Once Upon a Kiss Gone Horribly Wrong (A Christmas Prequel)

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“You’re staring, Brother,” Phineas hissed beside him, a teasing chuckle following his observation.
Clearing his throat, Tobias forced his gaze away from her, then shifted on his feet to look at his brother. “I’m merely happy to see her again. It’s been a while. That is all.”
Phineas had always possessed a devilish streak, his eyes such a dark shade of brown that they seemed almost black, giving him a bit of a wicked allure, at least as far as young debutantes were concerned. Tobias, however, would have preferred a less roguish brother for Phineas enjoyed nothing more than seeing him squirm.
Lately, it had become his brother’s most favored pastime.
“Certainly,” Phineas replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm, “and Father and Uncle Henry stopped by last night for a game of cards.” Laughter rumbled in his chest, and Tobias inhaled a deep breath, willing himself not to respond for it would only spur Phineas on.
Casting his brother a cautioning gaze, Tobias moved toward the three young women as well as the cousins’ grandmother, offering a formal bow. Given her advanced age, he was rather surprised the Dowager Lady Whickerton was in attendance; however, he could not deny that there was steel in the way her watchful gaze moved from him to Phineas, whispering of a sharp mind. “I’m delighted to see you are in attendance as well.” For a moment, his eyes lingered on Anne and continued to do so for yet a moment longer. Then he rather abruptly turned to the dowager. “Do you remember my brother, Lady Whickerton?” Indeed, who could ever forget?
“Of course, the wicked one,” the cousins’ grandmother chuckled, her pale eyes sizing up Phineas without difficulty before they briefly came to rest on Lady Louisa. “Have you acquired manners since last we met?”
Phineas laughed. “I thought I had; however, I’m afraid I might have misplaced them once again. I’ll inform you immediately should I succeed in locating them.”
The dowager chortled. “A wicked one, indeed.” Shaking her head, she slowly hobbled toward the front hall, leaning heavily upon her walking stick. “Give me a head start, ladies,” she told the three young women over her shoulder. “I’m certain you’ll catch up with me at the landing.”
“Little Annie,” Phineas greeted Anne with a sideways glance at Tobias. “How long has it been? Ten? Twenty years? I must say I hardly recognize you.”
Shaking her head at Phineas, Anne still smiled at him and her smile lit up her eyes in a most beautiful way. Tobias couldn’t help but dislike his brother for it. “How are you, Phin?”
Winking at her, Phineas cast his brother another sideways glance. “I am fine now that you’re here, Annie. I must say I missed you dearly.” Tobias wanted to kick him.
Fortunately, Anne merely chuckled and shook her head at him, well-versed in interpreting Phineas’s odd comments. “Are you ever serious, Phin?” she asked. “A man of your age should have learnt to comport himself well, should he not?”
Phin frowned. “Are you calling me old?”
“No, simply immature.”
His brother laughed. “That, I can live with.”
While Lady Leonora frowned at his brother, Lady Louisa looked ready to strangle him. “I had not realized,” Lady Louisa began, open censure in her voice, “that you would accompany your brother to this house party. I’d heard you had decided to remain in Town.”
Cocking his head to the side, Phin regarded her, a touch of amusement visible in the way his lips twitched. “Did you now? Well, my dearest Lulu, I must say you sound displeased to see me. Have I done anything to wrong you?” He cast her a sickeningly sweet smile, which made even Tobias want to hit him over the head.
Lady Louisa was fuming, “Do not call me that!” she hissed as she stepped toward him, her chin raised and her eyes shooting fire. “I’ve told you so before, and I’m saying it again. I am not a poodle, and you’re not to call me that! Is that clear?” Before Phin could answer, she spun on her heel and marched inside, Lady Leonora following on her heel.
“Was that truly necessary?” Anne chided him. “You used to be such a charming boy.”
Phin chuckled, “What can I say? Your cousin brings out the best side of me.”
Anne shook her head at him. “You truly ought to apologize, Lord Barrington.” Her brows rose and, to his utter surprise, Tobias found his brother sigh and then hasten after the two sisters.
He looked at Anne. “This won’t end well,” he told her, offering her his arm. His own began to tingle when she slipped her hand through, her breath brushing over his cheek as she turned to speak to him.
“I suppose there are two possible outcomes,” she said with a chuckle. “Either my cousin kills him in a fit of anger before the year is out or…” She stopped in her tracks, and her deep blue eyes looked up into his as though looking for something.
“Or?” Tobias asked, overwhelmed by her sudden nearness after almost a month apart. Had it truly been that long?
Anne drew in a bit of a shuddering breath. “Or they’ll fall madly in love with one another.” Her words hung between them as they stood in the entry hall and looked at one another.
Tobias swallowed. “I admit I’m hoping for the second possibility for despite his shortcomings I’m rather fond of my brother.”
“You admit it openly?” Anne teased, that smile of hers once more melting his heart.
Tobias laughed, although the sound did come out a bit strangled. “Well, he is my brother and, although I hate to admit it, he’s also my best friend.”
A teasing frown played over her face. “I thought I was your best friend. After all, I know all your secrets.”
Except one, Tobias thought, wondering how Anne would react if she ever learned what he thought about when he looked at her.