Free A Partridge in a Pear Tree by AMANDA MCCABE Page A

feather mattress.
    “ Even newly engaged ladies can't stay abed all day,” Kitty added, pulling the blankets down.
    Allison and William had told the girls, in strictest confidence, about their intention to wed, and they had been able to speak of nothing else but their plans to be bridesmaids all the way home from the dance.
    Allison laughed, and sat up against the pillows. “You are quite right, my dears. Christmas isn't a day for lazing about.”
    “ We brought you some tea,” Jane said, producing a half-full cup from behind her back.
    “ And gifts!” Kitty in turn brought out two brightly wrapped packages.
    Allison clapped her hands in delight. “Gifts and tea! You are the best sisters ever. She kissed their cheeks, almost upsetting the tea in the process. “And I think that if you look in the wardrobe, you will see something there with your names on it.”
    With shouts of glee, the twins ran to the wardrobe, tripping over their nightgown hems, to pull out two parcels from under the gowns and pelisse.
    Soon the whole bed was covered with bright ribbons. Kitty and Jane put on their new satin slippers and silk stockings, bought from the egg and butter money Allison had so carefully saved over the months, and paraded around the room. Allison wrapped the clumsily knit, but lovingly made, red shawl around her neck and pulled on the matching mittens.
    “ I will be the warmest person in church today,” she said. “But I can't believe you made these yourselves, and I didn't even know!”
    Kitty came and snuggled at her side under the blankets. “We've worked on them since the summer.”
    Jane laid down on her other side. “We made a blue shawl for Mama, but we'll have to give it to her when we get home next week, since we forgot to leave it. Do you think she'll like it?”
    “ I think she will love it.”
    There was a knock at the door, and the twins tumbled off the bed to go answer it.
    Rose stood there, two large boxes in her arms. “Good morning, Miss Gordon. And Miss Kitty, and Miss Jane. Happy Christmas to you all!”
    “ Happy Christmas, Rose!” the twins chorused, eying the boxes in curiosity.
    “ These are for you, from Lady Kirkwood. And she also sends a message for you, Miss Gordon.” Rose handed the boxes over to the eager girls. “She wants to know if you and Mr. Bradford will join her in the library directly after church.”
    She smiled, bobbed a curtsy, and left, shutting the door softly behind her.
    Allison was so puzzled by this strange invitation that she didn't notice her sisters tearing open the boxes until she heard their shrieks of pleasure.
    “ Oh, Allie! Just look,” Jane cried. “Ballgowns.”
    “ And they match our new slippers perfectly,” Kitty said, holding up a gown of green velvet trimmed with cream-colored ribbons. It made her look like a young lady, no longer a child, and Allison had to smile.
    Jane clutched a matching gown, made of rose-pink. “It's the loveliest gown I've ever seen.”
    “Come and see yours, Allie.”
    Allison suddenly felt quite as excited as they were. She'd never owned a real ballgown, just old gowns of her mother's remade. She scrambled out of bed to lift the lid on her own box—and gasped when she saw what was folded there.
    It was of sapphire-blue silk, trimmed with rich frills of white lace and soft white satin ribbons at the low neckline and the hem. It was sumptuously cut and shimmered like a starry winter's night. Even the trepidation of meeting Lady Kirkwood in the library was nothing against its beauty.
    Allison spread the glory of it over her lap, and stroked the delicate cloth with a gentle hand. She could hardly wait until William saw her in it.
    **
    “ So we are finally alone,” William said, cornering Allison for a quick kiss outside the library door.
    Allison laughed, kissing him back. “Was sharing a hymnal in church not enough for you?” she teased.
    “Not one little bit.” He kissed her again, swiftly and tenderly, holding her