The Mistletoe Marquess by Sahara Kelly

Author:Sahara Kelly
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: SK Private Label Publications
Published: 2016-12-12T05:00:00+00:00

*~~*~~*

“Well. The prodigal son returns.”

Reid gritted his teeth as he walked in to breakfast and found his parents already there. His father was seated at the end of the table, giving him the raised eyebrow.

His mother was filling her plate, but she put it down when she saw him and rushed to hug him. “Sometimes I swear you really are a devil sent to plague me, Reid Chillendale.” She continued to hug him as he hugged her back. Then she kissed his cheek and let him go. “Do that again and I will take the carpet beater to your backside and make you regret it.”

“Mama, Father…I am sorry. Really. I had no intention of causing a fuss.” He shot a glance at Bunbury who stood silently in the corner, doing his best to not obviously pay attention.

“Well you did.” His mother stalked back to the server. “We were at our wits end.”

“I am of a mind to mention that I’m nearly thirty years old, you know.” He picked up a plate. “And I’m fairly sensible and able to look after myself.”

“We know that, lad.” His father leaned back in his chair and sipped tea. “But I am of a mind to mention that you’re our only child. And for some unknown reason, your mother and I are rather fond of you. Therefore, when you vanish into a snowstorm and we hear nothing for an entire night…well, we worry.” He shrugged. “You’ll always be our son and we’ll always worry. That’s how Chillendales are.”

Guilt washed over Reid. “I suppose I forgot that. And I shouldn’t have. It was wrong of me. But…”

“Here it comes.” His mother sat with her meal. “You may eat, and then we shall dismiss Bunbury and you will tell us everything.”

Oh dear Lord. I don’t think so.

Most of the meal was conducted in silence as his father perused the morning paper, which was almost a week old, Reid noted. His mother read what little mail had arrived earlier, courtesy of a local lad who needed the extra shilling for his mum. It was a large coin for a simple service, and the lad rode a donkey, but the weather was inclement and the Chillendales like to reward diligence.

After an appropriate period of enjoying breakfast and being quite terribly polite to each other, Lady Jocelyn told Bunbury he could clear and that they wouldn’t need anything else for a while.

Reid grabbed the teapot and the unfinished plate of toast.

“Shall I leave the jam, sir?”

“You’d better. I’m going to need additional sustenance, I fear.”

“Just so, sir.” Bunbury departed and Reid could have sworn he heard a snicker.

Turning to face his parents, Reid observed two intent faces, staring at him, waiting for him to speak.

He straightened in his chair and bought himself a little time by topping up his tea.

“Right then.” He took a breath. “What do you want to know?”

“Good God, son. Has a night away from home robbed you of your wits? We want to know where the hell you were.

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