Page 34 of Snowed In with the Runaway Bride

Three actors I’ve brought so far from Italy.

The first I do present, he is a noble king…

A teenage boy in a mask and paper crown strutted forward and bowed to the gathered audience, nearly tripping over the wooden sword stuck into his belt.

“That’s our Henry,” Mrs. Robson whispered to Penny in a tone that carried through the taproom. “It’s his first year with the mummers, it is.”

“How lovely!” Penny whispered back, and gave a small but enthusiastic wave to the young man, who straightened with pride.

It all unfolded as it ought: after slyly singing about their anticipated Christmastide rewards, the exchange of insults and bawdy jokes between Alexander and the Prince commenced, to the delight of the crowd, who cheered and hooted at each exchange, especially when the Prince promised Alexander:

I’d wish to you a wife, both lusty and young,

She can talk both Dutch, French, and the Italian tongue

Hugo knew Penny regarded him quizzically at the crowd’s reaction to this line, and carefully avoided looking at her. After that morning’s kiss, he feared he might be all too tempted to answer any of her naive questions with a demonstration.

With Prince George restored to life by the quack doctor carrying the horse’s skull, it was time for Alexander and the King of Egypt to battle each other, first with words, and then with their wooden swords. Henry Robson was clearly having the time of his life, able to do and say things in front of his parents as the King of Egypt he would never dare on his own. He drew in his breath to deliver the final insult before the fight began.

“And thy breath stinks like the Devil’s arse⁠— "

Young Henry caught Hugo’s stern eye and swallowed the next word, to the general laughter of the gathering.

Penny hissed, “What was⁠— "

“Hush, Penny. I’m trying to hear the rest.”

The play came to its fatal conclusion, with the “dead” characters immediately bouncing up to sing the conclusion with the group as they circulated through the crowd, holding their hands out for donations as they went.

Henry stopped before Hugo and lifted his mask to give him a cheeky wink. “Alms for the mummers, Captain?”

At Penny’s significant look, Hugo sighed and dug a crown out of his pocket, tossing it to the delighted boy, who bowed low to Penny and pranced off to show his friends.

“Henry seemed to forget his lines at that one point,” Penny mused. “I wonder what he was supposed to say.”

“Something traditional, I’m sure,” Hugo replied hastily. “Would you like another cup of punch?”

To his alarm, she leaned in close to murmur, “I think we need to have a discussion tonight.”

“Oh?”

“Yes. About… about this morning.” She was blushing fiercely, and he suspected he was blushing as well.

“There’s nothing to discuss,” he said dismissively.

Her eyes searched his face before she sat back with a sigh. “You can’t run away from everything, Hugo.”

“So speaks the runaway.” She flinched, but he could not back down. “Come. I’ll escort you upstairs.”

He stood, all but forcing her to take his hand and allow him to help her from her seat. She waved to Mrs. Robson and a few of the children as Hugo swept her from the room and up all three flights of stairs.

The last—the absolute last—thing he wanted was to have a discussion with Penny about that kiss. Especially since he had not the least idea of what he should say.

At the door to their room, he unlocked it and allowed her to go inside. She studied him as he remained in the doorway.

It was Christmas Eve. The very day Penny was to have married Oliver. And he, Hugo, was here with her instead. Getting ready to share a bed with her. Perhaps more, if he followed what both of their inclinations seemed to be.

On the very night she had been supposed to be deflowered by his brother.