Lady Crenshaw's Christmas (6 page)

Exhausted of information, Grandaunt turned to assist the guests in departing.  Ginny, also exhausted, was glad when Anthony led her upstairs, helped her out of her finery and into a night rail, then tucked her into bed in complete silence.  Once she was comfortable, he pulled a chair up to her side and sat, lost in his own thoughts.

“Anthony, I am so sorry the ball turned out to be such a catastrophe,” she said, hoping to learn his feelings on the subject.  “I will do better next time, I promise!”

“No, no, it’s not that.  You did splendidly and the next can only prove more successful, is that not so?” he asked with a tiny smile.  “No, it’s your Christmas gift.  I wish to give it to you.”

Ginny, having forgotten entirely about his gift to her, was delighted.  “And why should that make you frown, so?” she asked.  “I am persuaded I shall love it above all things, whatever it is.”

“I’m not so sure.  I think I might have made a dreadful mistake.”

“A mistake?  Well, no matter.  If it is the wrong size or color or, well . . . shape, it can be exchanged for something that suits better, is that not so?”

“It won’t be quite so simple as all that,” he said with a rueful smile.  “You see, I have bought you a house.  Here.  In the country—a grand estate all your own.”

“Anthony!” Ginny cried, “Oh!  I don’t know what to say!  A home, one of our very own, with no grandaunt to put a spoke in our wheels every time we turn around.  Our house,
ours
, one in which our children can play and grow,” she exclaimed, pulling away the bedclothes and bouncing to her knees.  “We can decorate it as we wish, we can grow what we like best in the garden—I do so love roses but it would be lovely to have other flowers, as well—we could raise our children as we see fit without someone forever looking over our shoulders. Oh, Anthony, how could there possibly be anything amiss in that?” 

Laughing, he settled her back against the pillows, pulled up the blankets and took a seat on the bed beside her.  “Well, it’s like this; the property marches along that of Lord Avery.”

Ginny’s eyes grew wide.  “No!  Never say so!”

“I’m afraid it’s true.  I didn’t think to enquire as to whose estate was neighboring it.  I knew the abbey was close by, of course, but the distance is great enough I thought surely there must have been an estate or two tucked safely in between.  I’m so sorry to say it isn’t so and now the deed is done and the house is ours.  We could stay on here and let the new house to tenants if you would prefer,” he offered, searching her face for clues to her feelings.

“No, we shan’t stay,” she said with a smile, one that prompted a huge answering smile from her husband in return.  Feeling her heart swell with joy, she said, “Lucinda is trying, to be sure, and her husband is not much easier to bear.  However, after tonight, I feel we can endure most anything.”  Taking her husband’s hand, she placed it to rest on the evidence of their growing child.  “We are the mighty Crenshaws, the Anthony Crenshaws to be exact, and we are nothing if not brave!” she cried, whereupon her husband got up and locked the door.

“What are you doing?” Ginny asked. 

“Making quite sure we are not disturbed.”

“But, Anthony, what of the physician?” she asked even as he peeled off his coat and cravat and tossed them to the floor.

“Oh, Ginny,” he breathed.  Kicking off his shoes and moving to her side, he bent to kiss her softly on the mouth.  “What need have we of him?  Your love heals me.  Might not my love heal you, as well?”

Putting her arms around her husband’s neck, she pulled him close and  kissing him, said, “Happy Christmas, my Lord Crenshaw.”

~~~~~~~~~~

Read more about Ginny and Anthony in the full length novels, Miss Delacourt Speaks Her Mind and Miss Delacourt Has Her Day, both available as ebooks, paperbacks and hardcovers.

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