Page 124 of How the Belle Stole Christmas

“Ihave made arrangements to go back to London on Christmas Eve.”

Claire hadn’t meant to speak so bluntly, giving the earl no warning of her decision, but perhaps this was for the best. She’d been upset when he’d left with nary a word to her, and with the fact that things were starting to become too intimate too quickly, she knew she had to do something to resist his charms. It wasn’t professional to get involved with a client.

She had never come close to feeling these stirrings within her breast before, but neither could she allow her heart to be broken by a man who cared naught for his own pleasures.

However, she offered a different explanation for him.

Moving to sit in the chair across from him so she wasn’t in a vulnerable position by his feet, she folded her hands together in her lap and said, “A couple more days should allow me to teach you everything that I might have failed to impart already. If you wish, I can inquire at the village regarding someone with similar expertise who could come to the house each day to assist. But it is time that I use my talents for my next patient.”

He frowned. “Have you been contacted?”

“Not as yet, but I have no doubt it will not take long to secure another position. Now that word is spreading with healing massage, interest has grown exponentially. I have to go where I’m needed.”

“And you think I don’t need you?”

The way his green eyes burned, as if they were boring right into her soul, caused her breath to catch.

She swallowed. “I think that you will continue to improve, so long as you continue working your leg and exercising the injured muscles. You may never make a full recovery, but I am confident that you might be able to walk without the use of a cane given enough patience.”

He sat back in his chair and looked at her as though she’d imparted some dark secret that he must now accept. “I suppose that’s it, then.”

She hated this, but what could she do otherwise? There had been no promises, no understanding between them. The only thing was attraction and that was not enough to build a lasting foundation. “Don’t make it sound as though it was a useless endeavor. I am pleased with the progress you are making.”

He snorted, clearly unimpressed. “There is more to my condition than physical.”

Again, Claire was taken off guard by the bold manner of his conversation. Had they been in polite society he would have lifted a few brows. “That may be, but there is nothing I can do to assist you in that endeavor. Any changes must come from your own convictions.”

He tapped a finger on his cane, as if trying to solve a particular riddle. “How many days until you leave?”

“Four.” When he said nothing, she attempted to turn the subject back to something that was familiar, comfortable. “Now that your leg is relaxed, shall we start the session with a few squatting maneuvers?”

Claire was grateful that, other than a muscle ticking in his jaw, the earl made no protest but instead rose to his feet and began to mimic her movements as they went through the usual routine.

He grimaced a couple times, proving that the ride had been a bit more strenuous than he had believed, but by the time they were finished, he was standing a bit taller, a bit straighter.

She was always glad to see the difference that the exercises made.

Feeling abruptly awkward now that there was a lull in her training, she said, “I suppose I will retire—”

He reached out and grasped her elbow before she could make her escape. “You’ve slept enough today. I have a better use for your time.”

His fingers caressed her arm, and Claire’s heart stuttered in her chest, but when his hand fell away and he went to grab another stick from the wall and glanced back at her in challenge, she felt some of her trepidation ease somewhat. “Let’s see if we can’t get you back in the game.”

Her lips curved upward in a smile. “I would not dare defy an earl’s command.”

He lifted a brow, but said nothing as they began to play.

When they finally parted a couple hours later, Claire realized that she hadn’t had a chance for her mind to wander again. Lord Darville was a worthy opponent, and it had been some time since she had faced off with anyone who carried the same sort of natural skill that she possessed.

When she retired to her room, Claire wrote to her father and explained that she would be back in London for Christmas.

She had told a bit of a white lie when she’d told the earl that she’d already secured passage back to the city, but once her mind had been set, she knew nothing would alter her course and it would be no trouble for her father to send her the funds for the public coach.

Nevertheless, her chest ached as her pen scratched across the paper, all the while telling herself that it was for the best, that she had done the right thing.

Then why did she feel so miserable?

The next morning, Mrs. Peel entered her chamber in a rush. Claire had barely finished dressing for the day when she began to speak in a flurry. “The duchess is coming!”

