Playing with fire gets you burned…eventually

 

“Sebastian!” Eliza flung her body against his once he opened the door.

He staggered back, trying to stay upright. His hands pushed against her hips as he tried to dislodge her from his body. “Who are you?” He frowned down at the girl. She was wearing a dark blue velvet cape that matched her eyes.

Isabelle walked through the doorway, her eyes widening. “Eliza, dear, step away so he may have room to stand of his own accord,” she instructed, pulling her gloves off a finger at a time, taking in all the pretty decorations. “Where is Katherine?”

“I am right here.” Katherine looked down at the girl plastering her body against her husband, feeling a surge of jealously.

“Oh, goodness, where are my manners,” Eliza simpered, still not releasing Sebastian fully.

“Excuse me.” Disentangling himself from the girl he walked over and helped his wife down the last few stairs.

“Who is she?” Katherine whispered.

“Damned if I know.”

“Merry Christmas, you are looking well,” said Isabelle cutting in front of Eliza. She removed her last glove and lifted her cheek for an obligatory kiss.

Dutifully, Sebastian kissed his Mother on her proffered cheek. “I was afraid you wouldn’t be able to make it,” he lied, removing her cloak.

“Yes, Grayson and I had thought the very same thing. As it turns out, we were wrong.” She smoothed her gown. “Katherine darling, look at you,” she said, reaching out and gave her a quick embrace and then pulled away. “You are practically bursting,” she chided. “I can barely give you a proper hug.”

Katherine tensed. “Yes, well, the baby is getting rather big,” she agreed and ran her hands over her swollen belly.

“Oh right, of course,” she tittered. “How silly of me to forget you were pregnant.”

Katherine’s face reddened brighter than her gown.

“You look beautiful,” Grayson intervened and gave her a warm exuberant hug.

“Thank you,” she said, smiling up at him. He was the sweetest man.

“Ahem,” Eliza cleared her throat. “Isn’t someone going to introduce me properly to…” She turned her back on Katherine. “The Earl?”

“Could you be more obvious,” Isabelle muttered, rolling her eyes.

Grayson grabbed his niece’s elbow and pulled her back out of Katherine’s way. “Sebastian, may I introduce you to my niece, Eliza.”

“It is a pleasure to ah…” He stared at her for a moment. “I believe we have met before, have we not?” he asked, his brow creasing trying to remember where he had seen her.

Eliza preened. “I knew you remembered me.” She sidled up next to him, grabbing his elbow. “How could you forget after our…” She glanced over her shoulder, pulling him toward the library. “Encounter in the conservatory,” she whispered breathily in his ear.

Sebastian’s step faltered. He knew he had seen her somewhere but could not place her until this very moment. “That was a long time ago,” he reminded her.

“Do not worry, your secrets are safe with me,” she assured him, squeezing his arm affectionately.

“Let me fetch you a beverage.” He disengaged his arm from her hand and turned abruptly, walking back out of the library.

“Hurry back,” she called.

Katherine’s eyes boggled. Was that girl hitting on her husband? Why yes, yes, she was.

“Do not worry dear,” Isabelle said, walking up to her side. “I doubt he remembers the chit, he was just being kind.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” she asked.

Isabelle adjusted her skirts. “Oh, nothing, I ah…oh, what a lovely tree,” she changed the subject and glided across the room.

Grayson stepped forward. “Forgive my niece,” he said. “She is a bit ah… spirited, and has apparently misplaced her manners.

“You think?” Katherine glowered at the girl. Spirited was not the word she would have used.