To Sir Christmas, With Love by Katherine Bone

Author:Katherine Bone
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Katherine Bone

CHAPTER 14

Emma shrank back from the entrance to the red parlor, overhearing more than she bargained for. Eavesdropping never did anyone good. She’d learned that as a little girl. Mama had taught her it was beneath a lady to be caught listening to someone else’s conversation. But she wasn’t a lady and upon reaching the doorway—which had been left ajar—she was stopped in her tracks by these words. “We haven’t dressed this room since Lady Astley-Milne’s death.”

She froze.

“It was her favorite room. The place where Christmas resides.”

She laid her hand on the door frame, a longing to change the past flooding her mind.

“It was how my son got his name.”

Unable to overhear any more, she rushed down the hall, a plan forming in her mind. She’d never disobeyed Lord Astley-Milne before, but this Christmas Eve would have to be an exception. Plans had been in place for months to procure enough ribbon and greenery, the colors and amount chosen to match Milne Manor’s style. Every year she’d included the red parlor in her estimations because of the possibility that the viscount would change his mind, or Sir Christmas had come home.

This year, however, she meant to take matters into her own hands. The viscount thought of her as a daughter, an admission that warmed her heart because he was as dear, if not dearer, to her in the absence of her parents. They’d weathered one tragedy after another—war, sorrow, sickness, and bad harvests—fearing all the while they were one letter away from hearing about Sir Christmas’s death.

Such a bond could not be broken. It should not.

Euna approached, a worrisome expression lining her face. “Is something amiss?”

“No,” she said. “Everything is just as it should be. And tonight, we dress the red parlor.”

“Excuse me, miss? Did you say you intend to dress the red parlor?”

“I did.” She smiled broadly, every inch of her alive with expectation. The moment she had been waiting for had come and with it the joy of putting a smile on Sir Christmas and the lieutenant’s faces. She offered Euna a conspiratorial wink. “This is the year we have been waiting for. Sir Christmas has returned to us, and I want to make this the happiest and most festive of occasions. We should all celebrate. This is a day many doubted would ever come, including the viscount, as much as he desired it.”

Euna curtsied. “Tell me where to start and I’ll gather the others. Everything you ask for will be done. Oh, miss! Joyful days are surely ahead.” She scooped up Emma’s hand and held it in hers. “You were right to never give up hope.”

“Without hope,” she said, gazing into Euna’s kind eyes, “all desire to live is gone.”

They embraced each other.

Pulling back, Emma said, “Milne Manor will once more glimmer and shine. Music will fill these halls.”

“I cannot wait to spread the news.” Though she could be counted on to keep a secret, Euna did enjoy a bit of gossip. “Everyone will be as elated as I.

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