The duke, who was indeed sitting by the fire, raised his glass of whisky in a mock toast.
“Being warm and lazy is the proper way to start the new year,” he drawled.
“Hear, hear,” several of the men called in agreement.
Emma rolled her eyes. “Seeing as I had a lack of volunteers from the gentlemen present, I engaged the services of a local blacksmith who is a professional first-footer. He will arrive shortly after midnight and in his pockets, he’ll be carrying a lump of coal, a black bun, salt, and a dram of whisky. These things are supposed to bring luck, prosperity, and hospitality in the new year.”
Thea went to the piano, settling her blue satin skirts around her. Tremont stood by her side and arranged the pages of the music. As she played the first bars ofAuld Lang Syne, Bart, who’d been asleep in Tessa’s lap, stirred. He opened his eyes, yawning as the room filled with singing voices. Poignant emotion filled Tessa as she sang Robert Burns’s timeless words:
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And days of auld lang syne?
When the song ended, Emma herded them all to the front entrance for the first footing. Tessa brought up the rear carrying a sleepy Bart, and the front door opened as they arrived.
“Perfect timing,” Emma said brightly. “Here is our first-footer…”
A tall, dark-haired man came in, shaking the snow off his hat and coat.
It wasn’t the blacksmith.
“Harry,” Tessa breathed.
Her husband’s brown eyes met hers, the warmth in them evident even through the fogged lenses of his spectacles. He returned the greetings of his family and friends, his gaze never straying from hers as he strode over.
He smiled down at her, so handsome that her heart hurt.
“Happy New Year, sprite,” he murmured. “Sorry I was delayed.”
She would have replied, but Bart came fully awake, shouting joyfully, “Papa!”
Harry bent to give her a quick, hard kiss. Then he took their son.
“How’s my lad?” he asked.
“I play,” Bart said. “With fire!”
Harry shot her a look; she shrugged ruefully.
“The boy gets that from me,” a familiar voice boomed proudly.
Startled, Tessa whirled around to see her grandfather entering. He was swathed in an old-fashioned greatcoat which emphasized his barrel-chested build and leaning heavily on his walking stick. Her stepmama Mavis held onto his other arm.
“Grandpapa, Mama,” she cried joyfully. “What are you…?”
“Your ’usband convinced us family ought to be together o’er the holidays, Tessie,” Grandpapa said. “Decided to make the trip after all.”
“You are most welcome, Mr. Black and Mrs. Todd,” Emma said graciously. “Please come in and warm yourself by the fire.”
“Don’t mind if I do, Yer Grace,” Grandpapa said.
He looked at Tessa. “Why are you blubbering, Tessie?”
“I-I’m not blubbering,” Tessa said. “I-I am just h-happy.”
