Read Online A Christmas Affair by Joan Overfield - Free Book Online Page A

remained where they were, their expressions avid with curiosity as they gazed at him. They were twins, he realized with mounting confusion. What on earth . . . and then he remembered.
    “Hello, Colonel Stockton,” the boy standing nearest the bed spoke first, taking a cautious step to bring him closer. “How are you feeling, sir? I trust you are more the thing?”
    “Indeed,” Justin answered, sizing up the lad with a judicious eye. Unless he was much mistaken, he knew who had forced the foul medicine down his throat. His eyes flicked from the boy’s face to the brown bottle sitting on the bedside table, and a reluctant smile touched his mouth. Much as he disliked the notion of being drugged against his will, he couldn’t help but admire the imp’s pluck.
    “Have I the honor of addressing Mr. Jeremey Lawrence, or Mr. Jocelyn Lawrence?” he asked, settling back more comfortably against his pillows.
    “I am Jeremey; I’m the oldest.” Jeremey snapped to attention, preening with self-importance. “This is Jocelyn.” His brother was indicated with a casual wave of his hand. “But our last name isn’t Lawrence, sir, it’s Blanchford. Daniel was our half brother.”
    “My apologies,” Justin murmured, recalling that Lawrence had said something about his mother remarrying. And last night at dinner hadn’t that disagreeable old witch made some mention of the matter? At least, he thought it was last night. His brows gathered together as he realized he had no idea what day it was or how long he had lain ill.
    “Are you really better now?” Jocelyn crowded in beside his brother, his light blue eyes resting on Justin’s face. “Ain’t going to stick your spoon in the wall, are you?”
    “I am completely recovered, Master Jocelyn, I promise you.” His mouth quirked in amusement at the lad’s suspicious regard. “The . . . er . . . medicine you gave me seems to have done the trick, thank you. May I ask how long I have been here?”
    “Just one day,” Jeremey answered for his brother. “You was sick as a cat last night, but Mandy sent for the doctor and he dosed you.”
    Justin had no recall of the doctor’s visit, but there was a vague memory of a soft voice and the soothing touch of a feminine hand stroking his face. Miss Lawrence? Or was it just a trick of the fever? He remembered the nightmares he’d had and without conscious thought his right hand reached out to touch his left arm. Still there, thank God.
    “Will you be attending Daniel’s services, sir?” Jocelyn prattled on, unaware of the colonel’s dark thoughts. “It’s to be held in two days’ time, and Jeremy and I think it would be most splendid if you was to come.”
    “And wear your uniform,” Jeremey added, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. “That would be ever so grand!”
    Justin’s chest tightened at the boys’ eagerness. The bout of fever must have left him weaker than he realized, for he found himself blinking back tears at their earnest expressions. Had he ever been that young, he wondered, striving to control his voice.
    “It would be my honor, gentlemen,” he said, clearing his throat. “Thank you for the kind invitation.”
    The twins beamed at his acceptance and drew closer, their wariness forgotten as they began quizzing him. Justin answered their questions with an openness quite unlike his usually reticent nature, enjoying the demands of the lads’ bright conversation. He had just launched into a description of the siege of Cuiad Rodrigues when there was a loud gasp from the doorway.
    “Joss! Jeremey!” Miss Amanda Lawrence stood in the doorway to his room, her hands on her hips and an aggrieved expression on her face. “Just what are you two doing in here?” she demanded, her brown eyes flashing as she advanced toward the boys. “I thought I had made it clear you were not to disturb the colonel.”
    “We wasn’t disturbing him, Mandy!” Jeremey denied, and Justin had to hide a smile at the look of