VINCENT RETURNED TO HIS HOUSE IN A MUCH better mood than he’d been in upon leaving it. The trip to the warehouse showed that the Ascots were in possession of seven old paintings, two by well-known artists, but none of them the notorious La Nymph that he was searching for. So he didn’t have to face the dilemma of making the Ascots very rich, something that just did not fit into his plans for their ruination.

And then he had his mood utterly ruined again by finding Jonathan Hale in his parlor with Larissa and her brother, Thomas, who’d been allowed out of the sickroom for the express purpose of decorating the Christmas tree. Such a homey scene, and so foreign to him.

It was the laughter and smiles, the sheer enjoyment they were having, that hit Vincent the worst. He wasn’t part of it, nor ever would be. And it wasn’t even strictly related to Christmas, though that was the present reason for it. They simply knew how to have fun doing simple things, while the concept of fun had never been part of his own life, even as a child.

More than once his brother had tried to show him how to have fun, would drag him from his studies, explain some imaginary game, then be disappointed when Vincent couldn’t get the hang of it. There were simply too many real concerns always plaguing Vincent as a child for him to let go of them long enough to have fun. But that Albert had tried to include him in that aspect of life was one reason he had tolerated his brother’s many weaknesses throughout the years. Albert had tried to teach him. Vincent hadn’t really tried to learn.

Larissa noticed him standing there in the doorway and gave him a brilliant smile. She took his breath away, she was so incredibly beautiful. Jonathan saw it as well and stood there mesmerized. Thomas, noticing both men, rolled his eyes toward the ceiling. Obviously he was used to men behaving like idiots around his sister.

“I didn’t think you would return in time to help,” she told Vincent, motioning him forward.

He didn’t move. “Help?”

“It’s your tree, really. Our decorations are only being added to the contributions your servants have already made. Look at this one from your grouchy cook.” She pointed out a small shiny spoon that had a hole punched in the end of it so it could be tied to a branch with a bright ribbon. “He even blushed as he put it on.”

“I have no decorations to add.”

“There are plenty here to choose from. Come, put this angel on the top.”