“It was that bad?”
“Pretty bad. The other investors are in jail, leaving him responsible for the entire thing. He was going to have to liquidate most of his holdings, with no guarantee he’d get it back.”
“That’s the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. Or for him, I’m sure. And he doesn’t deserve it.”
“But you do.” He got up and walked over to her, pulling her out of her chair and into his arms. He leaned down and kissed her. “Don’t expect him to be either grateful or happy about it. He won’t be.”
She touched his cheek. “I’m sorry. I wish he wasn’t that way.”
“As long as you’re not, I don’t care.”
Chapter Twenty
Savannah knew the Harwood Inn was magical at Christmastime, though she’d never actually stayed there overnight on Christmas Eve. In fact, tonight would be her first night to sleep at the inn, not counting the night of the ball and the ice storm. But starting with Felicity’s Ball, the inn went all out for Christmas.
Savannah and Harlan checked in late afternoon. The big common room held an enormous lighted tree decorated with every kind of glass ball and ornament, some dating back to the original Harwood House. There was a cozy fire crackling in the grand fireplace, a garland on the mantel with Santa, his reindeer and sleigh, and elves on one end and a carved wooden nativity scene on the other. The room was filled with comfortable couches and chairs in several seating arrangements. Bookshelves filled with books lined one wall and mistletoe hung in the doorway entering the room.
Savannah and Harlan’s room was one of the river rooms, which Becky Harwood had recommended when Savannah made the reservations, as it was spacious, romantic and private.
It was two-story, the first floor a large room with an overstuffed couch, wood floors, a cowhide rug, a fireplace and a large TV hanging on the wall. There was also a mini-refrigerator and a coffee pot. A bottle of champagne chilled in a cooler, with a tray of cheese and crackers beside it.
Up a wooden staircase was a spacious bedroom with wood floors and paneling. Another rug, this one Oriental, covered the floor and two chairs and a small table formed a sitting area off to one side. The bed was a work of art. King-sized, with a beautifully carved wooden headboard and footboard, it was covered in a white comforter and a bevy of pillows of all sizes, in pastel blues, greens, and yellows.
“I’ve never spent the night at the inn before. Other than the night of the ball and that doesn’t exactly count,” Harlan said. “This is beautiful.”
“Yes, it is. I think Becky gave me a deal since she feels like she knows us now, after we spent the night in their living room.”
“This looks a lot more comfortable than that couch was.”
Savannah laughed. “I hope so. We have dinner reservations in half an hour, so we have time to have a glass of champagne before we go.”
“Good idea,” Harlan said. He popped the cork and poured a glass for each of them, then tapped his glass to hers. “To us.”
After drinking a glass of champagne they walked to The Haven, the restaurant on the far side of the ballroom where Felicity’s Ball had been held. The restaurant wasn’t crowded. Only a few couples, all of them adults, were dining. It was early, though, so there might be a bigger crowd later on. The lighting was low, the tables set for Christmas. A red tablecloth formed the base layer with a green cloth overlay. In the center of the table was a crystal and silver votive with a lighted candle that smelled like Christmas trees. Beside it sat a small vase with several red and white carnations. The crystal and silverware gleamed and the plates were white with red poinsettias circling the edge.
The four-course prix fixe menu came with a choice of appetizer, a salad, a choice of Prime Rib, Virginia Ham, Grilled Quail, or an Asian Fusion Mahi-Mahi for the entrées, and a variety of side dishes ranging from traditional to ones that were specialties of the house.
