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

a wrong turn? It was as he’d anticipated. The snow had begun filling in their tracks, and he could no longer be sure they were on the right path. Tiny shards of ice sliced at him. Where the devil were they?
    Looking around, striving to get his bearings, he saw the crenellated outline of Pembrook Castle, the original holding. The recently built manor would be on the other side, up a rise that he didn’t know if she’d have the strength to climb. He could carry her, but even then it was so far. If he stumbled, what would become of her? It didn’t bare thinking about. He wasn’t going to let anything happen to her.
    “We’ll take refuge in the old castle,” he said.
    “No, I don’t want to go there.”
    “Merry, we don’t have much choice. The manor is still a good distance away.”
    “I didn’t realize we’d gone so far.”
    “My charms distracted you.”
    She laughed. It was so good to hear her laugh. “How can you be pompous at a time like this?”
    Because he needed to distract her again, to give her something to focus on other than their dire circumstances. He pushed them forward, slogging through the drifts of snow. How could such a fierce storm have come upon them so quickly? He was more familiar with the weather in the south, in Cornwall. He’d always heard that the north was brutal, but until now he hadn’t understood what that meant.
    By the time they reached the old manor and slumped against the stone wall, he realized it was madness to try to get her to the new residence. He had to get her dry and warm. “We’ve no choice. We’re going to stop here.”
    “We can . . . carry on,” she stammered, her teeth chattering with such force he was surprised they didn’t crack.
    “Perhaps we’ll give it a try after we’ve warmed up and gathered our strength.”
    She didn’t argue as they made their way along the side of the building. He fought the strong gale that wanted to smash him into it, into her. As much as possible, he was trying to shield her from the fury of nature. Finally, he saw a door. Reaching out, he closed his fingers over the handle, released the latch, and felt relief swamp him when it gave way.
    Nearly torn from its hinges by the wind, the wooden door banged against the wall. He ushered her into the kitchen and staggered in after her. Closing the door, he took stock of their surroundings. Although the building had been abandoned, not everything had been taken. There was a stove, a table, a stack of wood. He didn’t think it likely that he would find food, but for now it gave him hope that he had found a shelter from the storm.
    “Come along, let’s see what we’ve got.”
    With Merry in his wake, he stalked down a darkened hallway and then another, a bit of light coming through a window at the end guiding him. Then he walked into what had once been a great hall. The fireplace was massive, the sort where the master of the household might have roasted deer.
    He knelt before it, grateful to find more wood, kindling, and matches. He set himself to the task of getting a fire going. It wasn’t long before the flames were blazing, sending out welcomed warmth.
    “Oh, th-that’s l-lovely,” she whispered as she moved closer to the fire.
    Glancing around, he noticed the draperies. They would have to do. He rushed across the room, grabbed a handful of the fabric, and with a sharp tug, brought them down. Dust motes kicked up around him, but at least the curtains were dry.
    He hurried back over to her and dropped them at her feet. “Take off your clothes.”
    Merry stared at him as though he’d gone mad. “I beg your pardon?”
    “Yours are damp, mine are drenched. We have to get warm before I lose my senses, and you are truly alone. Body heat is the fastest way. You’ll have some privacy while I see what else I can find. Wrap those draperies about you.”
    He made his way through a good portion of the residence, tearing down more moth-eaten draperies. He located a half-full