Page 38 of Snowdrops and Winterberry
“The window high on the back of the house,” Lord Jonquil said. “There are two womenfolk standing there just now, watching us.”
Howard looked up. Sure enough, Lady Jonquil and Robbieboth stood at the window, looking down on them.
“We could do a vignette,” Adam suggested.
“Excellent.” Lord Jonquil looked excited. “I suggest we select something that makes the three of us look incredibly impressive.”
“What about Charon?” Adam asked.
“The ferryman on the river Styx?” Lord Jonquil nodded his approval. “Have you a fondness for the Greek myths?”
Adam shrugged. “I think about them sometimes. I don’t really know why. They feel... important.”
“They are rather fascinating,” Lord Jonquil said.
“And rather perfect for our purposes,” Howard said.
Thus began a thorough but very quick discussion of how to create their little vignette of Charon punting two poor souls to the underworld. They needed but a few moments to sort the particulars.
On a signal from Adam, they rushed to assume their poses, the young duke portraying the ferryman and his adult companions quite dramatically portraying the unwitting passengers. Howard looked up at the window. His dear Robbie was laughing quite heartily.
“I think we made them feel happy,” Adam said. “Anytime a man can do something to make the women he cares about happy, that is a fine thing.”
“A fine thing indeed,” Howard said.
Chapter Sixteen
Preparations began in earnest theday before the planned Twelfth Night celebration. Somehow, the planners had managed to keep their scheme a secret from Lady Jonquil. Robbie had never before considered herself a mischief-maker, and she was rather enjoying having a scheme to participate in. And a Christmastime scheme seemed to her the very best sort.
It was midmorning, and Robbie, Adam, and Lord Jonquil had plans to ride out in the pony cart to gather a bit of greenery for making a Twelfth Night crown. Howard wasn’t able to join them. In fact, he was just then returning from the village with the pony cart, having made a quick jaunt there for a few supplies he needed.
“We should find branches like the ones on the mantel,” Adam said, watching the cart approach with an eagerness that was unusual for him—at least, it had been before coming to Brier Hill. “They are very Christmassy.”
“Christmassy things are rather wonderful, aren’t they?” Lord Jonquil observed. He was holding Adam’s hand, something the boy had permitted so few people to do. Even Robbie wasn’t permitted to do so any longer.
“Do you like Christmassy things, Nurse Robbie?” Adam asked.
I’ll look back on this not-actually-Christmas celebration as my favorite Yuletide of all.Robbie’s heart leaped about as Howard’s declaration echoed in her mind. “I very much like Christmassy things.”
The pony cart reached the spot where they were waiting. Howard doffed his hat to all of them but offered a subtle wink to Robbie. He truly did mean to keep doing that, it seemed. She didn’t mind in the least.
He alighted and placed himself at the pony’s head. “I’ve kept the beast to a sedate pace, Lord Jonquil. The animal should have vigor enough for your greenery gathering.”
“You have our thanks. Ours is a very important mission.”
“I know it is.”
Lord Jonquil lifted Adam up into the cart, then climbed up onto the bench and took up the reins. “I assume you’d not object to seeing Miss MacGregor settled on the bench.”
“No objection in the least.” Howard grinned broadly.
With Lord Jonquil in control of the pony, Howard made his way to where Robbie stood. Her heart flipped about more and more each time she saw him.
“I wish I could wander about with you, looking for greenery,” he said.
“I know you’ve work to do. And we’ll see you this evening when we undertake preparations in earnest.”
His eyes moved to Adam. “As I’ve promised, Your Grace.”
