British Black Sheep - Lauren Smith Page 0,33

pink from the cold outside.

“Brie!” Bridget rushed over and hugged her. She didn’t miss the happy glow in her friend’s face. Marriage to Simon had been so good for her.

“What have you guys been up to?” Brie asked as Simon removed a large blue striped scarf off of Brendan in such a way that Brendan twirled like a cartoon mummy being unwrapped. It filled Brie’s heart with joy to see them laugh like this. She still couldn’t believe how easily Simon had taken to the fatherhood.

Bridget laughed as she removed her woolen cap and gloves. “We’ve been sledding. You have to try it. They have sleds large enough for adults and really big hills. It was so much fun. I haven’t done that since I was a kid.” A servant collected the winter clothes and put them into the coat closet.

“Are Simon’s parents bringing the twins? I was hoping to see them.”

“Simon’s parents have grandparent duty the whole week. They didn’t want to try to travel in the snow since the babies are still so young. They wanted to give us some time with Brendan, just the three of us.” Bridget pulled her aside as more people came into the entryway. “Now, I know you were on the plane that had that emergency landing, so be honest with me. Are you okay?” The nurse in Bridget was out in full force, wanting to protect and fix anything she could.

“I’m okay. It was bad last night, but Alec was there. We sort of stuck together during the whole thing. He was quite brave and kept me safe.”

“Alec was?” Bridget leaned over to look at Alec, who was across the room chatting with Simon and Brendan. “That Alec?”

“Yeah, he was amazing. We were getting ready to do the emergency landing and he put his arm around me. He shielded me. He was…” Honestly she did know what to say, except it was truly brave.

“You’ve met Morgan, right?” Bridget steered her focus toward the younger brother, who had just joined the group of men along with Byron.

“Yes, I met him. He’s nice. Funny.” She watched Brendan pretend to punch Morgan who then doubled over and pretended to die on the carpet.

“Boys.” Bridget laughed. “Morgan is so good with Brendan.”

“He is.” Brie agreed, but her gaze strayed to Alec who was standing beside Simon. He threw some suggestions to Brendan about how best to wrestle with Morgan. Brie swore she heard him tell Brendan to punch his brother in the kidneys.

“Everyone is finally here!” Julia was beaming as she joined Brie and Bridget. Morgan had been right; the countess did have boundless energy that not only fueled her excitement but made her light up with a pure, contagious joy.

“I was thinking we could all make Christmas cookies this afternoon. I want Brie to see the kitchens and try out a few of our traditional recipes. And Mrs. Fitzhugh is most excited to show off her culinary expertise for the book. Does that sound like a good idea?” Julia asked Brie.

“That sounds great.”

“I’m sure Brendan will do anything if it involves cookies,” Bridget chuckled.

“Wonderful.” Julia turned toward the group of men. “Cookies in the kitchens!”

Brendan climbed off a panting but laughing Morgan. “Cookies?”

“Cookies?” Alec held out a hand to his brother and helped him up, then came toward Brie and Bridget.

“Yep, we’re going to decorate them. Care to show me your skills, Mr. Investment Banker?” Brie challenged.

Alec’s smirked and leaned close to her ear. “I give great cookie, so watch out.” He then followed the rest of the family into the kitchens.

“What the heck was that?” Bridget demanded.

Brie stared at her friend. “What?”

“I give good cookie?” Bridget quoted. “If I didn’t know Alec better, I would say he was trying to flirt with you. He needs practice.”

“He wasn’t flirting with me,” Brie argued. “We bonded a little because of the whole crash thing and I felt like teasing him about his fancy stressful job. It’s kind of our thing.”

“But you admit you have a thing.”

“Not that kind of thing,” Brie sighed. “And stop trying to set me up with Morgan. I could see that coming a mile away.”

“I wasn’t…okay I was. But you would be so cute together.” Bridget almost whined. “Please let me set you up. Please?”

“No, absolutely not.” The last thing she needed was her best friend playing Cupid.

“You’re no fun,” Bridget pretended to pout. “Everyone spent so long trying to set me up with men. Now I want the chance.”

“Let me sit