Christmas Brides by Cheryl Bolen

Author:Cheryl Bolen [Bolen, Cheryl]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Regency romance, cookie429, Kat, Extratorrents
Published: 2012-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 4

“As much as I adore having the Balfour family here,” the elder Mrs. St. Vincent said when they removed to the drawing room after dinner, “I know you'll have to rush home before the snow falls any heavier.”

Georgianne's brows collapsed, and she effected a pout. “I was so hoping Miss Elizabeth and Miss Catherine would sing for us.”

“I have no intention of depriving us of so joyous an occurrence.” Mrs. St. Vincent bestowed a glowing smile upon Cathy, then addressed Elizabeth. “Pray, will you not honor us with a song?”

Elizabeth shyly peered into her lap ever so briefly, then rose and elegantly strolled to the pianoforte. Half way there, she spoke to David. “I beg that you play while I sing.”

He rose. “It will be my pleasure.”

Truth be told, all of the St. Vincent's were more musically talented than the vicar's musical family.

While they were selecting the music, Cathy took the opportunity to speak with Mrs. St. Vincent, of whom she was vastly fond. She could never be in the woman's company and not wonder how so small a woman had given birth to two such tall sons. Because of her short stature, Mrs. St. Vincent gave the appearance that she was. . .well, there was no polite way to say it. She was rotund. Had she a longer frame, she would certainly have appeared thinner.

Clearly, her sons did not favor her physically. But David, at least, had inherited his mother's intelligence and geniality. Michael was a dear, but David had always been Cathy's favorite. She wondered if it was because his personality so resembled his mother's.

“I understand you're just back from visiting your daughter and grandchildren,” Cathy began.

“Indeed. It was so difficult for me to leave the little darlings—I've three grandchildren now, you know—but the knowledge that my dear David would be home for Christmas was a perfect lure to bring me home.”

“It is wonderful to have him home.”

“I pray he never leaves again. If only he would purchase Belford Manor and settle down.” Her gaze flitted to Michael, and her mouth folded into a grim line. “I pray, too, that Michael and his lovely wife are blessed with children. It's been two years now, and still no sign of babes. At this rate, David will become a father before him.”

When Mrs. St. Vincent, a smile on her pink-cheeked face, turned to watch Elizabeth sing, Cathy felt a stab of jealousy. For the first time in her life, she was actually jealous of the sister she loved so dearly. All because Mrs. St. Vincent peered at Elizabeth almost simultaneously with speaking of David settling down and having a family.

Had he told his mother he intended to marry Elizabeth?

The dinner she had just consumed squirmed in Cathy's now-upset stomach as she, too, watched her lovely sister standing beside David as he played the pianoforte. What a beautiful couple they made, Elizabeth all delicate fairness and David so large and dark and powerful. She thought of tales of yore with knights rescuing fair maidens.

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