Page 104 of The Christmas Invitation
‘Thank goodness he did,’ she said. ‘I know you’ve only been here for a short time, but I’m sure everyone at the Red House is fond of you already – and Mark certainly is, too!’
She paused, though continued packing away the scissors and plasters in the first-aid box. ‘I … may not have given you the warmest of welcomes into the family, Meg, but yourexistence came as quite a surprise to me and … well, it’s taken me time to come to terms with it.’
‘That’s all right. It’s taken me time to get my head around it, too,’ I assured her.
‘Of course at first, like Mark, I was worried that you might have a claim on the estate, which would make things very difficult for him.’
‘I can understand that, but even if that were possible, I don’t want anything more than to know I’m part of the family. Mum will feel exactly the same.’
‘Thank you,’ she said, then added, with a smile, ‘You and Mark hit it off immediately, didn’t you? And I’m sure you’ll soon grow attached to Underhill.’ She gave me a look that I couldn’t quite fathom. ‘Mark said you were very interested in his plans.’
‘It’s a charming old house,’ I said, though actually the Gothic excesses of the Red House were more to my taste.
‘Mark likes youverymuch – I could see that tonight – and it doesn’t really matter if you’re cousins, after all,’ she said more to herself than me, evidently pursuing some inner train of thought. ‘It would be perfect!’
There was no mistaking the direction of her remarksnow, so I said firmly, ‘I’m sure being cousins will make us even better friends.’
Even if Mark had been my type, which he wasn’t, he had a few drawbacks, like being several years my junior and appearing to have previous relationship issues to resolve. I’d already had one love rat in my life and I wasn’t looking for a replacement.
‘I look forward to getting to know you better during Christmas,’ Sybil said. ‘It’ll be good to get away.’
‘That reminds me,’ I said, ‘Mark might have an assistant over the holidays, because Flora just offered to help him with the decorating while she’s home.’
Sybil’s expression, which had been pensive, darkened. ‘I hope he turned her down. She’s a man-eater under that sweet and fluffy “poor little me” act! She hounded poor Lex when she was Teddy’s nanny and then, last time she was home between jobs and Mark happened to be here too, sorting out the estate after probate had been granted, she wouldn’t leave him alone. Just because he feltsorryfor her and took her out for dinner a couple of times, she seems to think they’re in a relationship.’
I thought there’d been a bit more between them than that, even if not serious on Mark’s side. Perhaps he should have made that clearer from the start.
‘Well, we’d better get back,’ she said, and when we reached the hall it was clear we’d been away longer than I’d thought, for lots of people had already left and the rest were getting back into anoraks and overcoats and wrapping scarves around their necks.
Lex was leaning against the bottom of the staircase and seemed to be waiting for me, but I couldn’t see any sign of the others.
‘There you are, at last,’ he said, straightening up. ‘Den’s taken everyone else home, except Tottie, who’s walking up by way of the fields with Len Snowball, to help him catch the horses.’
‘That’s so kind of dear Tottie,’ said Sybil. ‘There’s heavy snow forecast for tonight, so I asked him to bring them down to the stables.’
Then she excused herself and went to speed her departing guests homeward.
Lex looked down at me. ‘Mark offered to run you home himself later, but I said I’d wait for you.’
I suddenly realized that here would be the perfect opportunity to have that private talk with Lex I’d promised River, even if itwasthe last thing I felt like doing right then. My head wasa bit fuzzy, too, which I think must have been the generous shot of brandy in the toddy earlier. I’m not used to spirits.
‘It was kind of you to wait,’ I said formally.
‘Not really. I thought it was time we had a little talk.’
I stared at him in surprise. ‘You’re right, andIwas going to suggest we stop somewhere on the way home to have things out, too.’
‘River told me earlier that I had a closed mind and needed to open the door and listen to you,’ he said.
‘That makes it sound like I’ve been shouting at you through the keyhole,’ I said shortly, and the ghost of a grin touched his lips.
‘Well, this is your chance to shout at me face to face.’
When I’d fished my coat out from the depleted pile under the table and put it on, I joined Lex and Mark by the door.
Mark smiled at me warmly. ‘I see Mum fixed you up. You look a lot better now.’
‘It’s amazing what a difference washing the mud off my face and combing my hair made,’ I agreed. ‘I’m really fine, just a few scratches and bruises.’
