A Bluestocking Christmas Read Free

rugged scent. In the peace and quiet of the bookracks she might be able to forget, if only for a short time.  
    Her decision made, she pulled a handkerchief from the side pocket of her day gown to dry her wet cheeks then quickly left the salon. In the main hallway, she caught a glimpse of herself in the hall’s mirror and stared at her appearance in dismay. Behind her, Morris cleared his throat.
    “Your pardon, Miss Ivy, but is there anything I can do for you?”  
    The deep baritone note held a distinct note of concern, and a small measure of comfort brushed across her senses. For all his austere mannerisms, Morris had the quiet habit of looking after her as a father might. She’d be a fool to think he’d not been privy to Simon’s furious departure.
    The entire household must have heard as well given the crash of the front door when Simon had stormed out of the house. She flinched. All the more reason to flee to the library. Her staff had been with her for years, and they’d developed an affinity for protecting her.  
    But it was Christmas, and she’d given them time off to spend with their families. If they thought she needed them, they would sacrifice their holiday to stay with her. She wasn’t about to let that happen. She forced a smile to her lips and turned to face him.  
    “Actually you can, Morris. Would you summon a hansom cab for me and fetch my cloak, I’ve decided to work at the library this evening.”  
    Tall and portly, the butler gave a slight start. He hesitated for a second, his gaze watching her closely. When she frowned at him, he quickly went to the front door to step outside and hail a cab. Ivy turned back to the mirror and quickly tried to repair her appearance. Fingers trembling, she pulled out the pins holding her hair in place and hastily rearranged her hair.  
    Staring at herself in the mirror when she finished, she blinked back another onset of tears. No, she refused to cry. There was no point. A moment later, Morris reappeared at her side with her hat and cloak. He waited patiently as she set the hat on her head, before settling the cape on her shoulders. The gentle brush of his hands on her shoulders as he dusted off imaginary flecks of dust was a comforting feeling. With a jerky movement, she picked up her gloves off the small table under the mirror. With precision, she tugged them on before carefully smoothing each finger making the soft leather cling to them.
    “And will Lord Wycombe fetch you from the library, Miss Ivy?” At the question, she lifted her gaze to look Morris in the mirror. She shook her head.
    “Actually, I won’t be seeing Lord Wycombe anymore, Morris. I’ll find a hansom cab when I’m ready to return home.”
    “But it’s Christmas Eve, Miss Ivy,” Morris exclaimed in an appalled voice. “It will be most difficult to find a hackney in St. James Square later this evening.”  
    “Thank you for your concern, Morris. But I’ll be quite all right. I won’t have another opportunity to visit the library before I leave for Italy.”  
    “I do wish you would reconsider, Miss Ivy.” There was an underlying hint of disquiet in Morris’s words, and she was certain he wasn’t referring to her visiting the library.
    Avoiding the servant’s gaze in the mirror, Ivy stared at her reflection. Was that stricken expression really hers? It was the same look she’d seen on her face the day Caroline had betrayed her so long ago. It was with relief when Morris informed her the hack was at the front door.
      She knew the butler was worried about her, and the longer she remained in his presence, the stronger the likelihood that he would stay through the holiday. Not meeting the butler’s gaze, she swept past him and climbed into the small vehicle as Morris paid the driver her fare. With great care, her servant picked up the blanket on the cab’s seat and laid it carefully across Ivy’s knees. As Morris closed the door of the cab, she forced a smile to her