The breath cascaded from her lungs—outside on the snow-laden road was a horse-drawn carriage. Not any old carriage, either—this one was in the style of a sleigh, complete with large red and black wheels and a fur-hooded roof. The sturdy brown horse was adorned with a festive bridle, resplendent with images of Father Christmas, and a blanket in deep red and green. The driver was bundled in coats and a high fur hat and lifted a hand in greeting.
‘It’s amazing...’ Ruby breathed as she turned to Ethan.
‘I thought you might like it,’ he said, almost abruptly.
‘I don’t just like it. I love it! Thank you.’
For a second that seemed infinite he met her gaze and something flickered in his eyes—only to be doused as he scrubbed a hand over his jaw.
‘I thought it would have mass appeal if I were to offer high-end romantic Christmas breaks in the Alps.’
Wow—he couldn’t have made it clearer that this wasn’t personal. Hurt flashed across her ribcage...until she registered the slight croakiness to his tone, as if he were forcing the words out. She didn’t believe him. Ethan had done this for her—had chosen this particular activity with her in mind—she knew it.
For heaven’s sake.
She had to get a grip. Of course she didn’t know it—it was another case of believing what she wanted to believe. Just as she’d bel
ieved her parents would change—had taken any stray kind word and built it up into a pointless dream. Just as she’d trusted that Gary and Steve and Hugh would change for her. Each and every time she had been blind and foolish.
Not any more.
‘Let’s get our coats.’
* * *
Curse words streamed through Ethan’s brain—talk about acting like a class-A schmuck. What was he trying to prove? So what if he had chosen the itinerary with Ruby in mind? The whole point had been to give her a magical Christmas. To palliate the hurt of her Christmases Past—to do for her what she had done for Tara and Max and all those teenagers. There was nothing wrong with that—and yet panic continued to churn in his gut.
Deal with it, Ethan.
Sure, the last time Christmas had been magical for him had been when Tanya was alive. That magic hadn’t stopped his sister from leaving this life scant months later. But that had zip to do with Ruby, and he wouldn’t let his own past ruin this day for her.
‘Wait!’
Ruby swivelled round on one booted foot, her poise back in place, her initial happiness and subsequent hurt both erased.
‘Yes?’
‘I apologise. I’m not good at this whole Christmas scenario, but I don’t want this to be awkward. I want you to enjoy the ride and the itinerary and...’
And he wanted to kiss her so badly his lips tingled and his hands ached with the need to reach out for her. Somehow a kiss would show her what he meant when words seemed to have deserted his tongue...
Somehow he needed to get with it and recall Ethan Caversham, man-in-control, to the building.
‘So how about we get this carriage on the road?’
Her gorgeous lips turned up in a smile so sweet that he knew she had intuitively understood what he meant even if he didn’t.
‘It’s a plan. But first maybe this is the right time for me to give you your Christmas gifts.’
Surprise slammed into him. ‘You bought me gifts?’
‘No need to sound so shocked. Yes, I did. Hang on.’ Anticipation etched her features as she walked over to her case. ‘This one I bought ages ago. I was going to leave it at the castle for you to find. And this one was an impulse buy at the airport.’
‘Thank you.’
In truth he had no idea what to say—he couldn’t remember the last time he had been on the receiving end of a personal gift. His lips twisted in a rueful smile—in a sense he was still on a par with Max and Tara, et al.
Slipping a hand into his pocket, he retrieved his present for Ruby and sudden trepidation shot through his nerves. ‘Here’s yours. Ladies first.’