Francis took the first blow from his sister, and it nearly knocked him off his feet. Julian nodded his approval of Caroline’s deadly throwing arm.
James and Francis moved to line up alongside one another. With Julian and Caroline facing them, the battle began in earnest.
For someone with a badly damaged hand, Caroline was more than able to hold her ground. She and Julian quickly settled into a well-oiled snowball-making and throwing machine. As fast as Julian could gather up the soft snow in his hands and form a decent-sized ball, Caroline was throwing it with her highly accurate aim. She never missed.
“Traitor!” cried Francis, as he took yet another snowball to the head.
Julian and Caroline exchanged feigned outrage, then laughed.
“How much do you love your brother?” asked Julian.
Caroline chuckled. “With all my heart. But then again, I do have William, and he is the older of them. I am sure my parents won’t be too heartbroken if we injure this one.”
“Good. Because at the rate he is taking blows to the head, you may actually kill him. I just thought I should mention it,” replied Julian, with a grin.
A roar of protest went up from Francis as James dropped the last of his snowballs and held up his hands.
“I surrender!” cried James. He raced across the yard and dropped to his knees before Caroline. Julian laughed as James put his hands together and begged for mercy. Midas took the opportunity to bury his wet nose into the side of James’s face.
Caroline turned to her ally. “I am not sure what our official war policy is here. I am all in favor of shooting prisoners, but as you are the diplomat, I shall leave it to you to decide this man’s fate.”
James hurriedly crawled over to kneel before Julian. Francis tossed the last of his snowballs at the back of his cousin’s head, and strolled over.
“I would shoot the turncoat if it was me,” said Francis. He held out his hand and helped James to his feet.
“Swine,” James muttered.
“Julian and I are prepared to be merciful in this case,” said Caroline.
She was smiling as she spoke, but Julian did not fail to see the odd look which passed between James and Francis. He took it as a good sign. They were protective of her.
Only a minute or so ago she had been trying to kill them, but Caroline’s male relatives wasted no time in making sure Julian knew where he stood. While Francis took hold of Caroline’s arm, James placed himself in the space between her and Julian.
“No one else has arrived?” asked James.
Julian frowned. “No, and the road is clear through to Midway at the moment. Though I am not so sure what the later hours will bring.”
A collective gaze to the heavens had them all shaking their heads. The clear morning skies had been replaced with low, dark snow clouds. If the other guests did not make it through to Newhall Castle within the next few hours, they would not make it for supper.
“Well let’s hope for more arrivals before nightfall. If not, James and I will ride out with you at first light to check the roads,” said Francis.
When Caroline smiled up at her tall brother, Julian sensed she was thanking him for offering to help.
“Let’s head inside and find some hot food. Our cook has been baking all morning, and I have been waiting to test the latest batch of her famous chicken pies,” said Julian.
Caroline gave Midas a friendly pat. “And who are you, apart from a brave battle dog?”
“His name is Midas. My father gave him to me just before I went to war,” replied Julian.
As they continued back toward the front door, Midas fell in beside Caroline. She happily chatted away to the dog, who in turn wagged his tail.
James and Francis wasted no time in taking the lead. As Julian followed, he quietly indulged in a gentleman’s study of Caroline’s curves. The soft swing of her hips was sweet enough to have him gritting his teeth.
The sensible Julian Palmer, who knew only too well the heartache that came from loving a beautiful woman, now found himself battling against a new opponent—the Julian who longed to hold Caroline in his arms.
