Page 104 of All We Want for Christmas
‘Yes. I do. She’s the one. I want to spend the rest of my life with her and I’m hoping she feels the same too.’
‘Have you told her that yet?’
‘I’ve told her I want to be with her and that’s enough for now. We’ve both had a lot to deal with lately. But I won’t wait too long before I do say more. Shall we keep that our secret for now? You’ll be the first to know.’
She squeaked in delight at being the guardian of such a confidence. ‘I won’t say, but can Esme be a bridesmaid?’
Flynn laughed. He hadn’t actually thought about a wedding, only a commitment, albeit a very serious one. How quickly Molly made the leap, with all the romantic idealism of youth.
He shook his head in wonder. ‘You’d make a great matchmaker.’
‘I’d rather be a psychologist.’
‘You’ll be a great one. I already know that. Shall we go grab a coffee?’
‘Yes, and I’ll get them while you change Esme. I have a feeling she needs it.’
‘Thanks a lot,’ said Flynn, as Esme let out a gurgle that sounded very much like glee. ‘I suppose I need the practice.’
CHAPTER FIFTY
‘My Lords, ladies and gentlemen! For tonight we are all lords, ladies and gentlemen. Tonight, we are all kings and queens. Tonight, the social norms are overturned and chaos reigns! For tonight is Twelfth Night, when anything and everything goes – so let the revelry and feasting begin!’ The Lord of Misrule raised his tankard high and cheers rang to the rafters of the banqueting hall at Ravendale. He was actually one of the guides, dressed in a jester’s outfit with a curly crown and strange beaked mask.
Lara had spent most of the day supervising the removal of the Christmas decorations from the castle, because centuries-old tradition had deemed it bad luck to leave them up – the irony. Although the rest of the rooms were back to their pre-festive Christmas state, the entrance hall and banqueting hall had been left with their greenery and Christmas tree intact.
There was no way that the decorations would be down by midnight but they’d just have to risk it. The thought reminded her of the next day, when she was planning to come clean about the chalice. She swiped a glass of mead from a tray and took a large gulp, pushing the inevitableaside and preparing to do as the Lord of Misrule had commanded: feast and revel.
She tried to work out who was behind the dazzling cast of characters packing into the great hall. There were jesters and harlequins, three Henry VIIIs, various cavaliers and Regency ladies, someone in a bear costume – they’d never keep that on all night. Lots of people complimented her on her costume, which had been delivered two days previously by Tessa. It had fitted her perfectly and she’d hardly been able to recognise herself in the mirror.
Jazz bounded up. ‘You look gorgeous! Guinevere?’
‘Close. The Lady of Shalott. You look amazing too.’
‘Do you like it? Luke loves it too, but he feels OTT in his outfit, which is why he’s gone to find a very large tankard of mead.’
‘Nothing is OTT at a Twelfth Night Ball. OTT is the whole idea. Wow. Is thatCarlos?’
Lara had to look hard at the man in a long curly wig who had just made an entrance into the banqueting hall on the arm of a tall character carrying a basket of oranges.
‘I think Carlos has come as Charles II …’ Lara said. ‘And that must be his partner dressed as Nell Gwynne.’
‘I’d no idea …’ Jazz said.
‘Nor me. I had no idea he was gay either.’
‘I’d kill for his coat,’ Jazz said, and both she and Lara gawped as Carlos strolled past them in his coral silk frock coat, breeches, and fancy shoes. He tipped his hat and Lara raised her glass. ‘Bravo!’
‘I love Nell’s dress,’ Jazz said, admiring the elaborate low-cut silk gown.
‘I think that’s actuallyNeil…’ Jazz whispered. ‘I recognise him now. He’s a sous-chef in the kitchens.’
Feathers fluttered and tiaras shimmered as Carlos and Neil were soon lost in a sea of admirers.
‘Where’s Flynn?’ Jazz asked.
‘Getting into his costume. He didn’t want me to help. Said he wanted to surprise me.’
‘Can he manage – with his knee, I mean?’
