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“After we have seen Matilda, shall we go and visit Cook and arrange a baking session with her?”
“Baking? But what would we bake?” Kitty interrupted.
“Hmm, well, I was thinking, maybe mince pies? I love mince pies, don’t you?”
“Yes!” the two younger girls chorused.
Matilda pulled out a lot of Holly’s gowns and even suggested cutting up the wedding dress she had altered for Holly to wear on her wedding day the previous week. Holly readily agreed to the idea, especially since she was unlikely to wear such an unfashionable garment again.
Libby fingered the old lace reverently, surprising Holly by insisting it was her favourite among the dress fabrics but that it should not be destroyed. She wanted it kept just as it was, but she did agree to the lace mantilla being used. Matilda took Libby’s measurements and promised to begin making her an outfit straight away.
They arrived in the kitchens, warmly welcomed by Mrs Hicks, the cook. The girls were given an apron each, and Holly thought they looked adorable in the oversized pinnies. Cook showed them how to mix flour, butter, and water to make pastry. Holly delighted in being allowed to finish up the tall madeline cakes that Cook was about to start decorating with desiccated coconut. She covered each pillar of sponge with jam and sprinkled coconut over the top; it cascaded like the snow steadily falling outside. Finally, she topped each cake with a cherry.
It was a chatty group of much happier girls that Holly led upstairs to the drawing room in order to await the treats they’d made to arrive with tea. Holly told Cook that the girls would not be having a nursery tea that day but would join her in the drawing room.
With the children settled before the fire, Holly crossed to the pianoforte and began to play cheerful Christmas songs with gusto. One by one, the girls migrated over to where she sat, joining in and singingGood King Wenceslaswith evident enjoyment.
Holly swivelled on her stool as the girls fell silent. Gregory stood in the doorway. Her gaze went from his stern face to the children. Libby was pale, and Kitty appeared to be about to bolt, while little Clemmy frantically sucked her thumb. Holly rose and stepped in front of them.
“Oh good, you are back in time for tea,” she said. “Come and join us. The girls are taking tea with us today.”
Since two footmen arrived at that very moment, each carrying a laden tray of tea, Gregory was forced into the room where he seated himself in a fireside chair. He appeared rather bemused.
“Libby, take a cup of tea to your father, he must be somewhat chilled. Kitty, would you carry the platter of mince pies, and Clemmy dear, take this plate with a serviette for your papa.”
The girls obediently did as she asked, busying themselves about Gregory.
“It is rather early for mince pies, don’t you think?” he asked pompously.
The girls froze where they stood, gazing anxiously at him.
Holly forced herself to chuckle, but she actually wanted to strangle him. What was the matter with the man? Did he not want his daughters to be happy?
“Ah, but these are special, aren’t they, girls? Tell papa why they are special, Clemmy,” she urged.
Clemmy removed her thumb and went to stand before him.
“We made-eth them!” she said, sounding so triumphant that Holly willed her husband to respond warmly to his youngest child.
“Well, in that case, I must try one,” he replied.
Clemmy took that as an invitation and scrambled onto her father’s lap. Gregory seemed surprised and awkward. Holly immediately chattered about the snow, enquiring where the best spot to toboggan was on the estate. A silence fell, not at all the reaction she’d expected.
Then Kitty spoke up. “We have never been on a toboggan.”
“We have ridden in the sleigh which is pulled by horses. That was nice, wasn’t it, Papa?” Libby added.
“I am not sure that girls should go tobogganing, they might be hurt,” Gregory replied, clearly sceptical.
“Nonsense,” Holly contradicted him. “I went tobogganing with my father many times, and it was great fun. The snow cushions any falls.”
Gregory frowned. “I do not wish my daughters to go tobogganing. Holly, do you understand?”
She was saved from reply by a knock at the door, and Nanny slipped into the room, thus Holly did not answer Gregory.
“Nanny,” Clemmy called joyfully. Sliding off her father’s knee, she flew across the room to her.
“Hello, my poppets,” Nanny greeted her charges.
