A Partridge in a Pear Tree by McCabe Amanda

Author:McCabe, Amanda [McCabe, Amanda]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Amanda McCabe
Published: 2013-10-29T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

Four Colly Birds

“That was marvelous, Gertrude!” Allison said as they strolled along to escort Mademoiselle Sophie to meet her Mr. Johnstone. William walked ahead with the three sisters clustered about him like bright, chattering flowers. “Very clever of you to find us three French hens.”

Gertrude blushed, and ducked her chin into the fur collar of her spencer. “Thank you, Miss Gordon. But it was nothing at all.”

“Nothing at all?” Jane exclaimed. “Why, you spoke French like the veriest Parisian. I wish I had such a lovely accent.”

“Your accent would be a good deal more elegant if you would just do your lessons,” Allison said with a teasing laugh.

“Pah!” said Kitty. “If we studied for ten years, we could not sound like Gertrude. Perhaps you would teach us some of those words, Gertrude?”

Gertrude bit her lip, and glanced ahead to where her brother walked. Then she slowly nodded, and the three girls hurried off together, arm in arm.

Allison strolled on by herself, watching William as he charmed the French sisters with his effortless smiles and charm. They hung on his arms, giggling, enraptured by his attention. Allison very much feared that she herself looked that whenever his gaze turned her way. Silly and giggling.

She'd felt so nervous about seeing him again after all those years, remembering her schoolgirl crush. She'd wondered if those feelings would come back again. And so they had. Only stronger. Much stronger.

When last they met, she had only been a girl, swooning over the first handsome young man she ever met, longing for his fleeting, teasing attentions. Now life had intervened in the passing years, life that was so seldom easy and fun. She no longer felt like that naïve girl; William wasn't that teasing boy. They were grown-up now, sadder, wiser, and she loved sharing time with him. Laughing with him. Hearing him speak.

But she had no dowry to speak of, nothing to offer a husband even if William thought of her in such a serious way. They only had a few more days of Christmas left. Then she would go back to the cottage and her mother, and to real life.

She watched William and the French ladies turn though the churchyard gate, him gallantly holding it open while they fluttered past him. The sunlight gleamed on his bright hair, and his smile flashed. Well, then, she decided. If they only had a few days left, she would make sure they were the best, most memorable ones possible!

“Are you coming with us, Allison?” he called, still holding the gate. He gave her one of those smiles, just for her.

She hurried towards him. “Oh, yes! I assuredly am.”

**

The Reverend Mr. Johnstone turned out to be a perfect match for Mademoiselle Sophie, a round little man with pink cheeks and a merry countenance that belied his stark black coat and plain cravat. He rubbed his plump hands together in glee when he saw the large party his intended brought with her to his church.

“Oh, my stars!” he said, bowing right and left.

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