For Christmas, Forever: The Yuletide Engagement / The Doctor's Christmas Bride / Snowbound Reunion

Gareth’s gaze narrowed assessingly on the older man. ‘I really wouldn’t pay too much attention to secondhand opinions, if I were you, Patrick—especially when those opinions are biased, as Ellie’s undoubtedly are,’ he added, with a pitying glance in her direction.

Ellie would have hit him then, if Patrick’s hand hadn’t moved from her waist to take a firm grip of her arm once more. Gareth was making her sound like some twisted, lovesick, scorned woman, out to hurt him in any way that she could!

‘I make a point of always forming my own opinions concerning other people,’ Patrick told the other man smoothly. ‘Which is why I’m here with Ellie this evening,’ he added softly.

Gareth nodded. ‘I know how much Ellie hated the thought of coming here on her own tonight.’

Why, the condescending—

‘I can assure you, that was never an option,’ Patrick told the other man derisively, turning to smile at Ellie, the hard glitter in his eyes telling her of his own—controlled—anger. ‘There are plenty of other men who would willingly have taken my place tonight,’ he assured Gareth hardly.

‘Of course,’ Gareth agreed sceptically. ‘Well, I really should be getting back,’ he added lightly. ‘It wouldn’t do for one half of the engaged couple not to be in the room when the announcement is made, now, would it?’ He smiled before walking confidently back into the restaurant.

Ellie let out a deep breath, unaware until that moment that she had actually been holding it. The last few minutes had told her that Gareth was even more dangerous than she had thought he was. His vindictiveness where she was concerned was more than obvious—to the point that he had deliberately tried to belittle her in front of Patrick, to make her sound like a—

‘Don’t let him get to you, Ellie.’ Patrick was looking down at her concernedly. ‘He only behaved in the way he did because he’s still not quite sure how much you’ve told me about him,’ he added hardly.

Her main emotion at this moment was embarrassment. That she had been fooled by Gareth in the first place. That Patrick knew she had been fooled by him!

Because Patrick’s opinion was important to her. And that had nothing to do with that pride she had been so desperately trying to hang onto for the last six weeks and everything to do with the fact that she did not want Patrick to think of her as some poor, wounded woman, still in love with Gareth Davies.

Which, in turn, led her to wonder why Patrick’s opinion of her was so important…

She gave a dismissive shake of her head; she couldn’t think about that right now—had other things to deal with. ‘I think Gareth could be a very dangerous man,’ she said slowly.

‘Not dangerous,’ Patrick dismissed confidently. ‘Irritating, yes. Extremely so as far as George is concerned. But I was watching Gareth Davies through dinner—and whenever he thought no one else was taking any notice he was watching you. The fact that he saw you go out of the room and followed you shows that he isn’t quite as confident of the situation as he would like us to think he is,’ he added shrewdly.

Ellie eyed him uncertainly. ‘He isn’t?’ Gareth had seemed extremely confident to her! She hadn’t been aware of the other man watching her as they all ate dinner either. But obviously Patrick had…

Patrick gave a slow shake of his head. ‘You obviously bother Gareth Davies very much.’

‘Somehow I doubt that,’ she scorned disbelievingly.

‘Oh, yes, you bother him, Ellie. At least, your being with me, Sarah’s cousin, bothers him,’ Patrick muttered, obviously deep in thought. ‘In fact, we may not have to do anything other than produce you on a regular basis,’ he added shrewdly.

Her eyes widened. ‘What do you mean?’

Patrick grinned. ‘You have him rattled, Ellie!’ he said with satisfaction. ‘All we have to do is keep up the pressure.’

Ellie wasn’t sure she liked the sound of that! In exactly what way was Patrick proposing they ‘keep up the pressure’…?

‘Do you remember George mentioning a party earlier?’ he reminded her.

‘Tomorrow,’ Ellie nodded slowly, eyeing him warily.

As far as she was concerned this evening was a oneoff situation. Especially as it had turned out to be so much more complicated than she could ever have realised.

But Patrick seemed to have other ideas…

He nodded. ‘The official engagement party.’ He grimaced. ‘I think it would be a good idea if you were to—’

‘No,’ Ellie cut in firmly, at the same time shaking her head in protest. ‘The answer is no, Patrick,’ she insisted determinedly as his expression turned cajoling. ‘As far as I’ve been able to ascertain you accompanied me this evening under false pretences,’ she told him accusingly. ‘Admittedly you were doing me a favour, but as circumstances have turned out I think that favour has more than been returned. After all, George is your uncle; you knew that the engagement announcement I told you about was actually between Gareth and your cousin—that’s why you weren’t surprised when I arrived in your office earlier in the week!’ Her eyes sparkled accusingly as that realisation finally dawned on her too.

‘Ellie—’

‘No, Patrick.’ She firmly resisted his teasing tone. ‘This evening has been awful. I have no wish to repeat it.’

‘Awful, Ellie?’ Patrick repeated softly, suddenly standing much closer than was comfortable. For her peace of mind! ‘All of it?’ he prompted huskily.

No, as it happened, not all of it. The kiss the two of them had shared earlier had been more pleasurable than she cared to think about. Certainly more disturbing than she cared to admit!

‘All of it,’ she insisted forcefully. ‘I am absolutely, definitely not going to the party with you tomorrow!’

He looked at her consideringly. ‘Not even for Sarah’s sake?’

‘Not even for—That’s emotional blackmail, Patrick!’ she snapped irritably as her resolve began to sway at the mention of Sarah.

She and Sarah had been good friends in the past, and she knew the other girl to be bubbly, loving, completely carefree. Marriage to Gareth, once Gareth had shown just how ruthless he could be—and there was no doubting that he would show himself in his true colours one day—promised to ruin all that.

‘I don’t want to go to this party with you, Patrick,’ she protested.

And it sounded weak, even to her own ears.

‘I have nothing to wear!’ she added inconsequentially when he made no reply.

Which sounded even weaker!

As evidenced by the fact that Patrick laughed, eyes twinkling warmly, his teeth showing whitely in his mouth—that mouth that only two hours ago, on this very spot, had very thoroughly kissed hers!

It was a mistake to think of that kiss…

Because she wanted very badly for Patrick to repeat it!

Something of that desire must have shown in her face, because Patrick took her very firmly by the shoulders and held her away from him at arm’s length. ‘No, Ellie,’ he murmured regretfully. ‘I’m not going to be accused of seduction as well as emotional blackmail!’ He grimaced.

Ellie felt warmth enter her cheeks at her emotions being that transparent. Maybe it was the way her gaze had gone to his mouth—and stayed there. Or maybe it was just an expression of longing on her face. Either way, it wasn’t very sophisticated of her to allow her emotions to be so easily gauged.

‘Very well, Patrick,’ she bit out abruptly. ‘I’ll come to the party with you—’

‘I knew you wouldn’t let me down!’ Patrick beamed, seeming to forget his resolve as he pulled her into his arms to hug her.

Ellie pulled back, looking up at him warningly. ‘I’m not doing this for you,’ she reminded him firmly.

‘No, of course you aren’t,’ he accepted lightly, but he still grinned broadly, looking far too attractive for Ellie’s peace of mind. For the sudden rapid beat of her heart. For the heated longing that coursed through her body. For the way she wanted to just throw caution to the winds and kiss him if he wasn’t about to kiss her!

She really would have to get a grip on her emotions where Patrick McGrath was concerned. Because to fall in love with him wouldn’t only be ill-advised—it would be pure madness!

Chapter Five