The Girl is Not For Christmas - Emma V Leech Page 0,104

weeks, was no less delicious.

Once dinner was done, parlour games ensued and Livvy wondered at how she was falling ever deeper in love with King as he happily made a fool of himself with the silly games everyone insisted he take part in.

Too soon the day was over, and the children were reluctantly put to bed, all except for George, who had fallen asleep in King’s lap an hour earlier than usual, utterly exhausted.

Finally the house was silent, and Livvy met Walsh’s eye as they passed in the corridor. “Got a deal of clearing up to do in the kitchens,” he said awkwardly. “Then I told Spargo I’d play cards, as it’s our day off tomorrow. Don’t need to get up early see, so…”

Livvy moved closer and kissed Walsh’s cheek. “Thank you,” she said simply. “I shall be leaving early in the morning. It will take two or three days to get to Bath and my brother wishes to go to my aunt’s before the party begins to ensure, well… that we are not thrown into the gutter in front of all her guests, I think. I believe they are rather at outs.”

Walsh nodded his understanding.

Livvy turned away and then thought better of it. “Don’t… don’t wake him tomorrow, then. You should both enjoy a lie in. I shall say everything I wish to tonight and… I don’t think I could bear to say goodbye to him. Not in front of everyone. You do understand?”

Walsh nodded, and she was surprised to see his eyes glitter with emotion. “I do, Miss, and… I wish things were different.”

Livvy nodded. “So do I. Merry Christmas, Walsh. Take good care of him for me.”

“I’ll do my best, Miss Penrose. Merry Christmas to you too.”

Livvy hurried away, returning to her room before she gave into the urge to weep. She would not cry tonight. No matter what, she would not have King’s last memory of her to be one of a weeping female. Besides, that would hardly persuade him to give her the night of passion she was hoping to get from him. For she had made up her mind, and this time, she would not be thwarted.

King sat in his room, staring down at the gifts the children had given him. George’s colourful scribble was crumpled up where the child had got a little over excited and almost ripped the paper. King smoothed it out carefully and allowed himself to imagine a child of his own, a child that Livvy had given him. His heart felt like it would burst free of his chest, it was so filled with longing at the image in his mind. He drew in a deep breath. How could he bear it? How could he let her go? Compared to losing Livvy, giving up drinking had been a mere trifle. Living without drink was a choice he could make and force himself to stick to. Living without Livvy… It seemed like choosing to live without air, without water or salt. She was necessary. She was everything.

The door handle snicked quietly as it opened. King got to his feet as it closed again, and he heard the key turn. He’d known she would come. Of course he’d known. No doubt she’d conspired with Walsh, who would have been only too happy to help her stake her claim on his heart. Not that there was anything left of him to tie down. He was entirely hers, had been from the beginning.

“Ah, Miss Penrose, I’m glad you’ve come.”

“You are?” she said softly, her surprise apparent.

“Why yes, for I have not had the chance to give you your Christmas present.”

Pleasure lit her eyes, and he wished he had something else to give her. He wanted to lavish her with gifts, not that she would ever wish for such extravagant things he knew. Livvy had taught him what was truly of value, and he knew his gift would please her more than jewels or pretty fripperies.

“Here,” he said, reaching for the roll of paper he had tied with a red silk ribbon, one he’d bought especially for her.

She took it from his hand and sat down on the bed, carefully tugging the ribbon free.

King watched as she looked at the sheet music he had written himself, and at the title. Dreams of Olivia.

“This is the music you were playing,” she said, looking up at him.

King nodded, moving to stand before her. “I wrote that piece a long time ago, Livvy,” he said, his voice