Always Kiss at Christmas by Regina Scott

Author:Regina Scott
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: humor, christmas, regency, second chance at love, friends to lovers, reunion romance, quick reads, romance clean and wholesome
Publisher: Regina Scott

Chapter Five

Her home lost? It couldn’t be. Mary hurried past Mrs. Pomfrey and her sisters as they sang Christmas carols together, altos blending with sopranos. But one look at her mother sitting and listening made her rethink her questions. She could only hope for the sake of her mother’s pride that few noticed the fingers tapping uncontrollably on the arms of her chair, the brittle smile. Mary slipped in beside her and wheeled her back a little way from the quartet.

“You didn’t have to do that,” her mother murmured with a sigh. “I’m all right.”

“But you will be better for a moment’s rest,” Mary said. “I am so proud of you, Mother. You are still the perfect hostess. I just don’t want you to overtire yourself.”

“You are good to me.” Her mother unlatched her grip on the arm of the chair and patted Mary’s hand. “Are you enjoying the party?”

More than she’d expected, despite her inability to maneuver Julian under the kissing bough. What was it about Christmas to raise such hope, such joy? To remember all the things she treasured from her childhood—family, friends, fun. Yet how much more glorious it would have been to announce her engagement to all those who had known her growing up. She could imagine Julian looking so adoring as he declared his love in front of them all. But she couldn’t confess her dreams to her mother.

“I’m enjoying it well enough,” Mary said.

Her mother nodded toward the hearth. “Mr. Godwin looks as if he could use some company.”

Mary shook her head. “You are unaccountably devoted to Mr. Godwin.”

“He has potential,” her mother said, and Mary thought she might be one of the few to reach that conclusion.

“Perhaps,” Mary said. “But I must speak to you about another matter. There is an ugly rumor circulating. Tell me, Mother. Are we beholden to Cousin Nigel?”

Her mother fussed with the lap blanket Mr. Cowls must have draped over her skirts, the blue and green plaid of the wool dark against her white gloves. “Not at the moment.”

The room felt colder. “But someday.”

“When I die,” her mother murmured. Then she straightened and went on in a stronger voice. “Should I die, your cousin inherits the house and all its contents. My dower arrangements last only that long.”

Mary could not catch her breath. “And if I outlive you?”

Her mother’s smile was as tremulous as her fingers. “You will be happily married in your own home, so the matter need not concern you.”

Mary swallowed. “And if I am yet unwed?”

“If you are younger than one-and-twenty, you will have to have a guardian. If Lord Farley allows, you could stay here as your cousin’s ward, under his protection.”

“Under his thumb, you mean,” Mary said.

Her mother nodded. “As his ward, you would have to do what he says.”

It was impossible, unthinkable. She had five years until she reached her majority. How could she survive five years under Lord Farley’s benign neglect or, worse, with Nigel pecking at her like an angry rooster?

It wouldn’t happen.

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