The Silver Thaw by Betty Neels

Author:Betty Neels
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-07-30T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter SIX

CHRISTMAS WAS VERY NEAR. Amelia went about the task of buying presents with a complete lack of enthusiasm. Instead of looking at handbags, ties and belts for all her numerous relations, she found herself in the Burlington Arcade, staring at men’s cashmere sweaters, picturing Gideon in them. It really would not do, she told herself furiously, prowling round Harrods in search of something for Bonny, only to fetch up at a counter displaying ties. She had chosen several, all pure silk and very expensive, in her mind before she was able to stop herself.

She would be on duty for the whole of Christmas this year, keeping the theatre in a state of readiness with the aid of a skeleton staff, and she wasn’t sorry about this. They were bound to be busy. The holiday periods were always worse when it came to emergencies and she would have no time to think about her own affairs. There were several parties and dances she would go to, of course, for the family was a large one and any number of them lived in London.

Amelia spent time in the choosing of some new outfits for these functions, and a great deal of money too. Barbara and her husband had invited her to an evening party on the day after Boxing Day, and she had found just the thing for it; a french navy chiffon over a satin slip, lavishly embroidered with sequins. She had been extravagant over her shoes too, for they were ridiculous satin ones which she would only wear with that particular dress, but she knew she would look eye-catching—although just whose eye she wanted to catch was something she didn’t go too deeply into. At the very back of her head she cherished the forlorn hope that Gideon might be there, but common sense told her that he wouldn’t. Christmas was a family time, he wouldn’t go gadding about in another country—besides, she had made it her business to find out that the pretty redhead had gone to America...

She went home for her days off the week before Christmas and found her father, oblivious of the festive season, deep in his armchair, reading. But Bonny had everything in hand. She assured Amelia that there would be a tree as usual, and plenty of holly and mistletoe and an abundance of mince pies for the carol singers when they paid their annual visit. ‘And a pity you can’t be here, Miss Amelia, you oughtn’t to be cooped up in that nasty theatre—it can’t be healthy.’

She eyed Amelia’s well-rounded figure, bursting with good health, with indulgent affection.

Amelia gave her a hug. ‘I’m always covered up,’ she assured her old friend. ‘Besides, I’m not working all the time, you know, I’m going to quite a few parties.’

‘Well, I’m glad to hear it. Will you be coming down at all over the holidays?’

‘I’ll try. The aunts will be here, of course?’

The aunts were her mother’s two sisters, rather formidable elderly ladies

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