Citit - A Common Christmas by Sue London

Author:Sue London
Language: ron
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Grace wasn't sure the last time she had felt so tired, but the effort seemed to be

worth it. They had all supped on medallions of beef, a meal that had been the very pinnacle of her repertoire at home and at the earl's table was most likely considered common fare.

But she had been well pleased with the results. Meanwhile, the house was filled with

greenery. She had even saved some pieces to use in the kitchen. It still felt like the men were humoring her determination to celebrate the season, but she had to admit that she was

determined. If anyone knew that opportunities were fleeting, that all could be lost, it was her.

Why lose this chance to fill such a lovely home with the sights, sounds, and smells of the

holiday? Heavens knew that she would be lucky to have a boarding room come this time

next year, with no family or friends to speak of.

Dibbs entered the kitchen as she was finishing up cleaning the last of her pots and

scanned the orderliness of the room as he was wont to do. She wondered if he even realized

his tendency to do so. Everything was apparently in order since he turned to her and said,

"Good evening, Miss Ashman."

"Good evening, Mr. Dibbs. When will we be leaving for church?" He looked at her

blankly for a moment so she prompted, "For the midnight Christmas service?"

"I wasn't planning to attend."

Whit entered the kitchen at the end of Dibbs' statement. "Attend what?"

Grace turned to the valet. "Midnight mass for Christmas."

Whit selected an orange from the bowl on the table and then lounged against the

surface, slowly peeling the fruit. "I would be happy to take you, Miss Ashman."

The glower Dibbs turned on the valet was dire. Whit grinned in response.

"Certainly Joe is taking Joey as well," Grace said.

Whit shrugged. "I couldn't say."

Grace frowned at Dibbs. "Why don't you gather the staff for the service?"

"Yes, Dibbs," Whit echoed, "Why don't you gather the staff for the service?"

The butler continued to give the valet a baleful glare but answered Grace politely

enough, "I don't presume to tell the staff how to spend their free time."

Whit snorted with laughter. "If only that were true."

Grace discovered that it was quite freeing to know that she wouldn't be staying on at

the house, as she was able to speak her mind. "Mr. Whitman, why do you insist on

antagonizing Mr. Dibbs?"

The valet looked surprised. "Me? He's the overbearing, officious one!"

"I daresay it's the nature of his job. How long would you tolerate me rifling through

the earl's wardrobe, leaving everything in a ripped, soiled mess?"

Whit looked from Grace to Dibbs and back again, answering with a sardonic grin.

"Not even five minutes."

"Then have some sympathy or that's precisely what I will do." She turned back to the butler. "Now, Mr. Dibbs, about the midnight mass."

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