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Gregory added his baritone to the final chorus, and Holly joined in while she leant against his side. More carols followed, and then a footman arrived, pushing a tea trolley laden with pastries both savoury and sweet. Mince pies, made by the girls, vied with space on the top tier with an enormous white, frosted Christmas cake decorated with fine sugar holly and scarlet berries.
After tea, the girls were allowed to play with the Noah’s Ark set, and Gregory roasted chestnuts over the fire.
“Look, girls, night has fallen,” he remarked, glancing over at the darkened windows.
Immediately, the children clamoured to be allowed entrance into the drawing room. Gregory slipped away. Holly helped the youngsters tidy all the many wood-carved animals and birds from the Sunday toy set. Then they all moved into the hallway and waited outside the drawing room chattering excitedly.
The double doors were flung open, and Gregory ushered his family inside.
The tree was quite magical, its branches laden with flickering candlelight that reflected on the strings of Bunty’s beads that Holly had asked the servants to drape over the branches. Colourful candy twists in red and white hung scattered through the dark green foliage.
Clemmy clapped and danced about while Kitty circled in silent awe. Libby took Holly’s hand in hers.
“Thank you,” she said simply, her eyes shimmering.
Gregory came and stood behind them and placed an arm about each of them. He squeezed them gently to him. “Girls, you may choose some sweetmeats from the cornucopias you made and then come and sit beside the fire. I am going to read you a story before Nanny collects you for bed.”
The girls snuggled into him. Gregory opened the book.
“A Christmas Carolby Charles Dickens,” he read, casting a smile at Holly.
Nanny arrived a little before he’d finished the ghostly tale, but she waited patiently just inside the door. He closed the book and looked at each of his daughters’ upturned faces.
“I hope none of you shall suffer nightmares tonight.”
“No, Papa, because we are good children, not like nasty Mr Scrooge! We shall have a visit from Father Christmas and be given sugar mice, which will prove what good girls we are,” Kitty told him.
“Libby?” Gregory prompted his eldest daughter.
She smiled at him. “I shall be fine, Papa. So many lovely things happened today that nothing will give me bad dreams tonight.” She stood and hugged him.
He held her close, knowing just who to thank for his daughter’s return to happiness. Glancing over Libby’s shoulder, he caught Holly’s eye and winked, delighted when she blushed prettily.
After the children left, he locked the door.
CHAPTER16
“Gregory?” His wife queried.
He padded across to her and pulled her to her feet and swept her into his arms. His mouth closed over hers, he took his time kissing her. There came a rattle as someone tried the doorknob. They ignored it; whoever it was went away. There was plenty of time before dinner for kissing. He ran his lips up her neck to whisper in her ear, “Remember earlier when you said you regretted not giving me a wedding present?”
She nodded.
He continued to murmur. Her neck flushed red at his salacious question.
She trembled, and he tightened his hold.
“I will,” she replied throatily.
“Later then,” he said with a wink.
“Yes, and Gregory?”
“Hmm?”
“I’d like to share something with you.”
“Of course, you may tell me anything. I am your husband.”
