Free The Secret Christmas Ciphers by Carolynn Carey Page A

and ivy and mistletoe so we can decorate properly. And I see no reason we should not invite most of the neighbors in for an afternoon of charades, cards and a traditional dinner.”
    By the time she’d finished with her responsibilities, the day was more than half gone, and Abigail had been wondering for the last hour what Derek had been doing. Perhaps he was still in the library, but she had no intention of checking to see. The library was beginning to hold too many unhappy memories for her.
    At the same time, she needed to tell him that she felt she was needed here at the Castle and thus had decided not to return to London with him. She doubted he would object. In fact, considering their most recent contretemps, he’d probably be thrilled to have her stay in the country.
    Suddenly almost overcome by the exhaustion of a short night and the frustrations of her and Derek’s continuing clashes, Abigail found herself fighting back tears. Figuring a nap was in order, she’d just left her sitting room and was headed toward the stairs to go up to her bedchamber when a commotion sounded from the front of the house. She turned toward the entrance hall and was halfway down the corridor when Derek stepped out of the library. He gave her a tentative smile. “I heard a coach arriving so I assume the roads have cleared.”
    Abigail couldn’t bring herself to return the smile but she did fall into step beside him. “I wonder who it can be.”
    “I’m not sure, but I thought I recognized the voice of one of the twins.”
    “Were they expected back so soon?”
    Abigail’s question was answered when a footman opened the front door and the twin sisters hurried into the entrance hall. Both smiled with apparent delight when they saw Abigail and Derek.
    Sophia spoke first. “Thank goodness! We were so afraid no one from the family would be here.”
    Louisa slipped out of her pelisse and dropped it onto a nearby chair. “We didn’t have time to send word to anyone that we were coming. Aunt Bertha developed a putrid fever and feared she was contagious, so she insisted we leave Bath immediately. I don’t think we’re in danger of contracting the illness because we both feel just wonderful.”
    “And it’s so good to be home,” Sophia added, looking around her as though finding pleasure in the familiar surroundings. “I had not thought I would miss Melton Castle but I did.”
    Abigail realized it was too soon to know for sure, but she thought she detected signs of the girls having matured during their stay in Bath. She certainly hoped so, because she didn’t relish the thoughts of having to deal with their mischievousness alone, and she knew Derek would be returning to the city very soon.
    She wondered if Derek was thinking along the same lines because he immediately placed his hand at the small of her back as though to lend her support. However, before either of them could say a word, the footman again pulled the door open and peered outside. “There’s another coach turned down the drive, milord,” he stated.
    Derek moved his hand away from her back and strode toward the front door. He looked outside and then turned back to address Abigail and the twins. “It appears to be Father’s coach. I suspect he’s wondering why I haven’t hurried back to London.”
    Abigail stepped up beside him and together they watched the coach roll to a stop in front of the portico. The sun now shone brightly, and water dripped from eaves and branches as the snow melted.
    The footman rushed down the steps and pulled the coach door open, then held out his hand to help Catherine alight. Her father followed.
    “It’s Catherine,” Sophia cried, looking past Abigail and Derek. “And Father! How wonderful.”
    Catherine’s eyes widened when she heard her sister’s voice and she then lifted her skirt and dashed up the stairs. Soon a joyful and noisy reunion was taking place in the entrance hall.
    Abigail smiled at the obvious delight of the