Carols and Chaos by Cindy Anstey

Author:Cindy Anstey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1817

THE CHURCH WAS crowded, though not as crowded as the Yuletide service would be. It meant there was space for the male staff of Shackleford to sit together … which was somewhat unfortunate, as Kate was with the female staff two pews ahead. It was probably just as well; every time their eyes met, a longing Matt had never experienced before overwhelmed him.

Pulling away from Kate the previous night had been far more difficult than he had revealed. Far more. Wisdom was highly overrated. Concern about Johnny kept his mind focused on non-Kate issues—allowing Matt to regain his composure. Otherwise … otherwise … yes, otherwise he would be looking at Kate instead of glancing around for Mr. Niven.

Though Mr. Niven did not seem to be attending the service. Matt wondered if this was the man’s norm and asked Kate just that when the final hymn was sung and the congregation filed outside. Instead of joining the exodus, they walked over to the crèche set up near the baptismal font by a side altar. They pointed at the various statues, nodding and smiling and giving every impression of being caught up in the nativity scene … and amused by the portrayed wild eyes of the braying donkey. Their conversation, however, had nothing to do with Christmas.

“Mr. Niven is ordinarily at church … though I must own to not paying much attention to his presence. A rather intense but quite forgettable man. I’m not sure we need be worried.”

“We will be going right by the wine shop and his apartment on our way back to Shackleford Park; perhaps we should pay him a visit.”

“Yes, excellent suggestion. I will let Miss Emily know…” She smiled at Matt in an enigmatic manner. “But I know she will not mind, and Marie has already professed a preference to return by coach with the family. Too bitter for her. And the beautiful falling snow? A disaster—she finds winter intolerable. I, on the other hand, believe that in the right company the wind is not as biting, the snow makes everything fresh, and the crunch of ice underfoot can be almost musical.”

Matt laughed. “I would like to live in your world.”

Staring at him rather intently, taking his words seriously—not the way they were intended—Kate’s expression became rather glum. “I wish you did, too.”

Matt nodded; he took her meaning.

Outside, Miss Emily made no fuss about Kate walking back to the manor in Matt’s company, although Miss Imogene frowned and glanced his way. When Matt doffed his cap, she looked startled, almost as if she hadn’t realized she had been staring. The poor girl turned a bright shade of red, and Matt regretted drawing her attention. Miss Imogene was a bashful young lady. However, all was mended when Mr. Ben stepped to her side; a comment brought back her smile. Piling into the carriages, the family and their guests were soon covered with blankets and on their way. The staff huddled together on the outside seats.

Marie

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.