Rosemary for the Holidays (Consulting Magic) Read Online Free PDF Page A

rather than making him stash it himself. "Ugh, I'm glad there's only two more days of this before the holiday."
    "I'm just glad you got the evening off," said Julian, giving him a little hug. "I made a few extra rosemary pots, if you want to take one to your mum, by the way."
    "I'd love that," said Jones, and then, "Ooh, perfect," when a big plate of little nibbles and a fresh cup of mulled wine came to a halt in front of him. He dug in, and everyone else's cups began to float away and return refilled, followed by their plates, full of fresh-baked goodies and a little cup of soup for everyone as well.
    Alex and Padma emerged a few minutes later and she came to retrieve her boxes, which Thomas and James volunteered to carry down so that Jones could rest and the hosts could stay up with the party. Whitby Chilcott and his consort-to-be, Grover Barnes, shared the elevator back up with the men, and Alys was very happy to hear that they were nearly the last of the guests.
    "Congratulations," said Julian; he'd given up his spot on the couch to greet the newcomers. They traded cheek-kisses all around, and Julian admired Grover's delicately etched engagement band. "I'm so glad you two worked it out."
    "And when will yours be making an honest man of you?" asked Whitby, not entirely teasingly.
    Julian laughed. "Well, we've decided I don't want to be a consort, so when Phineas fell for my sister it took some of the pressure off," he said. "You'll be happy to know that we're using the St. Albans holiday china, though you've missed Emmy and Phin."
    "That's all right, we saw them at the Eiderdown party," said Grover cheerfully. "Where is Alex, anyway?"
    "Getting you some mulled wine," said Alex, coming up carrying a pair of cups. "We're leaving coats on the bed, and the bathroom's through there as well, if you're staying a while?"
    "Yes, I'll take care of that, thank you," said Whitby, giving Julian an amused look. He took Grover's coat, which freed Grover's hands up to take the wine cups, and vanished into the bedroom.
    "Whitby wants to know when you're going to propose," said Julian teasingly.
    Alex huffed. "All in good time. It doesn't do to rush these things," said Alex, but there was mischief in his eyes that gave Julian a little swoop of hope in his stomach.
    "Is this really all you have, this little flat now?" asked Grover curiously, peering around.
    "Well, I didn't give up all the family land," said Julian with a laugh. "But honestly this is really enough. Let me show you around." He handed the extra wine back to Alex and tucked Grover's arm in his, taking him straight to the kitchen to meet the brownies and earth sprites. "Grover Barnes, former suitor and now consort-to-be, meet our house-brownies, Alys and Nat, and our friends Con and Betta."
    "Oh, my," said Grover, looking delighted. "How very good to meet you!" He turned to Julian with a little smile. "I suppose you've got your own sort of riches now. I heard you were doing an actual Apprenticeship as well."
    "I am, that's why we're giving away rosemary for our gifts," said Julian. "I grew the plants at the nursery where I work, and Alex made green thumb charms for them."
    "I helped with the potting," said Nat.
    "Oh, speaking of which," said Grover, patting his pockets. "It must be in my coat."
    "I've got it," said Whitby, handing Julian a small wrapped parcel. "I hope it suits."
    Julian opened it up to find a sugar bowl that matched the holiday china that everyone was drinking from, and he had to blink for a moment before he could smile. "Oh, Whitby, thank you," he said, kissing Whitby's cheek, and then Grover's. "I can't imagine how you found this."
    "Emmy told me about how you broke the lid on yours when you were a boy," said Whitby, "so when this one came to my attention, well."
    "Well, thank you," said Julian with a grin. "And now I'm doubly glad we brought down the cups for today so you can see it all together."
    "I have to admit, I was hoping Emmy had convinced you," said