The Yuletide Engagement & A Yuletide Seduction by Carole Mortimer Read Free Book Online Page B

time,” he explained pleasantly.
    No doubt Gareth was making an effort to be pleasant because he was very aware that Patrick was George’s nephew, Ellie guessed shrewdly.
    â€œAh, yes. My cousin Sarah.” Patrick murmured coldly. “I’m very fond of Sarah,” he added softly.
    â€œShe’s a marvellous girl,” Gareth agreed heartily.
    â€œThat she is,” Patrick acknowledged evenly. “I wouldhate to see her hurt in any way,” he added softly, a dangerous stillness surrounding him.
    Ellie was watching Gareth as Patrick made this remark. The handsome face remained pleasantly smiling, but there was a certain wariness in the younger man’s eyes.
    She wasn’t sure it was absolutely wise for Patrick to challenge the other man, even in this mild way—not when his cousin’s happiness was at stake. But, as she was quickly learning, Patrick really did like to do things his own way.
    Gareth gave an inclination of his head. “We really should be getting back; George is going to announce our engagement as soon as the coffee has been served.”
    â€œSo I believe,” Patrick rasped, once again holding tightly to Ellie’s arm as he felt her stiffen. “You go ahead,” he encouraged the other man. “I just want to—have a few minutes alone with Ellie,” he drawled dryly.
    â€œI was just telling Ellie that she’s a bit of a dark horse,” Gareth drawled teasingly. “Who knows, Ellie? We may even be related to each other one day!” he added mockingly.
    How Ellie wanted to smack that confident smile off his handsome face!
    But instead she felt cold common sense come over her as she answered him. “Somehow I doubt that very much,” she told him scathingly.
    â€œI do hope your intentions are honourable, Patrick.” Gareth’s smile didn’t reach the hard glitter of his eyes. “I should warn you George is extremely fond of Ellie—treats her almost like another daughter. He will not be happy if he thinks you’re trifling with her affections!”
    She really would hit him in a minute, common sense notwithstanding! George Delacorte was fond of her, and had taken her slightly under his parental wing after her parents had died. Which was what made this situation so difficult now; she would hate any inaction on her part to contribute to the unhappiness of George’s only child. But at the same time, as Patrick had already pointed out, what could any of them do about it?
    Patrick gave a confident smile as he released Ellie’s arm and put his own arm about the slenderness of her waist. “I don’t think Ellie was referring to our own relationship when she cast doubt on the two of you ever being related,” he assured the other man derisively.
    Gareth’s gaze narrowed assessingly on the older man. “I really wouldn’t pay too much attention to secondhand opinions, if I were you, Patrick—especially when those opinions are biased, as Ellie’s undoubtedly are,” he added, with a pitying glance in her direction.
    Ellie would have hit him then, if Patrick’s hand hadn’t moved from her waist to take a firm grip of her arm once more. Gareth was making her sound like some twisted, lovesick, scorned woman, out to hurt him in any way that she could!
    â€œI make a point of always forming my own opinions concerning other people,” Patrick told the other man smoothly. “Which is why I’m here with Ellie this evening,” he added softly.
    Gareth nodded. “I know how much Ellie hated the thought of coming here on her own tonight.”
    Why, the condescending—
    â€œI can assure you, that was never an option,” Patrick told the other man derisively, turning to smile at Ellie, the hard glitter in his eyes telling her of hisown—controlled—anger. “There are plenty of other men who would willingly have taken my place tonight,” he