He sighed and sat.
“Now that we’re all here,” began Lady Southwick, “perhaps this is as good a time as any to begin some discussion of the events to come.”
Lady Jocelyn delicately sipped her tea. “I believe we have matters in hand here at Chillendale, dear Mary. The arrangements for the Mistletoe ball are underway. I think we’ll be using more holly—I’m told the berries are plentiful and red this year.”
“Yes, but…” Lady Southwick began.
“I’m guessing our girl hollies have picked up a bit then, have they?” Reid inquired of his mother.
“Girl hollies?”
He suppressed a grin. He knew Emmeline would catch that comment. And for the moment he had redirected the conversation away from the quicksand of the whole Mistletoe Marquess business.
For the next fifteen minutes, he and his mother entertained Emmeline with a discussion of the difference between male and female holly bushes, and enchanting her with the notion that only the female bushes bore berries.
She found it “dewightful” and smiled eagerly at the prospect of being able to tell her friends who all thought she was nothing but an empty-headed ninnyhammer.
Since Reid tended to agree with that assessment, he put the last lemon tart into his mouth, thus eliminating the need for a response.
“That’s all very nice, but not what I thought we would be discussing today.” Lady Southwick’s voice had a distinct edge to it.
“Oh, I’m so sorry. What were you wishing to talk about, dear Mary?” Lady Jocelyn was sweet as sugar.
Reid reminded himself to hug his mother more. She was such a trouper and dealt so well with situations like this.
“I would have thought it was quite obvious.” A pair of carefully colored eyebrows rose into tall arches. “The announcement of dear Emmeline’s elevation to the position of Mistletoe Marchioness.”
Lady Jocelyn put her cup and saucer down on the tray, and brushed her hands over her gown. “Well, now that you’ve brought it up…”
“I do beg your pardon, my Lady. The Southwick carriage is ready.” Bunbury stood in the doorway, unflappable, every inch the perfect butler. “I understand the coachman is concerned about more snow and would like to return the ladies home before full darkness falls.”
“Of course. How thoughtless of us to keep you here, dear Mary.” Lady Jocelyn rose. “Not for the world would I risk your person, nor that of dear Emmeline, by sending you out if travel were unsafe.”
Left without a word to say, Lady Southwick rose. She had no other choice. Emmeline stood as well.
“Ladies, it’s been delightful. I thank you for a most pleasant afternoon.” Reid realized he could lie almost as well as his mother. Heavens. What were the Chillendales coming to?
Maids hurried in with cloaks, wraps and muffs, and within ten minutes the two women were tucked into the Southwick coach and sent on their way with many well wishes and insincere sentiments.
“Dreadful woman,” Lady Jocelyn muttered,sotto voce.
“I heard that.”
“And you, my son, devil that you are, where thehellwere you?” She spun around as soon as they returned to the drawing room. “You let me deal with those two addle-pated nincompoops for nearly an hour.Alone. When Mary wasn’t looking down her nose at me and mentally pricing my silverware, young Emmeline was telling me about herdawlingpuppy. Aaargh.”
“Sherry, mother? Or brandy?”
Lady Jocelyn narrowed her eyes and glared at her child. “Damn. Give me a little of your father’s Scotch. And don’t mention it to him.”
Reid grinned and obeyed, pouring two helpings of the amber liquor. “And you expect me to wed that chit?” He passed her the glass. “Really, Mama? You want her as your daughter-in-law for the rest of your life? And are you eventhinkingof mine? I’ll spend the rest ofmylife being “dear Weed”. How do you think that makesmefeel?”
He tossed back the Scotch, relishing the warm burn on his throat, then observed his mother doing exactly the same.
Their gazes met. They paused—and then both burst out laughing.
Lady Jocelyn caught her breath. “Well, love. I’m thinking that this is all making you feel weely wotten.”
Five minutes later, when mother and son had gotten their breath back and could look at each other without bursting into guffaws again, Reid shook his head. “I cannot marry that girl, Mama. Let’s admit it. I wasn’t sure in the first place, but now? After this afternoon? I’m sure. She’s not the one for me.”
