“Lattimer,” Alex said.
“Saxton,” Charles said.
Giana and Derry exchanged glances as the two men reluctantly shook hands.
“Jennifer,” Giana said, “how delightful you look today. And such a lovely day it is. I was expecting howling winds and snow at the end of November, but instead we have such sun and warmth.”
Jennifer merely nodded in greeting, unable to get a word in through Giana’s exuberant chatter.
“We are having suet pies for dessert,” Giana continu
ed brightly to Derry.
“No, love,” Alex said, “mincemeat pies.”
“And the turkey weighs over twenty-five pounds, Derry,” Leah said.
“Then we shall all have to loosen our belts, won’t we?”
Thank God for Leah, Giana thought some minutes later over the dinner table. The child chattered happily, and remembered to ask Charles Lattimer politely if he was enjoying Agnes’s turkey. He gave her a startled look and a smiling yes.
Jennifer waited until Agnes served the mincemeat pies, topped with vanilla ice cream, before she touched her fingers to Alex’s hand and said in a caressing voice, “I am delighted to visit your home again, Alex.” She looked about the dining room. “I’m pleased that you haven’t allowed any changes. But then, of course, your wife doesn’t have time for domestic concerns, does she? And poor Miss Guthrey. Such a lovely person. I hear that she had to accept a position with the Waddells.”
“How delightful for her,” Giana said over her pie. “I did not realize that you were acquainted with Miss Guthrey, Jennifer.”
“I’m glad Anna is here,” Leah said.
Jennifer nodded vaguely. “She was so happy here, I understand. But then again, she is very pretty, is she not?”
“Jennifer,” Charles Lattimer said.
“How true,” Giana said. “I was dreadfully jealous of her, you know, Jennifer, and couldn’t wait to have her removed. I wanted Leah and Alex all to myself.”
Jennifer stared at her.
“I’m sure you understand my feelings. I become quite rabid when any lady regards Alex with a fond eye. The English, you know, Jennifer, are very possessive.”
“Is there a petard about?” Derry asked.
“Does everyone have wine?” Giana asked. “Leah, pour yourself some lemonade. I have an announcement to make—and a toast, I trust, is in order.”
Alex shot her a suspicious look, but obligingly filled his wineglass.
Giana smiled, raising her glass, and looked directly at Alex. “Alex and I have decided that I should curtail my business activities over the next months and become more a woman of leisure. You see, we are going to have a baby.”
Jennifer gasped.
“In May,” Giana added, still holding Alex’s gaze. He was smiling at her now.
“And I will have a new brother or sister,” Leah said happily. “Isn’t it marvelous?”
“May,” Jennifer repeated, her eyes narrowing.
“Yes, Jennifer,” Giana said.
“Congratulations, Saxton,” Charles Lattimer said.
“But that means that you and Alex—”