Page 31 of The Widow’s Christmas Surprise

Now they could just see the outline of the little manor house, set back from the road in a clearing ringed by tall trees. As they approached, Maria made out a wildflower garden in front, trailing vines creeping up the end wall, and an arch of roses, the blooms all but gone, over the entryway. Even with the scarcity of flowers, the house was completely charming.

“How lovely.” Maria hurried her steps forward. “It’s like the houses one reads of in fairy tales.”

“As long as it is not the one from Hansel and Gretel,” Jane murmured.

“What is that?”

“A German fairy tale Tark read to me not long after we married.”

“And it has a cottage in it like this one?”

Jane nodded. “But made of gingerbread.”

“How sweet.” Maria grinned as she hurried toward the charming little house.

“Actually not.” Jane spoke low, to herself.

“Whatever are you talking about, Jane?” At the door, Maria raised her hand to the brass knocker.

“Nothing that concerns you now. I will explain it when you are older.”

Maria frowned at her cousin. Jane could be very mysterious when she chose to be. She rapped smartly on the door, which was instantly opened by a tall, thin man, presumably the butler.

“Lady Kersey and Lady John Tarkington.” Maria glanced nervously at Jane. She’d managed to keep from telling her cousin about kissing Mr. Granger, but only because she’d been so intent on telling her about the unexpected meeting with Lord Wetherby. Now, when she saw Mr. Granger again, she very much feared her secret—or at least her emotions—would be written on her face.

They followed the butler into a small entry hall, then down a short corridor to a large drawing room, decorated in warm colors. The pale beige walls brightened the dim light coming through the large windows overlooking a rustic patch of autumn flowers. A Turkish carpet in reds and golds added elegance to the room, as did the tall escritoire and the graceful table and chairs, set for tea with delicate china.

Mr. Granger stood ready as they entered, his sister at his side. She favored him in the squareness of her jaw and the color of her hair and eyes, though not in his height.

“Lady Kersey, Lady John, it is an honor to have you here today.” He bowed solemnly, his manner rather more staid than yesterday.

Maria bit her lip, but smiled and curtsied. She could not dwell on that interlude or she would certainly come to grief. Instead she stepped forward to the young lady, who seemed all atremble. “I believe you must be Miss Granger?”

“Yes, my lady.” She curtsied, then looked to her brother. “Hugh?”

Mr. Granger stepped forward, now standing a mere foot or so from Maria. “Lady Kersey, Lady John Tarkington, may I present my sister, Miss Arabella Granger? My sister is staying with me while our brother is indisposed. Arabella, Lady Kersey and her cousin are now living at Kersey Hall, although I believe Lady John will be leaving us shortly.”

“Very shortly indeed, Mr. Granger.” Jane smiled at them both. “Tomorrow morning, in fact. How do you do, Miss Granger?”

“I am very well, my lady.” The young lady’s cheeks pinkened, and she turned to Maria. “Did you enjoy your walk to Wingate? I like walking very much when I can crunch leaves beneath my half-boots.”

“That is fun, isn’t it?” Maria laughed, suddenly very light-spirited. Miss Granger seemed a sweet lady, much in temperament like her brother if she didn’t miss her guess. “Perhaps we can take a turn outside later and enjoy the fallen leaves together.”

“I would like that, my lady.” Miss Granger shot a look at her brother, who nodded to the table. “Ladies, would you please be seated?” She then grasped the bellpull and tugged on it twice. “Tea should be here shortly.”

Maria and Jane seated themselves opposite one another, which allowed each of them to sit beside Miss Granger. It also allowed them Mr. Granger as their other partner, a circumstance that had Maria’s heart thumping loudly in her chest. This was quite the nearest she’d been to Mr. Granger, except for when she had—

Her cheeks scorched, as if she’d stood too near the fire, which in one sense she had. A surreptitious glance at Mr. Granger showed a tinge of pink in his cheeks as well.

Oh, dear. This would never do. She focused her attention on Miss Granger, praying Jane had missed that little exchange with the girl’s brother. “How are you finding life here at Wingate, Miss Granger?”

The young lady smiled pleasantly. “Very well indeed, my lady. The house is quite snug and the property is lovely. My chief concern is that I have little to do here.” She glanced at her brother and pursed her lips.

He grinned back at her.

“Mr. Granger will take everything about the running of the household on himself, leaving me with only my two favorite pastimes, reading and gardening, to while away my hours.” She sighed. “And with the weather getting colder, there is little enough to do in the garden.”

“Well, what you have accomplished in such a short time is quite lovely.” Maria nodded to Miss Granger, though her gaze strayed momentarily to her brother. That gentleman looked very handsome in a blue superfine coat and breeches, with a waistcoat done in blue and green florals and his cravat tied in a smart mathematical knot.