Mistletoe Mischief

Greville smiled. 'And this bunion is infallible, is it?'

'Oh, yes, and I'm truly delighted to know there is snow on the way.'

'Why?' Greville asked curiously, for snow wasn't exactly to be recommended.

'Because I have Prinny's permission to use the royal sleigh. It was brought to the Pavilion from Windsor in the snow of '98, and has never been returned. I enjoyed driving in it so much on that occasion, that he graciously told me I was at liberty to use it again should the opportunity arise. I am greatly looking forward to it.'

Megan trusted that the bunion was indeed to be relied upon, otherwise Evangeline was going to be deeply disappointed.

Evangeline turned from the window again. 'Now, then, mes enfants, I trust you took note of the Christmas greenery downstairs?'

'It would be hard to miss it,' Greville replied.

'All the wires, silver and gold paper, red ribbon, fruit, flowers, and so on are in the drawing room. I wish you and Miss Mortimer to commence making some arrangements.'

'Me? Aunt E, I don't know the first thing about decorations!'

'No? Well, I'm sure Miss Mortimer does, so off you go.'

Greville dug his heels in a little. 'Aunt E, why can't we just dispense with decorations this year?'

'Oh, shame on you, sirrah! The ingredients have already been purchased, so I am hardly not going to use them. Besides, where is your Christmas spirit? Each Yuletide is precious, Greenville, and should be treated as if it may be your last. Who knows what may have happened by this time next year?' She was thinking about the sale of Radcliffe House to the Prince of Wales, but they did not know that.

Greville looked at her in puzzlement. 'What do you mean, Aunt E?'

'Oh, nothing. Now, you and Miss Mortimer are to get on with the adornments. I will join you presently.' She shooed them both out of the door, her bells jingling nineteen to the dozen.

Megan had no option but to oversee the decorations, because there was no sign at all of Evangeline. It was Greville's fault that she found herself in such a position, for he expressed complete incompetence where such things were concerned, and informed her that he was at her bidding. Fosdyke, Edward, and several maids therefore had to do as she said, and because Greville was present, they did not dare to quibble. He was put to cut silver and gold stars, that seeming to be the extent of his artistic ability, while she helped the others to incorporate fruit, red ribbons, and artificial flowers into the various ropes, garlands, wreaths, and arrangements of laurel, bay, rosemary, box, pine, holly, ivy, and mistletoe.

Only once did Megan find her attention drawn to Greville, and that was when he briefly left his star-cutting to snip a tiny sprig of mistletoe-two leaves and three berries-which he proceeded to place in the little jeweled snuffbox from which he had removed the previous sprig in the church. Megan could not help wondering what lay behind it all.

Rupert returned at last from his long ride on the Downs, and he lent a helping hand to the decorations. Soon the entire downstairs was a festive bower. Every chandelier was twined with leaves, every mantelshelf and cornice was festooned, arrangements burgeoned in every vacant corner, tables boasted elegant vases and bowls, and the staircase was decked with greenery that seemed to sprout from the very banisters and newel posts.

Candles had been lit when Evangeline at last put in an appearance, looking much more comfortable in blue-gray taffeta. She declared that she had been so tired that she had dozed for a while, but now felt as fresh as a daisy; which was more than could be said for the gallant workers who had labored so hard on beautifying her residence for Christmas. The only major item now remaining was the kissing bough, and even that had almost been completed. When the last length of red satin ribbon had been tied into place, the bough was conveyed ceremonially into the hall, where a hook in the middle of the ceiling had served this particular purpose ever since the house had been built.

The footmen hauled the bough up on a rope, but when everyone stood below admiring it and thinking their tasks were over, Evangeline frowned and shook her head. 'It is far too high,' she declared.

Rupert was puzzled. 'But it's always that height, Aunt E.'

'Nevertheless, I don't like it now. Lower it if you please,' she instructed, and the footmen slowly let out the rope. 'More,' she said, and the bough descended gradually until it was barely six feet above the floor.

Rupert disapproved. 'That's far too low, Aunt E!'

'Do you think so?'

'Of course I do. Greville is the tallest of us, and if he walks beneath it, he'll surely tangle in the ribbons! So will Sir Jocelyn.'

'Will they? Show me, Greville. Walk beneath it. Well, go on.' She waggled her closed fan impatiently at him.

Greville did as he was told, and sure enough the ribbons brushed his dark hair.

'Ha!' declared Rupert triumphantly. 'See? It will have to go up again.'

'Yes, but how high?' Evangeline inquired lightly.

'At least two feet to be sensible.'

'Oh, I disagree,' she said. 'It must be just right if it is to serve its purpose to the full. I have it! Miss Mortimer, will you please stand with Greville?'

'Stand with him?'

'The instruction is perfectly simple, miss. Which word do you not understand? Stand, with, or him?'

Megan lowered her eyes quickly, and went to join Greville beneath the bough.

Evangeline tapped the fan thoughtfully to her lips. 'Oh, I don't know. Something isn't quite right. Stand closer to each other.'

They did as they were told.

'No, closer than that!'

They brushed together.

'Not side by side, face-to-face! For heaven's sake, don't either of you know what a kissing bough is for? Greville, please be so good as to put your hands to Miss Mortimer's waist.' As Greville obeyed, she fingered her gold locket. 'Look at each other. That's better. Now, make as if to kiss.'

Greville's eyes were a mirror of his inner feelings as he bent his head closer to Megan, whose face was now almost the same color as the ribbons fluttering overhead. Her heart was beating swiftly, and she could feel the warmth of his hands through her gown; and the softness of his breath on her face. His lips were so close that she feared he was going to actually kiss her, but then Evangeline pronounced her approval.

'That's it! Perfect! Tie the ropes if you please, Edward. Now, then, everyone, I think we have all worked so hard that a glass of champagne is in order.'

Greville moved away from Megan, and raised an eyebrow at his aunt. 'We? I'm so glad you feel able to include yourself among our hard-working number,' he observed wryly.

Evangeline took no notice. 'Fosdyke, bring a bottle to the drawing room, if you please. You and the other servants may enjoy some of the usual wine in the kitchens.'

'Thank you, my lady.' The butler bowed, then ushered the footmen and maids away.

Evangeline gazed approvingly around the hall. 'At last it begins to seem like Christmas,' she murmured.

Chapter 16

Megan wore the ruby silk from Mrs. Fiske's to dinner that evening, but would have felt far more comfortable in her old gown. Sir Jocelyn and Chloe, who looked quite bewitching in lavender satin that became her golden coloring to perfection, arrived just as everyone was adjourning to the drawing room after the meal. To everyone's dismay, the Holcrofts brought Oliver with them, he having expressed a huge interest in all things theatrical.

Rupert's face assumed a stormy aspect the moment he spied his enemy again, and as they all gathered in the hall to admire the Christmas decorations, he seized the first possible opportunity to get Chloe alone. But when he presumed to warn her against Oliver, she haughtily reminded him that he had chosen not to be part of her life, and would he kindly mind his own business from now on. She could not have made herself more plain; indeed she was more than avenged for the hurt he had caused her. He was quite stricken as he realized how low he had apparently