Mena didn’t know why, but she glanced at Julian. While his hypnotic green gaze was upon her, he stubbornly didn’t interfere. So, after draining her glass, she calmly set it aside and held out her hand to Lord Grantley. “I’d be honored, my lord.”

She ignored Julian as she allowed her partner to sweep her up into a waltz. While Lord Grantley nearly tripped over himself to pay her every compliment known to man, she heard little of what he was saying. Her thoughts were on one man, and one alone. But since he obviously didn’t mind sharing her with somebody else, she was determined to push him out of her mind and enjoy the rest of her evening.

As it turned out, it wasn’t a particularly difficult task, for she never lacked for partners. As soon as Lord Grantley relinquished her hand, another gentleman came to take his place. Within the first hour, she had danced with all but one of the prospective suitors on her list, so her plan to draw her admirer out of hiding was working rather well.

But still, Julian didn’t come forward to claim her, even though she would glance up and see him hovering about the edge of the ballroom, that glittering gaze firmly fixated on her. It was as if he was keeping a silent vigil over her, while maintaining his distance.

When two more hours passed, she felt her patience starting to wear to the breaking point. But nothing could have cut her to the quick as much as when Julian finally joined the group of dancers — with another woman in his arms.

Because of Mena’s inattentiveness to her partner, she ended up treading upon his feet. “Oh, I do apologize, sir.” She couldn’t even recall his name at the moment her brain was so befuddled. “Perhaps I need to rest a bit.”

“Of course. Shall I get a drink for you?”

Mena thought of the heavily laced eggnog and nodded. “Yes, I think that shall help.”

Once she had a glass in her grasp, the gentleman bowed and took his leave. On the fringes of the ballroom, Mena headed for the balcony. She couldn’t stand there and watch Julian flirt with another woman while her heart bled at the sight. Granted, she had been attempting to capture his attention by making him jealous, but her efforts had been for naught.

The moment she stepped out of doors, the brisk December wind nearly caught her off guard, but the cold helped to clear her mind. She reached up and undid the ribbon tying her mask in place. Once it was off, she exhaled heavily, her breath turning into a white cloud before her. She nearly undid the pins and freed her dark tresses, the need for freedom almost overwhelming. It was nearly one o’clock, still early by ton standards, but perhaps it was time for her to depart.

Just as she was about to leave, a voice spoke from the opposite side of the terrace. “I wondered where you’d disappeared to.”

She turned to see Julian leaning against the railing, his arms crossed. “I thought perhaps you were too busy to notice.” The moment the words were out of her mouth, she regretted them. Not only did she sound like an envious fishmonger’s wife, it was completely out of character for her. She had no claim on Julian. “Forgive me,” she muttered. “I fear it’s the brandy talking.” She started to head back inside. “I think it’s time to go.”

The instant she touched the door handle, his hand closed over hers. She could feel his warmth behind her, his breath hot on the nape of her neck, causing shivers that had nothing to do with the temperature of the air. “What if I wanted you to stay?” he murmured.

She had to swallow before she could speak. Even then, it came out as a mere whisper. “It’s not your choice.”

His hand tightened slightly on hers. “What if I danced with you?”

“Reduced to bargaining, Mr. Solomon?”

“If that’s what it takes.”

She slowly spun to face him. “Then I would have to say yes.”

The hand not imprisoning hers grasped her about the waist. “God, you’re so beautiful.” Without warning, he lowered his head and captured her mouth.

His kiss was almost brutal, assaulting, but Mena had never been more inflamed by desire. She didn’t want to dance. She didn’t want to be in clothes. She just wanted her naked body wrapped around his, each breath she exhaled an echo of his.

“Take me home.” At this point, she didn’t care if she pleaded or begged. She wanted him and nothing else would satisfy her.

“Are you sure?”

Her answer was immediate. “Yes.” A thought occurred to her, and she hesitated, “But I rode here with Marigold and Robbie—”

“They left about half an hour ago. Marigold wasn’t feeling well. I told them I would see you safely home.”

Mena wanted to be angry at his highhandedness, but she felt her lips twitching instead. “Did you?”

“I know. Terribly arrogant of me, wasn’t it?”

“Indeed,” she agreed.

He lifted a brow. “Does that mean you’ve changed your mind?”

She bit her lip to suppress a smile. “Get the carriage.”

Day 11

Mena awoke the next morning with a smile on her face. She stretched, but stilled when she felt something cold and hard around her neck. Her smile grew. Of course. She still wore the jewelry. When she would have removed them the night before, Julian had halted her movements. “Leave them on,” he’d whispered.

She stared at the pillow where his head had been most of the night, the indentation from his head still evident. She pulled it closer to her and breathed deeply. The faint aroma of his cologne and the male scent that lingered belonged only to Julian. He must have left sometime around dawn, for it was barely even light outside. He’d offered a parting kiss with a murmured farewell that caused a warm, pleasant feeling in the pit of her stomach before she’d fallen back into the land of dreams.

But since she couldn’t lie abed all day, it was time to rise.

Mena was in the dining room enjoying a cup of tea and some breakfast when Marigold called. “How are you feeling this morning?” she asked upon entering the room.

“I’m well.” Mari replied with a happy smile. “The real question is, how are you? I daresay I haven’t seen such a glow on your face in months.”

Mena felt her face heat, although she said primly. “A lady never speaks of such things, and you are a shocking child to even wonder.”

Mari’s only reply was a roll of her eyes as she sat down beside her. “I’m a married woman. I’m not a child any longer.”

“I do know that,” Mena replied with a heavy sigh.

“You’re not going to cry, are you, Mama?”

Mena shook her head, although her eyes filled with moisture. “No.”

“Oh, Mama.” Marigold reached out and hugged her. “I just want you to be happy.”

“Silly goose,” Mena replied with a sniffle. “I am happy.”

Mari pulled back. “I know you are with Julian.”

Mena didn’t say anything. She couldn’t.

“Won’t you give him a chance?” her daughter persisted.

“That,” Mena pointed out, “is not up to me.”

They fell into a companionable silence until Anders arrived with a silver salver. “A message, my lady.”

Marigold instantly brightened. “It’s Christmas Eve!”

“Not much gets past you,” Mena noted dryly, but with a teasing smile that softened her words. She took the card the butler offered and opened it as he melted back into the hallway.;

Tonight at midnight, I will come to you with one final Christmas gift.