Page 57 of Duchess Material

“What do I owe you?” Natalie asked.

“Nothing, ma’am. For the trouble… we didn’t fix it. I will get you what you paid—”

“No, no, keep it. Take the money and whomever needs it today, cover them, alright? Better they should have heat. We can go up to the main house and get warm.”

“Oh, ma’am that is very generous.”

“It’s only logical. Happy Christmas to you and your family.”

“Happy Christmas, Your Highness.”

He left. Gerry sighed, “Well, up to The Big House we go.”

Winston grumbled. “Fucking Christ! We gotta go home. I can’t—”

Natalie quickly assured Winston. “He won’t do shit. If he says even a word to Lucy, I will put him on his arse. He’s sore over you winning in some bizarre, masculine sense. You make Lucy happier than he ever did.”

“Really? You think?” Winston looked at her surprised.

“Yes, Winston. Yes. She loves you. Roll with it.”

Winston rubbed his temples. “She’s not going to be happy.”

“It will be okay. He’s not that petty. He’s not about to ruin Christmas over it. That’s stupid.”

Winston hoped Natalie was right.

* * *

Lucy hung back when they arrived at The Big House. She clung to Sheena and Natalie like they were a lifeboat. She did not complain when George was nowhere to be found for the first hour. Instead, she warmed before a roaring fire with hot coffee and biscuits. She laughed about a post on social media trying to understand why Ed was spotted out with his father in the Cotswolds the evening before at a pub. A herd of thirsty women hoped he was single again.

“God, even in a shit photo, he’s a snack,” Lucy said.

“I know. I hate myself for allowing him to go!”

Vanna looked up from her book. “It’s healthy to spend time apart.”

“What is a snack?” Patrick’s mother, Penny, asked.

Natalie, Sheena, and Lucy burst into laughter.

“Um…” Lucy snickered, “it’s a term for a very attractive man.”

Natalie shrugged. “I’d say he more a whole meal but, you know… to each their own.”

“Oh, stop, stop!” Vanna tried not to lose it.

“Your boyfriend is the handsome swimmer?” Penny asked.

“Correct,” Sheena answered. “Someone took a dreadful photo of him and she’s still over here salivating. He’s gorgeous. She complains because she misses him.”

“The women of the socialverse are disagreeing with you, darling,” Lucy giggled. “They’re on him like a moth to a flame. I think it’s the shoulders if I’m being honest.”

Natalie disagreed. “The shoulders? The pecks. Shoulders are overrated.”

Vanna shook her head. “I disagree. Shoulders can be downright amazing.”

Natalie pulled a face.

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