"Now, that's what I call a nice Christmas present, news like that. Congratulations, old boy."
Just now, though, it wasn't James who replied to Anthony's renewed teasing, it was his own wife who, in her charming Scots burr, said, "Put a lid on it, mon, or you'll be wondering where your own bed has gone."
To which James burst out laughing, and Georgina said, "It wasn't that funny. Notice your brother isn't one little bit amused."
"Course I did, love, and that's what's funny," James replied.
Anthony did some mumbling and shot James a disgusted look before he leaned close to whisper something to his wife that had her smiling. Obviously, notorious charmer that he was, he'd just patched things up nicely.
The present opening began soon after, with the children all gathered on the rug before the tree. Judy noticed the missing Present on its pedestal, and went to Amy for questioning. She and Jack hadn't come near the parlor during those days the journal was being read, having much more adventurous things to do at their age.
"It was just a book?" Judy asked after Amy answered her first question, obviously disappointed that what had caused her and Jack such interest was actually not at all interesting in her mind.
"Not just a book, love. It tells the story about your great-grandparents, how they met, how it took them a while to realize that they were meant for each other. You'll want to read it someday."
Judy did not look impressed, and in fact was already distracted, watching Jack open her next present. But several of the adults were close enough to have heard her questions, and reminded of the grandparents they all shared, had a few more comments to make.
Travis said, "I wonder if he ever liked this place, considering how much he hated it at first."
"Course he did, since she was in it," his brother replied. "Makes a world of difference if you've someone to share things with."
Anthony commented, "Find it remarkable that he agreed to brighten the place up himself. Wouldn't catch me wielding a bloody hammer."
"No?" his wife said pointedly.
"Well . . . perhaps." Anthony grinned. "Wonderful thing, the proper incentive, specially when it yields wonderful results."
Roslynn rolled her eyes, but it was Derek who said with a chuckle, "You'll have to admit, they did a good job on fixing the place up. For all its huge size, Haverston still has a homey feel to it."
"Only because it's been your home," his wife replied pointedly. "To those not raised here, it has more the feel of a royal palace."
"My thoughts exactly," Georgina agreed.
"American thoughts don't count, George," James told his wife dryly. "After all, we know quite well you won't find such grandeur in those primitive States of yours, barbaric as they still are."
Anthony chuckled at that, nodding across the room to where Warren was sitting on the floor before the Christmas tree with one of his twins on each knee, quite involved with helping them to open their presents. "Wasted that one, old man. The Yank didn't hear you."
"But this Yank did," Georgina replied, giving James a jab in the ribs to show how much she appreciated his disparaging remarks about her country.
He grunted, but it was to Anthony that he replied, "Do be a good chap and remind me to repeat it later, when he is within hearing."
"You may depend upon it," Anthony replied.
They were, after all, united when it came to their nephews-by-marriage, against them, that is, despite their merciless barbs reserved for each other when the "enemy" was not around.
Reggie came by, passing out a few presents, one of which she dropped in James's lap. It was from Warren.
"See if that doesn't change your mind about keeping today, of all days, friendly," she said.
He raised a brow at her, but opening the package, he chuckled. "Hardly, puss," he said, examining a small bronze caricature of an obvious English monarch looking decidedly silly. "Couldn't ask for a nicer gift, though."
Since it was a gift meant to provoke, James would be delighted with it. Warren was his preferred and most challenging barb-slinging choice, after all, with Reggie's husband coming in a close second.
"Famous," Reggie said, rolling her eyes. "Though I should be relieved. At least my Nicholas will be spared, now that you have your target for the day."
"Don't count on it, m'dear." James grinned wickedly. "Wouldn't want him to feel neglected just because it's Christmas."
Molly appeared in the doorway just then. Jason hadn't spoken to her since she had started reading the journal. She had finished it late last night, long after he'd gone to bed. He came to her now with a hopeful look, and she knew exactly why he wore it.
