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Part 15

Lizzy slipped back into her room and saw a beautifully wrapped package lying on the pillow she had recently vacated. Lizzy sat down on the edge of the bed and tapped William, who had apparently placed the box there and returned to sleep.

"William? Is this for me?" William turned over and looked at her oddly, before he turned back over groggily. Lizzy took that as an affirmative response and eagerly opened the box. A second later, she screamed and threw the box across the room, where it landed on a chair. "William!!!" she shrieked as she smacked him. William laughed to himself, but grunted aloud as though he was still trying to sleep. He sat up when Lizzy slapped his back a second time.

"What? You don't like them?" he asked as he observed the discarded box.

"You mean there are two of them?" Lizzy said as she rubbed her hands together as if to remove the very touch of the box from her hands. William climbed out of the bed and retrieved the box.

"I thought I'd revive my mother's tradition of giving one present on the morning of Christmas Eve. She'd always place a little box on our pillow and surprise us--."

"I'm certainly surprised, Will! You know I hate bugs, and if there's one thing I hate more than a bug it's a pair of them!" Lizzy slid as far from William as she could while he looked in the box smiling.

"It's not a bug. It's a tarantula," he said calmly, "And that's not even what I was talking about. Your gift is a pair of earrings." He extended the box toward Lizzy, struggling to maintain a straight face as he did. Lizzy recoiled.

"What do you mean?"

"Look!" he said innocently. Lizzy took a deep breath and tried to steel herself to look. At the last second, however, she found herself unequal to the task and turned away.

"You don't like them," William said, sounding genuinely disappointed.

"Why did you put a pair of earrings in a box with a live tarantula?" Lizzy managed, her eyes tightly shut against the mere thought.

"Oh, I didn't." He pulled the shadow box from its cardboard container. "The tarantula's quite dead and harmless, see?" He held up the shadow box for her inspection. Lizzy bolted from the bed. She stumbled over the edge of the bedding and fell to the floor.

Are you all right, Lizzy?" William asked as he rose and came around the bed to help her up. But Lizzy scooted away.

"Keep that thing away from me!" she warned, her eyes still closed.

"I left it on the bed," William replied. Lizzy opened her eyes and screamed. "Oh, you meant this. I thought you meant the box. Come on, Lizzy, you're going to crash into the...open your eyes before you wreck the entire room, will you?" William laughed. Jane and Charles exited their room and encountered Olivia in the hall. Charles looked back when he heard Lizzy scream, but Jane and Olivia continued toward the stairs.

"Sounds like the two of them are at it again," Jane smiled.

The trio went down to the kitchen where Mrs. Reynolds was placing freshly baked muffins on a tray. Because of the number of guests expected, Mrs. Reynolds served breakfast in the formal dining room, where the table was already supplied with a basket of rolls, pitchers of juice, carafes of coffee and a pot of tea. Jane brought in the muffins and Charles relieved Mrs. Reynolds of a huge bowl of fruit salad that completed the Continental breakfast.

"So what did I miss by going to bed early?" Olivia asked innocently, as Georgiana entered the room. No one answered immediately and Olivia looked up, questioning. Finally, Charles spoke.

"Caroline spent the night. Her car wouldn't start." He looked for a reaction from Olivia, but there wasn't one, as far as he could tell. Olivia's attention was apparently on the array of jams before her. She selected one and slathered a spoonful on her muffin.

"She'll be leaving as soon as she's had breakfast, though," Jane added.

"I wouldn't count on it," Georgiana said sullenly. "Have you looked outside?" Everyone rose and went to the window. The view outside was at once exciting and depressing. The entire landscape was coated in a thick blanket of snow. "Six inches last night, and six to eight more on the way. I'm sorry I wished so hard for a white Christmas," Georgiana said as she put down the orange juice.

"What's wrong with a white Christmas?" Christopher said cheerfully as he entered the room. Olivia's eyes met the stranger's. Christopher extended his hand. "You must be Olivia. I'm Christopher Brandon." Olivia shook hands and Christopher joined the group already at the table.

"Oh, yes, Livy. Christopher arrived last night and he'll be with through the holidays," Georgiana explained. Olivia smiled at Christopher, who returned her smile with pleasure.

"Have you heard from Garren today?" Jane asked. Georgiana furrowed her brow.

"He's still stuck in Massachusetts, and won't be here for Christmas. Meanwhile, we're stuck with--." She cut off her intended remark as the object of her ire entered the room.

"Good morning everyone," Caroline said cheerfully. Charles and Christopher feigned a polite smile. Jane and Olivia merely looked up in acknowledgment, but Georgiana openly glowered at Caroline, who took a seat next to Christopher, much to his displeasure.

"Good morning, Chris, did you sleep well? I always sleep so well here."

"You've only ever slept here twice," Georgiana spat with exasperation. "And his name is Christopher. He hates being called Chris, Caroline." Charles nearly choked on his orange juice. Christopher looked at Georgiana with surprise, but Caroline pointedly ignored her remarks.

"Where's William this morning?" she said as she examined the plate of muffins and the basket of bread and rolls before her.

"I believe that he's been detained above stairs," Charles smirked as he exchanged a smile with Jane. Caroline saw it and shrugged.

"I suppose it's what some women must do to hold a man's interest," she murmured as she stirred her coffee.

"It doesn't always work, though, does it? I mean, sometimes the man won't cooperate." Caroline paled, and Olivia calmly filled her mouth with a chunk of muffin as Jane, Charles, and Georgiana all gaped at her. She gazed back at them, feeling very satisfied. Charles winked at her, realizing that Olivia was privy to the details of Richard's encounter with Caroline. Christopher sat back and sipped his tea. This visit was going to be most entertaining, he decided. If Caroline and Olivia were rivals for Richard's attention, Christopher was ready to throw his backing behind Olivia, William's assurances notwithstanding. She appeared to be a formidable adversary. He wondered if Caroline was smart enough to notice. Voices were heard in the hall and a few seconds later Lizzy entered the dining room.

"And don't you dare bring that in here," Lizzy demanded. She smiled at the assembled group and sat on Christopher's other side.

"Good morning, my dear," Christopher said warmly. Lizzy smiled at him as William entered the room and claimed the seat beside Lizzy. Caroline bristled at Christopher's attentions toward Lizzy and the fact that William seemed not to acknowledge her. William had uttered a general greeting and immediately turned his attention to his disappointed sister, who was facing the depressing prospect of celebrating Christmas without her boyfriend. He then turned his attention to Olivia to ascertain that she was all right after her ordeal at the party. He didn't ask anything directly, but he could see that she was in good spirits. He hoped that she and Richard could get together during the day at some point to talk, by phone, if nothing else.

"The phone lines are down," Mrs. Reynolds announced as if reading his thoughts. She entered the dining room with a fresh carafe of coffee. "It's a good thing that we laid in supplies for the duration." Olivia looked at her watch and excused herself from the table. William looked up worriedly, but she said she'd be back in a moment. Olivia went up to her room and checked her e-mail. There had been no response. She pulled out her cell phone and dialed Richard's number. That, too, failed to elicit a response from Richard. Olivia sighed, and slipping her phone into her shirt pocket, she headed downstairs.

For the next hour or so, Olivia tried to convince herself that atmospheric conditions might have had some impact on transmission of the cell phone's signal, but after William received a long distance call from New York, she could no longer delude herself. Olivia began to worry about Richard. She checked her e-mail several times to no avail. William, meanwhile, convinced Georgiana to lend a change of clothes to Caroline, who scoffed at what she was offered.

"You can go naked for all I care!" Georgiana cried, and threw the clothes at Caroline and stalked off. Jane then made an offer of some of her own things, which Caroline accepted, but not before she heard an earful from her brother about her ingratitude and rudeness to her hosts.

"Rudeness to my hosts? Did you see what my 'host' gave me to wear? Obviously she was trying to make me look ridiculous!" Caroline retorted. Charles looked down on his sister with barely suppressed rage.

"If you look ridiculous, Caroline, it's no one's fault but your own! You were the one who came here without an invitation and you're the one whose car conveniently stalled out right before a major snowfall. Believe me, if you weren't my own flesh and blood, I'd be all for throwing you out of here and into the nearest snow bank. As it is, you will leave here as soon as the roads are passable. Am I understood?" This was all whispered to Caroline just out of earshot of the others, but everyone knew exactly what Charles was about. He had made his displeasure manifest since Caroline complained about her dissatisfaction with the offering at breakfast. Being the gracious host, William offered to have Mrs. Reynolds prepare whatever she wished, and she put that good lady to the trouble of making pancakes from scratch, which she then barely touched.

