Silent Night Read Free Page B

his
cuffs.
    “It might.” He trailed a fingertip along the lace at my
décolletage. “Do you think I would be accommodating to any man who had shared
your bed?”
    “You knew the only man who shared my bed,” I reminded him. “He
died in yourarms.” 4
    The finger dipped lower and I gave a little shiver. “And if he
hadn’t, I would have happily strangled him to put him out of the way.”
    I slapped lightly at his hand. “You would not. You are far too
devoted to justice to kill a man without reason.”
    “I am devoted to you,” he said, bending his head low and
pressing his lips to my neck. His hand resumed its interesting business with my
neckline and this time I let him. “And it would have been justice to put Edward
Grey out of the way. He did not deserve you.”
    “And you do?” The words were breathless, coming out on a
gasp.
    “Let me show you.” I turned my face up to his and he began to
kiss me.
    After a few blissful moments, he drew back suddenly with a
sharp oath. “What the devil? Julia,” he said patiently, “will you kindly remove
that dormouse from your décolletage? There is only room for one of us in there
and I refuse to share.”
    I hurried to pull the little creature out of my garment. I put
him into his basket, bidding him goodnight as he curled obligingly into a
restful slumber and closed his black teardrop eyes.
    “I am sorry,” I said, returning to Brisbane’s arms. “Let me
make it up to you.”

The Fourth Chapter

    Lo, how a rose e’er blooming
From tender stem hath sprung!
    “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” Traditional English Carol
    A fter tea the next afternoon I found Aunt Hermia giving instructions to the stillroom maid.
    “I know there is far too much to do with so many down with colds, but we simply must prepare the oranges for marmalade before they decay around us.”
    The maid had nothing of the usual deference about her, but she did bob a curtsey to us before turning to the masses of oranges heaped in baskets upon the worktable.
    “Whittle and Wee Ned have been busy in the hothouse. I don’t remember ever seeing quite so many oranges before,” I said.
    “Julia,” Aunt Hermia said with a touch of relief. “I must go and look in on Hoots now he’s calmed down. I wonder if you would mind organising Rose. She is quite competent, but she has only been here a few months and is new to the stillroom. It would be such a help since you know where everything is. She will be preparing the oranges for marmalade. You have seen it done often enough to guide her.”
    “Of course. Is there anything else I can do?” I looked at her meaningfully and she sighed.
    “No, my dear. It’s just that everything seems so difficult this year, what with your father’s black mood—” She broke off. It was unlike her to offer criticism of him on any matter. She was deeply conscious of the fact that she owed her comfortable place in our home to his good graces, but beyond that she was an affectionate younger sister who worshipped her eldest brother. She went on. “The staff troubles and the sickness have taken their toll upon everyone. And cook will not be pleased when I tell her the Christmas menu has to be changed—”
    “What is the trouble with the Christmas menu? We always have suckling pig for the centrepiece.”
    Her comely face flushed. “Your Uncle Fly was unwell last week and let his curate deliver the sermon. Unfortunately, the young man is afflicted with vegetarianism.”
    “Oh, dear.”
    “Indeed. And as a consequence, Tarquin and Perdita have protested the serving of meat, most particularly suckling pig, at our Christmas table.”
    I smothered a laugh. An aunt was not supposed to play favourites, but I had a very soft spot for my brother Benedick’s two eldest children. “What does Benedick say?”
    She flapped a hand. “You know Benedick. He likes them to express themselves and think freely, but he has good enough manners to tell them they will eat what they