Page 50 of Snowdrops and Winterberry
“It’s a shame Harry couldn’t make the journey with us,” Lucas said. “I suspect the three of us could have some legendary larks at the Park.”
“I don’t have larks.” That might disappoint Lucas, but Adam didn’t think it fair to mislead him.
“Ah, but I’ve been dreaming of a Highwayman’s Christmas for years.” Lucas’s eyes danced about the way they always did when he teased Adam. No one ever teased him but Lucas. Everyone elsewas too afraid, which was a very useful thing.
“I was a little ridiculous during that first visit to Brier Hill.”
“You were brilliant.” Lucas Jonquil had a penchant for jests and amusing absurdity, but he also allowed people to see when he was being sincere.
While Adam appreciated being the recipient of that openness, he knew he could never match it. Another thing that would likely disappoint Lucas.
“I didn’t know you would be inviting me to spend Christmas at Lampton Park,” Adam said. “I don’t have a present for Mother Julia.”
Lucas grinned evermore broadly. “Don’t you realize, Adam? You are the present.”
“I am?”
“I have been anticipating for weeks the look on her face when she realizes you are with me. You and I are soon to be legends in the annals of Jonquil Family Christmases.”
When she realizes . . . A worrisome realization followed close on that declaration. “She doesn’t know I’m returning with you?”
“Julia has been entirely jealous of my visits to Harrow to see you, but she worries that if you were being visited by a lady who mothers you as much as she does, you might be ridiculed for it.”
“No one ridicules me.” Adam had made perfectly sure of that. It had taken a shocking amount of fisticuffs and an unwillingness to back down from any challenge, but life at Harrow was easier now that everyone was too afraid of him to torture him. “Will I be an inconvenience to her?”
“To Julia?” Lucas shook his head as if the very idea were entirely absurd. “Not at all.”
“What about your mother? She lives at Lampton Park.”
“And she tucks herself cozily in at the Dower House whenever she wishes for time to herself. She’ll not be the least vexed.”
Adam had met the dowager countess during his previous visits,but he’d not felt the same closeness to her as he did to Lucas and Mother Julia. Truth be told, he didn’t feel the same closeness to anyone as he did to them.
A mere moment later, Lampton Park came into view. Adam wanted to feel excited, but he was still feeling inarguably anxious. He was not at all accustomed to the feeling, and he didn’t overly like it.
The carriage stopped at the front portico. The moment the door was open, Lucas eagerly jumped out. Adam didn’t have to guess why—the answer presented itself. Two little boys with golden curls just like Lucas’s rushed from the house with shouts of “Papa!” and were scooped up by their father.
“You were gone for seven hundred years, Papa,” the older of the two said.
“Not seven hundred,” the other objected. “But lots.”
“I was fetching a Christmas surprise for your mother.” Lucas kissed them each on their cheeks, holding them close and bouncing them excitedly. “Where are the twins?”
“We are faster than they are,” the older boy proudly declared.
Adam watched from the shadows of the carriage interior. The Jonquil family was always loving and affectionate. Seeing that was one of the things he appreciated about being with them.
“You are going to need two more arms, Lucas.”
Mother Julia.
Adam sat up at the sound of her voice, leaning a little more toward the door so he could see her better. He’d missed her. Being near her again tugged fiercely at his heart. It was too dark inside for him to be spotted, and he liked that: being able to feel things but not be seen feeling them.
She was walking slowly toward Lucas with two tiny boys, the twins, toddling beside her. Was she truly going to be pleased that he was there? Her family had grown so much since that first Christmas. There wasn’t really a need for him any longer.
Lucas turned to his oldest boy, still in one of his arms. “They are walking faster than they used to. They’ll be able to keep pace with you soon enough.”
“Papa, I don’t have to be fastest. I am in charge.” The little boy’s dramatic tone brought a smile to his father’s face.
