A Visit From Sir Nicholas (42 page)

"Oh, my." Her voice caught. "I don't think I've ever received such a gift."

"No, my dear Elizabeth." He stared at her for a long moment. "The true gift is love, and it is I who has never received such a gift."

Her heart lodged in her throat, and she stared into his dark eyes, smoldering once more with passion and promises. And knew without question she would always share the sense of wonder she saw reflected there, and the love.

The ghosts of Christmas Past that had always lingered between them could now be set firmly in the past, where they belonged. The ghost of Christmas Present could be feted with love and joy. As for the ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, he was not to be feared but welcomed.

Life with Nicholas would be neither perfect nor easy, but she had had both. Grand passion had a price, and it was well worth any cost. With Nicholas by her side, this Christmas and every Christmas—indeed, every day from this one forth—would be filled with love and tears and laughter and everything that was her life, her heart. Her family, her sons, and Nicholas. Her grand passion. Her grand madness. As it was always and forever meant to be.

He had no further intercourse with Spirits, but lived upon the Total Abstinence Principle, ever
afterwards; and it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man
alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim
observed, God Bless Us, Every One.

—
A Christmas Carol
, Charles Dickens, 1843

Christmas Yet to Come

Christmas Day, 1858

"He had no further intercourse with Spirits…" Frederick's voice rang in the theatrical manner he insisted
A Christmas Carol
demanded.

Nick grinned and wrapped his arm around his wife. Just as he had done every Christmas Day since Nick and Elizabeth had wed, Uncle Frederick sat reading aloud to the children. Whether it was his overly dramatic interpretation or simply the power of Mr. Dickens's words, the children listened with rapt attention—even Christopher, who had claimed he was far and away too old to be read to this year and it was time to put such childish amusements aside. Adam, who emulated his brother in everything, agreed he was probably too old as well, but since Uncle Frederick did so love reading the story, Adam could certainly listen out of affection and respect for his elders. And because it was, after all, Christmas Day. James, barely four years of age, had dozed on and off throughout Frederick's reading and was even now curled against Christopher's side. It never failed to amaze Nick how well the boys had taken to their new brother. Indeed, they were already planning the day when he could join them in their exploits and adventures. Adventures no doubt originally inspired by their Uncle Jonathon, who, now that he had children himself, was getting a bit of his own back.

The twins, of course, were still far too young for the Christmas reading and were upstairs under the watchful eye of Miss Otis, who had proved herself more than capable of the care of his daughters as well as his sons.

"… he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed…" Frederick's voice swelled, and Lady Thornecroft bit back a grin. No one had been more surprised than Nick, or possibly Frederick himself, when Frederick had at long last married, and to a woman suspiciously close to his own age at that. Nick suspected there was an interesting story behind it all, but when asked, Frederick would only shake his head, grin in a wry manner, and mutter, "should have married her years ago."

"… as Tiny Tim observed, God Bless Us, Every One."

Frederick closed the small book with a flourish. "Well? How was I? As good as Mr. Dickens himself, I should think."

The older boys traded glances and grins. Frederick asked the same question every year and received the same answers.

"Absolutely, Uncle," Adam said staunchly.

"Better than even last year I would say," Christopher added.

"Exactly as I thought," Frederick said in a lofty manner and winked at his wife. Nick chuckled and gazed over his family with the sense of contentment and deep gratitude only a man who has truly found everything he has ever wished for can know. Even now it was difficult to believe. Certainly, their lives weren't perfect and the world itself was an ever more difficult place, but, for the moment, they were happy and healthy and together. And whenever he met Elizabeth's gaze, he saw his own love and passion reflected there. Mad and grand and forever.

He glanced at his wife. Elizabeth watched her family gathered together, and a slight smile played on her lips. Her voice was soft, barely more than a whisper, probably not meant for any mortal ears at all. "God bless us every one."

"My dear Elizabeth." Nick tightened his arm around her and smiled into her green eyes. "He already has."