British Black Sheep - Lauren Smith Page 0,58

spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight—”

Byron paused and someone else bellowed the final phrase in a deep sonorous voice.

“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

The children all squealed in delight as a fully dressed white-bearded St. Nicholas strode into the room.

“Well, hello there!” Byron nodded at Santa Claus.

“Hello! And who do we have here?” Santa Claus peered down at the group of children as he hefted a heavy velvet bag from his shoulder. The children realized now was the time to open presents and they clustered around the Santa as he began to parcel out the gifts to the children.

“Morgan, who plays the Santa?” Brie whispered.

“The groundskeeper, Mr. Grange. He lives for this role every year,” Morgan chuckled.

Brie could now see a hint of the groundskeeper beneath the realistic white beard and wig.

“Now, before you go play with your new toys, would you like to meet my reindeer?”

The resounding shouts of “yes” made Santa Claus grin. “This way! This way, little ones!”

“Is he serious?” asked Brie.

“Oh yes,” said Morgan.

The adults followed him and the children outside. There on the front of the snow-covered driveway was indeed an ornate sleigh with a team of eight living, breathing reindeer, strapped with bell-covered harnesses.

Brie marveled at the sight. The children were given sugar cubes and took turns feeding the reindeer for several minutes. Then Santa declared he had to leave to visit other children.

“If he makes that thing fly, then I know I’m in a coma at the hospital,” Brie said and Morgan chuckled.

Santa climbed into the sleigh and tapped the reindeer with the leather reins. The reindeer pulled the sleigh around the edge of the house and out of sight. Everyone headed back indoors where the children opened their gifts. Brendan got a Nintendo Switch which he showed to Simon and Bridget, who gave him a thumbs up.

“Julia got an advance Christmas list for all the kids,” Morgan explained. “We invite some of our friends who attend the reading each year and mum’s brilliant at planning it all out, right down to the gifts.”

“That’s smart. Some of those younger ones really seem to believe that was Santa Claus.” Brie was moved by the look of joy on the children’s faces, but she was still all too aware of Alec standing nearby and the way his eyes never left her as he talked to other guests.

By midnight, the children were escorted to bed and the adults without children were finishing their glasses of Merryvale’s famous sloe gin before heading to bed themselves. Brie, not currently engaged with anyone, took this opportunity to slip away as well

“Brie.” Alec blocked her exit as she tried to leave the drawing room. Her heart gave a jolt at his sudden appearance.

“Alec…” She said his name in a warning tone.

“I have a gift for you.”

“No, you shouldn’t. That’s a bad idea.” She shook her head, but he pulled her into his arms before she could protest further. His masculine scent was intoxicating and brought back every wonderful memory she had of him in the last few days.

“Just one.” He led her to her bedroom where a large Christmas box with some holes in the side sat on her bed.

“What is it?” she asked. The box suddenly moved a little and a soft noise came from it.

“Oh my God.” Brie looked Alec. “What is it?” She repeated. She was not at all reassured by his soft smile. She quickly approached the box and lifted the loose lid. A small furry bundle sat inside the box, wiggling and whining softly, a big red bow tied around its neck. She stared at it. It was a Cocker Spaniel puppy.

“She’s for you.” Alec came up behind her, his hand encircling her waist as he held her close to him. A dozen emotions ripped through her, sharp and almost violent.

“You said that you love dogs but never really had a chance to have one. She’s had all her proper shots and she won’t have to wait in quarantine to fly home with you.”

Brie picked up the puppy and cradled it in her arms. It nuzzled her throat and its tiny tongue licked