Page 29 of One Naughty Christmas Night

“That’s a good boy.” Her face paled. “I can only hope Lucinda doesn’t ask to dance with you. Your poor feet!”

“Willie, what a terrible thing to say,” Valentina commented, even as she tried to hide her laughter.

“You’re right, dear. She is a cousin, after all. I was only thinking of Heath’s poor feet, though.”

The Duke pat her hand. “Don’t worry, dear. We all know you meant no offense to the girl.”

“Why would Uncle Heath want to dance with anyone else but Victoria?”

Samantha’s little voice reached across the table, the adults turning to look at her.

“Because Victoria and Uncle Heath aren’t married, darling,” Valentina said, looking at Heath, an apologetic look on her face.

“But you love her, don’t you, Uncle Heath?”

Heat washed over his face, and he took a drink. The Duke patted him on the back when he coughed.

“I do love her, Samantha, but not in the way your parents love one another.”

After all that had happened between them, was that still true?

Heath wasn’t so sure anymore.

“Heath, are you all right?” his mother asked, reaching across the table to take his hand.

He squeezed it. “I’m fine, I promise.”

“I don’t believe you don’t love her like Daddy loves Mommy,” Samantha announced to the table. Valentina’s gasp filled the space.

“Samantha, you can’t say such things to your Uncle Heath,” she said.

Samantha looked at her, then back at Heath.

“I’m sorry, Uncle Heath,” she said, a frown coming across her features.

“It’s all right, Sammy,” he replied, using Victoria’s nickname for her.

The frown turned into a beaming smile. “All right!”

Valentina drew her back into a conversation about her favorite pony, and Heath breathed a sigh of relief.

He enjoyed spending time with Victoria every day, and seeing her face always made the day better. They would come together after long days and talk about them, and they both loved horses and riding.

There was no denying the passion between them. If the last two nights were any indication, Heath’s bed would never be cold with her in it.

Victoria made his day better, and she fit so well into his family. It was as if she belonged there. She was wonderful with Sammy too and would be a wonderful mother to any child.

But their families had been friends for so long, it gave him pause on whether this was real, true love, like Quinn and Valentina.

“Did Victoria bring the green dress to wear tonight?” his mother asked, dragging him from his thoughts.

“I believe she brought it just for you, Mother,” he said, her face lighting up.

“Really? She does look stunning in it, and it will match well with her parents’ present for her.” She looked at him, her eyes narrowed. “It will also match your present, will it not?”

He cleared his suddenly dry throat. “It will, I believe.”

The table was silent, and Quinn cleared his throat, drawing their attention to him at the end of the table.