Georgiana retired to her room after her confrontation with Caroline, but the others sat in the family room. Christopher was reading a folder of business papers. Olivia was alternately knitting and fretting over Richard's welfare, while Jane and Charles were curled up together in a large chair reading a novel. Lizzy and Caroline were both pretending to read magazines: Lizzy, because she was being teased by William, and Caroline, because she was observing the game that was being played out by the pair before her.

"Don't you want to help me wrap presents? I found a few more boxes in my study," William pleaded.

"No," Lizzy said curtly, a smile playing about her lips.

"You know, I need another one about the size I wrapped your present in. If you'd take your present out of that box, I could reuse it." Lizzy looked at William dubiously.

"I thought you took it out of the box."

"I put it back, since you got so upset over the whole thing. But now I think I'm going to need that box," William insisted.

"Do you mean to tell me you only have one spider?" Caroline made a sound and both William and Lizzy spared her a momentary glance before they resumed their game.

"Don't you want your present?"

"Yes, darling, and I'll be happy to accept it when you give it to me properly."

"I wrapped it...well, Mrs. Reynolds wrapped it for me, but it's the thought that counts," William said, offering up his best Fitzwilliam smile.

"That's what worries me. What were you thinking?" William didn't answer, but his smile widened. Lizzy nodded.

"I thought so. Well, I'm not falling for it."

"You are such a wimp."

"So I am." Lizzy was perfectly content to be a wimp if it meant not encountering another tarantula.

"After all the trouble and expense I went to..."

"Does Mrs. Reynolds do your shopping, too?" Lizzy smirked.

"Jo. But I paid for them," William reminded her.

"Well, perhaps you wouldn't mind also paying someone to retrieve them for me." William laughed, and Caroline lifted her head to glare at he couple once more.

"You seem quite content to spend William's money, Lizzy," she said. Charles looked up from his reading, but William ignored her remark as he spoke.

"Now why would I want to have someone else open your present? It wouldn't be the same thing."

"I'm not much of a traditionalist. I'll happily forgo that pleasure." Olivia rose and left the room. Jane, Charles, Lizzy and William all noticed her edginess and exchanged glances. Olivia returned a few minutes later.

"Something you ate?" Caroline sneered smugly. Olivia didn't condescend to answer. Christopher suggested a game of chess and William accepted the challenge. Lizzy continued to read, but Caroline threw down her magazine.

"I'm bored to tears," she said.

"Why don't you go watch television in the other room?" Lizzy suggested benignly. But Caroline took it as a ploy to get rid of her and refused to go.

"I never watch television," she said distastefully.

"Hah!" Charles cried, without even looking up from his page.

"So what is this thing you and Lizzy are arguing over?" Christopher inquired casually as he moved his pawn. William picked up the box and handed it to Christopher. He opened it and raised an eyebrow.

"Lovely earrings."

"Thank you. Lizzy doesn't think so," William said sulkily.

"No? I should think they'd be lovely on her."

"You'd think so, but she won't even consider them." Lizzy looked at the two men darkly and returned to her perusal of the magazine. Caroline slipped over to where the two men sat studying the board.

"May I see?" William and Christopher exchanged a quick glance before he handed the box to Caroline. He caught it deftly when she dropped it and leapt backwards, falling into Olivia's lap in the process. Lizzy almost fell out of her chair laughing. Olivia, in her agitated state was less than amused, however.

"What's wrong with you?" Olivia cried as she pushed Caroline off of her. Caroline was fortunate that she wasn't impaled on a knitting needle as she fell, but much to Olivia's chagrin she grabbed hold of a strand of yarn as she rose and pulled out several rows of intricate stitches as she got to her feet. Olivia let out an expletive, then quickly caught herself and apologized. She threw down her knitting in frustration and left the room.

"That was very melodramatic. It was just a bit of yarn," Caroline remarked as she picked up the discarded knitting and sat in Olivia's chair. A knitting needle fell to the floor, causing Charles to glare at her anew. Meanwhile, William rose to follow Olivia out of the room. He found her pacing in the corridor, her cell phone to her ear.

"Olivia?" he said. Olivia closed her phone and turned around. William could read the worry in her eyes.

"You haven't heard from Richard today, have you? He sent me a message that he wanted to see me today, but he hasn't answered my e-mail and I can't raise him on his cell."

"I don't know about his cell phone, and quite frankly that worries me, but I know why he's not reaching his e-mail," William said with a glance at the grandfather clock behind Olivia. It was nearly 3:00 p.m. "Richard--."

"Yes?" Richard replied as the front door was thrown open and Richard entered, his arms laden with packages. Olivia would have run to him, but for the fact that Georgiana came flying down the stairs and ran at him herself. But she ran right past him and into the arms of her boyfriend, Garren, who had entered the house behind Richard.

"As I was saying," William continued with a smile, "Richard went up to Massachusetts this morning to fetch Garren." Georgiana released Garren to hug her cousin, but Richard only had eyes for Olivia, who was smiling at him. William relieved Richard of his packages and Richard went over to Olivia, who didn't hesitate to throw her arms around him and hug him tightly. He was pleasantly surprised by her reaction, but he didn't resist. He gently pulled her away so he could look into her eyes.

"You got my message?" Olivia nodded. Richard ran his ice-cold hand over her warm cheek. "I'll be back in a little while, then. I've got to deliver the evil twins to my father's place, but then I'll be right back. Okay?" Olivia nodded again, and Richard reluctantly turned to go.

"The evil twins?" William asked. Richard stopped to explain.

"I left my folks' place at around 6:00 this morning. I called the number you gave me, but Garren's parents said that he'd already left for the airport. I got there and found him, but then I had to follow him back to his parent's place so he could leave his car there. On our way out of the terminal, who should I see but Corrine and Caitlin trying to reach mom on the phone. So I loaded everyone into the Range Rover and here we are."

"I love you!" Georgiana cried and flung her arms around Richard once more.

"Hey! It was William's idea. I was just the driver." Georgiana hugged William before she led Garren into the family room to meet the others. "I take it I have repaid my debt?"

William nodded.

"I think I'm now in your debt." Richard shook his head and left to deliver his sisters, nieces and brothers in law to Fitzwilliam House. William smiled at Olivia as they headed back to the family room.

"That was really sweet of you two, getting Gee's boyfriend here for Christmas," Olivia smiled at William, who eschewed the credit.

"Well, we were up quite late last night in my study, when Christopher mentioned that Gee seemed very depressed. I explained why, and Richard volunteered to fetch him in the Rover."

"What was that about a debt?" William sighed.

"He felt that he owed me something after behaving so badly at the party, but I think he would have gone anyway. Richard would do anything for Gee," William said as they reentered the family room. Olivia ignored the fact that Caroline was in her seat and went to sit beside Lizzy.

"Where's Richard?"

"He went to take the evil...uh, his sisters to his parents' house," Olivia smiled.

"And then you'll talk?" Olivia nodded. "Good. You look better already," Lizzy smiled.

"Are you suggesting that I looked bad before?"

"Let's just say you looked unhappy."

"I was worried about him."

"Awwww," Lizzy said as she absently took the item Georgiana handed to her. She looked up at her questioningly. Then she looked down at the box she now held in her hands.

"William said to give this to you," Georgiana said just before Lizzy screamed. Olivia calmly took the box and peered inside.

"Oh, for goodness' sake!" She calmly slid the shadow box out of its box. "Hold this," she commanded and handed Lizzy the box.

"No!" Lizzy yelped, with her eyes tightly shut. Everyone save Caroline, laughed. Olivia opened the case, slipped the earrings out and resealed it.

"Do I get a finder's fee?" she asked as she handed the shadow box to Georgiana who quickly handed it off to Garren. Lizzy didn't answer, so Olivia opened her hand and placed the earrings in it. William pouted at Olivia. Lizzy cautiously opened her eyes and looked at the earrings.

"They're very pretty. I probably should have kept them for myself," Olivia quipped. She looked at William and smiled apologetically. "Sorry, but I couldn't stand the screaming any longer." Olivia rose, retrieved her knitting and went upstairs to prepare for Richard's return.

