My Merry Marquess (Wallflower's Christmas Wish #3) - Annabelle Anders Page 0,43

help but smile, thinking that she would not be here if she hadn’t been watching out her window on that cold and snowy night one year ago.

Celebrating the holidays without both of her sisters, as well as all of their first anniversaries, had been unthinkable, and Dash had agreed immediately. He hadn’t even hesitated to suggest that they invite every single member of her family to share the Yuletide with them here at Divinity Manor, their large country estate

Noelle had sent his mother, the dowager, an invite, but it had been returned unopened. She supposed not everyone could have their hearts melted by the Christmas spirit. But she would not give up.

Perhaps next year his mother would come around.

Or the one after that.

“A carriage is approaching, Your Grace.” Baby Gabriel’s nurse peeked her head inside of the drawing room. “Would you like me to hold the baby so that you can greet your guests?”

Part of Noelle wished to take the baby outside to greet her sisters with her, but snow was falling so she reluctantly handed her tiny bundle over.

“Thank you, Miss Partridge.”

The capable woman took Gabriel and cradled him in her arms. “It’s always my pleasure, Your Grace. I’ll take him up to the nursery for now, then?”

“Of course.”

“And how is our future Baron of Blitzencreek doing today?” Dash appeared in the foyer in time to peer down at his son.

He never failed to remind Noelle that he hadn’t been lying completely when he’d met her. Because of course, Blitzencreek did happen to be one of the family titles. As well as several others that Noelle couldn’t keep track of.

Miss Partridge indulged Dash for all of three minutes when the sounds of the horses could be heard out the front door before taking her leave.

“That boy grows more handsome every day,” Dash announced proudly, dropping Noelle’s cloak around her shoulders and leading her outside with one hand on her waist.

“Just like his father.” Noelle leaned into him as they watched no less than six coaches approach up the long drive.

Dash pulled her even closer and dropped a kiss near her ear. Gabriel had been born in early October, and they’d just barely resumed relations a little over a week ago. Noelle marveled that her husband managed to excite her even more now than he had before they’d married.

To think she’d ever imagined having a Wollstonecraft marriage. How foolish she’d been.

As the first carriage rolled to a halt, the door opened and Lord Tidemore, Jack, hopped out and pulled down the step before the footman could approach. Holly’s blond head peeked out and when she caught Noelle’s eyes, Jack caught her by the waist and lifted her out just as she squealed.

Noelle rushed forward and squeezed her youngest sister but then turned to see the baby that her brother-in-law was taking hold of from the nurse behind her.

“Oh, Holly, she’s beautiful!” Noelle declared when she got a glimpse of the tiny face in the bundle of blankets.

“I’ll get her out of the cold, if it pleases you, My Lady.” The nurse seemed equally as efficient and caring as Baby Gabriel’s.

“Of course,” Noelle answered. “We can get acquainted in the nursery after everyone is settled.”

The door had opened on the carriage behind the first one and Lord Merriweather emerged but then turned around and reached in for Eve.

Who was…!

“Eve! You are carrying!” Both Noelle and Holly rushed over to greet their oldest sister. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell us!”

Two spots of pink blossomed on Eve’s cheeks, making her appear prettier than normal. “Nicholas required a good deal of convincing that I was in good enough health to travel but I told him I could not spend Christmas without my sisters and their families. Besides, I thought it would make for a fun surprise.”

“But when? How?” Holly reached out and touched the rounded bump at Eve’s abdomen.

Both Noelle and Eve caught one another’s eyes and giggled. “You, more than anyone, ought to know how.” Eve placed her hand over Holly’s. “And the babe should come sometime in late February.”

“I am so happy for you!” Noelle gasped. “I am so very happy for all of us!”

The three sisters glanced at one another and then over at their husbands, who of course, were examining the horses on the carriage Holly had ridden over in.

“How did we manage to get so lucky?” Noelle sighed. Each one of the gentlemen was not only handsome in his own right, but of excellent character.

Both Eve and Holly