Regency Christmas Gifts: Scarlet Ribbons / Christmas Promise / A Little Christmas

And then Mrs. MacTavish produced the skates.

David’s mouth dropped open in absolute wonder as he ran his small fingers reverently over the highly polished blades attached to shiny leather boots. He threw himself into his grandmother’s arms. “Oh, Granny! Skates! Thank you, thank you! You knew what I most wished for in the whole world. You always do!”

Mrs. MacTavish tossed Napier a gloating look of superiority over her grandson’s shoulder. Amalie wanted to smack her for it. The woman never let an opportunity pass to remind them that David was better off in her care than he ever would be in theirs. But one had to admit, the skates were a brilliant move to secure David’s undivided affection.

Amalie leaned closer to Napier and said behind her hand, “I knew we should have gotten the pony.”

“His birthday’s next month,” Napier replied in a whisper. “And I’ve a saddle on order.”

Amalie placed her hand over his and gave it a squeeze. “Well, then, let her top that if she thinks she can!” She smiled back at Mrs. MacTavish, granting the woman today’s small victory.

Amalie realized that at some time during David’s visit, she had begun to lay a motherly claim upon him. And while she did not approve of spoiling children in general, she wanted to make this boy happy, to show him how much a real family with two loving parents could do for him as he grew to manhood. She felt responsible for making that happen and she would, no matter what.

When all the gifts were given, they went into a late dinner of roast beef and plum pudding. Amalie hardly tasted the food, so busy was she in planning her future. Nothing could go wrong, she kept telling herself. The wedding was set, only a week away. David would stay. She would have all the time in the world to regain her ability to walk. Then, in realizing she was not a slackard, Napier would like her, perhaps even come to love her in time. She would work to that end with all the energy and determination she could muster.

Chapter Seven

The next morning, after a restless night, Alex dressed and took up his crutches, intending to head for the breakfast room, but David almost ran him down in the hallway. “Father, come and watch me skate! Granny says I may on the shallow fishpond! Will you come?”

“Absolutely! Wouldn’t miss it. Do you know how it’s done?”

“Aye. I’ve skated a bit with borrowed ones, but it’s hardly ever cold enough to freeze,” he declared, grasping on to one of Alex’s crutches as was his custom.

His son thought he was helping and Alex didn’t even think of disabusing him of the notion. It was as close to holding the lad’s hand as he could get while walking together.

“Where are you off to? Aren’t you two hungry?” Michael asked as he wheeled Amalie toward the breakfast room.

“A skating expedition,” Alex explained. “Apparently it won’t wait until after we eat.”

“Come watch me!” David chirped, grinning as his grandmother also approached to accompany them.

Alex offered her a smile and said good morning, wishing they could mend fences. It did not look likely and he did understand. She would be lost without David, but then, so would he. And a boy needed a father.

Michael fetched Amalie a blanket and wrapped her against the cold, but she argued him out of the weather shield that attached to the front of the chair. Michael pushed as Alex lurched along beside her, David hanging on to his far crutch, gaily impeding his progress. Alex could not recall a time since his injury when he had felt such contentment.

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