A Christmas Seduction
Rachel Van Dyken, Kristin Vayden, Nadine Millard
PROLOGUE
“WHEN HELL FREEZES OVER.” Lucas Mayford, the Seventh Earl of Ashbury muttered the words and then knocked back a full snifter of brandy. Even the warm fire in the library hearth of their Mayfair townhome couldn’t break through his icy determination.
Jackson, his youngest brother coughed. “I’m quite sure that hell is the only alternative to her current plan.”
“At least it would be warm there,” Hugh, the second oldest brother added, raising his own glass of brandy.
Lucas stared into his empty glass. “As opposed to the frigid temperatures of the sure to be icy atmosphere whenever they are around.”
“Those who shall not be named!” Hugh said sagely, and Jack nodded his eager agreement.
“Does she honestly believe that we can be civil for an entire week? She does remember what happened last time she tried something of this nature.”
“If you’ll remember, she used that fire as an excuse to redecorate the parlor,” Jack added calmly, as if the house almost didn’t burn to ashes.
Not that it was through any fault of theirs.
No, that was completely on the consciences of the three hags.
Rather, the three who shall not be named.
Ever.
In fact, Lucas was quite certain that if he mentioned even one of the three names, thunder, lightning, and pestilence would cover London and send it back to the dark ages.
Yes, it was better to simply leave that stone unturned.
Of course their mother was not of the same mind.
That was probably due to the fact that she and the mother of the hags were the closest of friends. Bloody rotten luck.
It was also the reason that the Duchess of Ashbury decided to have a house party at their Wingham estate around Christmas time and invite the hags.
Lucas shuddered. May God have mercy on all their souls.
“Do you think there’s any way we can simply not show up?” Jack asked, his eyes far too hopeful for the current topic.
“Not if you value your life,” Hugh replied, chuckling darkly.
“Mother would never—”
“No. She’d not threaten you, but she would give the most perfect display of disappointment.”
“I hate that face,” Jack sighed in a most defeated manner.
“Don’t we all.” Lucas raised his empty glass then frowned as he remembered it no longer held the brandy he longed for. Striding over to the side table, he lifted the crystal container and poured himself another glass. “The unshed tears, the trembling lip… that woman is a master at manipulation.”
“If she would simply yell and stomp like a proper female—”
“Miranda is not a proper female,” Lucas interrupted his youngest brother.
“And that… is so perfectly true… being proper is vastly overrated.” He winked above his glass.
“So is whoring yourself about.” Hugh coughed.
“Be that as it may…” Jack continued. “All I’m saying is that it would be easier to dismiss our mother if she went into a fit of nerves or hysterics.”
“But she does not, so this is an obsolete conversation,” Lucas replied. “Men, we have no other choice but to attend this horror of a house party, so rather than wallow in our own pity—”
“Here, here!” Hugh interrupted.
“I wasn’t finished.” Lucas glared. “As I was saying… in the age old war between the hags and the stags, we shall create a battle plan.”
“To the stags!” Hugh shouted.
“Jack, hide the brandy.” Lucas raised an eyebrow to his youngest brother.
Jack nodded and cast an amused glance to Hugh who was still sipping his amber liquid with far too much enthusiasm.
“We will not go to this… invaded territory unarmed. But like the wise men we are, we will also expect our enemy to be armed as well.”
“Hopefully not with fire, like last time.”
Lucas twisted his lips. “Precisely. We have to be cunning, we have to be prepared. If we must attend, then let us attend and conquer once and for all.”
“Just to be clear…” Jack cleared his throat.” When you say conquer—”
“Do not finish that thought.” Lucas glared. “All conquering will be done outside of the bedroom—”
“You do realize that all… conquering… is not done in the bedroom.” Jack snickered.
“Jack…” Lucas warned, then bit back a grin as he approached his brother.” Do you want to… conquer… a hag?”
Jack’s color drained. ”Lucas… she set me on fire.” He articulated in a disbelieving tone.
“Your pretty face survived… maybe that flame started a new one—“
“Ass.”
Lucas grinned and turned to Hugh.” Do you have any questions that cannot be answered by staring at your glass?”
“No. But I rather think we should specify that any… battle… should not involve fire… for Jack’s sake.”
“Agreed,” Jack shouted.