Page 96 of Meet Me Under the Mistletoe
“Thank you for having the balls to apologize,” she said. “Youweren’t by any stretch the worst offender, but thank you for acknowledging your part in it.”
“This is all very touching,” said Pippa. “But I’m telling you now, if this turns into some sort of teary, fucking kumbaya, rubbing-each-other’s-chakras shit, me and my Manolo Blahniks are calling a taxi.”
“Right, everyone in the cars!” Ameerah jumped in quickly before things escalated further. “Pippa, you’re with me. Guy, you go with Jeremy. Sorry, Jez.”
Twenty-eight
They entered the castle to find that Jenna had toned down from brass to bronze.
“My skin has literally never been so soft,” she exclaimed. “You two should go into business.”
“I’ll sign up,” said Ameerah. “Got any of your magic scrub left? You can do me next.”
“I’ve rubbed quite enough flesh for one day, thank you.” Pippa’s voice was clipped.
Charles was running his hands appreciatively up and down Jenna’s arms. “Maybe we should go upstairs so I can see how soft the rest of you is?” he asked hopefully.
“Sorry, Charles, darling.” Jenna kissed him lightly on the lips. “No nooky for you tonight, it’s bad luck. You have to sleep in the room down the hall.”
“It’s only bad luck if Iseethe bride,” Charles reasoned. “There is nothing in the rule book aboutfeelingthe bride before the wedding, so I’ll just keep my eyes closed and we’ll be all good.”
“Nice try. I’ve already moved your clothes and toiletries into the other room.”
Charles huffed, but was mollified with another kiss and Jenna’s arms wrapped tightly around his waist.
Nory smiled at them. Their love for each other made her feel warm inside. Katie had her head resting on Jeremy’s shoulder, his arm protectively around her; Nory didn’t think they’d be living apart again. Whatever else was happening in the world, love was a constant.
After hot drinks in the drawing room, the party drifted off their separate ways. Katie and Jeremy went back to their room, Pippa and Jenna had their heads bowed together over the wedding binder, and Charles maneuvered Guy away from the whiskey bottle and into the billiards room. Nory had invited them all to the tree lighting down in the village, but it had begun to snow again as they arrived back at the castle, and they were reluctant to go out. And in fairness, the Hartmead tree lighting ceremony wasn’t exactly Oxford Street.
“Just us, then,” said Dev brightly, double wrapping his scarf about his neck before helping Ameerah with her coat.
“I guess so,” said Nory.
“I’m pleased in a way, although I wouldn’t tell the others. It’s always been our thing, you know? My family aren’t exactly big on traditions, so this was always special,” added Ameerah.
“I feel rather honored that you’re letting me tag along,” said Dev.
“You should.” Ameerah winked at him.
“What will you be doing for Christmas, Dev?” Nory asked.
“I’ll go to my parents’ place. It’s not too far from here, actually. My sisters will be down with their kids, you know the drill—too much food, crap telly, noise, board games, and then one of my nieces or nephews will spew on the sofa. Perfect!” He smiled.
“You’ve just described hell,” said Ameerah.
Nory laughed. “Don’t pretend to be all Bah Humbug. He’sjust basically described Christmas with my family, and you bloody love it.”
Ameerah smiled. “All right, maybe I do. But not the spew on the sofa.”
“That is admittedly one of the more unfortunate by-products of Christmas,” Dev agreed. “I suppose your family Christmases are all caviar and polished silver?”
“Yes, they are. And my parents like to give me a slideshow of all the eligible men they know.”
“How thoughtful,” said Dev.
“It’s all very professionally done,” Ameerah continued. “There are companies you can hire to make discreet inquiries into potential partners from around the globe—what their ambitions are, what they were like at school, previous girlfriends, how much money they’ve got in the bank, how much they’ll inherit. You know the sort of thing.”
“Oh, absolutely,” agreed Dev. “My mum’s the same. Her net’s not quite as wide as your parents’, though; she usually focuses her searches within three streets of our house.”
