The next afternoon, bundled to their noses beneath furs and quilts, three sleighs full of the braver guests pulled into the courtyard that fronted Ridgewood. Jingling bells, the whoosh of the sleighs’ rudders, and laughter filled the air.

Under cover of the blankets, Griffin held Everleigh’s hand as he had most of the outing.

“Everleigh, the cold weather and these excursions agree with you. Why, you’re positively incandescent,” Miss Twistleton said, her face radiant as well.

Everleigh only smiled, but Griffin caught the furtive glance she sent him.

Hers was the complexion of a woman who’d been fully satiated and still bore the afterglow.

Miss Twistleton’s shiny countenance might be because Westfall had managed to seat himself beside her, the sly devil. Pennington on the other hand, brooded like a woebegone mongrel. Miss Gabriella had taken one look at the sleigh he was in and marched to another, her nose pointed skyward.

Pennington had best turn his attention elsewhere, for that door had slammed shut and was bolted from within.

Sarah, sound asleep and mouth parted, curled against Everleigh’s other side, Maya clutched in her mittened hand.

When they reached the mansion, Griffin climbed out first and reached for Sarah.

Everleigh laid her in his arms.

It had been on the tip of his tongue all day to ask if she’d thought any more about his marriage offer, but less than twenty-four hours had passed. He wouldn’t rush her. If need be, he’d continue to court her after the house party ended, for he was adamant Everleigh Chatterton would be his duchess.

Everyone bustled into the foyer where much stamping of feet to remove snow earned them a starchy stare from Grover, standing beside three footmen ready to accept the myriad of coats, scarfs, capes, gloves, muffs, and hats from the chilled adventurers.

He raised his patrician nose an inch and announced, “There are an assortment of hot beverages and dainties for your enjoyment in the drawing room. Her Grace begs you to forgive her absence. She’s feeling a trifle puny. She’ll be present for dinner, however.”

“I’ll only be a few minutes.” Griffin angled toward the stairs.

“I shall walk up with you,” Everleigh said. “I’d rather take off my outer garments in my chamber. I need to straighten my hair in any event.”

He thought she looked delightful slightly mussed and windblown.

Falling into step beside him, she turned to glance behind her as she removed her gloves. “The poor footmen and Grover are taxed to their limits with this many people.”

Griffin shifted Sarah so her head rested on his shoulder.

“True, but they also receive vails from everyone, and with a house party this size, that means a substantial bonus for each of the servants before the holidays.”

On the landing they parted; he continued on to the nursery and Everleigh to her chamber.

“Griffin?”

“Yes?”

One hand cradling Sarah’s head, he turned back toward Everleigh. She’d paused a couple of paces away.

She bit her lower lip and fidgeted with her gloves.

Were her cheeks still rosy from cold or was she blushing?

He drew nearer and spoke low. “What is it?”

“I . . .”

Staring at the buttons on his coat, she flicked her tongue out to wet her lower lip.

Even though he knew it was a nervous gesture, his body reacted with a surge of lust.

Her attention shifted to Sarah, limp as her ragdoll in his embrace.

“Never mind. It’s not important.”

Whatever she wanted to say, she was afraid Sarah might overhear, even though the child hadn’t so much as stirred for the last half and hour.

“Let me settle her in the nursery, and then we can talk. Do you want me to come to your chamber?”

Risky business that. But if she wanted privacy, her room or his was the best place to have a conversation.

Everleigh gave a short nod. “That’s fine.”

Twenty minutes later he rapped on her door. Sarah had awakened and fussed for a few minutes when he laid her down, and after she’d drifted to sleep once more, he’d taken the time to go to his bedchamber and remove his greatcoat as well.

When Everleigh didn’t answer, he knocked again.

Still no response.

He tried the handle and the door clicked open. Poking his head inside, he looked around.

“Everleigh?”

Curled up on the window seat, one hand tucked beneath her cheek, she was fast asleep, minus her cloak and redingote. Those she’d tossed on her bed.

A potent image of last night, her silken limbs entwined with his, immobilized him for a second. Common sense demanded he leave and let her have her nap.

Bugger that.

Common sense wouldn’t win this woman’s heart.

After checking the corridor, he closed the door. He sat beside her on the seat, and swept a curl off her forehead. She appeared so peaceful in slumber. He could watch her for hours.

What if his seed had found fertile soil in her womb?

Shutting his eyes, he pulled in a deep breath, both exhilarated and appalled at the prospect. Her first pregnancy revealed she was easily impregnated. He was an assling for agreeing to her request. Yet he couldn’t regret it, for she’d found she was able to reach fulfillment.

There was nothing for it. She might be carrying his child. He must convince her to marry him, and sooner rather than later.