By the time Richard returned to the house, Christopher had retired to his room for a nap, Jane and Charles had gone into the den to watch a movie, and William had retired to his study to do some work. He had playfully refused to forgive Olivia for coming to Lizzy's assistance and Lizzy feared he was hatching another plot, so she joined the others in the den with some trepidation. As she settled in to watch the movie, however, she quickly forgot about any potential plots William might be concocting and began to enjoy herself. Caroline came in and joined the group, not because she was interested in the movie but for lack of anything else to do.

Upstairs in her room, Olivia got answers to her e-mails and came downstairs to await Richard's arrival. She had just reached the base of the stairs when she heard Lizzy scream again. Olivia shook her head and followed her ears to the den. It turned out that she had screamed when Richard's cold hand had touched her shoulder when he tried to ask her where Olivia was. Richard and Olivia repaired to the kitchen where she put on water for coffee.

"Why didn't you answer your phone?" she asked him as she warmed his hands in her own.

"Batteries went dead halfway up to Massachusetts," he admitted with a yawn. For the moment, Richard was content just to be in Olivia's company. Talking seemed to require more energy than he could spare. Olivia poured his coffee and hot milk into a large mug and placed his hand around it. Richard smiled at her. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"I should have let you know where I was going. I should have put that in my note, I guess," he said a bit sheepishly.

"It was very sweet of you to go all the way up to Massachusetts on Gee's behalf," Olivia said as she went into the refrigerator looking for something to feed Richard. The others had simply had sandwiches for lunch, but Olivia thought that Richard should eat something hot. He had apparently been on the road all day. She went to the cupboard and found some canned soup. She opened one and then went in search of a pan, all the while describing Georgiana's misery.

"I'm heating up some minestrone. Would you like a--." Olivia turned and paused. Richard was fast asleep, his head on the counter beside his cup, which Olivia quickly removed lest he knock it over. Olivia went over to Richard and kissed his temple before she gently woke him.

"I think you need a nap, young man," she smiled. Richard blinked.

"I was having a lovely nap before you woke me," he stated reasonably, but he allowed Olivia to lead him into the family room, where she deposited him on the couch and covered him with a throw. Richard was asleep as soon as he became prone. Olivia removed his hiking boots and took his phone from his pocket to recharge before she returned to the kitchen to put away the lunch things. She found a confused Mrs. Reynolds looking at the open can of soup.

"Oh, I'll take care of that, Mrs. Reynolds. I was going to heat up some soup for Richard, but he seems to be more in need of sleep than sustenance at the moment," Olivia said. Mrs. Reynolds handed her a plastic container and hesitated for a moment before she spoke.

"I may be speaking out of turn, miss, but I've known Richard since he was ten years old. He and his cousin have been getting into scrapes since the first time I laid eyes on them, but I can count on the fingers of one hand the times I've seen him really angry." Mrs. Reynolds laughed as she took the container from Olivia and placed it in the refrigerator. "Why, most of the time when the four of those boys fought, it was at William's instigation. He'd either pick a fight with Richard or goad Richard into taking on one of the younger boys."

"Really?" replied Olivia, somewhat intrigued. "I can't picture William as a bully."

"I can," Lizzy chuckled as she entered the kitchen. "Do I smell coffee?" Mrs. Reynolds poured out a cup for each of the ladies and herself and they sat down at the breakfast table to talk.

"Oh, I wouldn't call him a bully, Miss Lizzy. But William's always had a way of getting others into trouble without getting his own hands dirty."

"Ah, the makings of a successful businessman," Olivia interjected.

"...Unless a girl was involved, of course," Mrs. Reynolds continued. "Then he'd thrash Richard at the slightest provocation." Olivia was surprised at this revelation, but Lizzy laughed.

"I've heard a lot about those 'good old days' from Richard. He said he'd have been 6'5" instead of 6' 3" if it weren't for William's constant poundings." Everyone laughed.

"The point I was getting at was--," Mrs. Reynolds hesitated and glanced at Lizzy. Olivia encouraged her to continue. "What I meant to say was that Richard doesn't have a vicious bone in his body. He's a fearsome sight when he's mad--or when he's sick, for that matter, as I recently discovered--but he's a good man. Please give him a chance to make it up with you. I know you're very important to him and it would be awful if you broke up over some nonsense between him and his cousin."

"I agree with you, Mrs. R, but I'd hardly call what they were fighting over 'nonsense' and I don't think Livy would either," Lizzy said. Quite frankly, the source of the argument between Richard and Matt had never been a compelling issue for Olivia and she was about to say so when another voice was heard.

"Who was fighting?" asked Caroline. She poured out a cup of coffee and came over to the table. No one wanted her to join the group, but she sat down without waiting for an invitation. "Or is this a private conversation?"

"It was," Lizzy said stonily.

"Oh." Caroline replied, but she showed no signs of moving.

"Where is Richard, by the way?" Lizzy asked.

"He's in the other room taking a nap," Olivia replied. "Apparently he's slept very little since yesterday."

"Well, why did he go out in this awful weather? He must have been crazy!" Mrs. Reynolds rose from the table. She had never liked Caroline and saw no reason to tarry in her company.

"I'm going to start dinner," she offered as an excuse.

"May I help? I feel as though I haven't done any cooking in ages," Olivia offered.

"Livy's an excellent cook, Mrs. R," Lizzy said. "That's why William made her the front person on his new computer project."

"Oh yes, I had heard something about that," Mrs. Reynolds smiled at Olivia.

"I tell you what, Mrs. R, why don't you take the evening off and I'll make dinner for you and everyone else?" Mrs. Reynolds hesitated only for a second.

"Well, I was just going to throw a few chickens into the oven..."

"Great! Livy makes an incredible roast chicken. I'll help her and you can sit there and relax," Lizzy said. Olivia washed her hands and then went through the refrigerator in search of ingredients. Caroline left the isolation of the table and came to the counter.

"May I help?"

"You can't cook to save your life," Charles said as he entered the room. "And you'd be better off in a room without sharp objects. Mrs. R, would you mind if I partook of some of that excellent coffee?" Mrs. Reynolds put on another pot of coffee while Lizzy and Jane (who came into the kitchen in search of Charles) helped Olivia to prepare a chicken pot pie, in spite of Lizzy's boast about her roast chicken. Caroline stood to the side, arms crossed. Charles went in search of wine and came back with a few bottles. Some went into the dinner, but most was poured into glasses and consumed by the mostly convivial party. William came into the kitchen and joined the fun. He asked Caroline why she wasn't helping.

"Charles seems to think that I'd poison everyone," she said bitterly, taking advantage of the opportunity to sit on a stool beside William. Her host was too polite to laugh openly at her, but he exchanged a smile with Lizzy. Christopher, Garren and Georgiana soon appeared and Christopher volunteered to make a salad while Garren and Georgiana set the table with the best china and all the finery they could find. Charles and William went to the cellar for more wine. Lizzy sliced bread and Jane made vinaigrette to top the salad. Soon all was in readiness.

"Should I wake Richard?" Olivia asked Lizzy. "Or should I let him sleep?" Lizzy shrugged.

"I'll go, since no one trusts me to do anything else," Caroline volunteered. Olivia nearly spit her wine out.

"Do you think anyone here would trust you alone with Richard?" Charles spat. He rose and went in search of his friend, leaving his sister red-faced and seething. Charles came back in a few seconds.

"He's not there. He's already up." Everyone repaired to the dining room, but several minutes passed and Richard failed to appear.

"Why don't you get started and I'll go see what's keeping him," Olivia said. She slipped out of the dining room and headed for the powder room, but Richard wasn't there. She poked her head into the living room and den, and even went back into the family room, but there was no sign of him. Finally, she went upstairs and looked around. She noticed that her door was slightly ajar. She peeked in and saw that Richard was lying on her bed fast asleep. Olivia smiled and pulled the comforter over him before she went back downstairs.

"Richard won't be joining us. He's upstairs sleeping," Olivia said as she took her seat and unfolded her napkin.

"Upstairs? Where?" Caroline asked. Olivia looked at her with a smile that would do any Fitzwilliam credit.

"In my bed." She said, and tucked into her salad as more than one pair of eyebrows went up.

After dinner, everyone, including Mrs. Reynolds, went into the living room and sat around the tree, where William explained that he intended to devote the evening to the revival of old family traditions.

