A Christmas Kiss by Elizabeth; Mansfield Page B

done,” Reggie assured her. “Jamie will be back before you know it with a hired hack.”
    There. That was the extent of his conversation. What else was he to say to her? He took a quick glance at her face. She was peeping at him from under the brim of her ridiculously grown-up bonnet with an air of expectation. Heaven help him, how was he to fill the two hours looming up formidably before him?

Nine
    Philip looked up from his desk at the sound of a knock at his study door. “Come in,” he called.
    Clarissa peeped in hesitantly. “May I come in?” she asked. “I don’t want to disturb you.”
    â€œWhat is this unwonted timidity?” Philip asked, cocking an amused eyebrow at her. “You’ve always come in without the slightest qualm.”
    â€œThat was before I realized what important work you do here, my dear. I’m much more respectful now that I realize you’re an author.”
    â€œAnd very proper, too. But now that you’ve demonstrated this admirable humility, you may stop being a peagoose and come in.”
    Clarissa laughed and entered, closing the door carefully behind her. When she saw his desk, covered with closely written pages, her expression changed. “Oh, dear,” she said regretfully, “I am disturbing you. Perhaps I should wait until later to talk to you.”
    â€œNonsense. I am not writing another New Testament. The world can wait indefinitely for these words of mine. Come now, sit down and tell me what’s on your mind.”
    â€œAre you sure you don’t mind?”
    â€œQuite sure. I was about to clear my desk and join our guests anyway.”
    â€œOh, I’m so glad of that. That’s what I’ve come to ask you to do. I find myself in a bit of an embarrassment.…”
    â€œEmbarrassment?”
    â€œYes, and it’s your son’s fault.”
    â€œJamie? What’s he done?”
    â€œHe’s gone off in the curricle with Marianne and Reggie and left poor Evalyn here to her own devices. Not that she’s shown the least sign of being upset, but still—”
    â€œDo you mean to say he’s gone off without even asking her to join the party? Surely he couldn’t have done that! He must have asked her. Perhaps she didn’t want to go and told him she preferred to remain at home.”
    â€œNo, Philip, he didn’t even ask her. She knew nothing about the expedition until Martha mentioned to me, in Evalyn’s presence, that Marianne and Jamie had gone off together. Martha had a decided matchmaker’s gleam in her eye. I think she’s beginning to believe that Jamie and her Marianne may make a match of it.”
    â€œOh, my Lord!” Philip exclaimed in disgust.
    â€œJust so,” his sister sighed. “Knowing that Evalyn had overheard all this had me ready to sink !”
    â€œI could wring Jamie’s neck.”
    â€œSo could I. Except, of course, that Evalyn was not in the least discomposed. She’s been helping me weave the Christmas wreaths, and there she sat working as calmly as you please, as if it were the most natural thing in the world for one’s betrothed to go off with another girl.”
    Philip got up and paced about, musing. “I’ve noticed this strange behavior myself. Jamie neglects Miss Pennington shamefully. But I’ve never seen her look in the least constrained. Do you think it’s something they’ve decided between them?”
    â€œI don’t know what you mean,” Clarissa said, puzzled.
    â€œWell, we told them that we’d make no announcement until after the new year. Perhaps they’ve decided that we wanted them to keep their feelings secret from our guests, and so they pretend not to notice each other.”
    â€œBut how foolish! I never intended for them to dissemble in that way. In fact, it is quite the worst way to prepare society for the news of their betrothal.”
    â€œNow