Page 66 of It's a British Christmas

If it was with anyone but him.

After the men had consumed their port and joined the ladies for tea, Adam approached Eve where she stood with his mother and three other ladies. “May I interest you in a game of chess, Miss Allen?”

Eve turned to him with a bright smile. “Yes, Your Grace, I would love a match.”

“Perhaps it would be better, my dear,” the duchess spoke to Adam, “if we organized a game that several of our guests could enjoy.”

“Oh, let us do charades. I simply love charades and am quite good at it.” Miss Clark clapped her hands at his mother’s announcement.

He wanted time to speak with Eve alone, and not willing to give up a chance to do so, he said, “Miss Clark, what an excellent idea. Why don’t you form two groups to compete against each other while Miss Allen and I play chess? Or perhaps others would enjoy a game of cards.”

He hoped that last comment would smooth his mother’s feathers at him slipping away from group games, which he abhorred—a fact of which she was quite aware.

A pointedly annoyed Miss Clark began organizing the game while mother had footmen set up card tables for the guests who preferred something not quite so enthusiastic as charades. He was happy to settle into a quiet corner with Eve.

“Are you enjoying yourself?” He arranged the pieces, a feeling of contentment sweeping over him. Her familiar scent wafted across to him, and her slender fingers placed her pieces on the board. “Yes, I am.”

As she shifted the pieces around, she said, “Mr. Dunsten, on the other side of me at dinner was quite entertaining.”

Adam looked up at her, his brows raised. “He is almost three score.”

“Oh?”

He continued to shuffle his pieces into their correct positions. He shrugged. “Well, I just thought I would mention that because the old goat is looking for another wife, after burying three of them. He’s still trying to secure an heir.”

“Three wives?”

“Yes. Three. Two in childbirth, and one from a fever.”

“Oh, the poor man.”

Remembering how the last Mrs. Dunsten looked while she was married to the man, Adam doubted he needed their sympathy.

CHAPTER 11

Eve found that Christmas was not much different among the titled and wealthy than it was in her tiny village. Excitement filled the air, special cookies, pies and drinks were prepared, gifts were purchased or made, and lovely evergreens decorated the house, giving it a smell that always brought Christmas memories.

Except everything here at Manchester Park was done on a larger scale. Instead of the Duchess making pies and cakes, a cook, supervising other ladies brought in for the holiday prepared the coming feast.

Evergreens were collected by the footmen instead of the family, although Eve insisted she and Adam go with them on the drive farther on the estate to find the perfect pieces.

“You do know I am scandalizing my guests by going with the footmen to forage for evergreens?” Adam said with a warm smile.

Feeling more relaxed since the dinner the night before had ended on a perfect note with her and Adam facing each other across the chess board, Eve merely smiled at him. “Just think of all the fun your guests are missing.”

“Yes, indeed. They are forced to remain in a warm house, sipping on holiday drinks in front of a roaring fire instead of traipsing around the countryside cutting branches? I agree, they are missing fun.” He tapped her on the nose as she wrapped a warm scarf around her neck.

She waved his hand away. “Wait. You will see.” They walked down the steps to the carriage that would take them on their hunt, Mrs. Carter right behind them. “You know, Adam, there are many parts of my life that you would enjoy. Even though the smells coming from your kitchen are wonderful, there is a great deal to be said about turning out the perfect apple pie or gingerbread cookies yourself.”

Once they were settled and Adam had wrapped a warm blanket around them, he said, “I believe you are correct. So many of my peers are used to having everything done for them, it is refreshing to think about those who don’t have that privilege.”

“Ah, but is it a privilege?” The carriage started up. “I actually enjoy knitting wool socks for my Christmas presents and helping select the evergreens to decorate the house. And Mama and I turning out the very best food for my family as well as whichever neighbors we invited for Christmas dinner is quite satisfying.”

Adam patted her hand. “I agree, Miss Allen. If we can prevent the Duchess from swooning, I will introduce you to Cook and tell her you wish to make gingerbread cookies."

"Are you laughing at me, Your Grace?” She frowned at him.

“Perhaps a bit. I can guarantee the Duchess would swoon if she caught you in the kitchen. Since this is your first visit, let us settle for helping select the evergreens as the initial rebellion towards life with the Upper Crust.”