Rupert returned at last from his long ride on the Downs, and he lent a helping hand to the decorations. Soon the entire downstairs was a festive bower. Every chandelier was twined with leaves, every mantelshelf and cornice was festooned, arrangements burgeoned in every vacant corner, tables boasted elegant vases and bowls, and the staircase was decked with greenery that seemed to sprout from the very banisters and newel posts.
Candles had been lit when Evangeline at last put in an appearance, looking much more comfortable in blue-gray taffeta. She declared that she had been so tired that she had dozed for a while, but now felt as fresh as a daisy; which was more than could be said for the gallant workers who had labored so hard on beautifying her residence for Christmas. The only major item now remaining was the kissing bough, and even that had almost been completed. When the last length of red satin ribbon had been tied into place, the bough was conveyed ceremonially into the hall, where a hook in the middle of the ceiling had served this particular purpose ever since the house had been built.
The footmen hauled the bough up on a rope, but when everyone stood below admiring it and thinking their tasks were over, Evangeline frowned and shook her head. "It is far too high," she declared.
Rupert was puzzled. "But it's always that height, Aunt E."
"Nevertheless, I don't like it now. Lower it if you please," she instructed, and the footmen slowly let out the rope. "More," she said, and the bough descended gradually until it was barely six feet above the floor.
Rupert disapproved. "That's far too low, Aunt E!"
"Do you think so?"
"Of course I do. Greville is the tallest of us, and if he walks beneath it, he'll surely tangle in the ribbons! So will Sir Jocelyn."
"Will they? Show me, Greville. Walk beneath it. Well, go on." She waggled her closed fan impatiently at him.
Greville did as he was told, and sure enough the ribbons brushed his dark hair.
"Ha!" declared Rupert triumphantly. "See? It will have to go up again."
"Yes, but how high?" Evangeline inquired lightly.
"At least two feet to be sensible."
"Oh, I disagree," she said. "It must be just right if it is to serve its purpose to the full. I have it! Miss Mortimer, will you please stand with Greville?"
"Stand with him?"
"The instruction is perfectly simple, miss. Which word do you not understand? Stand, with, or him?"
Megan lowered her eyes quickly, and went to join Greville beneath the bough.
Evangeline tapped the fan thoughtfully to her lips. "Oh, I don't know. Something isn't quite right. Stand closer to each other."
They did as they were told.
"No, closer than that!"
They brushed together.
"Not side by side, face-to-face! For heaven's sake, don't either of you know what a kissing bough is for? Greville, please be so good as to put your hands to Miss Mortimer's waist." As Greville obeyed, she fingered her gold locket. "Look at each other. That's better. Now, make as if to kiss."
Greville's eyes were a mirror of his inner feelings as he bent his head closer to Megan, whose face was now almost the same color as the ribbons fluttering overhead. Her heart was beating swiftly, and she could feel the warmth of his hands through her gown; and the softness of his breath on her face. His lips were so close that she feared he was going to actually kiss her, but then Evangeline pronounced her approval.
"That's it! Perfect! Tie the ropes if you please, Edward. Now, then, everyone, I think we have all worked so hard that a glass of champagne is in order."
Greville moved away from Megan, and raised an eyebrow at his aunt. "We? I'm so glad you feel able to include yourself among our hard-working number," he observed wryly.
Evangeline took no notice. "Fosdyke, bring a bottle to the drawing room, if you please. You and the other servants may enjoy some of the usual wine in the kitchens."
"Thank you, my lady." The butler bowed, then ushered the footmen and maids away.
Evangeline gazed approvingly around the hall. "At last it begins to seem like Christmas," she murmured.
Chapter 16
Megan wore the ruby silk from Mrs. Fiske's to dinner that evening, but would have felt far more comfortable in her old gown. Sir Jocelyn and Chloe, who looked quite bewitching in lavender satin that became her golden coloring to perfection, arrived just as everyone was adjourning to the drawing room after the meal. To everyone's dismay, the Holcrofts brought Oliver with them, he having expressed a huge interest in all things theatrical.
Rupert's face assumed a stormy aspect the moment he spied his enemy again, and as they all gathered in the hall to admire the Christmas decorations, he seized the first possible opportunity to get Chloe alone. But when he presumed to warn her against Oliver, she haughtily reminded him that he had chosen not to be part of her life, and would he kindly mind his own business from now on. She could not have made herself more plain; indeed she was more than avenged for the hurt he had caused her. He was quite stricken as he realized how low he had apparently sunk in her estimation; but as she walked away from him, Chloe's expression was one of barely concealed triumph. There was a new light in her big blue eyes, and a knowing little smile curved her lips. It was a look that would have discomforted Oliver, but would have imparted a modicum of encouragement to Rupert. His battle might not be entirely lost-at least, not yet.
The decorations having been profusely admired, and Sir Jocelyn having ventured to fondly peck Evangeline's cheek beneath the kissing bough, everyone adjourned to the candlelit drawing room to enjoy cherry liqueurs before any thought of going into the theater. They discussed which scenes should be rehearsed first, and Evangeline obliged Greville to cross his heart and promise that Malvolio's first appearance would be word perfect by the following afternoon. It was Act I, Scene 5, in which Evangeline's fool also appeared, as did the characters played by Chloe and Sir Jocelyn. In the absence of Cousin Ada and her sister, who were to play Viola and the maid, Maria, who figured prominently in the scene as well, Megan was informed she would have to read for them.
Left to her own quiet devices, Megan would have played the mouse all evening. It was a part she had learned well, and which often proved very rewarding, for it enabled her to observe from the wings. She sat in a corner, hoping to do just that; instead she found herself used again, this time by Rupert, whose response to Chloe's rebuff was to pay undue attention to his aunt's long-suffering companion. Megan understood his actions, even if she did not appreciate them. Her problem was made worse by the dark glances Greville directed toward her, for they suggested he thought she was encouraging Rupert. She bore it all heroically, but really would have liked to tell them both what she thought. Rupert she could forgive because she sympathized with his wretchedness over Chloe and Oliver, but she had no time at all for Sir Greville Seton. In vain did she tell herself he did not matter, because he mattered too much. She was constantly sensitive to him, even starting nervously when he cleared his throat. It was almost as if he twitched her upon a string!
Megan was able to observe a little, however, and had noticed that Lady Evangeline was set all of a secret quiver by Sir Jocelyn. Oh, it was well concealed, but Megan had been aware of it from the moment of the brief kiss beneath the mistletoe. Whether or not Sir Jocelyn felt the same way was not so easy to perceive, for he was one of those men who gave nothing away of their innermost thoughts. Megan could quite understand why her mistress felt the way she did about him, for he was a very attractive man: warm, amusing, thoughtful, and endearingly proud of his lovely daughter. He was also amusingly perplexed about Megan, whom he was still convinced he had met before. He went so far as to say so, but fell silent on the matter when Evangeline informed him he had definitely not encountered Megan until now.