"It's been many years since we've celebrated a Christmas in this house," William said with a smile for Georgiana, who nodded in agreement. "I hope that this year marks the beginning of an annual event, a special holiday to be shared with family and friends. You're all invited back next year," William concluded, cognizant of the fact that his invitation included Caroline and that Georgiana was glaring at him. William optimistically hoped that by this time next year things would improve to the point that Caroline's presence would not pose a problem. He cleared his throat and began a sonorous recitation of Clement Moore's T'was the Night Before Christmas. When he completed the poem his assembled guests warmly applauded him. The phone rang, temporarily interrupting the festivities. It was a call from Kathleen, who was checking on her son's whereabouts, and Olivia took advantage of the break to slip upstairs to check on him personally.

She turned on the lamp on the dresser and found Richard sound asleep, just as she had left him. Olivia imagined that he had looked pretty much the same when Kathleen and Hugh used to come into his room to tuck him in at night. She bent to kiss his forehead and turned to leave.

"May I have some water?" Richard mumbled without opening his eyes. Olivia smiled and went to the carafe by her bed and poured out a glass of water. This indeed, was what it must have been like twenty -five years ago! She held the glass before Richard and he opened his eyes.

"What's this for?" he asked as he lifted his head.

"You asked for it," Olivia replied as she sat on the edge of the bed.

"I did not."

"All right, then. I imagined that you did." She held the water up again and Richard sat up and drank it. He handed her back the glass and lay back against the pillows. For a moment, Olivia thought that he'd fallen asleep again.

"What time is it?" he asked softly.

"After seven. We've already eaten dinner. Are you hungry? I could fix a tray for you..." Richard opened his eyes and looked at her for the first time. He smiled in recognition.

"What's the matter?" Olivia smiled back.

"I thought you were...never mind." Richard sat up. "I'm sorry I'm so tired. I got only two hours' sleep last night."

"And you thought it was a good idea to go driving several hundred miles in that condition?" Richard averted his eyes sheepishly. "I didn't do much driving on the way back. Everyone was eager to take a turn behind the wheel and I was more than happy to oblige. But with a two year-old and an infant in the vehicle--not to mention the evil twins--you can imagine how much sleep I got."

"Poor baby," Olivia cooed. Richard smiled sweetly.

"I thought about waking you and taking you with me, but it turns out that it was better that I was alone. Between the luggage and the seven passengers, it was pretty tight in the Rover." Olivia sighed, relieved that he'd made the trip to and from Massachusetts without incident.

"Everyone's downstairs gathered around the tree. Would you care to join them?"

"We should talk..." Richard said, somewhat reluctant to break the comfortable mood.

"We can talk later. I've hidden your boots so you can't leave," Olivia smiled. Richard reached out and pulled Olivia into his arms. He held her close to his heart and stroked his hair.

"You know, you're very beautiful when you're asleep," he whispered as he stared into her eyes.

"Better than when I'm awake, I know, don't remind me!" Olivia giggled. Richard looked at her quizzically but concluded that she was teasing him. He squeezed her more tightly, amazed that he was sitting there with Olivia nestled in his arms and smiling at him.

"I don't deserve you," he declared.

"It's been my experience that most people get exactly what they deserve," Olivia smiled. "And, yes, you should take that as a threat. You're not perfect. I'm not perfect."

"I find that very hard to believe," Richard replied.

"You've never seen me parallel park."

"Hardly a character flaw."

"You've never heard me parallel park, either." Richard ran a finger along Olivia's smile.

"I love you anyway." Olivia reached up and pulled his head down to hers and kissed him. Richard broke off the kiss much sooner than he wanted to and suggested that they join the others. They went down to the kitchen, where Olivia served Richard a generous helping of chicken pot pie. He scarfed it down with a glass of wine, much to Olivia's dismay, and they soon joined the others in the living room.

"Fitz, you're just in time," William said as his cousin followed Olivia into the room.

"Hi, Fizz," Lizzy smiled as he sat down. Richard looked at her darkly.

"Only three people on this planet can get away with calling me that, Lizzy. You are not one of them. Consider yourself on notice." Lizzy noted with satisfaction that Richard's count was higher than William's and hoped that it meant that Olivia was one of the privileged few.

"If she doesn't respond to your usual tactics, I've got a surefire remedy," William smiled wickedly. Lizzy glanced up at William with a look of alarm. William grinned at her and opened the grand piano that sat in a corner of the room. Georgiana sat down to lead the group in Christmas carols. William handed out songbooks and everyone sang old and new favorites. William and Richard sang a duet of Silent Night in German, William in a rich baritone voice and Richard in a surprisingly good tenor.

William then made each person reveal the thing he or she put on his or her Christmas wish list and got, and the thing that he or she never got. Everyone said "awwww" when Jane and Charles said that they wanted each other for Christmas and had already had their wishes fulfilled. Olivia and Lizzy both admitted to wanting a pony and never getting it. Lizzy's favorite Christmas present was a doll that she still owned, whereas Olivia expressed an enduring love for her collection of works by Jane Austen. William wanted but never received a brother, but he acknowledged that Richard had filled in admirably. He admitted that his favorite gift was the two-person bobsled that he had used to initiate Lizzy to Suicide Hill.

Richard also had wished for and been denied a brother, but relished his first train set. Christopher revealed that he never received a train set as a boy, but that he'd gotten his revenge as an adult when he bought a controlling interest in a company that produced them. His favorite Christmas present was one he gave himself--"time with friends." Mrs. Reynolds told a heartwarming story of wanting a doll that her family could never afford, but receiving it from her late husband--then a boy of sixteen--who took a job in the store to buy it for her. Thus, her gift wasn't actually a Christmas present, but it was the gift she treasured above all. Caroline refused to participate in the game, leading Charles to speculate aloud that his sister was doomed to never getting what she wanted for Christmas or any other holiday. William and Richard exchanged a glance as Charles rose and went to the window.

"Look, the snow has stopped. It looks as though we'll be able to get you home for Christmas after all," Charles smiled at his sister, who turned away from him in disgust.

"Well, you won't leave before morning, will you?" William asked. Georgiana rolled her eyes at William, who led the group in another game in which each person had to add an item to a Christmas list after reciting the list to that point. William and Richard, veterans of the game, always added esoteric and complicated things to the list. It provided much laughter, even for Caroline. Richard had begun to yawn again when William left the room and returned with a large bag of gifts. He reached in and pulled out something for each person, beginning with Caroline.

"Caroline, you were an unexpected addition to our party tonight, so we hadn't planned on a gift for you. But I came across something that would be a perfect present for you today when I was in the garage. Someone gave this to me as a present last year and I had no use for it. I hope that you have no use for it in future, either." He handed a large box to Caroline who looked at it oddly. She opened it and found a road emergency kit. Everyone laughed good-naturedly, but the recipient of the gift only smiled meekly. William picked up a large basket and placed it in Mrs. Reynolds' lap.

"Now, Mrs. Reynolds usually spends her holidays at home in Liverpool, but she refused to abandon us this year when she learned that Georgiana and I were opening the house to a large party this Christmas. So, since you couldn't go home to England, Mrs. Reynolds, we've brought a bit of home to you." Mrs. Reynolds pulled back the cloth that hid the basket's contents and revealed a collection of delicacies from Fortnum and Mason. William gave Christopher the exact opposite, a basket of American junk food, revealing Christopher's passion for such American things as salsa and chips, Oreos, and Three Musketeers Bars. William then turned his attention to Jane and Charles.

"Wait a minute!" Charles cried. "Let us get your presents, William!" But William insisted that this night was for the hosts to give their gifts and that other gifts could be exchanged in the morning.

"For the lovebirds here, I wanted to find the perfect gift for a couple just starting out. But Richard already beat me to the toaster, so I had to think of something else." William handed Jane a large box. She opened it and found a pair of Waterford crystal champagne flutes and a bottle of Moet and Chandon. Charles promised to save them for the perfect special occasion.

"Gee, would you like to give Garren his gift?" Gee gave Garren a polar fleece throw that rolled up into its own stuff sack.

"William didn't ask why I chose this for Garren and I certainly am not going to explain my reasons here," she laughed and blushed becomingly. William handed a package to Georgiana and she presented it to Olivia.

"I've only known you a short time but you've already become a great addition to our family," Georgiana said with a meaningful look at Richard. "So our gift to you is something very Fitzwilliam." Olivia looked at William and Georgiana nervously before she opened the large box. Inside she found a hand knit cabled sweater, very much like one she had seen Richard wearing.

"Of course, we picked that out before Lizzy told us that you were perfectly capable of making your own," William admitted sheepishly.

