The Christmas Marriage Mission

‘You know so, and so do I. Probably quite a few stayed over too, and on a regular basis. They got to know Mitchell and be part of his life—but only for as long as he wanted them in it. That’s the sort of man he is, Mum. He’s head of a large and successful business, he works hard and plays hard, and enjoys the bachelor lifestyle with no ties and no commitments. All his loyalty and commitment is to his business.’

‘That doesn’t mean he couldn’t give it to a woman if he fell in love,’ Leonora argued stubbornly.

‘That’s a bigger “if” than you’ll ever know where Mitchell is concerned.’ Leonora stared at her unhappily and Kay’s voice softened as she said, ‘Look, Mitchell doesn’t understand about family. His own was disfunctional and violent, and he has never wanted to settle down. Why would he take on a ready-made family, for goodness’ sake? And I come as a package, Mum. Those are the facts. Face them. I have.’

And then she surprised them both by bursting into tears.

Some time later, after a mopping-up session followed by a hot, milky mug of chocolate, Leonora said apologetically, ‘No more talking about you know who, I promise. Okay?’

Kay smiled. Until the next time. ‘Okay. But don’t let how things are with Mitchell and I affect your relationship with Henry, all right? He’s lovely, I mean it, and I want you to see him as much as you want to. I think Mitchell and I will begin to tail off now, anyway, and it’s all for the best. Really.’ Really.

At ten o’clock Kay sat toasting her toes in front of the fire, a glass of wine at her elbow. Her mother had gone to bed early and she was all alone in the small sitting room, the Christmas tree lights twinkling and the beginnings of a storm howling outside, if the wind was anything to go by. It was cosy and snug, she was warm and safe with all her family around her—and she felt more miserable than she had ever felt in her life.

When the telephone rang she nearly jumped out of her skin, the book on her lap falling to the floor as she hastily reached for the receiver. ‘Hallo?’

‘Missing me?’

She nearly dropped the phone, her heart beginning to thunder. ‘Mitchell?’ she said weakly.

‘I hope there’s not another man in your life with the right to ask you if you’re missing him,’ he said softly, his voice full of laughter. ‘So, are you?’

‘What?’ Her brain wouldn’t function.

‘Missing me.’

‘Are you missing me?’ she prevaricated. ‘ ‘Like hell.’ There was no hesitation.

‘Well, I’m missing you too.’ What else could she say? she asked herself helplessly. Besides, it was the truth.

‘Good.’ She could tell he was smiling. ‘Very good.’

There was a pause while Kay tried to steady her breathing and gain control of her rapid heartbeat. ‘Where are you phoning from?’ she asked quietly, hoping the trembling in her stomach didn’t communicate itself to her voice.

‘A hotel I use when I’m down here.’ It was offhand and stated he didn’t want to talk about his bed for the night.

‘How were things when you arrived? As bad as you expected?’

‘Worse.’ She could hear the irritation in his voice as he thought of it and didn’t envy the unfortunate Holden one little bit. ‘Looks like I’ll be a day or two at least trying to sort out the damn mess.’ His voice changed. ‘Think you can manage without me that long?’ he asked softly.

‘I’ll just have to try, won’t I?’ she said lightly, having gained control of her equilibrium after the shock of hearing his voice.

‘Don’t try too hard.’

It wouldn’t matter how hard she tried, she thought ruefully. He was the most fascinating man she had ever met—exciting, sexy, funny, handsome and she loved him to bits. She had never dreamt it was possible to be so captivated by another human being. So, all that being the case, what chance did she have of trying to squeeze him out of her life in a couple of days? It was going to take far, far longer than that, and buckets full of tears. ‘You should be pleased I can manage without you,’ she said levelly. ‘No snares, no promises, right?’

‘Modern woman.’ There was a note in his voice she couldn’t quite place and she wrinkled her nose as she tried to discern it.

‘Exactly,’ she agreed.

There was another pause. A second passed, then another and another. ‘You can be too modern, you know,’ he said with faint emphasis.

‘I didn’t know,’ she said, still in a light tone. Keep it nice and easy, Kay, she thought as her heart raced.

‘Neither did I until recently.’

She didn’t know what to say or how to interpret the meaning of his words. Riddles, things half said, it was always the same. She never knew if she was on foot or horseback.

‘How are the twins?’ he asked in a different tone of voice entirely.