The Girl is Not For Christmas - Emma V Leech Page 0,118
Harry. He’d grown at least another inch since last she’d seen him last, and he was broader across the shoulders. His cravat was tied with absolute precision, and he looked the image of a fashionable young man, home for the holidays. She held back, not wanting to embarrass him by hugging and kissing him as if he were still a little boy, but Harry took one look and ran to her, hugging her carefully around the baby and gazing down at Bea.
“She’s got so big, and yet she’s still tiny,” he said, lifting his gaze back to Livvy. “It’s so good to see you, Livvy, and little Bea.”
“Oh, it’s good to see you too, Harry. We have missed you dreadfully.”
Harry laughed, blushing a little, and kissed her cheek. “Are Mama and Papa here yet?”
“Not yet,” Livvy began as the sound of carriage wheels reached her. “I spoke too soon….”
Harry grinned and ran back outside again.
“Here, give me my little princess,” King said, stealing the baby back.
Naturally, the child had woken now and cooed at her father, kicking her little legs gleefully.
“King!” Livvy protested, though in truth it made her heart melt to see how her husband doted on their baby. Not that it meant any of the other children got any less attention. George was his constant shadow whenever he was at Wynford, which begged the question….
“Where’s George?”
King looked around. “He… He was here a moment ago.”
“Oh,” Livvy said, wondering where to start looking. The castle was vast, and—
King held up a hand. “Argos! Here, boy!”
A moment later, there was the scratching of claws on the flagstones and Argos came trotting into the grand entrance hall, wearing one of Livvy’s best bonnets, and with George following on behind. Mr Moon swooped across the space, diving low over King and making him duck with a huff of annoyance.
“Blasted bird!”
“I can’t undo the bow,” George said crossly, pointing at Argos. “Silly Jane dressed him up again. He’s not a girl dog, King. Can’t you tell her?”
“Well, I’m sure Argos doesn’t mind,” King said, eyeing the dog doubtfully.
Livvy laughed as Argos gave a long-suffering sigh and lay down on the floor.
“Oh, dear. Poor darling. Come here and let me free you.”
After Livvy had disentangled Argos, and the entire family were installed at the dinner table, King looked about him with a deep sense of satisfaction. The castle was the kind of project that would last him his lifetime, and probably his children’s too, but that was just fine. He was proud of everything he and Livvy had achieved to date, and especially of his daughter, who had taken a little longer to arrive than they’d expected, but he was making up for lost time. King wondered when Livvy was going to tell him she was expecting again. He would look dreadfully surprised, naturally. A smile curved over his mouth.
“What are you looking so smug about?” Aunt Agatha demanded of him. “You look like the cat that got the cream.”
King shook his head.
“Just happy, Aunt,” he said, lifting her hand to his mouth and kissing her fingers. “I am so very pleased to have you here with us for Christmas.”
“Oh, piffle,” Agatha said, laughing. “You’re still pleased as punch over your lovely daughter, I know. Not that I blame you. I think she has my eyes. She will be a great beauty.”
“She has her mother’s eyes,” King said firmly. “And yes, she certainly will be.”
Agatha snorted and tapped her knife on the side of her glass until she had everyone’s attention. “A toast, I think. To my beautiful new great-niece and namesake, Beatrice Agatha.”
Everyone raised their wine glasses, except King, who reached for a glass of water without a flicker of regret.
“To Beatrice Agatha,” he said, wishing his daughter everything that was good in life.
He looked down the table at Charlie, and Ceci, who had little Birdie sitting on her lap; at Susan, Lydia, Rebecca, and Jane, who were all laughing and chattering; at his special little man, George, and his big brother, Harry, who was helping him cut up his meat. He knew that Walsh, Gelly, and Spargo were all enjoying a good get-together down in the kitchens, and looking forward to Boxing Day. King felt a rush of warmth and happiness, of pride in this family, his family. He looked to the end of the table to his wife, to Livvy, and she met her eyes, smiling at him and blowing him a kiss.