"It's beautiful, and I could never make a sweater for myself that carried the sentiments that you two put into selecting this one for me." Olivia gave William and Georgiana a hug and a kiss and put on the sweater before she sat down again at Richard's feet.

"Lizzy," William said. "You've been the best present I've ever received, Christmas, birthday, Arbor Day...you name it," he said with a quick glance at Richard, whose attention was still fixed on Olivia. Everyone said, "Awww," as he continued. "Gee kind of likes you, too," he added quickly, eliciting laughter. "We wanted to give you something that shows you just how special you are." He handed a small box to Lizzy and gave her a brief, but romantic kiss. She looked down at the prize in her lap and looked back up at William suspiciously.

"I don't get a sweater?" she said squeamishly.

"Open it," Charles demanded. Lizzy glanced at Olivia.

"Hey, I can't afford to anger my boss too often. Besides, the next time I open something of yours, I'm keeping it for myself," Olivia teased. Lizzy swallowed hard, and unwrapped the box. She lifted its lid with one eye open. She quickly opened the other eye and gasped. The box held a cameo that had once belonged to William's grandmother. William explained its history and that he and Georgiana had jointly decided that it should go to someone who appreciated vintage jewelry.

"But it should stay in the family!" Lizzy exclaimed with tears in her eyes.

"We'll work that out later," William said mildly. Lizzy smiled self-consciously and closed the box.

"You're next, Fitz," William said. "I'm always at a loss as to what to give you, but this year I had a great idea. I heard you talking football with Olivia one day and--."

"You decided to buy me an NFL franchise?" Richard joked.

"Not quite." William handed Richard an envelope. Richard peeked into it and rolled his eyes. He handed the envelope to Olivia, who laughed hysterically.

"What's so funny?" Charles asked. Olivia showed Charles the contents of the envelope. Charles began to laugh.

"What's so funny about season tickets to the Philadelphia Eagles?" Jane demanded to know.

"William overheard Richard and me arguing about an Eagles-Giants game and concluded that Richard was an Eagles fan. He hates the Eagles! Richard's a Giants fan and I'm the Eagles fan! But that's okay...you'd sit through eight Eagles games with me, wouldn't you?" Richard smiled tightly at her. William quickly offered to exchange the tickets.

"Forget it. Someone would have to die before a pair of season tickets to the Giants becomes available and then there's a waiting list. Besides, it's the thought that counts, cuz, and I wouldn't mind seeing the Eagles knock off a few of the Giants' rivals."

"And the Eagles knock off the Giants," Olivia added. Charles and Olivia continued to tease Richard as the group adjourned to the kitchen for eggnog and dessert. William pulled Richard aside and apologized for the mix-up with the tickets.

"Give them back and I'll get you something else," William offered.

"Are you crazy? You've just provided me with a great excuse for spending eight weekends in Pennsylvania next fall. I couldn't ask for anything better," he smiled and slapped William on the back. The cousins exchanged a laugh as they joined the others.

It was close to midnight when the party began to break up. Mrs. Reynolds said her goodnights and went to her room. Garren and Georgiana disappeared upstairs, as did Jane and Charles. William and Lizzy began to look at each other longingly, which Christopher took as his cue to leave. Caroline lingered for a bit, as did Richard and Olivia.

"Where have you hidden my boots, by the way?" Richard said sotto voce to Olivia. Lizzy overheard the remark and smiled.

"Good tactic. I've never thought of that one!"

"Only works in wet weather, though, Eliza," Richard replied, with emphasis on her name. Lizzy stuck her tongue out at him and went over to William.

"She hates being called Eliza, you know," Olivia commented as she led Richard back to the family room, where his boots were laying where she'd left them.

"I know," he said, as he sat and picked up a boot and began to put it on. "And I don't like being called 'Fizz,' except by my intimates." Olivia picked up the second boot and held it.

"Do I qualify as an intimate?"

"You may call me whatever you like, as long as you call me," he said playfully. Then he grew serious. He took the boot from her hand and put it on the floor and drew Olivia close. "I'm really sorry about what happened yesterday. It's been wonderful being able to spend time with you this evening as if nothing had ever happened, but I haven't forgotten and I'm not so naïve as to think that today can in any way make up for my behavior yesterday." Olivia looked deeply into his eyes. She started to speak, but a sound from the hall caused her to pause. Richard grabbed the boot from the floor and stood up. He took Olivia by the hand and led her to the pool room. He switched on the light and closed the door.

"We won't be disturbed in here." Olivia looked around the room as Richard pulled on his boot and tied it. He straightened up and saw that Olivia had wandered away from him and followed her to the far end of the huge table that dominated the room. "Listen--."

"Richard, I want you to understand something. I am not some innocent, fragile heroine in a nineteenth century romance novel. I am more than capable of handling myself in a battle of wits with Matt..."

"I know, but--."

"If I had needed your help it would be one thing," Olivia continued.

"But you didn't need my help and I lumbered in like some Neanderthal goon and overreacted." To his surprise, Olivia began to laugh. "What?" he exclaimed, slightly affronted.

"I forgot that you'd already had to deal with Grandma Bess. That was her depiction of you." Richard tried not to smile, but he gave up and admitted that it was. "The point is, Richard, you cannot fight my battles for me, and you shouldn't even assume that I'd want you to. Did you stop to think about what's going to happen tomorrow? We're going to have to sit at the dinner table with Matt and his parents! This wasn't some guy who tried to pick me up in a bar, Matt is your flesh and blood!" Richard averted his eyes. He wanted to explain why he'd gotten so upset at the time, but he couldn't quite find the words.

"I...I just thought that..."

"You thought I believed him?" Richard didn't reply. "I didn't. You had already told me the truth, remember?" Richard leaned against the table and stared at his feet. "And as for earlier--," Olivia continued.

"That was completely off the wall. I completely lost it. You're right. I should not have proposed yet. I'm obviously not ready for it. Heck, I can't even trust you to..."

"Stop it, Richard," Olivia said as Richard began to turn all his frustration in on himself. "Neither of us is ready, yet. That's what I was trying to get at the other day. Look, let's not worry about the ring right now. I'll hold onto it while we iron out the preliminaries."

"Preliminaries?" Richard asked, brightening.

"Second date, maybe two or three more..." Olivia smiled and snuggled into his arms.

"With kissing, and slow dancing and--." Olivia looked up. Richard fixed his most heart-stopping smile on Olivia, and she felt her knees go weak. Richard turned on the stereo and the couple shared a dance as Nat King Cole wished them both a Merry Christmas.

William went into the bathroom to brush his teeth. When he came out he found a box wrapped in red paper sitting on the bed. Lizzy came out of the other bathroom in a red silk nightgown. William's mouth fell open.

"I like red!"" he breathed.

"Good. Open your present," Lizzy suggested. William had to force himself to tear his eyes from Lizzy, who complicated matters by lying on the bed to watch him. He opened the box and found a list of instructions. He threw himself on the bed beside Lizzy to read.

"Hmmm. Take one Marc Anthony tape...I thought Marc Anthony was Julius Caesar's young--."

"William, focus," Lizzy urged as she rolled onto her back and looked at him.

"Good idea," William said and tossed the list aside and tried to kiss her.

"No! Not on me! Focus on the list!" she squealed as she struggled to escape his grasp and retrieve the list. William reluctantly took up the list and continued to read.

"Put on these..." Lizzy handed him the red silk boxer shorts. He glanced at Lizzy over the top of the paper.

"Look for her..." He kissed Lizzy's photograph and put it on his nightstand.

"And make ample use of the following: one bundle of red licorice whips, one bottle of cinnamon scented massage oil," that merited another glance at Lizzy. "One jar of chocolate body frosting?" Lizzy held up the jar and William took it and examined it.

"No instructions," he observed.

"I think that one is supposed to use one's imagination," Lizzy offered. William opened the jar and dipped in a finger to taste it. "I don't think that's what the manufacturer had in mind," Lizzy pouted. William spread a bit on her lips and kissed her. Her smile returned, but William abandoned the frosting to return to the list.

"A feather duster..." William took the item from Lizzy's hand and tucked it under his arm, "...And one set of "Get Lucky" dice." William raised his eyebrows as Lizzy pulled out a small velvet bag. She emptied it on the bed. William read the dice and arranged the words into instructions.

brush lips against face

William leaned over the dice and followed the instructions. Then he rose, grabbed the shorts and headed for the dressing room. He came back a second later unbuttoning his shirt. He grabbed the instruction sheet and went back into the dressing room. Lizzy heard him reread the list out loud as he changed. William returned a few moments later, smiling, and repeated the last line of the instruction.

