Read Online What Happens At Christmas by Victoria Alexander - Free Book Online

to dash across the room and into his arms gripped her. She ignored it.
    â€œHow very good to see you, Camille.”
    â€œIs it?” She stepped into the room slowly, as if she were moving in a dream. A dream she had had before. There was indeed something not quite real about all this. He was the last person she expected, or wanted, to see now or ever again. He was a road not taken. Over and done with, and not to be considered again. Nonetheless, it—he—appar-ently was real. Grayson was here, looking every bit as wonderful as she remembered, with his dark eyes and dark hair and devastating smile, the smile which had once touched her heart. Not that it mattered at the moment. She drew a deep breath. Time enough later to examine the unexpected emotions coursing through her. “What are you doing here?”
    He chuckled. “My aunt sent a basket of Cook’s baked goods to welcome your family back to Millworth Manor.”
    â€œHow very kind of her.” She glanced around the room. “Where is it?”
    â€œI gave it to your”—his eyes narrowed slightly—“butler.”
    â€œAh, well, then . . .” She wasn’t sure why he was still here. She wasn’t sure how she felt about him being here at all. All she was certain of was that she wanted him to leave. At once, if not sooner. “Do give my thanks to Lady Fairborough. If that’s all—”
    â€œWhat happened to Clement?” he asked abruptly.
    â€œGone.” She said the first thing that came into her head.
    â€œMy condolences.” Sympathy showed in his eyes. “Hard to imagine he’s gone. He was such a fixture here.”
    â€œHe’s not dead. He’s gone to Wales. To be with his family.” It was true, as far as it went, although it made no sense for the butler to be gone when the house was full. “He retired,” she added as an afterthought. Oh yes, that made it plausible.
    â€œI see,” he said slowly. “You must miss him.”
    â€œWe do,” she said with a firm nod. “He was a part of the family. And an excellent butler.”
    â€œIt must be difficult, with a new butler, that is. And the entire family here for Christmas.”
    â€œYou have no idea.” And getting more difficult every minute. “But Fortesque is very well trained.” She smiled in what she hoped was a pleasant manner. He had delivered his aunt’s basket—what was he still doing here? “Again, do thank your aunt for me.”
    â€œOh, I will.” He studied her coolly. The man obviously had no intention of leaving.
    â€œAs you said, it is a bit awkward to have a new butler at this time of year. There does seem to be an endless list of things that need to be attended to, with the entire family in residence and all. I’m sure that you are busy as well, so I won’t keep you—”
    â€œAh yes, the whole family you say?”
    She nodded.
    â€œYour mother and Colonel Channing, your sisters and Beryl’s husband?”
    â€œYes, yes, that’s everyone.” Impatience edged her voice. The last thing she needed at this moment was to deal with the distant past in the guise of Grayson Elliott. The present was entirely too complicated already. “Although Lionel, Lord Dunwell, is engaged in town and won’t be arriving until Christmas Eve.”
    â€œI see. But your mother and uncle and sisters—”
    â€œYes, yes, all of them,” she snapped. “Now, if there is nothing—”
    â€œIt’s been a long time, Camille.”
    She deliberately misunderstood him. Now was not the time. “Indeed, it’s been entirely too long since we have all been at Millworth Manor for Christmas, and we are quite looking forward to it. However, I have a great deal to—”
    â€œI met your mother.” His gaze bored into hers.
    Her breath caught. “Did you?”
    â€œA few minutes ago.” He