AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I look forward to learning about your family’s Christmas traditions,” she said quietly. “What are the German ways?”
“Oh, there’s always aWeihnachtsbaum, a tree decorated with apples and candles. My favorite ornaments are also my favorite food to eat on Christmas—Lebkuchen. They’re biscuits, very similar to gingerbread.”
“Mmm. Sounds delicious. We didn’t have biscuits on it, but last year Lady Clara decorated a Christmas tree for the first time! It was lovely with the candles, just like that engraving of Queen Victoria and the royal family around their tree.”
“Prince Albert’s contribution, undoubtedly. Now all the rage in England, but for Germans, it’s an old tradition.”
“Speaking of England and tradition…I’ve asked Mrs. Taylor for permission to invite you for Christmas Eve. Would you please join us?”
His arms tightened around her. “I thank you, Molly. Yes, of course I gladly accept. I look forward to traveling to Shropshire one day and meeting your family there, and I shall also look forward to Christmas Eve with you and your London family.”
“Theyaremy London family,” she agreed softly. The admission was poignant, reminding her how much her life would change by marrying Frederick.
It can’t be helped.It’s the way of things with marriage.
“I’m also looking forward to meeting your family, Frederick.”
“Prepare yourself for all the noise and mayhem of Martin’s house. But it will be full of warmth and light, and if it’s too much, we shall depart. My family’s used to me leaving. Walter’s wife Mary even says she can see in my eyes when a megrim is coming.”
Molly pulled back to look up into his eyes, wondering what that looked like. “I shall have to ask her about that. Perhaps she can instruct me. I’d like to be helpful to you when you’re ill. Tend you. You shouldn’t be alone for that, Frederick.”
“You cared for me that day I was ill at the Robertsons’.” He shook his head. “I hoped against hope that the megrim would go away—but they never do before they’ve run their course, not once they start. But nothing was going to keep me away from you.”
“About your family. Do you think…do you think they will disapprove of you courting a maid?” When he shook his head, she forced herself to voice the next question. “What about my advanced age?”
He frowned, shifting his weight from one foot to another. “Advanced? We’ve never spoken of age.”
Molly sighed, seeing that he wouldn’t pose the question. “I’m thirty-eight. I’ll be thirty-nine in February.”
“I see. I didn’t know.”
Despite the calmness of his tone, she hardly felt reassured. “You’re younger, aren’t you?”
“Thirty-five. Hmm.” He frowned. “That’s odd.”
Half-angry, half-hurt, her eyes widened. “What’s so odd?”
“I’d been thinking to myself these months that God had made you just for me.” His mouth curved into a smitten smile. “But with you being born first, I had it wrong, hadn’t I? It turns out I was made for you.”
Tears stung her eyes, blurring Frederick. It didn’t matter; he pulled her back into his embrace and pressed a kiss to her temple.
“Didn’t you know I was older?” she whispered, eventually.
“I hadn’t thought about it.”
My darling, odd man! “I’m fortunate you like aged mice.”
“Pardon?”
“Never mind.”
When they made their way back to Frederick’s, their pace was slower, as if they didn’t want their time together to end for today. Entering his workshop again, Molly tamped down on her reaction to how he’d set up the shop and focused on the package that awaited them.
“Frederick, do you enjoy surprises?”
“No,” he replied unceremoniously. “I do not.”
Smiling dreamily, she nodded, again sending a prayer of thanks for him. “Nor do I. In fact, I abhor them.”
