A Christmas Surprise Read Online Free

hand.
    “Thank you. So do you, Carlisle,” Kenneth replied accepting the hand.
    Simon slipped into the high-backed, leather chair opposite. “So, what do you think about our offspring?” he started in, never one to mince words.
    “If it works out it will be wonderful. I do not think we could have planned a better match if we tried. How does Eleanor feel about it, any idea?” Kenneth responded as he signaled for a steward.
    Simon waited to reply until after sustenance had been ordered.
    “If she knows anything about it she has not mentioned it to me, so I do not believe she is aware of the tendre between the two,” he said, once the steward had left.
    “By the by, how is the charming duchess. I would have thought to see her this trip.”
    “You just missed them.”
    Kenneth raised a questioning brow at the response.
    “With the Season over until the Small Season in the fall, Eleanor hied it home with Aleece, who was invited to a house party. We had already planned to visit my estate in Scotland so the duchess will not be accompanying her.”
    “That would not be the one being held at the Earl of Whitchurch’s estate which his daughter organized?”
    “Why yes,” Simon started but stopped when their meal was set before them. Once again free of prying ears he continued, “How did you know? Wait, let me guess, Thomas received the same invitation?”
    With a mouthful of food all Kenneth could do was nod.
    The rest of the meal continued in a comfortable silence, with neither man wanting to disturb the other as they feasting on poached Dover Sole, parsley potatoes, and asparagus covered with Sauce Béarnaise.
    Once the dishes were removed and various cheeses and fruits were set before them, they resumed their discussion.
    Kenneth picked up the conversation where they’d left off. “Well, I say that it is interesting that the two will be attending. I wonder if they might be caught in a compromising situation, not that I would wish it on anyone.”
    “That, sir, I seriously doubt. Eleanor is sending Debbi, Aleece’s maid as chaperone. You remember the girl, don’t you?”
    “Yes. I wish Thomas had had someone to play with growing up, but the other boys were either too old or to young,” Kenneth replied with a slight sadness to his voice.
    “And speaking of him, my people noted most curiously that he chose not to stay at the ancestral townhouse while here. Do you have any idea why that might have been?”
    “Yes, one of his Guards friends has an apartment at The Albany. As he explained the reason to me it actually makes sense. If the matchmaking mommas saw or knew he was staying at the house they would know he was my son. And he, like you and I did, chooses to marry for love,” Kenneth said, popping a grape in his mouth.
    “So that explains why he is known around as Mr. Thomas. Smart, that young man of yours.”
    “Yes. And he says he attended Cambridge and was injured in an accident with his horse. Makes no reference to being in the Guards. Let me tell you when the matchmaking mammas and their hoard of featherbrain offspring find out he has been hiding in plain sight, heads will roll. That I will love to see, as long as neither of our children are hurt.”
    “I am in total agreement with you.”
    Over the next several minutes, the old friends caught up on what was going on in their lives. They also promised each not to interfere with their children’s budding romance.
    After brandy was shared and plans to meet again were toasted to, they said their goodbyes at the steps of White’s, promising to keep in touch.

Chapter Five
     
    “Come in Aleece,” Eleanor said in response to a knock on her private sitting room door.
    “Yes mother?”
    She waved her daughter to a chair and waited for her to settle herself.
    “Before we inform Debbi she will be acting as your companion for the Whitchurch house party there is something you need to be made aware of.”
    Eleanor let her words sink in before continuing.