A Christmas to Remember by Thomas Kinkade

Author:Thomas Kinkade [Kinkade, Thomas]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Penguin Group USA, Inc.
Published: 2006-09-27T20:00:00+00:00

LILLIAN WAS RELIEVED TO HEAR THAT HER PARENTS WERE GOING out on Saturday night to a banquet, some bankers’ dinner that her father was obliged to attend. They left the house at five in formal dress, a full hour before Ezra was due to pick her up for their date.

Lillian had explained to her parents that she was going out with a young man she met on vacation, who was a doctor at Children’s Hospital. Her parents liked the idea of Lillian dating a doctor and didn’t ask too many questions. Of course she didn’t add that she had met Ezra through the depraved, morally corrupt Oliver Warwick.

Lillian wasn’t sure how formally she should dress. She chose a black silk crepe dress that fell just below the knee and long black satin gloves that stretched above her elbow. She wore her hair up with pearl drop earrings.

Her younger sister, Beth, lolled on Lillian’s bed, watching her get dressed. “Where are you going, Lily? To a funeral?”

Lillian glanced at her and smiled. “To the opera, Turandot.”

“Oh, same difference. Everybody’s moaning and crying and killing themselves. For love, of course. I thought Turandot was a kind of fish,” Beth added, sounding puzzled. “Didn’t Cook make that for dinner last week?”

Lillian had to grin. She dabbed some perfume on her wrists and behind her ears. “Do you mean turbot?”

“That’s it.” Beth jumped off the bed and grabbed at Lillian’s perfume bottle. “Can I try some?”

“This is French perfume, Chanel. I don’t want to waste it.” Lillian pulled the bottle away, then seeing the disappointed look on Beth’s face, gave in. “All right. Just a drop. I’ll put it on for you.”

She touched some perfume to her sister’s wrist then watched her sniff. “Eeew. That smells awful.”

“It does not. But I told you it wasn’t for you.” Lillian laughed at her. “What are you going to do tonight?”

“I’m going to the movies with Annie Arden. Mother said it was okay as long as Mrs. Arden brings us there and picks us up.”

Lillian was glad to hear her little sister wasn’t going to be alone tonight. Even Nancy had the night off and was going out soon.

“Lily, is something bothering you? Ever since you came back from vacation, you seem sad.”

The question took Lillian by surprise. “Of course not. Nothing’s bothering me.” She glanced at her sister and forced a smile. “Why do you say that?”

Beth shrugged. “I don’t know. Is it because of that man, the one who sent all the flowers? The one Mother and Dad don’t want you to see again?”

“How do you know about that?” Lillian felt herself blush.

Beth picked up one of Lillian’s bracelets and admired it on her arm. “I’m not deaf. Are you sad you can’t see him anymore?”

Of course she had overheard everything. Lillian shook her head. “Don’t be silly. I’m just tired and very busy at work. I don’t think of that man at all. Mother and Father are right, he’s not a nice fellow.”

That was a lie.

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