Free A Dom for Christmas by Raven McAllan Page A

pocket. How dare they use it as bait? “And while I think of it, I’m not
impressed about this. It’s my angel. Not yours or bloody Stuart’s.” She glared
at Cam, who quirked one eyebrow at her. “Well?” she asked in such a belligerent
tone she was ashamed of herself.
    The three men across the table
studiously avoided her gaze. Cam stretched toward her and pinched her thigh.
Even through her dress and chemise it was hard enough to hurt. She glared. He
smiled and nipped again.
    “Many years ago, it was a
wedding gift to a very distant relative of both of us, and unfortunately a
connection of Rawcliffe’s . Hence I believe this is
how he knew about the diamonds. At some point, as far as I can tell, it was
given to my great- grandmama , and her cousin coveted
it. As you know, most of the ton can find a connection if they go back enough
generations. This somewhat unwelcome connection then eventually went down your
side of the family. Stuart would know of it through his family lore. I think he
decided it would be easy money, and a way out of his trouble. Little does he know. ” Cam smiled.
    It wasn’t pleasant and it sent
shivers down Angie’s spine. She hoped she’d never be the recipient of such a
facial expression. It was full of determination and promised retribution.
    “He was wrong. All he has is
enough to save his parents from disgrace, no more.”
    “So, all is well now?” Angie
asked. “We can move on?”
    “We can move on,” Cam agreed.
“I need to confer here for a short while. Do you wish to wait or retire?”
    The fact he seemed happy with
whatever she decided made up Angie’s mind. She pushed back her chair and stood up, even as she waved to the three men opposite to remain
seated. “I’ll bid you farewell and goodnight, gentlemen. I...” She paused, and
remembered something from her reading. “I am somewhat fatigued.” Angie
curtseyed, thankful for school plays, books, and general nosiness about times
gone by.
    Cam took her arm and walked to
the door with her.
    “My room, my bed,” he said in a
tone that brooked no argument. “I won’t be long.”
    “Yeah, well there’s one small
problem there,” Angie told him as he turned to go back into the library. “I
don’t have the foggiest idea where your room is.”
    “My
apologies, lady-mine. The door next to yours, along the green
corridor.”
    Easy enough then, Angie
thought. Except for the life of her she couldn’t remember where her door was. She
found the green corridor by trial and error and looked at the doors. All dark
wood, all shut, and no distinguishing features. Why on earth hadn’t she paid
attention to her surroundings? Because I
was paying attention to Cam, that’s why.
    Ah well. There was nothing for
it but to try each one in turn and hope none were occupied. She had no idea who
lived in the house, apart from Cam, and evidently herself.
    The first two rooms were
uninhabited, their furniture under holland covers,
and the shutters closed to prevent fading. The third room was a tiny sitting
room that she fell in love with. How she’d like to appropriate that. The only
other door past that led to a large cupboard full of linen.
    However, with one side of the
corridor checked, it meant their rooms were on the other side of the corridor.
    Angie looked at the doors and
bit her lip as she pondered her next move. If his was next to hers, which end
could it be? Once more she had four rooms to choose from. She turned the handle
on the first one. It didn’t budge. She bent down to see if she could look
through the keyhole, but evidently the key was in it because the aperture was
blocked.
    Not here, then. It was only a few strides to the next door. It opened easily when
she turned the handle and Angie walked inside.
    This was easily recognizable as
a man’s room. No pale colored cushions or soft
furnishings here. Dark wood surrounds and skirting boards, with the bed covered
in deep red silk, and the windows with the same color