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Back What Happens At Christmas Save as PDF
Chapters (32)
  1. Also by
  2. Title Page
  3. One
  4. December 21st
  5. Two
  6. Three
  7. Four
  8. Five
  9. Six
  10. Seven
  11. Eight
  12. Nine
  13. Ten
  14. December 22nd
  15. Eleven
  16. Twelve
  17. Thirteen
  18. Fourteen
  19. Fifteen
  20. Sixteen
  21. Seventeen
  22. December 23rd
  23. Eighteen
  24. Nineteen
  25. Twenty
  26. Twenty-one
  27. December 24th
  28. Twenty-two
  29. Twenty-three
  30. December 25th
  31. Twenty-four
  32. Copyright Page

“Oh, well, as long as you promise, how could I possibly say no? Besides, darling sister”—Beryl’s eyes twinkled with amusement—“I wouldn’t miss this Christmas for anything in the world.”

December 21st

December 21st

Two

Two

“Good to have you home, Grayson.” Lord Fairborough studied his nephew with an assessing gaze. “You’ve been away far too long.”

“It hasn’t been that long, sir.” Grayson Elliott’s smile belied the truth in his uncle’s words.

Uncle Roland raised a skeptical brow. “I would say eleven years is a very long time.”

“Perhaps.” Gray sipped his brandy and considered the older man. He looked far better than Gray had feared. In truth, the years had been kind to his uncle. His hair was a bit grayer; his face was a bit more lined; but, all in all, Uncle Roland wore his age well. Still, he couldn’t help but think a few of the lines in his uncle’s face might be attributed to Gray himself. He knew his uncle, as well as his aunt, had worried about him through these past eleven years. The only one who hadn’t worried was his cousin, Winfield. But then, on more than one occasion, Win had admitted his envy of Gray’s freedom to do as he wished and Win’s own enjoyment, if vicariously, of his cousin’s exploits. Gray would be the first to admit the regularity of his correspondence to his aunt and uncle had been haphazard at best. He had gone as long as half a year without sending a letter. He ignored a stab of guilt. “But it has passed quickly.”

“For you, perhaps, more than the rest of us.” Uncle Roland chuckled. “I suspect you have had quite an adventurous time of it.”

“It has certainly been that on occasion.” Gray grinned. There had indeed been adventures in the course of building his fortune, but it had by no means been easy. His efforts and subsequent investments in shipping and railroads and imports in America had been grueling through the years and had left little time for frivolities or the enjoyment of his success. But his hard work had paid off. He had the fortune now he had set out to make. “And I have you to thank for it.”

“Rubbish.” His uncle scoffed. “It was insignificant and you paid me back, with interest, more than two years ago.” He paused for a moment. “It wasn’t necessary, you know. Your father was my only brother and I have always thought of you as a second son.”

“And for that I have always been grateful.”