"Apply liberally and with abandon." He opened the CD and put it into the player, making sure that the volume was low. He picked up Lizzy's picture and held it up to compare it with the live specimen who was waiting for him. Satisfied, he tossed the picture over his shoulder and dove onto the bed. Lizzy had put all of the loose items back into the box, but William made certain that he had a chance to play with all of his new toys before he fell asleep that night.

"Do you hear someone singing in Spanish?" Richard asked as Olivia opened the front door.

"You're delirious. Maybe I should drive you home," Olivia countered. Richard assured her that he was quite sane and offered her a kiss as proof. It did nothing to convince her of his sanity, but it kept her warm for several hours after he had left her.

William had suggested that everyone assemble in the dining room for breakfast at nine, but no one was really surprised when he and a slightly blushing Lizzy arrived a few minutes late. The group sat down to a champagne toast, followed by an enormous breakfast that Mrs. Reynolds prepared with the assistance of a cook borrowed from Fitzwilliam House. Most of the group was rather convivial, save for Caroline, Jane, and a decidedly grim Charles. Lizzy and William were fairly oblivious to anything but each other as were Garren and Georgiana, but Olivia was aware of a certain amount of tension between the others and attributed it to Charles's planned departure. When Charles had knocked on his sister's door early in the morning to inform her that he was taking her home right after breakfast, Caroline had balked at the notion and Olivia overheard a brief but heated argument between the siblings before she went down to breakfast. In protest, Caroline had refused the offer of another outfit from Jane and came down to breakfast in the dress she had worn to the party Saturday night. Everyone noticed that she was strangely dressed, even for holiday breakfast, but no one remarked on the fact, which only caused her to become more cross.

After breakfast was over, William asked his guests to assemble around the tree in the living room to exchange their gifts. Everyone went up to get his or her presents, but Jane wandered into the family room and sat staring into space. Olivia followed her into the room and tried to offer her what comfort she could.

"Charles is determined to keep his word," Jane explained without preamble. "I think that he has already more than fulfilled his obligation to his sister. But Charles refuses to renege on his promise, in spite of the fact that he's completely furious with her."

"So he's going to spend Christmas with Caroline in New York." Jane nodded.

"And you aren't going with him." Jane shook her head.

"I intend to spend my Christmas with people I care about...most of them, anyway," she replied, sniffing back tears. Olivia sighed helplessly. It was a no win situation; no matter how one looked at it, someone was bound to lose. As far as Olivia was concerned, that person should be Caroline and she said so.

"It doesn't seem fair, especially after Caroline horned in on our Christmas holiday and put a damper on everyone's fun. William should have thrown her out Saturday, regardless of what Richard said. She's been nothing but a royal pain."

"I beg your pardon!" Olivia and Jane's heads spun around to see Caroline standing, hands on hips, in the doorway. Olivia rose as she entered the room. "Where do you get off passing judgment on me?"

"I wasn't passing judgment, Caroline. I was just stating fact. You showed up here uninvited, then conveniently managed to get your car to stall before a major snowstorm hit just so you could stay here, where no one wanted you in the first place. Surely you don't believe anyone was fooled by your little act?" Olivia declared unabashedly. Caroline was incensed.

"That's the second time you've insulted me in two days!" Caroline spat.

"I think that makes us about even, then," Olivia replied coolly. Caroline paused, confusion evident in her expression.

"Why all this hostility? You don't even know me!"

"Oh, I know you, Caroline," Olivia said calmly as she closed the distance between herself and her target. "You're the woman who assaulted my boyfriend because he wouldn't sleep with you." Caroline was taken aback.

"Your boyfriend? You mean Richard?" Caroline snorted. "I was very drunk that night," she said, trying to appear more casual than she felt, "Otherwise, I wouldn't touch that man with a ten foot pole."

"Ten foot pole? Isn't hurling foot-long candlesticks more your speed?" Caroline visibly recoiled, and she suddenly recognized Olivia as someone she had seen at the hospital.

"What weapon did you use on Richard, a dart gun? He had to have been drugged; Richard would never take up with such a flat-chested little creature as you voluntarily."

"If I'm flat-chested," Olivia smiled, "It's because I pumped my money into my brains instead of into my--." Olivia abruptly cut off her next words when Charles and William appeared at the door.

"Let's go, Caroline," Charles said. Caroline shot a look at Olivia, who was glaring back at her in disgust.

"You'll give Richard my regards, won't you?" Caroline sneered as she turned and left the room. Olivia swallowed hard, then looked sheepishly at Jane and William.

"I'm sorry," she apologized to William, running her hand through her hair. "I think I've been holding that in since I met her at your party."

"We've all been holding back these last two days," William admitted with a sigh. He looked at Jane, as did Olivia, who went over to her and apologized directly.

"I'm sorry, Jane. I probably just made things worse for you," she said as she hugged her. They looked up when they heard a coughing sound. Charles was standing at the door. Olivia and William quickly excused themselves and left the couple to talk. A few minutes later, Jane joined the others in the living room. She had tears in her eyes, but she smiled bravely.

"Good lord, what's wrong, Jane?" Lizzy exclaimed, noting her expression. Jane just shook her head.

"I'm okay," she said as she sat beside Olivia on the sofa. She and Olivia exchanged a glance. Jane smiled weakly, and then turned her attention to the festivities. The group exchanged their gifts. William presented Lizzy with a diamond tennis bracelet and she gave him the antique pen, which William loved.

"Where's your other gift?" Olivia prodded Lizzy, who reluctantly offered William her handmade scarf. William was very impressed and touched that she went to the trouble on his behalf. He politely ignored the first six inches of the pale grey scarf and focused on the other three and a half feet of handsomely worked wool. As William hugged Lizzy, he asked her why she was reluctant to give him the scarf.

"Wait till you see the scarf that Olivia made for Richard," Lizzy remarked. William quietly assured her that no other scarf could be more beautiful than the one she had made especially for him.

Olivia gave Jane and Lizzy the lacy shawls she had created. Lizzy's was a pale taupe, while Jane's was a soft blue that matched her eyes. William was delighted with his mittens as he was with the box in which he received them. It was trimmed with twigs and dried leaves from his own grounds. William and Christopher exchanged their gifts as Lizzy and Jane exchanged theirs. Olivia received a pair of earrings from Jane, who pointed out that they matched a bracelet that Olivia had admired in her shop. Olivia was confused by her revelation, but took comfort in the fact that Jane had found something to smile about. After all the gifts had been exchanged, the women retired to their rooms to change for their visit to Fitzwilliam House. Lizzy changed quickly and went to her sister's room for a word with Jane.

"You're just in time. I can't reach this zipper," Jane said as Lizzy poked her head in. Lizzy zipped up the back of Jane's dress and then turned her sister around to look her in the eye.

"I'm sorry, Jane. I've been so caught up in my own world I neglected to think about--."

"There's no need to apologize, Lizzy. I'm okay. I was a little bummed out when Charles first told me he was leaving this morning," she said, "But I have to admit that after hearing Livy give Caroline a piece of her mind, I'm not feeling too badly at all."

"Livy! She got into it with Caroline?" Lizzy was shocked. Jane sat her down and told her all that had transpired in the family room.

"Her boyfriend, eh?" Lizzy smiled. "Now she's getting somewhere."

At that moment, Olivia's boyfriend was in his grandmother's bedroom introducing Grandma Bess to the Internet. She was delighted with her gift and was eagerly exploring the sites Richard had thoughtfully bookmarked for her.

"I had no idea that there was so much to see on the Internet! Two whole sites devoted to Jane Austen?"

"I'm sure there are several more, Grandma Bess, but these two were highly recommended by my secretary." Richard watched with delight as Bess quickly became proficient at using the mouse. He gave occasional instructions as he let her play.

"How do I print things out? Suppose I wanted to make a copy of this?" she asked eagerly. Richard showed her how to use the printer.

"Fitz and I are willing to give you all the lessons you think you need, Grandma Bess, but we agree that the best way to learn is to just play. When Fitz gets here we have something very special to show you." Bess released the mouse and turned to look at Richard.

"Speaking of arrivals, I want to speak with you before our guests come." Richard sat down and awaited his grandmother's counsel. "I want no repeat of what happened Saturday night, do you understand? No matter what your cousin says or does, you are not to resort to violence," she said with more sternness than she actually felt. Richard nodded his acquiescence. Even without his grandmother's admonition, he was not about to jeopardize his relationship with Olivia by any repetition his crude behavior

"I promise to behave myself, Grandma Bess," he said soberly.

