Free The Christmas Kittens by Lynn Collum

Karis took a step back, feeling like she couldn't breathe at his nearness.
    With a shout, the marquess ordered the footman to raise the chandelier back to its former position. While the Kissing Bough lifted above them, Karis forced her mind away from the marquess. There was no point in wasting her time on dreams of romance. The death of her father had changed her life forever.
    With a resigned sigh, she looked about the hall, then back to the rising Bough. Having momentarily put aside her personal regrets, she felt a rush of satisfaction at the job she'd done at Whiteoaks. She knew she had an artistic gift and it gave her pleasure to share it with others. Mayhap she could use her abilities to earn some money, but then where would she spend it? Aunt Flora never took them to Clarendon with Dorinda.
    A tremor of fear ran down her spine as she suddenly remembered the glittering menace in her cousin's eyes before she'd departed Whiteoaks. What would be the penalty for an afternoon in the marquess's company?
    Lord Marsden intruded on her thoughts when he softly said, “Miss Lockhart, you have transformed this old house into a home.”
    Karis drew her gaze from the bobbing Kissing Bough to look at the gentleman before her. His scrutiny was as soft as a caress and she felt a tingling deep in her stomach. She knew dangerous longings were beginning to fill her heart. With a rush she announced, “I believe all is done, my lord. Anthea and I must return to Westwood.”
    The marquess knew she was right, but on sudden impulse, he leaned forward taking her chin in his hand. “You must allow me the first seasonal kiss under the Bough, Miss Lockhart.” He'd only meant to brush her lips briefly as was the Christmas tradition, but when his mouth touched hers, a fever ignited in him that could only be quenched by her responding lips. An impulse as natural as breathing made him draw her yielding body against his chest, and he lost himself in her faint scent of Jasmine.
    At the sound of the footman returning to the Great Hall, Marsden came to his senses and released the bewitching chit. Momentarily speechless, he attempted to control the strong masculine response she'd roused. He watched the play of emotions on her lovely face and knew she had been equally affected by the kiss.
    Miss Lockhart's green eyes appeared dazed for a moment as she stared back at him. The chiming of a case clock in the hall seemed to awaken her, for she blinked and looked around as if surprised to find herself at Whiteoaks. Then those expressive eyes became shuttered, locking him from her thoughts.
    “`Tis late, my lord. Anthea and I must be on our way to Westwood. My duties shall keep me from coming again. I would wish you and your daughter a Merry Christmas.” Before the marquess could utter the simplest apology, she turned and dashed up the stairs.

Chapter Five
     
    Karis's heart pounded in her chest as she hurried Anthea down the back stairs of Whiteoaks. She knew it was cowardly to slip away unseen, but she couldn't face encountering the marquess again. She couldn't trust herself to conceal her emotions. With one kiss all was suddenly clear. She was in love with the Marquess of Marsden.
    She was scarcely aware of her surroundings as they said their hurried goodbyes to Mrs. Shelby then exited the manor. Anthea, oblivious to her sister's distraction, chattered away about their day while they made their way through the woods to Westwood.
    Karis heard little the child said. She merely nodded in agreement, her mind still reeling from her folly. She'd fallen in love with a lord who could have his pick of the most beautiful and wealthy women of Society. He'd probably never given a thought to a penniless nobody like herself except as a companion for his daughter. For him the kiss had been a meaningless holiday gesture.
    When the red bricks of Westwood came into view, Karis nearly groaned. Now she must face her vengeful cousin and hope there was little the spoiled girl