“It’s really my husband’s title.I just…” Then she shook her head and laughed.“I’ve been married for four years and I’m still finding it strange.But I am sincere.If you could use help, I would like to.I come from a very big, often annoying, family but we have each other and I hate to think you’re alone dealing with all of this.”
Cat’s eyes felt gritty and she blinked hard.
She didn’t know what she’d expected coming to tea with Lady Sherbourne, but it wasn’t this.“You are very kind.”
“I like to have a purpose.”Cara lifted a hand, gestured to the gorgeous room with the afternoon light.“And yes, my children and husband keep me busy, but I’m never too busy to help a friend.”She gave Cat a warm smile as she leaned forward to whisper, “In case you didn’t know, I’m claiming you as my friend, so call me if I can come help you.”
*
Rhys deemed Oliviawell enough for them to go into the village for dinner on Christmas Eve, and the girls were excited to get out and enjoy the decorations and the Victorian carolers filling the square.They didn’t walk far, just enough for them to stretch their legs and get fresh air, as well as teasing whiffs of the cinnamon and sugared nuts a vendor was selling in the square.The girls wanted hot cider, but Rhys persuaded them to wait for dinner and save room for a special pudding afterward.
Bakewell’s restaurants were nearly all filled, but Rhys was able to secure them a small table in a small pub off the main road where the windows glowed amber, and the fire inside crackled cheerfully.The four of them squeezed into the little booth, the wooden table scarred with age, and they all ended up ordering the Christmas special—roast beef and gravy with Yorkshire pudding, roasted potatoes, carrots, and parsnips with traditional Christmas pudding for dessert.
Green garlands hung from every window, as well as along the bar itself.A late afternoon football match was just ending, the pub televisions broadcasting the game, and every few minutes a roar rose from the football crowd near the bar, swelling through the pub before easing back into the usual clink of glasses and low murmur of conversations.Rhys barely glanced at the screen; the girls didn’t so much as blink at the noise, but Cat sneaked peeks toward the TV.
“They don’t always have a match on Christmas Eve,” Rhys said, amused by Cat’s interest.“It will be over soon.”
A fresh roar went up from the football fans gathered near the bar, the sound rising like a wave before settling back into the clink of cutlery and low conversation.
Cat glanced at the screen, checking the score, before looking at Rhys.“I like it.Not sure why.”
“Do you have a team you follow?”
She flushed.“Actually… yes.”
His eyebrow lifted.“Go on, then.Who is it?”
“Brentford.”
“Brentford?Not one of the big London clubs?”
“I like an underdog.They work hard, don’t swagger, and their supporters are good people.I’ve been to a couple of matches with friends from school, and I just… liked the feeling of it.”
His gaze skimmed her face, the warmth in her eyes, the shape of her mouth, appreciating her all over again.Because of course she’d choose Brentford.It was exactly like her, and exactly why he liked her so much.
If only he could convince her not to return to Michigan right after the holidays, that maybe she should give him—them—a chance.He was fairly certain she was as drawn to him as he to her, but in light of their current situation, neither of them could act on the feelings.
The idea of her not rushing back to the States, the idea of her remaining in London, even if just for the winter, seemed right.He wanted time to find out if there was something real between them, something that could be… more.
By the time they bundled themselves back into the car for the return home, Olivia was half-asleep, and Jillian was coughing.Rhys frowned as his oldest coughed again.
“Are you coming down sick, Jilly?”he asked, reaching into the backseat to put a hand to her forehead.
She was warm but not hot.
“I don’t think so.I just have a tickle in my throat.”
“Is it sore?”
She shook her head.“Not really.Not like Livy’s… at least, not yet.”
Not yet, he silently echoed, exchanging glances with Cat.Alec had invited them for dinner at the house tomorrow, but they couldn’t go if Jilly was coming down sick.Alec had elderly relatives that joined him for Christmas every year, and Rhys couldn’t risk their health, or the little ones.Any of them, actually.
Chapter Fifteen
The sitting roomlooked almost magical in the pale Christmas morning light, the big tree that should have been a little tree, glowing softly in the corner, tinsel and vintage glass ornaments sparkling as if in competition.
Jillian and Olivia sat cross-legged on the rug in their pajamas, stockings emptied and treasures spread around them—chocolate coins, foil-wrapped snowmen, iced cookies, tiny puzzles, several books for each.Olivia already had one of her chocolate coins in her cheek while Jillian methodically lined her gifts in a neat row, pausing now and then to clear her throat.
