O Night Divine A Holiday Collection of Spirited Christmas Tales - Kathryn Le Veque Page 0,174

up to huge double oak doors. It was difficult to see much of the shadowed structure, except that it was massive and rambled on in both directions. And welcoming. Etta felt an immediate affinity with Bliss Manor.

MacIntyre opened the door, anxiously peering inside. He held out a hand and waited for his charges. With a wink at Tia, Dr. Wharren put his hand in the Scot’s and stepped down.

“Thank you, good sir. Terribly long step down, you know,” the doctor said in a pompous voice. “Now if you don’t mind assisting the ladies.”

The horrified look on MacIntyre’s face as Dr. Wharren squeezed the Scot’s hand sent the entire group into gales of mirth. They stood outside on the paved stone, the snow still falling, doubled over with laughter. Even MacIntyre reluctantly joined in.

“Th-thank you,” Etta said, catching her breath. “You have no idea how much we needed some merriment.”

“My pleasure, Miss Comden,” he acknowledged with a gallant bow.

The door opened, spilling light onto the portico. A rotund woman with a mobcap and brown curls bustled down the steps. “Oh, Master Gus, er, Dr. Wharren, what have you brought home?”

“I found two waifs along the road with a splintered carriage wheel and saved the day.” He chuckled at the housekeeper’s dismayed scowl. “Miss Comden and Miss Horatia are in need of shelter for a night.”

“Goodness.” Her palms covered her rosy cheeks. “I’ll have Sally open the first two guest rooms in the main hall. They’ll be across from each other, then. Are you hungry, my lady, or do you prefer to go straight up? Would you like a hot bath?”

Etta gave the housekeeper a grateful smile. “It’s Miss, not Lady, and please don’t go to any trouble. We would like to freshen up, and yes, we are ravenous. But a cold supper is all that’s necessary.”

“Pish to that, after you’ve been stuck in the cold. Pardon my impertinence, ma’am. It’s been too long since we’ve had guests. Sally and I will find something warm and filling.”

“Marmalade,” Tia said.

Mrs. Willoughby beamed and nodded. “He’s told you about that, has he? I won’t forget.” She cocked her head, eyes narrowed as she saw the stranger unload a trunk and called out, “Johns, guest rooms one and two, please, and find a bed for your friend. Then send him to the kitchen so Sally can feed him.”

MacIntyre sneezed as he assisted Johns with the luggage. Tia frowned, studying the older man’s lined face, then ran to him. She reached up and put the back of her hand on his forehead, then his cheek.

“He’s fevered.”

“I’m fine. Be off with ye, now,” he mumbled gruffly. “Ye dinna coddle a Scot.” He eased the largest trunk on his shoulder and waited for Johns to show him where to go.

Etta swore Mrs. Willoughby’s eyes lit up. “A fever, you say?” She hurried over and did the same as Tia. “You’re burning up, Mr…?”

“MacIntyre.”

“Put down the trunk and come with me, Mr. MacIntyre.”

“I’m no’—”

“No argument. I don’t know what position you hold in your household, but I’m in charge here.” She put her fists on her ample hips, a stance Etta assumed would intimidate the bravest of souls. “You won’t be any good to these fine ladies if you’re sick.”

Tia’s mouth dropped as MacIntyre set the trunk on the ground and followed Mrs. Willoughby. “She’s magical!”

“More like a witch,” grumbled Johns as he shouldered the abandoned trunk and proceeded up the stairs unassisted.

They followed Dr. Wharren inside.

“A suit of armor,” exclaimed Tia. She touched the helmet and tittered at the silver plate it held. “Helloooo,” she called into the empty helmet.

“You’re a man of your word, I see.” A knight in shining armor, he had said. Etta laughed and inspected the medieval weapons on the wall. “This is quite an entrance.”

“My grandmother was obsessed with King Arthur and loved the dramatic.” He gestured toward the staircase and followed them up to the first landing. “This is the dining room, where I will meet you shortly. The next door on the right is the library, in case you need a good book to make you drowsy.”

She shook her head. “I think we’ll sleep well tonight with so much excitement. It’s been quite a day.”

He led them up to the second floor and opened the door to their rooms. The first was decorated in pale pinks, from the satin counterpane and bed curtains on the fourposter bed to the drapes on the window.

Tia’s eyes grew wide. “Mine.”

“Of course it is.”

Dr. Wharren