For a moment, Claire was completely at sea, but then she recalled that the earl’s sister, Camilla, had married a duke. “Lord Darville’s sister, you mean?”

“The very same!” she imparted excitedly. “It has been months since the duchess was at Darville House and I daresay years before that where the earl actually invited her for supper.”

Claire couldn’t understand why the housekeeper seemed so frazzled when it sounded like a good thing. “That is wonderful, isn’t it? The rift between the siblings might have a chance to be repaired.”

“Exactly what I was thinking,” the older lady nodded. “I am starting to believe that Christmas miracles really do happen. But it took an angel in our midst to happen here.”

It was apparent from the adoring way the housekeeper looked at Claire that she was the angel in question.

She laughed. “If you are searching for miracles, then I would suggest turning to the earl. He had to make the decision to change his mind about his situation. I merely offered a different perspective.”

“Whatever it was, it was genius,” the lady gushed. With a broad smile, she added, “The earl ensured that the meal for today is one to be remembered. Cook is quite beside herself with joy for the opportunity to create a feast!”

Claire shook her head as the lady departed, and soon afterward, she made her way to the great hall. The earl was sitting in his usual chair, and Claire was glad to see that there was no bottle of spirits at his side. Instead, he held a book in his grasp, a pair of spectacles perched on his nose.

He glanced up when he heard her entrance and closed the book, keeping a finger inserted to keep his place. As he removed his lenses, Claire couldn’t help but tease him. “I didn’t know you wore glasses.”

“I do if I want to see anything but a blur of words on the page,” he drawled, but the remark was softened with the crinkle at the corners of his eyes, proof that he was teasing, that some of his cool mannerisms had warmed.

To look at him now, it was difficult to compare him to the same man she’d met upon her arrival.

That man had been angry at the world, intent on pushing everyone out of his way with a nasty growl.

Today, it was as if the clouds had lifted and the sun of a new day was finally showing through his gaze.

Perhaps Mrs. Peel was right and a Christmas miracle had occurred after all.

She sat down across from him. “I understand your sister shall be here today.”

“Indeed.” He sat his book aside, apparently unconcerned that he’d lost his place. “She seemed quite pleased to receive my invitation. I wasn’t expecting her so soon, but I wanted to ensure she was able to meet you.”

Claire tilted her head to the side. “I am honored you would think to introduce us.”

“Why wouldn’t I? You managed the impossible and brought me back to life.”

Uncomfortable with the compliment, Claire ducked her head. “You give me too much credit. I am merely doing my job.”

She inhaled sharply when he lifted her chin and she was faced with those mesmerizing green eyes once again. “We both know that isn’t true. Stop trying to act humble. Rejoice in your healing powers.”

She inclined her head. “Thank you.” As he drew back, she asked, “Shall I tend to your leg?”

“I already did my exercises earlier,” he noted. He reached down beside him and retrieved a brown wrapped package. “I had this delivered from the local seamstress this morning.”

Claire frowned slightly. “That is too generous of you, my lord.”

“No, it’s not. Besides, I deserve to see you in something other than those bland serviceable gowns. You are dining with a duchess and an earl this evening, remember? You need to play the part of a society mistress.”

Not sure if she accepted his reasoning, any further argument vanished the moment she tore away the packaging and lifted the lid of the box to reveal a breathtaking silk gown in a lovely dusky pink embroidered with perfect rosettes about the bodice.

She ran her hand over it, mesmerized by the beauty it contained. “It’s… enchanting.”

“Only because you will be wearing it.”

Claire carefully put the lid back on top. “I will be honored to wear it this evening, but only for tonight.”

His eyes flashed with something predatory. “I would hope you would accept it as a gift, but if all I get is one evening to see you in it, that will have to be enough.”

That evening, as Claire donned the gown, she realized that it wasn’t just the dress in the packaging, but all of the proper undergarments that she would need as well.

Her father had not been a pauper, he was part of the gentry, but he had never offered to spoil her with such luxuries and it had not behooved Claire to ask for something she’d never had.