She stirred, and her lashes fluttered open. Her drowsy smile held something more than sleep.

“I’m sorry. I must’ve dozed off.”

She scooted into a sitting position, resting her back against the window casements before patting her mussed hair. Several tendrils had escaped their pins and curled over her shoulders.

He glanced out the window. It had begun to snow again. They’d returned from sleighing just in time. If the weather pattern held, the Sutcliffes might have guests longer than anticipated.

“I shouldn’t have come in,” Griffin said. “You’re obviously tired.”

“Yes, I didn’t get a full night’s sleep last night,” she quipped with a saucy smile and a coy glance.

Now his Ice-Queen was flirting?

What next?

Perhaps she’d also laid awake the rest of last night.

“Indeed.” The seductive minx. He hadn’t come here to make love to her again, no matter how enticing the idea might be. “But was it worth losing a little slumber over?”

“Oh, very, very worth it,” she said.

She drew his head to hers and kissed him. “I’ve wanted to do that all day.”

“I’m only too happy to oblige, sweetheart.”

He waggled his eyebrows, and she giggled. He’d not deny himself her kisses.

Taking his hand between hers, she linked her slender fingers with his. “Will you come to me again tonight?”

So that was what she’d wanted to ask.

Her appetite had been whetted, and she was eager to practice more. No keener than he was to teach her, but not skulking about in darkened corridors and whispering clandestinely behind locked doors. No, when next she graced his bed, it would be as his wife.

He rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand.

She wasn’t going to like what he had to say.

“Everleigh, last night was the most wonderful thing I’ve ever experienced.” He squeezed her fingers. “But because I love you and won’t risk impregnating you unless we’re married, I must, with deepest regret, refuse.”

Her beautiful eyes rounded, and she pulled her hand away.

“Why must we marry? People take lovers all the time. Married people take lovers.” She poked his chest, then made a curt gesture with her hand. “Lord knows I witnessed enough fornicating and adultery while married to Arnold.”

Undoubtedly witnessed things no respectable woman could ever admit.

Her frustrated gaze impaled him. “You’ve had lovers. Probably dozens of them, and don’t tell me you haven’t.”

“Not dozens, darling, but I am flattered you think me so irresistible.”

She punched him in the shoulder. Hard.

“Arrogant, conceited jackanapes.”

Checking the grin that tickled his lips, he rubbed his arm where she’d struck him. By Jove, beneath that cool exterior, her blood and spirit ran hot. This Everleigh would keep him on his toes. What a delightful prospect.

Green sparks flew from her irises, and her anger gave him hope.

She was jealous.

“Maybe I’ll take a lover too.”

She flung her head back, giving vent to her frustration.

“I’m sure I can find a man to accommodate me.”

Over my dead body.

In a way, he was flattered she’d so enjoyed their sexual encounter that she had braved approaching him.

He forced calmness into his tone. “I cannot deny I’ve been with other women, nor will I apologize for what’s gone on before you. However, I shall never knowingly put you in the situation that forced you to marry Chatterton.”

“Since when did you get so blasted noble?” she snapped.

He cupped her shoulders and gave her the gentlest shake, forcing her to look at him.

“I’ll hear no more talk of you taking a lover. You could end up with someone who would abuse you. What we enjoyed is not typical.” No, it had been beyond extraordinary.”

“I have only your word on that.” Lips pursed, she tormented the tassels of the pillow beside her. “How do I know you’re not lying just to keep me to yourself?”

Not ready to concede defeat just yet, was she?

“I’m not, and I believe, deep inside, beyond your disappointment and frustration, you know that. Last night was something unbelievably special and it should be treasured. Even now my child might be growing inside you.”

Expression stricken, her mouth parted, and her gaze dived to her belly. She instinctively cradled her womb. Shoulders slumping, she shook her head.

“I thought . . .” She gazed out the window. “It doesn’t matter.”

Damnation. He hated seeing her so despondent.

“Everleigh, I’ll give you all the time you need to grow to trust me. Unless you are with child. Then we would need to wed at once.”

Fingering the locket at her throat she thrust her chin upward.

“I’ve been down that road once already, and I’ll be damned, damned I say, if I’ll do it again.”

He could almost hear the ramparts chinking higher and higher as she erected self-protective fortifications around herself.

“If I ever marry again, it will be because I want to. Not because I have to.” She pointed a shaky finger toward the door. “You should leave now. Last night was a stupid, stupid mistake. I apologize for imposing upon you.”

“Everleigh . . .”

She presented her profile, her Ice-Queen facade firmly in place once more.

“Please don’t approach me again. I’m leaving just as soon as the weather permits.”