Page 104 of The Duke Who Saved Christmas
And maybe, just bloody maybe, Sylvie was that reason.
***
“Oh, you’re in here.”
“Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in,” I said dryly without bothering to turn from my computer.
Zara huffed. “Is that any way to greet your sister?”
“Sister? I’d almost forgotten I had one, given it’s been weeks upon weeks since I’ve seen her.”
“Thomas.”
“You could at least pretend to be sorry, Zara.” I spun my chair around to face her. “And don’t ‘Thomas’ me. When did you get here?”
“Just now. The roads are awful, aren’t they?”
“Better than they were yesterday when I got stranded. I’m surprised you managed to get here.”
“I barely did. I came in from Barrow-Upon-Heath’s side. They gritted the roads over there.”
“Lucky for Barrow-Upon-Heath. Clearly, we know who the council favours,” I said dryly. “Did you drive all the way, or did you have to stop?”
“I parked up by Portland Farm and walked the rest of the way here. I’ll need someone to take me out there when the roads clear a bit.”
“Good luck with that. I’m guessing you haven’t seen anyone else yet, then?”
Zara shook her head and walked around the desk. I followed her movement with the spin of my chair and glared at her when she dropped herself into one of the chairs in front of the desk.
“Can’t you see I’m working?”
“You can take a five-minute break. Where is everyone?”
“Your son is at school, which is where all good children should be at two o’clock in the afternoon on a weekday,” I retorted smartly.
She wrinkled up her nose. “I thought they might have closed it due to the weather.”
“This is Yorkshire. Not London. It’s just a bit of snow. If you can walk in it and the heating works, you can go to school.”
“All right, I get it. Is Beth at the shop?”
“Eight days before Christmas? What do you think? I doubt she’s figure skating down the river.”
My sister sighed, covering her face with her hands as Heath came in with two cups of something steaming.
“Your Grace,” he said, putting one of the mugs down in front of me. “I saw Lady Zara on her way in and thought I’d bring some tea.”
“Thanks, Heath. I appreciate it.”
Zara beamed at him. “Thank you.”
I glared at her.
“Also, the cars have been recovered, and Miss Harding is safely back at home along with the pig,” Heath continued. “Your vehicle has been returned to the garage.”
Zara raised her eyebrows at me, but I ignored her.
“Thank you. Would you mind closing the door on your way out?”
