Page 2 of One Naughty Christmas Night

She sat stiffly at the end of the couch, the last dregs of tea sloshing around in the bottom of her cup. Her large, slightly hooked nose scrunched, her lips set in a hard line.

“Lucinda, there was nothing important,” her mother interjected. Victoria detected a stiff warning in her voice.

“Mrs. Murray, she’s a grown woman. She can handle that James Bastion and his new bride are to be here at the Christmas party. After all, the Duke invited them. And, as we all know, Lord Bastion and the Duke have been friends for many, many years.”

At the mention of Lord James Bastion, Victoria’s stomach tightened.

“Why wouldn’t I be able to handle that?” she said, taking another sip of her tea. “He’s just a man, and he is of no importance to me at all.”

Besides, she knew Lucinda had an ulterior motive for bringing it up.

She was still upset that James chose Victoria over her last year, even though Lucinda set her cap for him. So, she took it out on Victoria every chance she could get, even though James disgraced himself, and Victoria broke off their courtship.

“They say his new bride is in fact the chit he was caught cavorting with. They finally convinced her to marry him.”

The edges of Victoria’s lips ticked up, and she replied, “Well, I’ll be sure to wish them every happiness when I see them again. I’m sure, Lucinda, that you’ll do the same.”

A sniff came from the edge of the couch.

“Besides,” Victoria said, “I hear that Ophelia Bastion is nothing short of a beauty, with a wonderfully small, pert nose.”

She set her teacup down on the small table and stood, excusing herself. Lucinda’s sputtering followed her out the door as she hurried down the hall, away from the parlor.

Her skirt swished along the marbled floor as she ran, holding her laughter in until she got to the foyer.

Victoria halted in front of the large foyer mirror, taking in her appearance. Her green eyes were bright and sparkly, her cheeks flushed.

Her dark-brown hair was piled high on her head, with small pearl pins holding it in place. She smoothed her dark-purple gown and sighed.

“Wretched woman,” she said aloud to the hall, the sound echoing in the small foyer. “Always trying to get a rise out of me. I thought we were past this.”

She stepped back, checking her figure. It wasn’t as slim as some women, but she was still attractive.

“Besides, what do I care if he comes?” Her fingernail caught in a loose thread on her bodice. “I’m past my disappointment. As is he. She’s the only one holding onto it. There are plenty of other men she could set her cap for.”

I’m glad I didn’t marry him though.

“What a mistake that would have been,” she muttered. Glancing back at the mirror, she stated, “On the bright side, Christmas is in a few days. It will be delightful, and then you can say goodbye to him and his Ophelia.”

She prayed it was true. She couldn’t handle having her favorite holiday ruined by the man who once broke her heart.

***

Heath watched Victoria rush from the room, his cousin Lucinda looking decidedly upset.

“I wonder what that was about?” he muttered, taking a swig of his brandy.

His father loved this brand, and he passed that love onto both of his sons.

“It might have to do with James Bastion coming to the Christmas party,” Quinn said, motioning for a refill. “No doubt Lucinda informed Victoria of this.”

“Bastion? Is coming here?”

“He is. The Bastions come every year, and this year was no different. Father approved him coming under the condition he does not bother Victoria. I know Lucinda took great pleasure in telling her, though.”

“I can at least take comfort in the fact that Father warned him to leave Victoria alone.”

“Agreed. I don’t like him bringing his son any more than you do, especially after what he did to Victoria. But Father and Bastion have been friends a long time. Father would never disrespect Lord Bastion so.”