Page 94 of Shining Knight
“And what of Felix? You did not mention him.” Her grandmother reverted to the previous topic.
“Rowley has just had a letter from him, but it was posted in July.”
“And it is now December?” she asked as though she did not know.
“It is Christmas-tide, Granny. That is why we are all gathered here.”
“I suppose I shall go to church on Sunday, then.”
Now they had come full circle. “Yes, they will be reading the banns for Mr. Tinsley and I.”
“Have I mentioned he is one of my favorites?”
“Once or twice,” Eugenia agreed as she took one of the pieces of shortbread, still warm from the oven, and bit off a corner.
“What will the scandal sheets have to tattle about, with both of you off the market, I wonder?”
“Someone will come along and fill the void, I have no doubt.”
“Perhaps,” she agreed as her eyelids began to droop. Eugenia rose and took the teacup from her grandmother’s hands as she fell asleep. She kissed her on the forehead and pulled the furry wool blanket already across the dowager’s knees higher over her body. “Thank you, Granny,” she whispered and let herself back out. She may not have received all of the answers she sought, but she did feel better. It was reassuring to hear that it was acceptable to ask her husband. Now, she had a wedding to plan and three weeks in which to do it. In some ways it seemed forever yet in others not nearly long enough. She was inordinately grateful to be marrying in Devonshire instead of in London. Would not thetonbe surprised when they found out she and Graham had actually wed?
*
The banns hadbeen called and there was a general hum of excitement in the air as the village prepared for the big wedding. Neither Heath nor Edmund had married there, and Eugenia, though considered rather wild, was well beloved by all who lived thereabouts.
There was little needed that neither the Abbey nor The Grange could provide, but Eugenia was insistent on having the villagers do as much as possible. Graham had no doubt that she would be an excellent viscountess one day—hopefully a long way in the future. His father was slowly gaining strength and had decided to leave for France for his health after the wedding. He had asked Graham to take over the management of their properties. Caroline would stay behind. If his father was strong enough, his parents would return for Caroline’s come-out Season. If not, Eugenia and the duchess would oversee her presentation.
But first of all, Christmas and then a wedding were to be enjoyed. Eugenia had asked him to join their family in gathering greenery for the day. Caroline had not been interested in any activity which involved being outdoors in the cold, so Graham went on his way alone to the Grange.
When he arrived, he was surprised to find that Felix had returned and with a Spanish wife.
As soon as he entered the house, Eugenia drew him aside. “Felix has just arrived and he is married!”
“That was unexpected,” he said, pulling her into a small alcove and stealing a kiss. Her lips were soft and sweet, and he would be happy to stay there all day learning this part of his future wife.
“We should go,” she murmured, having been thoroughly kissed. “We only have so much daylight in which to gather the greenery.”
Graham smiled. Eugenia had always been eager about Christmas and her exuberance was infectious. He was more in the mood to steal her away to himself than join the large crowd of Knights—which was growing at an alarming rate—but for her he would do it.
Before he knew what she was about, she burst into the study without knocking, not intimidated at all by the masculine domain where her brothers had found sanctuary.
“Are you going to stay in here all day?” she asked. “Tinsley is here and we have greenery to gather!”
The brothers exchanged glances of fondness and exasperation, then with good-humored reluctance stood up to prepare themselves for the outdoors and to greet Graham.
“I had not realized how close to Christmas it was. One loses track of days on the ship,” Felix said while gathering his coat and hat.
“And when newly wed,” Heath retorted.
Felix came over and shook Graham’s hand. “I hear congratulations are in order,” Graham said. He and Felix had worked together on the Continent, and he had helped negotiate Felix’s release from a French prison.
“Indeed. I still cannot quite believe I am married. You will fall soon enough,” Felix teased before he left the room. Graham frowned. Apparently, Felix had not yet been informed. Perhaps Eugenia had not wished to steal the moment from Felix and his bride if they had recently arrived.
Once properly clad for the cold, the family gathered in the entrance hall.
It was not long before the brothers—Knighton included—began to race up the trees for the mistletoe. Normally, Eugenia joined in. “Is something the matter, pet?” he asked.
“I am practicing my ladylike restraint,” she replied.
