A Christmas Kiss Read Online Free PDF Page B

now, before he’d had a chance to accustom himself to the realization, he’d become quite grey, and his youth had disappeared.
    A grandfather. Philip shook his head and grinned at himself ruefully. He was not usually given to such mawkish, feminine musings. Besides, Jamie wasn’t even married yet! Forty-four years of life did not make one ancient, not by any means. What he needed was a good breakfast, a brisk walk on the grounds of his beloved Gyllford, and a couple of hours at his desk, wrestling with the logic of his antagonist, Burke, to put him in a more sensible frame of mind. But the lift that the thought of his writing always gave him was soon dispelled by the realization that his house was filling with guests. Gervaise and Sally were already in residence, and the whole Covington family was expected to arrive this afternoon. The duties of a host would keep him from his desk all day. He sighed and, his depression returning, he went reluctantly down to breakfast.
    Clarissa and Sally were already settled at the table in the breakfast room, drinking their second cups of chocolate. Gervaise was lingering over the sideboard, loading his plate from the generous buffet with cold meats, smoked fish and coddled eggs. The sight of his cheerful countenance did a little to lift Philip’s spirit. Gervaise’s very appearance occasioned smiles. He always tried valiantly to dress as befitted a man of style and substance, but his girth and his indolent nature were constantly at war with his clothing, and winning. Without warning, a button would come loose here, a seam would split there. His much-harried valet would send him forth tailored and pressed to perfection, but Gervaise would return to the dressing room before long, looking sadly rumpled and shabby. Now, just minutes after leaving his dressing room, his waistcoat buttons already gave the appearance of being strained beyond their strength. Philip was sure the middle one would pop off before Gervaise’s breakfast was completely consumed.
    All unconcerned, Gervaise’s eyes twinkled and his round cheeks creased in a welcoming smile for Philip. “There you are, my boy,” he greeted warmly. “We’ve been wondering if you had overslept this morning.”
    â€œI must apologize to you all. I had no idea you would all be so prompt. I dawdled in front of my mirror, I’m afraid.”
    â€œNot you, Philip, surely. I’ve never known you to do so before,” Clarissa said in amused surprise.
    â€œThat is because you never told me how grey I’m growing, my dear. I noticed it this morning with quite a shock.”
    â€œNonsense!” Sally laughed. “It makes you look quite attractively distinguished.”
    Philip bowed his thanks and turned to the sideboard. Was Sally still determined to pursue a useless flirtation with him? Bother the holidays, he thought, bother the guests and bother this whole interruption of his pleasant life’s routine! His day was quite cut up.
    Sally Trevelyan looked at him musingly. If he had calculated a manner meant to attract her, he couldn’t have found a better. As he turned back to the breakfast table with his plate of beef and eggs, she motioned him to the seat beside her. Philip seemed not to notice; he took a seat beside his sister. Sally smiled to herself. Let the man struggle. She had two lovely weeks before her—there was plenty of time.
    The Covingtons arrived at mid-afternoon. Hutton, the Gyllfords’ imperturbable butler, announced the arrival of the carriage to Lady Steele and managed to throw open the front door, descend the steps and take a magisterial stance at the bottom before the coach had come to a complete stop—and all without hurrying his usual dignified gait. Clarissa and Philip followed soon after, making an impressive welcoming party for the new arrivals.
    The six-year-old twins spilled from the carriage first, racing past their hosts and up into the