A Family For Christmas Read Online Free Page B

swirling and billowing around.
    ‘For heaven’s sake shut that door,
Duncan, before we turn into ice angels,’ Fay barked as Duncan stood on the step stamping
the snow from his boots.
    ‘Morning, Fay, and a beautiful angel
you’d make too. Something smells good,’ he said, sniffing the air
appreciatively.
    ‘I swear you hear me set the pan to the
fire from those woods you choose to inhabit,’ Fay replied, shaking the spoon at him.
    ‘Reckoned I might be too late today,
though. Ben asked me to call by the farm. He thought Rose had gone into labour. False alarm, but
I gave her some raspberry leaf to help her relax and ease the cramps. He was fussing like a
mother hen. You’d think having dealt with lambing he’d take it all in his
stride,’ he muttered.
    Fay shook her head. ‘A baby’s a bit
different, Duncan, and it is their first.’
    ‘True. Rose’s mother was coming over
to help, but she’s snowed in down at Beechcombe. Ben insisted I take some fresh food for
my trouble,’ he said, placing a covered jug of milk on the table then carefully taking
four speckled brown eggs from each pocket. ‘Think one of these will be more nourishing for
our little guest than your bloody red meat. Talking of which, how is the patient today?’
he asked, hunkering down beside Eliza. Immediately his expression changed to one of concern.
‘You’re whiter than the snow outside.’
    ‘Just feeling a bit sick,’ Eliza
muttered.
    ‘Probably from the frying. It does smell a bit rich this
time of a morning. I’ll mix something to settle your system. All right to use the mug,
Fay?’ he asked, pointing to the hearth.
    ‘Of course, but you’d best make me
another. It’s a bind having to use the same one all the time.’
    Duncan lowered his voice. ‘Poor Fay,
it’s a shock having to share your home, isn’t it? I’d have the little un but
don’t think she’d appreciate my tree dwelling. Besides, it’s too cold for her
out there.’
    ‘Well, I can hardly throw her out in the
snow so she’ll just have to stay until she’s recovered. She said she’d been
seeking work so I’m sure someone round these parts will be glad of help. It’s
inconvenient, though, for I’ve little space to spare and I don’t know anything about
children. Still, if the meat’s too strong for her, I’ll coddle one of those eggs
when she’s feeling better. With stocks running low, those provisions are most welcome,
thank you. Did you ask Ben if he’d heard anything …?’ Fay’s voice became
softer and although Eliza couldn’t make out what she was saying she knew they were still
talking about her.
    Eliza stared into the flames and sighed. No
matter where she went, she was in the way. As soon as she was strong enough to leave, she
would.
    ‘Here, drink this.’ She jumped as the
gentle giant crouched beside her, holding the mug to her lips.
    ‘What is it?’ she asked
suspiciously.
    ‘Never fear, ’tis only a bit of
betony. Cure anything and everything, that will,’ he assured her.
    ‘Now, Duncan, you and I both know
it’s those herbs
you add that makes the
difference. You’re lucky, girl, this boy’s a wizard,’ Fay said with a
sniff.
    His big belly laugh filled the room and Eliza
felt her spirits rise again. She felt more comfortable when the giant was around.
    ‘I got some sacking off Ben. When
we’ve eaten, I’ll go out to the barn and stuff up a mattress for you. You
can’t carry on sleeping on that chair and there’s room enough for you both alongside
the fire.’
    Fay grunted, but Eliza could see she was
pleased.
    As the drink had settled her stomach, Eliza found
herself relaxing. She must have drifted to sleep because the next thing she knew, Fay was
shaking her awake.
    ‘I promise to cook you breakfast and then
you sleep until noon.’ Eliza opened her eyes to find Fay frowning down at her.
‘Let’s sit you up so you can eat. You need to build your strength,’ said the
woman, tucking skins behind her.
    To her