Last Christmas
1139 Words
*Marsden*
“Don’t ruin her, my prince. If you do, you’ll also ruin her life.”
Her father's parting words echo through my head as I ride back to the castle, hand my horse over to the stable boy, stride into the residence, and head for the stairs. Damn it, I know the truth of them, which is the reason I've resisted the lure of Linnie for so long, but then tonight, seeing her with Robbie...
When she asked, “Where is the harm?” I merely planned to explain all the ways in which it exists. But when she pressed her lips to mine, all the fantasies I've harbored over the years finally were presented with the opportunity to exist in reality. She felt so damned good, smelled so intoxicating. The warmth, the sighs, the feel of her in my arms...
“You’re home at last, I see.”
I swing around. My mother, who has obviously come from the parlor, stands stiffly before me, appearing none too happy, but then she is not generally a jolly sort.
“Your friends returned over an hour ago.” Her voice rings with admonishment as though I'm still a lad to be chastised rather than a full-grown man who now manages estates and mines.
“I had a matter to which I needed to attend.”
“You can’t marry a baker’s daughter.”
I don't know how she knows, probably Robbie, on further thought. No telling what tales my cousin has told upon arriving at the residence after the tavern closed. “I wasn’t taking her to Gretna Green. I was escorting her home.”
“It was one thing for you to spend time with the chit when you were children. It’s entirely inappropriate now that you’re a grown man, aN Alpha prince with responsibilities.”
I shake my head, “Friendship does not end when one reaches a certain age. Besides, Robbie attempted to take advantage of her this evening, so I felt it was my duty to ensure she reached home safely.”
“He told me that you threatened to strike him. I don’t know why you and your cousin are always at odds.”
I make a face, “Perhaps because he’s an ass.”
“Your language!”
I merely shake my head. “Good night, Mother.” I turn to go.
“I’m not finished speaking with you.”
With an exasperated sigh, I face her. She is fairly seething with righteous indignation, but then it isn’t the first time we've squared off thusly. “I will not have you behaving as your father did, taking up with the lowest of she-wolves and bringing shame to this house.”
“Linnie is not like the she-wolves with whom Father associated. She works hard, she asks nothing of me.” Except for a kiss, and that could have led to disaster if her father hadn't shown up. I had been on the cusp of securing us a room in one of the taverns. I've never wanted anything as much as I had wanted to be closer to her, with no clothes separating my skin from hers. I had wanted to taste every inch of her, not only her lips. I had wanted to know her in a way that would have been wrong on so many levels when I couldn’t offer her my name.
“If she gets with child, you cannot marry her, and she-wolves of quality frown on bastards running around.”
I roll my eyes at the ludicrousness of this conversation. My mother distrusts all men. It irks me that she also distrusts her son. “Not that it is any of your business, but we have not had, nor will we have, carnal relations. I have too much respect for her to take advantage. We are what we have been since we were children: friends.”
As though gratified to hear that, she relaxes somewhat and extends a sheaf of paper. “Good. Now, I have managed to reduce the number of she-wolves attending the ball to a list of half a dozen you should consider as a future mate.”
Ah, yes, what every gent wants: a she-wolf selected by his mother. Still, I take the list and glance over it quickly. I know most but not all the names.
“They would each make an exceptional Luna princess,” my mother states.
I have no doubt there, as my mother has very exacting requirements, but I’m not of a mind to give her what she wants so easily, not when she’s done all in her power through the years to discourage my friendship with Linnie. “You’re to invite Miss Piletree to the ball.”
“The baker’s daughter!” Her shrill shriek would no doubt awaken the staff. “You are not considering her for a mate.”
“No, but I want her to attend the ball.” Having caught her once peering in through the windows, I know she longs to be part of the festivities. Besides, I’ve already invited her.
“Don’t be ridiculous. She doesn’t belong here.”
I hold up the paper. “Do you wish for me to consider one of these she-wolves for matrimony?”
“Of course I do. I wouldn’t have gone to the trouble of listing them otherwise.”
“Then you will send an invitation to Madeline Piletree. You will welcome her into this residence as though she were related to the queen. You will send to Blckrock city for your seamstress and ensure she has a proper gown to wear.”
“The ball is in less than a sennight. My seamstress cannot work miracles.”
“And here I thought it was the season for such.”
My mother glares at me. “You’re being preposterous.”
“Still, if you want your ball to be as you’ve touted it, with at least one of the Undecided Alphas deciding, then you shall have an invitation for Linnie waiting on my desk in the morning so I may deliver it in the afternoon. Otherwise, I might find myself spending the evening of the ball in the village, deep into my cups.”
“Why do you despise me so?”
I give her a gentle smile. “I don’t despise you, but I do loathe those among us who consider others beneath us simply because of the circumstances of their birth. Sleep well.”
Although as I turn for the stairs, I doubt she’ll sleep at all. Rather, she’ll seethe all night regarding my demands, but I’ll be damned if I’m not going to spend as much time as possible with Linnie when it might turn out to be my last Christmas with her.
- Writer
