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Stephen’s eyes narrowed, but he said nothing. Was he jealous of his brother’s upcoming nuptials or the fact he’d soon find himself wed?
You could have had that with me if you hadn’t tried to map out every moment of our future...
Then the whole of her attention was given over to the flaming bowl and the players.
Lord Hollingsworth approached the table with a grim expression. When he looked at Miss Ridley and she nodded, the lines of anxiety lessened from his face. He darted a hand into the bowl, disturbing the brandy. The flames nipped at his fingers, but he withdrew without a treat in hand. “Perhaps next time.” But a goofy smile teased the corners of his mouth.
“My turn,” the duke announced. “Let me show my sons how the game is played.” When he delved a gnarled hand into the flaming bowl, he also failed to grab a dried fruit or nut. “Botheration!”
Both children giggled, while snickers circled through the assembled adults.
“Don’t worry, Whittington. You’ll have another try at it,” the duchess said with a certain amount of soothing in her tones.
Miss Ridley went next. She eyed the flames for a few seconds before gently easing a hand into the bowl. “The flames tickle a bit.” Astonishment reflected in her eyes. Seconds later, she came away with a raisin.
Cheers went up around the room.
“Let me try.” Lady Lettice approached. High color bloomed in her pale cheeks, but there was an underlying sadness about her that tugged at Lynette’s heart, for she knew the reason why and sympathized. The holidays were not the same once a person lost a spouse. When the lady dipped a hand into the brandy bowl, she soon plucked out a walnut half and held it up for inspection. “How marvelous!” Instead of eating it for herself, she gave the treat to her daughter, Lucy, who held it in her palm like the most valuable treasure.
“Please, will you let me try?” Lucy asked, with big, round eyes and an earnest expression.
“Me too!” John cried, jumping up and down in his spot. “I’d like a go at it.”
The duke and duchess protested citing dangers to children.
Stephen stepped up to the table. He winked at Lucy. “I’d say I’d grab you a treat, but your mother has already gifted you with one.”
“What about me, Lord Tilbury?” John asked in a small voice as he stared earnestly up at Stephen. “I’d like one ever so much.”
“Oh, John, have some manners,” Lynette chided softly.
“It’s no bother, Mrs. Hodgins.” Stephen waved a hand. “I’ll have a quick go and see if I can procure the lad a treat.” With some minor theatrics, he put a hand into the flaming brandy. “What a curious sensation. Let’s see what I can find before I’m burned, shall I?”
Both children watched with excitement and horror as if he were a grand maker of magic.
“Aha!” Stephen pulled his hand from the flames. Between his thumb and forefinger rested a plump date. “Now that is a treat fit for a young gentleman.” He beamed as he handed the fruit to John. “Here you go.”
“Thank you.” There was awe in John’s voice and the beginnings of hero-worship in his eyes. “This is the best night!”
“I’m glad I could be of service.” Stephen met her gaze across the table. “Shall I retrieve a treat for you, Mrs. Hodgins?”
She tossed her head, for she was in danger of letting herself fall for his charm, and she hadn’t decided if that was what she wanted for her life. “I shall fish one out for myself. Thank you.”
Good natured laughter went around the room.
Slowly, she put a hand into the flames, and a giggle escaped her throat. “Oh!” The blue fire danced about her fingers. “It’s not all that hot.” But no doubt it would be if she lingered. Quickly, she pinched a raisin and brought it out of the heating brandy. “I got one!”
Cheers erupted through the company.
“Good show, Mrs. Hodgins!” the duke called.
When she went to pop it into her mouth, Stephen took the dried fruit. “You stole my raisin, Lord Tilbury. That is hardly fair.” And oh, she’d had a taste for the sweet fruit doused with liquor, for it had been a long time indeed since she’d indulged in anything of that nature.
“Then I shall replace it post haste.” With another wink, he put a hand into the bowl once more. “Look how the flames dance over my fingers. It’s as close to magic as I’ll come, I expect.” And indeed, it seemed as if he’d mastered the flames, for they jumped from finger to finger, sliding over the back of his hand, clinging to his skin. The children watched in awe.
“Stephen, stop. You’ll burn yourself,” Lynette said. In her distress, she’d forgotten to use his formal title, but no one noticed.
“All right.” He left off with his play and seconds later pulled out another walnut half to wild applause. Over the bowl, he offered the nut to her with a flourish. “I believe I owe this to you, Mrs. Hodgins.”
“Thank you.” As her fingers brushed his at the hand off, warmth ebbed up her arm to her elbow. “That was quite an impressive stunt.”
“Indeed, it was.” He grinned as he dried off his hand with a handkerchief. “Just wait until you see what else I have up my sleeve for the remainder of the house party.” When he winked, heat infused her cheeks, and then he turned away from the bowl to let his younger brother have a chance.
Lynette was glad his attention was off her, for any more of that flirting and she’d dissolve into a puddle. When had he become so mysterious? She nibbled on the walnut. It was a bit adorable, and to her surprise, she couldn’t wait to see what else he’d do.
I’ve missed you, Stephen.
As if he felt her regard, he glanced over his shoulder with one eyebrow raised in question. She offered a smile and then crossed the room, intent to offer her mother the rest of the walnut, but her head was filled with possibilities that only a foolish woman would want due to Christmastide.
