Free Christmas at Ravencrest: A Dark Hero Christmas Short (Reluctant Heroes) by Lily Silver Page B

candlelight. Her face was flushed, her red hair glimmering, and her sweet lips were pink and moist, ready to be kissed. Donovan guided his bride to the kissing ball hanging in the doorway, intent upon plucking yet another berry from the sphere to add to his pocketful. He had a wager to win with his uncle, after all.
    And Miss Ramirez shouldn’t expect to have all the kisses this night.
    The maids were being priggish about the mistletoe tradition, he noted. When strategically placed beneath the mock mistletoe ball by their dance partner, they turned their heads, offering a cheek to kiss. Perhaps they were concerned about their reputations as they were among the family they served. Donovan imagined if the same women were at a party in the village, they’d be much more robust in their responses to the men seeking their affections.
    All except bold Sally and young Johnny O’Reilly. Those two were giving Miss Ramirez and Uncle Gareth a run for their money--or berries, as it were. Johnny was infatuated with the buxom maid, who was a few turns around the dance floor past his green, untried age of eighteen. Donovan hoped Sally wouldn’t break his stable master’s heart, but such vexations were part of growing up for a young man, part of learning how to dance with the fairer sex.
    Donova n had much to celebrate this Christmas. His home had become more than a cold, shadowy refuge. It was now a warm, welcoming place, thanks to the woman in his arms.
    And as for his many houseguests, Donovan knew that in the coming months their numbers would shrink as they returned to their homes. Soon he would be alone with his darling again, he mused as he maneuvered Elizabeth under the hanging berry sphere.
    “How many berries are in your pocket? I’ve lost count.” She teased, giving him a dimpled smile. “Not counting the two you stole this morning, my lord.”
    “Six.”
    “And how many does Uncle Gareth have?” 
    “A lot more.”
    “T hen you’d best get busy, my lord.”
    “ I decided to be the better man and let him win.”
    “S urely you jest?” Elizabeth’s adorable smile brought an answering call in his loins.
    “W hat good are a handful of berries? I have something better, right here in my arms.” He leaned in to capture her lips in a sensual kiss, and was surprised when she didn’t rebuff him.
    Lizzie seemed to have lost her reluctance regarding kissing him in front of others this evening. Her kisses progressed in length and passion each time he guided her to the kissing ball. Alas, she’d had several glasses of wassail punch--not that he was counting, mind you.
    Wi th a little persuasion, he might spirit her away for a secret tryst in the garden.
    First, he had to give her the gift he smuggled into the house yesterday.
    “Let’s go to the library. It’s quiet there and you can rest for a few moments.”
    Elizabeth gave him an exasperated sigh. “My lor d. We’ve discussed this. We cannot keep sneaking off to empty rooms and . . .” She paused, blushing profusely.
    Yes, as he recalled it, she discussed his propensity to sweep her away and have his way with her many times in the past weeks. Donovan ignored her lectures, as any man would do. His only response was to just keep kissing her until she succumbed to their rising desire. And he was careful with his darling. They hadn’t been discovered in an embarrassing pose, not once.
    “ I have a surprise to give you.” He whispered, grinning down at her.
    “ I’d hardly call your amorous attentions a surprise any longer.”
    He shook his head , amazed at the path her mind moved easily down. “I’m not teasing, love. There was a package delivered here yesterday. It arrived from England. It took four men and a boy to move it.”
    The look of pleasure and surprise on her sweet face was worth several fortunes. Donovan’s pleasure had a bitter tang as he recalled her recent poverty while living in exile with her stepfather. The thought came that this lovely young