Page 55 of Duchess Material

“You know why,” Lucy said, flatly.

“Why” was George. Winston had told him. It had not gone well. Winston had filtered the conversation when he explained it to Lucy. George let Winston have it. Natalie protected Lucy by telling her father to put George and Patrick in the main house. She made the excuse that as Patrick’s family were visiting, it made more sense. It killed her a little, but George was being a knob. He would get over it eventually, but maybe not over this holiday. Better safe than sorry. Lucy was suspicious of Winston’s rosy read. She knew better.

“And you didn’t want to leave?” Winston asked.

“No, God, no. I didn’t want to, and I didn’t want to leave Ed.”

“I don’t understand why I’m allowed to come, but you aren’t allowed to bring Ed,” Lucy said.

“Because who I bring matters too much. Also, Ed’s parents wanted him to come with them.”

Winston was hopeful. “Maybe next year?”

Natalie shrugged. “I have no idea.”

Lucy said. “Yes. He will be there because you love him. What were you up to? Avoiding us?”

“No, I was lying there with his head in between my thighs only minutes before you all pulled up.”

Winston looked pained. “Nat! God!”

“She asked. This is how Lucy and I talk. He’s brilliant at it. I am loved the fuck up. Count your blessings, darlings. I am in a good mood.”

Lucy snickered.

Winston glared over at Lucy, suspicious. “I hope she doesn’t tell you anything.”

“Oh, wouldn’t you like to know?” Natalie giggled.

“Nat, be good to me and don’t mention it. Women talk. They always claim we compare notes. No, it’s women who do.”

“Sheena and I know all!” Natalie announced.

Lucy turned to shoot Natalie a look. “Not all! Just some. Take a nap, Natalie!”

Natalie took the advice. She settled with the dogs and dropped off as the caravan drove north. She awoke as they were pulling into the drive at Anmer. That’s when she realised all was not going according to plan.

The butler greeted them with bad news. “Ma’am, the boiler is on the fritz. Went out this morning and the service company says it will be a week for the part. They will attempt short-term fix tomorrow. “

“What? So… what? We have no heat?” Natalie groaned.

“We have the fireplaces, but the place is already drafty.”

She looked at Winston and Lucy. “We’ve got no heat. But they think they can fix it tomorrow. Thoughts?”

“We can survive by fire light,” Lucy said. “It sounds sorta romantic.”

“If you’re down to try, it could be fun.” Winston shrugged.

“Here goes nothing.” Natalie said.

She wished Edwin were there to warm her up.

* * *

On Christmas Eve, Winston woke shaking in the frigid cold. Lucy stole all the blankets in the night. The fire was out. The romantic evening of cuddling under blankets and making love by moonlight was now a frigid morning with Lucy buried under all the warmth while Winston, quite naked, calculated which was worse—moving to don warm clothing or staying in bed.

Winston decided, for their sake, it was best to start the fire. To do so safely, he needed to dress in warm clothes. Winston’s teeth chattered as he pulled on pants, a pullover, and joggers before rushing to start the fire once more. As it took, Winston crawled back in bed, wrapping his arms around Lucy who groaned sweetly. The dogs glared at him for disturbing their peace. Lucy spooned Frida. The dogs were warmer than him at this point.

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