at an amazing clip.”
    The snowfall was heavier, damp and sticky. The wind was circling around in gales. He removed her skates, then shoved himself to his feet before pulling her up. He entwined his arm with hers, faced in the direction from which they’d come, and realized that a good bit of the visibility was lost to them. “Stay close,” he ordered, and he felt her hold on him tighten.
    They walked as quickly as possible, which wasn’t fast enough, as far as he was concerned. Her strides were shorter than his, and she was having a difficult time keeping up. He could feel her trembling as the wind howled around them and the snow fell in a constant wash of thick, heavy flakes. Barely breaking his stride, he shrugged out of his coat and draped it over her shoulders.
    “Chetwyn, it’s too cold.”
    “I’ll be fine,” he lied as the wind sliced through him.
    Why had he not insisted that they head back? He had wanted more time with her, to speak with her, to try to make his case.
    How far had they walked? Had he taken