Page 79 of Christmas Magic

“No!” yelled two boys nearby.

Did the list hold the names of criminals? Mayhap ’twas a record of people who belonged in the dungeon. An unnerving thought. Lucian had no idea who had access to the list. He didn’t want to be forever known as Lucian Lord, the Naughty.

“Please. Cora asked me to be Santa—you—at a historical society party.”

His lordship drew in a sharp breath. “Did she, now?”

Cora’s chin rose a little and she crossed her arms.

“I am to wear your”—Lucian gestured to Santa’s garments—“livery.”

“So that’s why my daughter asked me about the costume.”

“Is it all right with you, milord? That I portray you?”

Some of the surrounding folk were murmuring now.

“Mommy,” said a wide-eyed boy. “How can the Christmas knight be Santa? There’s only one Santa Claus, right?”

“Of course, there’s only one,” the mother said.

Tears welling in his eyes, the boy pointed to his lordship. “He’s the real one, isn’t he?”

Guilt gripped Lucian. He hated to see the child upset and because of questions he’d asked.

Judging by her expression, the mother was upset, too. “Yes, he’s the real Santa. That’s why we got up early and have waited so long in line to see him.”

“Ho ho ho,” Santa pointed at the boy. “I will be talking to you very soon, young man.”

“Santa,” the elf near the throne called and waved. She appeared anxious too.

His lordship scowled at Lucian. “Don’t upset any more kids, okay? We want them to have fun, so the families will come back next year.”

Damnation. Lucian might be doomed for the naughty list. “I apologize. I did not mean to—”

“Let’s finish talking out of earshot of the children.” To the crowd, Santa called: “Sorry, everyone. There’s a problem at the North Pole, but I’ll be back in a minute.”

Parents grumbled as Lucian followed Santa behind a gigantic present with a bow—part of the decoration around the platform holding the throne. Cora’s footsteps sounded close behind Lucian.

Once out of view of the crowd, Fred faced him. “Why the hell would you ask my permission to play Santa?”

Lucian blinked. “Because—”

“She put you up to it, didn’t she?”

“Put me up to—?”

“She remembered it was my costume. She just had to find a way to get back at me.”

Cora snorted. She stood by the present with her arms folded once again and glowered at his lordship. “You’re just the same, Fred. Haven’t changed at all.”

His lordship removed his hat and dried his sweaty forehead. “I could say the same of you.”

Her chin jutted. “I’m not the one who was utterly heartless at the Christmas party.”

“Look, I tried to explain—”

“That summer we dated? You left with barely a goodbye. Remember?”