“How...how did you know?”
“Mrs.Thompson.Shetell me how you and Matthew love so much to play this gamecomo niños.” Ana’s eyes shone with pure contentment.
“I truly don’t remember the last time I played.It’s been ages.”
“I also have some wooden toysolderos, and a ball-and-cup.Se dice así?”
“Yes, that is precisely what it’s called.”Peter shook his head, boyish excitement coursing through him.“I haven’t the slightest idea how Mrs.Thompson remembered.”
“She remembers this because she loves you,Pedro.”
Peter suddenly found himself with a most annoying lump in his throat, blocking his even breathing and causing tears to rise to his eyes.He blinked hard before they could fall down his cheeks.He knew Mrs.Thompson cared for him, as did the rest of the staff.But this was physical proof of the fact, reminding him, once again, that he could find happiness here.That hedidbelong in Abbeygate.He rubbed a finger over the smoothed wood of the knuckle bones and imagined playing and laughing with his own children much as he had with Matthew so many years ago.
“This is the first Christmas present I have received in more years than I can remember.And I couldn’t have asked for a more meaningful one.Thank you, Ana.I so look forward to introducing these games to our little ones.”
“De nada, querido.”
Peter rested a hand on Ana’s cheek, his thumb stroking against her lovely, defined cheekbones.Her eyelids fluttered in response as her gaze lowered to his lips.He closed the distance between them in an instant, covering her lips with his.The sweetness of her lips was a taste Peter would never tire of.Each time, he found it increasingly difficult to pull away and slow the desire that was being stoked to a raging fire within him.But for now, he kissed her slowly, patiently, hoping that he could thoroughly convey his thanks.The curl of her smile beneath his indicated that he did.He trailed kisses down her cheek, in search of that sensitive spot behind her ear that he had recently discovered made her giggle.
But then she pulled away, quirking her mouth to one side and blinking rapidly as she often did when she was thinking hard on a matter.
“What is it?”
“You never celebratela Navidadinla armada?You never receive anyregalos?”
Peter huffed out a laugh.“If you consider the festivities common among the soldiers to be appropriately celebratory.Mother always sent money, expecting me to outfit myself with new clothing and necessities.”
“Then why celebrate now?”
“Perhaps because I have something—and someone—worth celebrating.”
Ana’s face was painted with the most becoming blush at his words.Clearly she understood what he referred to.He ran a hand over the flushed curve of her cheek, having half made up his mind to forgo his plans for the evening and spend the rest of the winter here in his room kissing his wife.But he knew how she had looked forward to this day while he was away.No, he would go forward with their plans and enjoy it immensely.He may not spend the evening kissing Ana, but he would drink in her laugh and smile, which was a very close second.
“It also helps a great deal to have a wife that won’t allow you to forget the important days of the year...including yourDía de los Inocentes.You seem to have transformed me into a much more tradition-honoring person than I ever was before.I am a changed man.”
“The beingun esposo—a husband—it suits you,querido.That is what change, not you.”
Chapter 21
January 8, 1814, Abbeygate, Surrey Hills, England
Ana stepped into the dining room, but her quick, excited pace was stopped entirely by the delightfulvistathat met her.
In the time they had been upstairs, the room had been transformed into the most magical of holiday scenes.The few decorative greenery boughs that the household had put up for earlier celebrations had already been taken down and burned, as was tradition.(Ana had heard murmured words from Mrs.Thompson about bad luck and a goblin, and she had no wish to tempt fate in that regard.) But these new decorations were something entirely unique.
An impressive collection of candles brightened the center of the table.There were thin, spindly candles and short, stout candles, and even a few decorative ones in elegant, glass holders.But even though the candles were mismatched in their great variety, they didn’t look haphazard in the least.Their nearness helped the table to look like it held a great collection of stars.The light and the warmth from the display warmed Ana, inside and out.
Above the table, delightfully bright ribbons were secured to the bottom of the chandelier and twisted downward in a cascade of ruby red,emerald green, deep plum, and rich ocher.Hot spiced wine glittered in glasses, giving a jewel-like appearance to the table spread.The estate’s finest dishes and silver were set with great care in an arrangement just for the two of them.Between their plates sat a golden cake, topped with intricate, white icing, appearing for all the world to be a real length of French lace.
Ana sat heavily at the table, completely awed.How had Peter arranged for all of this when he had only just arrived home?She had made some arrangements of her own to commemorateel Día de los Inocentes, but nothing on this scale.
Again, his surprising thoughtfulness struck her.Peter did not often exude any sort of emotional softness, at least not when she was first coming to know him.His logical mind seemed to rule his decisions, and his life was planned with precise intention.The role of soldier had seemed to fit him perfectly then.He knew his responsibilities.His rules and limitations were drawn so very clearly.And none of this allowed for overly caring acts of tenderness, not to mention the mind-numbing kisses that he had bestowed on her as of late.He was changing.Or perhaps he was just revealing to her more of who he truly was.And tonight was another excellent example of that.
“I see you’ve already found part of our celebrations,” Peter whispered, soft and low in her ear.He buried a kiss at the back of her neck.Tingles ran down Ana’s spine, and her heart pounded wildly.It seemed his words now had just as much power over her as his touch.What a weakness she had for him already.
“It is sohermoso,Pedro.Gracias.”
She rose and turned to greet him, clasping her hands together so as to hide their trembling.Was it nervousness?Excitement?She would never know because within an instant, her hands were captured by his.
