Page 37 of A Wallflower's Wassail Punch
Alice needed little urging to play some carols on the pianoforte.After an hour of hearty singing, William and Mr.Wilkens decided to play billiards.Miss Phoebe decided she needed a rest before the evening festivities.Both men waited by the door, waiting for her to approach.
William plucked a berry and held it up.“A toll, my lady,” he said with a grin, offering his cheek.She obliged with a smile and repeated the kiss for Mr.Wilkens.
Alice and Papa retreated to the library to exchange personal gifts.“We won’t be gone long, so mind yourselves!”said Papa as they left the room.
“How fortuitous since I have a little token for you,” Annette said.“Because I didn’t expect… well,you, I had to be clever.”
“I have a feeling you always are.I had to be resourceful too.”
“You have a gift for me?”Her pulse raced.How exciting.Her first gift from a beau.
Annette went to a corner of the room and brought back a long thin item wrapped in brown paper, and a small gold box.As she returned to her chair, Drew walked to a bowl on a side table and snatched an apple.They sat opposite each other in front of the hearth.The yule log had been split, sprinkled with salt and scented oil, lit yesterday with the remainder of last year’s log.Now, its crackle added a cheerful background to their exchange.
He placed the apple on the table between them.She grinned.“In case I get hungry before dinner?”
Drew snorted.“No, my valet seems to be an expert on random fascinations.He told me this fruit has been a prominent symbol of affection and future happiness over the ages.So, I offer you an apple.”
“Oh!I love learning something new—and romantic.”Annette would never look at an apple the same way.She handed him the long, thin package.
When he unwrapped the arrow, he gave her a cautious glance.“Are you giving up your pugilistic ways and turning to archery?”
She gave him a mock frown.“It represents Cupid, how you’ve struck my heart.”She handed him the small gold box.
“I have a suspicion this arrow struckmyheart first.”He turned his attention to the box, lifting the lid to find a delicate white swan made of folded paper.He set it on the table beside the apple.“It’s beautiful.”
“Watch,” she said, picking up the paper bird by each tiny wing and snapping them apart to make the figure wider.Now the swan was able to sit on the table, wings out.“Swans are a symbol for everlasting affection.”
“Then the swan is truly a gift, as you are.I believe they practice monogamy.”Drew picked up her hand, kissed her knuckles, and then flipped it over and pressed his lips to the palm.His warm mouth on her bare skin sent a jolt through her.She felt like an oil lamp freshly lit.
Drew stretched out his leg and pulled a small packet wrapped in tissue paper from his trouser pocket.“I’ll have to thank Bowman later.If he hadn’t told me about the apple, I’d be a gift short.”He handed her the small gift.
Annette’s stomach was in a jumble.She hadn’t expected anything.The fruit had been such a lovely gesture and would have been enough.She peeled away the paper, a slight tremble in her fingers.Nestling inside was an enchanting braid of red, light rose, and white silk thread tied into a Celtic love knot.
“It’s said that this particular knot is for lovers and represents no beginning and no end.”He leaned over and tipped her chin up with his forefinger.“When I first saw you leaning over the balustrade, I knew you were special.It’s beyond reason how this attachment happened so quickly, but I would be a fool to ignore it.I can’t imagine going back to my old life, nor can I imagine my future without you in it.”
Annette blinked back the tears.She wrapped the braid around her wrist and looped the ends with her seed pearl bracelet.“When I’m not wearing it, I will use it as a bookmark.Then I may always think of you when we are not together.”
He stood and held out his hand.She took it, and he pulled her into his arms, giving her a long, lingering kiss.His lips were warm, his tongue hot and seeking, and her body was turning to jelly.Heat rushed to her core as she wrapped her arms around his neck, fingering the soft curls at his nape.
“What are you doing?” screeched a voice behind them.
They both turned to find Miss Phoebe Weston staring at them, her mouth dropped open.“Papa, she’s only a few years older than me.How could you?”
“Phoebe, considering your arrival, I didn’t think it prudent to tell you of our courtship.We were?—”
“Prudent?Prudent isnotwooing someone half your age.It’s about an heir, isn’t it?You said you didn’t care if you had a son.I-I filled your heart, and you didn’t have room for another child.But it isn’t true, is it?”With that, Phoebe ran from the room.
“Phoebe!”shouted Drew.
Annette stood in shock with Drew’s arm still around her waist.She stepped away.Breathe, just breathe!How had the joy of one moment ago turned into a horrible ordeal in the next?
“She’s overwrought from the engagement.”Drew removed his arm, leaving her with a coldness that was quickly seeping through her limbs.“I’ll talk to her.She’ll come around.”
Annette nodded, her mouth dry, not knowing what to say.She watched him leave the room, then sank back into the soft leather chair.The fire seemed to taunt her with its once-comforting sounds.Her hand touched the bracelet she’d just fastened to her wrist.She blinked, trying to see the intricate knot blurred by her tears.
It had been too good to be true.A cruel joke of fate.Love… here and gone.He wouldn’t go against his only child if she refused to accept their courtship.Annette wouldn’t want to enter into a marriage with such animosity.They would be at an impasse.
She had to escape, just for a while, jump on Domino and ride until they were both exhausted.Annette yanked the bellpull, ordered for her horse to be saddled and her cloak fetched.