"Good. Now what about Olivia? Have you spoken with her? I take it that you did, since you disappeared over to William's house as soon as you got back from Massachusetts and didn't come home again until quite late." Richard smiled.

"We talked. And we agreed that we needed to take some time to build a proper relationship," Richard sighed. "I guess I kind of went crazy this week. I woke up one morning and knew that Livy was the one. I rushed out and bought a ring and carried on as though it was all some sort of fairy tale. Then Saturday night comes and reality hit like a ton of bricks." Richard stood up and walked over to the window and stared out at the snow. "I can't believe how stupid I've been."

"Stupid? Impetuous, perhaps, but not stupid," Bess said gently. "This family has a tradition of being somewhat impetuous. Look at Hugh and Kathleen! And Corrine: She married Evan just weeks after she broke up with what's-his-name last year."

"And you were dead set against it," Richard reminded her.

"Yes, but they've been very happy together, so I can't complain." Richard began to pace the room. Bess watched him calmly.

"Olivia's the best thing that ever happened to me and I can't believe how close I came to blowing it," Richard said with disgust as he finally returned to his seat.

"Why are you suddenly so eager to get married?" Bess asked. Richard shrugged.

"I think...I think I'm eager to be happy and I'm happiest when I'm with Olivia," he said simply. Bess smiled at him and sighed.

"I hate to be the one to break this to you, but happiness, like everything else, can take a little time." Richard nodded wistfully and his grandmother consoled him with a hug and a kiss on his temple.

Charles held onto the dashboard as Caroline sped along the highway at a pace that would have been outrageous even if there hadn't recently been a major snowstorm.

"I'd like to make it to New York in one piece," he cried. Caroline slowed down to 65 miles per hour and Charles exhaled.

"Olivia Crenshaw," Caroline growled.

"What?"

"Olivia Crenshaw!" Caroline repeated, her foot hitting the accelerator again. "Who the heck does she think she is? Richard's girlfriend? Hah! She'll be Richard's ex-girlfriend before the end of the year, as soon as Richard finds someone more interesting or more well-endowed to capture his fancy!"

"I doubt it, Caroline. I think they're rather serious," Charles replied, happy to put a damper on Caroline's smugness.

"Richard Fitzwilliam has never been serious about a girl in his life!" Charles countered.

"Actually, he has been, a few times. But he's really serious about Olivia," he said, remembering his friend's revelation. Caroline snorted derisively. "Time will tell."

"We'll see," she replied. "Meanwhile, where does she get off playing Miss High and Mighty with me? And what rock did that skinny little tart crawl out from under?"

"Olivia is no tart. She's a friend of Lizzy's from her college days."

"Lizzy! I should have guessed: same bad taste in clothes, same vulgar way of talking--."

"Same ability to attract the man you're interested in..." Charles taunted. Caroline shot him a look and tightened her grip on the steering wheel.

"I am not interested in Richard Fitzwilliam!"

"Why not? He's wealthier than William, you know." Caroline paused to take in this bit of information, but just as quickly dismissed it.

"You'd think he'd have better sense than to be taken in by the likes of her."

"Olivia? She's a wonderful girl. A very talented web designer, too," he added as Caroline sped into the passing lane and Charles grabbed hold of the dashboard again. "Caroline!"

"Web designer?" Caroline spared her brother a disparaging look. "Don't tell me that she's employed at Cherry Blossom?"

"Periodically, yes. She's a freelancer, and I can usually find some work to throw her way."

"Not anymore. I forbid it," Caroline said as she settled back into the middle lane and Charles relaxed. "I want her fired--now!"

"You want who fired?" Charles asked, perplexed by the sudden demand.

"Olivia Crenshaw."

"She doesn't work for me, and--."

"You just said she did."

"I said she did occasionally, and--."

"Well, I forbid you to employ her again," Caroline repeated. For a moment, Charles gaped at her.

"Forbid? You forbid? Who died and made you boss?"

"I am the controlling stockholder in Cherry Blossom. It's about time I took advantage of that fact," she said smugly. "Too bad I can't fire Lizzy, too," she added as an afterthought.

"Now wait a minute! You may be the principle owner of Cherry Blossom but I'm the president and chief operating officer and I'll say who works for me and who doesn't!" Charles shouted.

"Well, we'll just have to see what my attorney thinks about that," Caroline smiled.

"Your attorney?"

"Yes. I intend to give him a call first thing tomorrow morning. There'll be some changes made at Cherry Blossom if I have anything to say about it." Charles stared at Caroline for a moment.

"Why?" he asked finally. "What is it you hope to accomplish?"

"I want Olivia Crenshaw out of my company." To Caroline's surprise, a slow smile crept over Charles's face. "What are you so happy about?"

"Nothing, Caroline," he replied and fell silent. Caroline observed Charles carefully until they reached her apartment. She was fortunate to find a parking space in front of her building. She got out and exchanged Christmas greetings with the doorman who came out to meet her. She entered the building but Charles didn't follow her inside. Caroline turned and saw him flag down a cab.

"Where are you going?" she demanded as she rushed back out to the curb.

"Back to Connecticut. Olivia was right--you have spoiled enough of my holiday. Merry Christmas, Caroline." With that, Charles threw his bag into the cab, got in, and sped away, leaving his stunned sister at the curb.

"Are you all right, Caroline?" a voice behind her asked. Caroline spun around to see her neighbor, Lily Church, looking at her with concern. "I thought you were spending the holidays in Connecticut," Lily said when they were in the elevator together a few moments later. Caroline fumbled with her keys as she struggled for an excuse.

"I was, and still would be, if it had not been for one of William's houseguests."

"Oh?" Lily leaned in, eager for gossip.

"Yes," Caroline replied, warming to the half-lie. "The little tart insulted me so badly I refused to spend another moment in the same house with her."

"And William just let you leave like that? On Christmas morning?" The elevator reached Caroline's floor and she got out. But Lily held the door, hoping for details.

"I...I didn't tell him...no sense ruining his Christmas," Caroline said uneasily.

"Oh, but now yours is ruined! Come up to my place for dinner. Carl and I would love to have you." Caroline was grateful for the invitation and readily accepted. But as she entered her apartment she felt slightly guilty about her lie. And what if Lily, a high-ranking employee at Darcy Corporation, should mention the alleged incident to William? Caroline spent the next hour concocting a tale she was certain would never get back to him...at least not immediately.

William's Mercedes pulled up in front of Fitzwilliam House and Kathleen came out to the front steps to greet her guests.

"Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas! Please come in and make yourselves at home," she smiled. In minutes, everyone was inside and settling into the cozy living room, except Olivia. Kathleen had whispered in her ear that she might find Richard in his grandmother's room, and instructed her as to how to reach it. Olivia ascended the stairs and found the room easily. She was about to knock on the door, which was open, when Richard looked up and saw her. He silently leapt from his seat to embrace Olivia. He kissed her quickly, before his grandmother noticed, or so he thought; Bess witnessed both Olivia's arrival and her reception in the mirror, although she pretended not to notice. Olivia pulled away from Richard to greet Bess with a hug.

"Merry Christmas, Grandma Bess," Olivia said as the two women embraced.

"How are you, dear?" Bess replied as she took Olivia's hand in her own. Olivia smiled and assured the elder lady that she okay. Bess looked at Richard and didn't mince words. "Get lost." Richard smiled and closed the door behind him and went down to join the others.

"Merry Christmas, Bright Eyes," he said with a kiss and a hug. "You, too, Goddess," he added as he kissed Jane. He shook hands with Christopher and then shared a hug with his cousin before letting him know how Grandma Bess was faring with her gift.

"I tried to keep her out of her room until you arrived, but she insisted that she needed to get something from her safe. And once she got in there, there was no getting her out."

Bess sat on the edge of her bed and motioned for Olivia to join her. She held a jewelry box in her hands as she explained her reason for their private discussion.

"I take it that things are better between you two?"

"Yes, they are," Olivia smiled. Bess squeezed Olivia's hand to signify her approval.

"Good. I didn't think he'd blow it, given a second chance. He's a good boy, my Richard. William's got it over him in looks, but he's still my favorite." Olivia laughed at her revelation. "Of course, if you repeat that, I'll deny it," Bess warned.

"I can assure you, Bess, your secret is safe with me."

