Masters And Lovers 1-4 novel Chapter 53

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We crunch through snap-topped snow, having to pick up our feet to get from the car to the door. A trail of footprints leads back and forth from the door to the garden and in a few places, what look like the exploded remains of snowballs lie star-fished on the surface.

From somewhere comes drifting the scent of roasting meat, fruit and spices.

“Who’s doing the cooking?” asks Elizabeth. “It smells amazing.”

“James, I believe.” And I’m not disagreeing with her. It does smell amazing.

Unloading the back of the car, I pile Elizabeth’s arms with the wrapped cake, a box of candied fruit and the armagnac I know James is partial to. Then I take my own load; the gifts we bought for the three, including a bourbon which I think might appeal to Michael.

Arms full, I struggle to ring the bell on the be-wreathed oak door, eventually shoving at the button with my elbow. From beyond, there is first silence, then a scuffling noise, followed by the click and creak of the door opening. And then Michael’s comically astonished face.

Elizabeth and I burst out laughing. “You didn’t know we were coming then?” I say.

“He never breathed a word.” Michael looks back over his shoulder, then as he stands back from the door, opening it wide for us, his smile drops to Elizabeth’s blushing face.

His eyes rise to meet mine. I hold them for a second.

“Aaahhh….” he says, starting to laugh himself and scraping a hand through his hair.

“What’s funny?”

As if I didn’t know…

His voice drops. “If you knew how many times this morning James has stopped me cornering Charlotte and um… wishing her a Merry Christmas.”

James kept you off her?

Wonder how?

I bet you've had a very frustrating morning, my friend….

Having said that….

I shift my stance, my pants growing tight as I run a mental replay of my own morning.

James, dressed almost as one attending the opera, appears behind him. “Are you going to keep them on the doorstep all day?” For all that he’s trying hard to keep a straight face, he is twitching with humour.

Enjoyed your little joke…?

“Oh, I’m sorry,” says Michael. “You caught me by surprise. I’m not thinking straight….” He gives James a wry look. “Someone kept me in the dark about this.”

James raises brows with an ‘Oh, yes?’ kind of expression

“Who is it?” Charlotte’s voice.