Star of Bethlehem by Mary Balogh

Author:Mary Balogh [Balogh, Mary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Regency, Man-woman relationships, Christmas stories, General, Romance, Christmas stories; English, Short Stories (single author), Historical, Fiction, Love stories
ISBN: 9780451223456
Publisher: Penguin Group USA
Published: 2007-10-30T00:00:00+00:00

"But only before the music began and during the interval," she said. "Oh, come now, Allan, you must admit it is true. I did not chatter through the music. How could I have done so when I was so enthralled? And how could I have sat silent between times when we were in company with friends? They would have thought I was sickening for something."

Her eyes fixed on the upholstery of the seat opposite her, and soon she was singing softly again. '"There were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night.'" She hummed the orchestra's part.

The earl watched her broodingly. He could not see her clearly in the darkness, but he would wager that her cheeks still glowed and that her eyes still shone. As they had done through dinner at the Mayfields', through the performance of Handel's Messiah they had attended in company with six friends, and through late-evening tea and cards at the Bellamys'.

She was so looking forward to Christmas, she had told everyone who had been willing to listen—and everyone was always willing to listen to Estelle, it seemed. The first that she and her husband had spent at their own home. And her mama and papa were coming, and her married brother with his wife and two children, and her unmarried brother. And her husband's mother and his two sisters with their families. And two aunts and a few cousins. One more week and they would begin to arrive.

She had been pleased when he had agreed a couple of months before to stay in London and host the family Christmas that year. But she had not bubbled over so with high spirits to him. He could not seem to inspire such brightness in her.

"I spent a fortune this morning, Allan," she said to him now, turning her head in his direction. And he could tell from her voice that she was still bubbling, though she had only him for audience. "I bought so many presents that Jasper looked dubious when I staggered along to the coach. I think he wondered how we were to get all the parcels inside." She laughed.

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