Stars are Brightly Shining: A Magical Holiday Collection by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Tags: Romance, Anthology, Historical, Fiction
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2019-11-28T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

“What if they decide on Mary and Christopher?” Eleanor asked.

Jenny overheard her youngest sister as Simon carried her into the great room where everyone had gathered around her beloved evergreen.

“As if!” she murmured to her husband before taking in the beauty of the setting. The tree was lit with a hundred candles and the tin ornaments sparkled like diamonds. It seemed impossible that a mere twenty-four hours earlier she’d stood looking outside, afraid for her family, and filled with worries that had proven to be utterly senseless.

She and Simon had slept most of Christmas, as had the Cambreys and even her mother and Eleanor. Only young cousins Lionel and Rosie had been awake for breakfast, looked after by the nanny, to whom Simon said he intended to give a massive bonus for her devotion. Plus, the woman was about to end up with two more charges, Baby One and Baby Two.

“Here they are!” John exclaimed, holding his little Rosie on his lap since his wife was currently cradling their infant niece.

It was after eight o’clock and almost time for the evening feast. They were gathered around the great tree precisely as Jenny had envisioned, all the adults drinking mulled wine. Her babies were in her sisters’ arms, sleeping. They hadn’t wanted to feed yet, though she’d tried to get each of the twins to latch on more than once during the day. She knew patience was in order at this stage. Emily would be back on the morrow to see how they were all doing.

Meanwhile, she would—

“Dear God,” Jenny interrupted her own thoughts. “Do I smell clove buns?”

As soon as Simon had her settled on the chaise longue brought in from the conservatory, her mother rose from the sofa and brought over the basket of sweet, baked treats.

“Your midwife sent them over earlier and said you were most fond.”

Tears sprang to Jenny’s eyes. “The baker fired up his ovens for us on Christmas. I cannot believe it!” She couldn’t fathom such kindness. Nonetheless, she could barely get the words out before she was stuffing an iced bun into her mouth, closing her eyes with bliss as she chewed.

“Careful, love, you’ll choke,” Simon warned as Lionel, seated on the floor, dropped his new toy train to rush over and raise his arms for his father to pick him up.

Jenny couldn’t help herself as she reached for another bun. “Mm, these are the reward for giving birth.”

Everyone burst out laughing.

“I’m sure your children will be delighted to know where they stand,” Maggie told her. “Speaking of whom, out with their names. We’ve waited long enough.”

“First, where is Jasper?” Jenny asked.

“He’s enjoying yet another meal, I believe,” John said. “That boy will eat you out of house and home if you’re not careful. What are you going to do with him?”

She and Simon had discussed that already.

“Whatever Jasper wants,” Jenny said. “He can stay with us forever if he likes, or we will apprentice him to someone in Sheffield and pay his way if there is something he wishes to learn.

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