“Mr.Pringle, I waited for you the other night.Did you lose my note?”
Good God.He stared at the fluttery-eyed woman in dismay.It was she of the calling card with printed directions to her bedchamber.It would be difficult to pretend he had not understood the message.
“He’s not a rake,” one of her friends whispered loudly.“He’s bride-hunting.”
That got the attention of every other female in the group.Those not already familiar with his particulars were quickly put to rights within the space of a few whispers.
Never before had Christopher wished so fervently that people would start singing carols.
He glanced around for Miss Godwin.She was hanging back, allowing his unwanted admirers to pick him apart like crows upon carrion.
In as gentlemanly a manner as he could, he squeezed his way past the flirtatious faces until he reached her side.
“I see you don’t need me to matchmake,” she said, her face inscrutable.
“I…”don’t want you to matchmake at all.Not a good start.He tilted back his head and pointed toward the sky.“Look, it’s Auriga, the charioteer.”
“No, that’s a dunce,” she corrected with a straight face.“You can tell by his odd hat and petulant expression.”
“We’re knocking!”yelled a voice up front as they reached the next house.
In moments, the group erupted into song.
O come, all ye faithful…
Miss Godwin’s boot jabbed into his leg.“Sing.”
He sighed.She asked for it.He joined in with the final refrain.
“Youdoknow the words,” she said as they walked to the next house.
“I have lived through two-and-thirty Christmases,” he pointed out.“I know many words.Did I acquit myself somewhat?”
“Let’s see how you do at the next house.”She curled her fingers about his elbow.“Look, there’s The Great Walking-Stick!”
“That’s Canis Minor.”He glowered at her.“Good God, woman.I cannot believe you use England’s most advanced telescope in order to not learn about the stars.”
She grinned up at him.“I’m idiosyncratic.”
“You’re insane.”He jabbed his finger back up to the sky.“Please try.That one there is—”
“We’re singing!”came the cry from up ahead, immediately followed byHere We Come a-Wassailing.
To his surprise, Christopher was enjoying himself immensely.At least until the following house, when he overheard Miss Godwin’s words.
“On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… Twelve droll devices, eleven piping puddings—”
“That isnothow it goes,” he hissed in horror.
She held her hand to her lips and whispered, “I’m singing the revised edition.”
He stared at her.“That is not the revised edition.That’s utter hogwash.You’re making it up on the spot.”
“I don’t remember the words,” she admitted.“It’s either invent my own or not carol.And which would be the greater tragedy?”
“Gloria,” yelled one of her friends.“After caroling, let’s play Snapdragons over at Susan’s house!”
She gazed up at Christopher.“What do you say?Are you any good at eating raisins set on fire with brandy?”
