Read Online Joan Smith by The Kissing Bough - Free Book Online Page B

said simply.
    “I know many folks leave London for the season, but there is really plenty to do there. The Christmas pantomime and the Christmas concerts. Marie has a big party. Mama and Papa spoke of spending next Christmas with the Huddlestons. Or they could stay with us. Your house is plenty big enough for guests.”
    “But we—”
    “Now, you mustn’t be selfish,” she said, smiling tolerantly. “I am spending Christmas here this year. You must let me choose next year.”
    “Fair’s fair,” Pelham said. He finished off his mulled wine and set down the glass. “I’ll see you up to your room, Jane, and let these two lovebirds have their argument in private. We are de trop here. That’s French.”
    They exchanged good nights, and Pelham took Jane’s arm to lead her from the room. At the archway he stopped and pointed to the mistletoe.
    “I’ve got you where I want you now,” he said, and placed a quick kiss on her lips. He had been aiming for her cheek, but hit her lips by accident. “Sorry,” he mumbled, blushing.
    She laughed and kissed him back on the cheek. “What is sauce for the gander,” she said.
    “Eh? I thought the saying was ‘what’s sauce for the goose.’”
    “You’re right. You are a goose. What was I thinking of?”
    “It’s the wine. I’m feeling a touch twisty myself.”
    Nick watched them from the grate. He knew his former feeling of well-being had dissipated, and told himself it was Aurelia’s suggestion of spending next Christmas in London that accounted for it. He certainly had no objection to Pel giving Jane a kiss under the kissing bough. Nothing wrong with that. He did it every year. But he didn’t remember Jane ever returning the kiss before. And the way they were laughing—it had an intimate sound.
    Then he looked at Aurelia. She smiled sweetly at him and held out her hand to draw him down beside her.
    “We don’t have to go to London next Christmas, if it makes you so unhappy,” she said.
    He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it. “I am a selfish beast. You are worlds too good for me,” he said.
     

Chapter Seven
     
    Nick made a great commotion in the household when he appeared at breakfast the next morning in his scarlet regimentals. They set off his dark coloring and broad shoulders to a tee. There were actually tears of pride in his aunt’s eyes, and a mist of pleasure in his fiancée’s, as they complimented him.
    Nick didn’t even hear Jane’s breathless “Oh my, you do look fine!” She had often imagined Nicholas all decked out in his uniform. She found that reality outpaced even imagination. When she glanced at Pel, stolidly pushing a forkful of egg into his mouth, she felt grave doubts that she could marry him.
    “Should I be saluting?” Pelham asked, not entirely in jest.
    “Take a good look,” Nick said. “The outfit goes into camphor after church.”
    “No, no! Not until you have your portrait done. You promised,” Aurelia reminded him, with an adorable moue.
    A clamor soon rose in support of this notion. Jane added her voice to the others. During breakfast, there was a steady stream of servants past the door of the breakfast room, all wanting a peek at the master in his red jacket.
    Nick went outdoors after breakfast to see if last night’s snowfall had been heavy enough to make driving hazardous. He saw sufficient snow on the ground to lend the proper festive appearance without keeping anyone home from church. It was a soft, moist snow that clung to every bush and bough. Tracks on the ground showed where two rabbits had passed in the night. Black-headed cole tits rustled about the branches of the soaring pine trees in the park, loosening snow that fell with a soft plop.
    When the carriages were brought around, he saw the horses’ breath steaming into the cold air. Heated bricks had been placed on the carriage floor to warm the ladies’ feet. Fur rugs awaited them. It had been arranged that his aunt Lizzie and Mrs. Lipton