Page 59 of The Widow’s Christmas Surprise

In the corridor, Hugh hurried back to his office. There were several of his belongings he wanted to retrieve, and he’d need to inform Saunders of his departure. The footman had been a good ally. He would miss him. Opening the door, Hugh made a quick inventory of everything that belonged to him. He could not tarry here. Bella must be informed and the house emptied as speedily as possible, lest they find their things put out on the lawn next to the Tates’ possessions. His sister would likely be too concerned with Kit’s death to care much about his losing the position at Kersey. Until they were out on the side of the road along with the tenants.

Still, one idea kept a smile on Hugh’s face all the way back to Wingate: Maria would have been pleased and proud of him.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Late December

London

“What did I tell you?” Jane stood beside Maria in the townhouse’s entry hall, surveying with apparent satisfaction the pandemonium that had ensued upon the arrival of Fanny and Matthew, Lord and Lady Lathbury, and their entourage of servants and children. “I knew they would come. Merry Christmas, Cousin.”

“I don’t think I shall ever doubt you again, my dear,” Maria whispered, then swept Fanny up in a strong embrace. “Merry Christmas, Fanny. It is so good to see you. Thank you so much for coming.”

“Oh, we wouldn’t have missed it.” Fanny bussed her cheeks, then turned to Jane, not only her friend but her sister-in-law. Both their husbands, brothers, had perished at Waterloo. “Jane, dear.” They embraced. “I see you still have Kinellan on the string. Best get him to come up to scratch while we are here. Christmas is a lovely time of year for a wedding.”

“And so convenient, don’t you know, since all The Widows’ Club will be here.” Tall and darkly handsome, Matthew, Fanny’s husband, followed behind her in the impromptu receiving line. “Maria, so good to see you again.” He engulfed her in his embrace, almost making her lose her breath. Lord, how did he not crush Fanny in their more intimate moments?

“And Jane”—he moved on to her cousin—“we have missed seeing you at Kinellan’s for most of the year.”

“I am well aware, Matthew, of where I have and have not been.” She hugged him fiercely. “Don’t think for a moment Kinellan has let me forget.”

He laughed and put his arm around his wife. “I don’t think he’s let anyone do that. You really must marry the man, Jane, so we can stop his fussing about your absence.”

Jane cut her eyes toward Maria. Time to move the guests along. “If you would follow Mrs. Cheever to your room, Fanny, Matthew, you can freshen up and join us in the large drawing room.”

“Are we sharing a room?” Matthew cocked his eyebrow at his wife.

“I am afraid so, my lord.” Maria led them to the front staircase where the housekeeper waited. “The townhouse has only six bedrooms.”

“Good.” He winked at Maria and bent to whisper, “Much better to have less running back and forth between rooms in the dark of night.”

Maria giggled and followed them up the staircase to the first floor, Jane just behind her. They turned at the first landing, heading for their other guests already in the drawing room. She could hear animated chatter as they approached the door.

“Wrotham was blanketed in snow last week, such a picturesque village in winter.”

They entered to find their friends Charlotte, Lady Wrotham, and Elizabeth, Lady Brack, on the end of the long green-and-white-striped sofa nearest the fireplace. Nash and Jemmy, their husbands, were at the far end of the room, deep in conversation.

“But the roads are so rutted this time of year,” Charlotte continued. “We were fortunate that the travel here took only the best part of yesterday. Kitty traveled much better than I had anticipated a baby would.”

“We would have arrived before you, but Jemmy’s father would keep on and on about the castle Christmas traditions we would be missing, and making us promise to have little Nes back at Blackham for the ushering in of the New Year. A very big occasion for a firstborn son of the Cross family, apparently.” Elizabeth sipped her tea, then glanced toward her husband, a fond smile on her lips.

“Are Fanny and Matthew here?” Charlotte set her tea down quickly, looking eagerly at the door. “I have not seen them in an age, it seems.”

“They have gone to their room and should be along quite soon.” Maria rang the bell for more tea, then settled herself in the Queen Anne chair that matched the sofa.

Charlotte and Jane exchanged glances.

“I would say later, rather than soon, my dear.” Jane laughed and snared a fairy cake. “Fanny and Matthew have never waited overlong to christen a new bed.”

“Jane!” For some reason her cheeks heated at the thought of her friend availing herself of marital pleasures while the rest of them sat talking downstairs.

“It is nothing but the truth, isn’t that right, Charlotte?”

“I would have to say so, Jane.” Grinning and trying to hide it, Charlotte picked up her cup, took a sip only to find it empty, and replaced it on the tray.

“Elizabeth”—Maria hastened to change the topic before her Christmas party became a scandal—“I heard you call your son Nes, is that correct? What an unusual name.”

“His true name is what is unusual. Onesiphorus.”