Page 46 of Buon Natale, My Wicked Rogue
“Since it is Christmas Eve now, I have a present for you.” She reached into the pocket of her dressing gown and pulled out a small package wrapped in plain paper and tied with a dark blue ribbon. He took the package from her a little awkwardly, and she could tell that he wasn’t used to receiving gifts from women. “I am your wife; I am allowed to give you gifts,” she teased, with her heart in her throat.
He untied the package, taking far too much time as she held her breath.
What if he didn’t like it?
He removed the paper and pulled out the silver pocket watch with its silver chain. He traced his finger over the fine engravings on the back.
What if he would have rather had his own watch, a new one?
“This was Mr. Berry’s watch?” he asked.
She released her breath. And she knew from the respectful way he’d said the name that he understood it was her father-in-law’s watch, not Jacob’s.
“Yes, it was.”
“I can’t accept this.” His voice sounded strangely thick.
“You’d rather have your own? Of course, you would, I will...” She reached for the watch.
He pulled away just a bit to maintain possession of the watch. “I know what he meant to you.” He paused to clear his throat. “I mean, wouldn’t you rather keep this?”
“No, I want you to have it. I want you to carry it with you and think of me and how much I love you, how much I value you.” She had spoken all of that in a rush, and she had to stop to inhale deeply, then she exhaled. “Then someday, you will give it to our son. Not the heir but the second son, the one who will have to work harder to make his own place in life. And in that way, he will carry with him the strength and will of the two best men I ever knew.”
He put the watch down and enfolded her in his embrace, then put his mouth to hers, giving her a fierce kiss that sucked her breath away. When he finally pulled his mouth away, he leaned and whispered in her ear. “Thank you, my love, for your belief in me. I promise I will never willingly fail you, ever again.”
“You make me feel safe to love you, and I love you all the more for it.” Tears of gratefulness and joy welled in her eyes, and she hugged him as tightly as she was able to and whispered back to him.“Buon Natale, my wicked rogue.”
Epilogue
Eight Years Later
“Wait, don’t forget your mittens!” Angela cried, holding said garments and watching helplessly as her two daughters ran out the front door towards the carriage that was parked in the circular drive in front of Hayley House in Mayfair.
“Grandpapa! Grandpapa!” Katherine, the oldest child, shouted as she stopped in front of the carriage door. In a most unladylike display, she jumped up and down with excitement, her bright red curls bouncing and her breath blowing a plume in the frosty December air.
Louisa, named after Evan’s mother, was younger than her sister by two years. She hugged her doll to herself, walking slowly out to follow Katherine. Her silky black hair was as yet so baby-fine that it refused to take a curl and lay down her back in a plait tied with bright pink ribbons against her pale gray pelisse. She turned back, appearing torn between following her sister into possible trouble or running back to the safety of her mother. At the flash of those big brown eyes and rosy cheeks, Angela’s heart rose to her throat.
What a sweet, precious girl Evan had given her.
Katherine was another matter.
“Grandpapa, do you have a present for me?” Her pipping voice carried on the wind to Angela. She rolled her eyes. So willful. Her green eyes flashed with disdain at anyone who failed to fulfill her wishes. While Angela admired her spirit, she didn’t want to raise an imperious minx. They had their hands full with her. She kept them on their toes, and they adored their spirited child.
She walked to where her daughter was being picked up and embraced by the Duke of Amesbury.
“Katherine, do not act so entitled. Your grandpapa will give you your present at the proper time, on Christmas morning, in two days, when we all will give and receive presents.”
Holding Katherine and hugging her, Angela’s father gave her an exaggerated frown and waved dismissively. He gave his granddaughter a peck on the cheek. “I have something to give you now that you don’t have to wait for. It’s in my greatcoat pocket. Do you think you can get it for me? My hands are too full for me to reach it.”
Angela could see the corner of the package peeping out of her father’s breast pocket. With an exclamation of delight, Katherine whisked the gaily wrapped present from his pocket. Deftly, she undid the bow and opened the paper to reveal a generous number of sweetmeats inside.
“OhMamma Mia!Father, you spoil her terribly. What do you say, Katherine?” She turned to her daughter. The child’s rosy cheeks bulged with the candy that she had already popped into her mouth.
“Thank you, Grandpapa,” the child said thickly through teeth that were trying to stick together.
Angela struggled mightily not to laugh. As it was, a grin tugged at her mouth.
“You’re incorrigible,” Angela said, not to Katherine but to her father.
