Read Online Christopher's Medal by S.A. Laybourn - Free Book Online Page B

of the men seemed to be officers from the same regiment. The women were easier to remember. She simply matched the names with the colors of their dresses, it seemed easier that way. Red dress with straps was Molly, she was Paddy’s sister. Georgina wore a floaty number of sea green, and the tall, disdainful woman in blue was Pippa.
    “Chris, darling.” Disdainful Woman in Blue swept past Grace and kissed Christopher all too warmly on the cheek. “How lovely to see you again.”
    “Pippa.”
    Grace was relieved to hear the chill in Christopher’s voice. She was even more relieved when he leaned against her. “You haven’t met Grace.”
    “Ah, oh, hullo.” A cold, clammy hand curled around hers, giving it a desultory shake. “I’m Pippa. It’s nice to meet you.”
    Grace squeezed Pippa’s hand with more venom than she’d intended. She was rewarded with an icy stare.
    “I hear you work with horses.” Pippa made it sound like collecting rubbish or gutting fish.
    “I train them.” Grace wished she had more champagne. “Racehorses.”
    “Ah, I see. That must be terribly interesting.”
    “It is.” It was too much effort to explain her job to someone who was making polite conversation while eyeing up Christopher with ill-concealed longing. Grace wished she could take him into a quiet corner and talk history, specifically, the history of Pippa.
    “Come on, you lot,” Paddy called from the doorway. “Grub’s up.”
    “Thank heavens for that.” Pippa offered Grace a thin smile. “I’m famished. It was nice to meet you, Faith.”
    “Grace, my name’s Grace.”
    “Ah, yes, so sorry. I have a terrible memory for names.” She turned and hurried toward a knot of guests.
    “I’m sorry about that.” Christopher kissed her hair. “Ex-girlfriend.”
    She raised an eyebrow. “You might’ve warned me.”
    “Darling, I had no idea she would be here. Bloody Paddy forgot to tell me.” His hand was warm at the small of her back as they followed the others to the dining room. “I’m going to wring his bloody neck.”
    “How long ago?”
    “Would you believe five years? It was a mutually agreed thing. I was too boring for her and she was a stuck-up pain in the arse.”
    “Her loss.”
    “My gain.” He took her hand and threaded his fingers through hers when they filed into the dining room. Grace supposed she shouldn’t have been surprised to see a long, polished table glittering with candles, elaborate place settings and plenty of silverware. She sank into a chair, relieved when Christopher settled in beside her and drew his chair closer.
    “I’m buggered if I’m letting you out of my sight,” he whispered, his hand caressing her knee.
    Grace shivered at his touch. “I’m fine with that.” She watched the other chairs fill up and was not happy to see Pippa sit across the table from Christopher.
    “So am I.” He leaned close.
    “Should I be worried that what you said sounds a bit stalkerish?” Grace gave Pippa a furtive, sidelong glance.
    Christopher laughed. He settled his hand on her thigh.
    “If you keep on like that,” Grace murmured, “I may not make it past the sorbet course.”
    The chatter around the table masked their conversation. Two maids began placing starters before the diners—small plates of artfully arranged bruschetta. Christopher picked up the menu card.
    “We’re going to be here all bloody night.”
    Grace skimmed through the menu. “Seven courses?”
    “And a different wine with each course. Sod that. If I drank that much you’d have to carry me up those stairs.” He reached across the table and poured water into their glasses. “I’m sticking with water. I don’t want later to go to waste.”
    “What are you two whispering about?”
    “Oh, Pips, let them be.” This was Paddy. His cheeks were already flushed. He elbowed Pippa in the ribs.
    “It’s all right, Paddy.” Christopher squeezed Grace’s thigh. “Grace and I were just catching up. It’s been