Page 61 of Undercover with the Heiress
‘I’m fine, really, I—’
‘Rosanna would never forgive us if she thought we left you to spend Christmas alone. You know I’m right,’ Wilhelmina called over her shoulder as she left.
There was no use denying that. And when it came to Rosanna, resistance was futile. Phineas scooped the baby up. She swayed a little, then clasped his shirt. Chubby little fingers gripped his waistcoat, and with her other hand, she poked a finger into his eye. ‘Steady on,’ he said with a laugh and a flinch. ‘Not every Hempel needs to wage war on me.’
The house echoed with shouts, noise, and activity. He carried Hazel to the window and settled onto the seat. She pressedher palms against the glass, her eyes wide as she followed a flurry of snowflakes that dashed past the window to settle on the shrubs. A small group of people emerged from the shadows and ascended his staircase with a flip of coats and boots, shortly followed by the clap of the knocker against the front door.
‘I suppose we should answer that,’ Phineas said, swinging Hazel onto his hip as he made for the entry. The first shape to greet him was Spencer, who shot over the threshold in a blur of grey fur. He shook himself furiously, and little flecks of ice and snow scattered over the walls.
‘It’s colder than last year. How is that even possible? Hold these!’ Hamish shoved a basket covered with a chequered cloth at Phineas, who grasped the handle with his free hand. The viscount turned to help his wife with her coat before shrugging off his own.
‘We heard reports of the terrible weather, and that the trains were delayed,’ Iris said as she smoothed her hair. ‘We didn’t want you to spend Christmas alone. We are so grateful for your help with the company. Papa is with Odette. She’s invited Jonah and a few of their friends from the early days to play piano. She thought a small group might be nice for him to spend time with. So we thought we’d come to you.’
‘How is he?’ Phineas asked.
‘This morning he remembered all of us,’ Iris said with a tender smile. ‘Today was a good day.’
On his hip, baby Hazel grasped the chequered cloth over the basket to reveal a jumble of shortbread and sugar biscuits. Her little hands clenched and released before she made a grab for a treat.
‘These are mine!’ Hamish said with mock outrage and snatched the basket away, then presented it again. ‘Go on, have one.’
Phineas sighed as the baby crushed crumbs against his waistcoat. He turned to the door, but another gust blew in a flurry of snowflakes, bringing Petunia and Elise Hartright along with them.
‘It is far too cold to sing in the park.’ Petunia stomped snow off her boots and shook out her scarf. ‘Besides, we heard you were alone. Which way is your new piano, Mr Babbage?’
‘Upstairs, in the parlour. But there really is no need. I am far from alone now, and I was quite happy before—’
Elise clapped her hands in front of Hazel and held them out, ready to catch. Hazel, familiar with the game, pushed herself forwards and fell into Elise’s waiting arms. Chattering fast, the five of them made for the stairs and ascended into the bluster and noise above.
‘A party without me?’ someone hollered from the street. ‘I am outraged.’
Phineas stepped out into the cold. He descended the few stairs to the path and peered into the late afternoon. ‘Benton Hunter? What on earth are you doing here?’
‘Two years abroad, and that’s all you can say? In case you’ve forgotten, I live here. And I’d like a proper greeting if you will, or you won’t get your present.’
Phineas clasped the hand of the man who owned the townhouse at the opposite end of the row, the sole resident of Number 9, Honeysuckle Street. Had the diplomat developed some manners or at least some tact during his time away?
‘I must ask,’ Benton said as he gripped Phineas’s hand, ‘how many veins were visible on Lawrence’s forehead when he found out you’d compromised his daughter in the park?’
Apparently, he had not.
The fast tap of boots, a jubilant laugh, and a lunging blur of red and white was the only notice Phineas received that Benton had not returned home alone. Rosanna launched herself at him,wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing his cheeks, his neck, his lips. Roses and sunshine, cold cheeks and warm hands—Phineas clasped her by the waist and pulled her against him in shocked delight.
‘I thought you were delayed. I didn’t expect you for days,’ he said, when he finally caught his breath.
‘We made it as far as Crawley by rail. I had just sent the telegrams when we ran into Mr Hunter, who had landed in Portsmouth and was also making his way north. He managed to negotiate passage for the three of us. It was like a Christmas miracle.’
‘Shh! The last thing Benton needs to hear is that he’s a—’
‘Your Christmas miracle has arrived!’ Benton shouted into the house, already at the top of the stairs. ‘Now the celebrations can begin!’
Johannes followed suit at a steadier pace. He clapped Phineas on the shoulder, then lumbered up the stairs. Shadows danced across the warm light that shone through the first-floor windows, while melody and bubbling voices spilled onto the street. Laughing, Rosanna linked her fingers with his and took a step forwards. Phineas pulled her back.
‘Before we go in, can I steal you for a moment? I think you should open your present from me without anyone around. Just let me sneak my coat.’
Moments later, hat, gloves, scarf,andcoat donned, Phineas crept from the house to meet his wife. With a curious smirk, she threaded her hand around his elbow, and they crossed into the park together, strolling along the gravel. Lamps cast glowing yellow circles onto the path, and they walked past the sunken garden, the iced-up fountain, and the frozen pond, which was dotted with skating children and couples. Snow crunched beneath their boots. Rosanna shivered, and Phineas pulled her closer. Before the church, he slowed his step. He reached into hiscoat pocket to pull out the small, rectangular parcel covered in brown paper and tied with a red ribbon, and Rosanna grasped it, tearing at the wrapping. Phineas caught the paper as she revealed the long, thin box. With shining eyes, she wiggled the lid off.
But when she looked up, she was scowling.
