Free The Secret Christmas Ciphers by Carolynn Carey Page B

sisters in seeing each other again but then cut her gaze toward her father-in-law. The earl, who clutched a bulging bundle of papers under his arm, regarded Derek with a solemn expression. “I brought more. Did you have any luck with the mysterious one?”
    Derek nodded. “Yes, with Abigail’s help. Come to the library and I’ll show you.”
    His father nodded in return. “We’ll be up most of the night working on the ones I brought with me, and then we’ll need to leave first light tomorrow to return them.”
    Abigail wanted to offer to help but realized that her first responsibility lay with making certain the sisters didn’t discover what their father and Derek were doing. She didn’t trust them to keep a secret.
    So she smiled at Derek, widening her eyes just enough to indicate that her words held more meaning than might appear on the surface. “I’ll visit with Cook to ensure that we have an adequate meal tonight, and I’ll make sure Mrs. Brownley sends maids to air the beds and see to it that fires are laid in the bedchambers.”
    A smile brightened his eyes as he lowered one lid in a half wink. “Thank you, my dear.”
    Good heavens, was he flirting with her, perhaps hoping to placate her after their earlier disagreement? She could feel her cheeks heating with a blush, but he had already turned away, following his father toward the library.
    Knowing her duty, Abigail gently steered the sisters into one of the drawing rooms where a fire had been laid and then excused herself to make arrangements with the servants for the comfort of her new family.
     
    Midnight was near when Abigail finally freed herself from the company of the sisters. Sophia and Louisa had insisted that she listen to descriptions of all the various functions they had attended in Bath along with lengthy discussions about the various gentlemen who had asked for introductions. Then Catherine had reported on her triumphs during the Little Season and her hopes for the following spring when she would be formally out.
    After accompanying the girls upstairs, Abigail entered her chamber and looked toward the connecting door between her and Derek’s rooms. She had been wondering for the past hour if he might visit her this evening, and she’d already decided that she was not yet ready for them to consummate their marriage. They had to come to some sort of understanding prior to that happening.
    Not wanting to ring for her maid at such a late hour, Abigail tried to undress herself but found the task beyond her abilities. Finally, she lay down on top of the bed and pulled a coverlet over her. She expected only to doze lightly, but when she finally awoke, the fire had gone out, the room was frigid, and the sky was turning light.
    Tossing the coverlet back, she jumped to her feet, slipped on her shoes, patted her hair into place, and hurried out into the corridor and down the stairs. The clattering of a coach’s wheels on the driveway outside told its own story. She’d missed seeing Derek off.
    That realization brought with it a sudden bout of regret. What if she never saw him again? Tears stung the backs of her eyes, while her throat tightened and her belly clenched. Obviously she still loved him. Was she allowing her pride to destroy her chances for happiness with Derek? Or the possibility of having his child someday?
    She realized then that the footman was regarding her with a slight frown, as though uncertain what to do. Suddenly aware that she stood staring at the closed entrance door with tears shimmering in her eyes, she fought for control of her unruly emotions.
    “Good morning, James.” She forced a smile. “I had hoped to see my husband and the earl off. Obviously I missed them. Did both seem well?”
    James’s expression lightened. “Yes, my lady. Although my understanding is that they were occupied in the library until the wee hours of the morning.”
    “Just as I feared,” Abigail said, continuing to smile. She realized she must