“So tell me. Are you happy at Belcaster? Is Garrett a good husband? Do they have nice plants?” The last question was offered with a chuckle, since her sister’s passion was, and probably always would be, the magic of nature and the forest.
“Yes to all three,” replied Cherry, her lips curving into a gentle smile. “Garrett is indeed the very best of husbands.”
Holly watched her sister’s expression, marvelling at the happiness that permeated not only her words, but the glow in her eyes. “So…” she paused. “Marriage is—is agoodthing? You still do what you want? You can still pursue your own interests and not get overwhelmed by the duties of being a wife?”
Cherry took the chair next to Holly, and reached out for her sister’s hand, an expression of curiosity on her face. “That is an interesting question. I have to wonder what lies beneath it?”
“I—I’m just wondering, that’s all. With Ashe married now, and Florinda so happy to be expecting their baby, I was curious about the…the balance, I suppose, between the things we do as unmarried women, and the expectations that come with being a wife.”
“A valid question,” smiled Cherry. “You have an amazing ability to express your ideas so clearly, love. It’s always impressed me.”
Holly blinked. “Oh. Well, that’s nice to hear.”
“But in answer to your question? I would say that it pretty much all depends on the man you marry. I’m very lucky in that Garrett respects me, and it shows when he listens to my suggestions about Belcaster, or sits down with me and we discuss matters of importance to us both. And the fact that we love each other helps too, even when we don’t always agree…which does occasionally happen…” She laughed, a happy sound that warmed Holly’s heart.
“Why do you ask?”
“Um…” Biting her lip, Holly’s brain stumbled. “Oh, I don’t know, just one of those things that popped into my mind.”
“Hmm.” Cherry stared at her sister, but remained silent.
“We should join the others. I expect Mama is eagerly waiting to hear everything and tell you everything.” Holly rose.
“I’m sure she is. And we have some news that will probably make her Christmas extra special.”
There was a brief moment of silence.
“Oh, good God.You too?” Holly threw herself on her sister and hugged her enthusiastically. “Another grandchild for Mama, and a nephew or niece for me?”
Cherry nodded. “Can’t let Ashe and Florinda steal all the thunder. But please keep it to yourself until we’ve told them.”
“Of course,” she answered. “I won’t say a thing. You know, this is certainly going to be a very exciting Christmas,” grinned Holly, as she headed toward the door. “Very exciting indeed.”
Her words were prophetic, since the two girls were descending the stairs when the door opened once more, admitting a lady bundled in a huge fur-trimmed cloak and a gentleman with his arm around her.
“Ashe,” shrieked the sisters in concert, rushing forward. “Florinda.”
More affectionate greetings were exchanged, and the lofty ceilings rang with laughter.
“Atlast,” Lady Hazel rushed into the hall and did her best to hug everyone at once.
Ashe kissed his mother on the cheek. “Papa?”
“In the study. Probably drinking brandy by this time. I think it was a rather adventurous morning.”
He grinned. “Really? Then I should definitely be there. Take care of Florinda. I’ll go and say hello.”
Lady Hazel sighed dramatically and rolled her eyes. “Come along, girls. We’ll see if we can find ourselves a cup of tea and a good fire.”
“That, Mama Trease, sounds wonderful.” Florinda took a deep breath and unwrapped herself, revealing her ever-expanding figure. “Your grandchild, it would seem, has learned the cotillion, and was dancing it all the way here.”
Glancing around, Lady Hazel leaned close. “You’ll be needing a chamber pot before that tea, then…”
Florinda rolled her eyes. “You havenoidea.”
Chapter Fourteen
In Which the Family Celebrates the Season, and Holly Almost Manages to Take the Plunge