"Thank goodness! I wouldn't want to see those two sulking about," she teased. "Now, the real reason I wanted to see you is that I remembered something this morning that you might find useful."

"What's that?" Olivia asked. Bess pressed the jewelry box into her hand.

"This. My own Richard Fitzwilliam gave it to me about sixty years ago. I used it to hold a watch that I used to own. But Stewart broke the watch--I've long since forgotten how it happened. But after the watch was destroyed, I no longer had much use for it." Olivia opened the box and found a long platinum chain.

"Bess, it's--."

"Richard told me that he gave you back the ring."

"He left it in my care, yes."

"Well, that might come in handy."

"It's beautiful, but I..."

"Oh, don't hand me any nonsense about not being able to accept it. What do you think I'm going to do with something I haven't so much as taken out of the box in forty years?" Bess argued. But Olivia shook her head.

"That's not it. I...I haven't even been able to bring myself to touch the ring, much less take it out of the box." Bess found Olivia's remark very amusing.

"It won't bite you, child! It's just a piece of metal with a bunch of pretty rocks stuck on it. And that's all it will be until Richard puts it on your finger. So take it out of that box, girl!" Olivia laughed at her comment and gratefully accepted the gift just as a knock was heard at the door. Bess rose and opened it.

"Why hello, William. Merry Christmas, dear boy! And, oh, hello, Lizzy! Don't you look lovely! Come in, Jane and give me a hug." The newcomers, and Richard, piled into Bess's room and assembled around the computer. "Now what is this surprise you two have in store?"

"We really ought to let everyone see it at once," William suggested.

"Right," Richard said. He stepped out of the room and returned minutes later with Christopher, his sisters, his parents, and his brothers in law.

"What's this all about?" Hugh demanded. William sat down at the computer and typed in a URL. He moved back a little so everyone could see. Everyone exclaimed as the Fitzwilliam name and a picture of the family matriarch appeared on the screen. William explained that Bess's website was still under construction, but he was able to show the family genealogy page. Every member of the Fitzwilliam family, from Sean Fitzwilliam--an Irish immigrant who made his way to America in 1862--to the youngest--Caitlin's infant daughter, Siena -was depicted on the family tree. William clicked on several of the names on the tree and a brief history of each member appeared.

"They aren't all done yet, but Charles and I only had a little time to work on it. There's still more to be added," Richard explained, as William clicked on other parts of the site.

"I'd be happy to help," Olivia offered.

"Me, too," added Lizzy. Bess turned around and looked at the two women with interest.

"Oh, do you two know the Internet?" Lizzy and Olivia changed a glance and Richard shook his head.

"Grandma Bess, Lizzy and Olivia are both web page designers, like Charles. They create web sites for a living."

"I thought you had found a job with William's company," Bess said to Olivia, who patiently explained the situation as the others began to file out of the room. Lizzy also stayed behind, and as Olivia admired Bess's room, Lizzy joined in a discussion with Bess.

"How are you and William getting along?" Bess began. As Olivia listened to the two chatting, Olivia realized that Bess--who seemed to be befuddled by William's demonstration and Olivia's job situation when everyone was in the room--was suddenly as sharp as a tack once more. Olivia eyed Bess closely and realized that she was quite a manipulator. No wonder she favored Richard--he was cut from the same mold. She wondered why Bess had thought it necessary to dissemble, as it occurred to her that Bess behaved in one way in front of Kathleen and Hugh and quite another in front of everyone else. Olivia didn't have a chance to ask Bess about it when they returned downstairs, but she resolved to watch her closely for the rest of the day.

Olivia took a seat on the sofa beside Jane and Lizzy, who were watching Richard bouncing nine-month old Siena, and her older sister, Jasmine, on his knees. Richard looked up and saw that he was being observed and imagined exactly what was being said among the three women. He wasn't mistaken.

"Richard looks like excellent father material," Lizzy smiled. Jane concurred without hesitation, but Olivia deferred judgment.

"Hard to tell. They're girls." Jane and Lizzy exchanged a glance, neither comprehending Olivia's enigmatic reply. "It's just that I've yet to meet a female--of any age--who was completely immune to Richard's charm," she explained before she crossed the room to join him.

"So, did I pass the father test?"

"It's unanimous. You have the appearance, at least, of being good father material," Olivia informed him.

"Appearance? I'll have you know that I have changed, bathed, fed, and burped both of these young ladies," he said proudly.

"And yet they look none the worse for it," Olivia countered as she took Jasmine into her lap. Richard made a face at her. "I take it you want children of your own, someday," Olivia said with a slight blush, realizing that Richard's children would also be hers.

"A houseful." Olivia looked at him with a bit of alarm.

"How many is that?"

"Oh, I won't be picky, as long as the boys outnumber the girls," he said before he began to coo at Siena. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Tineke enter the room with David, followed by David's parents. Richard turned his full attention toward the door as Matt entered the room. Grandma Bess was speaking with him, and Richard turned his attention back to the baby just as Matt's eyes turned toward the pair on the sofa.

"You too look like you're ready for a brood of your own," Stewart boomed as he approached. He bent to give Olivia and Jasmine kisses on their respective cheeks. "I suppose it's only a matter of time," he said with a nudge for Richard as he picked up his great niece. Richard opened his mouth and closed it as he reddened slightly. Stewart walked away with Siena, leaving him empty-handed, so he began to tease Jasmine. A shadow fell over him and he looked up to see Matt. Richard stood up instinctively, and Olivia just as quickly reached out to grab hold of his hand to restrain him. But all Matt did was wish Richard a Merry Christmas and Richard pulled his hand from Olivia's to shake Matt's.

"Merry Christmas, Olivia," Matt said. Olivia returned the greeting with a weak smile. Her relief was palpable when Richard sat back down. Neither spoke for a moment. Jasmine crawled into Richard's lap just as his cell phone rang. Olivia took her back as Richard spoke briefly.

"Want to take a ride?" he asked Olivia, snapping the phone shut and returning it to his pocket.

"Where to?"

"To the train station. There's a surprise Christmas gift there for Jane." Olivia's eyes opened wide and she opened her mouth to speak, but Jasmine promptly stuck her fingers into it.

"Thanks, Jazz," Richard smiled. He picked up his niece and kissed her forehead and went in search of Caitlin. Olivia returned toLizzy and Jane to tell them she was going out for a while.

"You four look great as a family," Jane smiled.

"Thanks, but I don't think Caitlin and Doug are willing to part with their children. Besides, Richard wants boys."

"Oh? Have the two of you been discussing children?" Lizzy teased. Olivia ignored the question and told them she was going on an errand with Richard.

"On Christmas? What sort of errand?" Olivia looked at Lizzy meaningfully and she quieted. Olivia went out into the hall, where Richard was already holding her coat and talking to his mother.

"Oh, I am so glad!" she clapped her hands together. "Drive carefully, there's a lot of ice on the roads. Oh, and Fizz you should be wearing a scarf," his mother called after him as he headed towards the kitchen on his way to the garage. Olivia smiled and turned back.

"Where are you going?" Richard cried.

"Start the car. I'll be there in a second." In less than a minute Olivia climbed into the Range Rover.

"Are you ready now?" Richard asked sarcastically as she fastened her seat belt. Olivia merely handed him her Christmas present.

"Put this on." Richard raised an eyebrow, but he dutifully opened the package. "I made it for you before I...before we..." Olivia paused as Richard opened the box and pulled out the long cabled scarf.

"You made this?" Olivia nodded. "For me? Cool!" Richard reverently wrapped the scarf around his neck before he leaned over and kissed Olivia. "Thank you." He released the break and backed out of the garage. When the car was on the road and in the early afternoon sun, Richard looked down. "I like the color, too," he smiled as he reached out to take Olivia's hand.

"I left your mittens back at the house," Olivia informed him as she took his cold hand between her two gloved ones.

"Do they match this?"

"No," Olivia laughed. "The scarf is for the adult Richard. The mittens are for the boy. I think you need a hat to go with them...maybe something with a point." Richard cast her a withering glance. "And they're red, by the way." Richard beamed.

"I love it when people make things for me. My gran--my Scottish gran, that is--made me a sweater every year of my life, from my first birthday until she died. When I went to Scotland for her funeral I found my last one waiting for me." Richard looked very sad for a moment, but he quickly recovered and squeezed Olivia's hand. "How are you holding up?" Olivia knew exactly what he was referring to and smiled at him.

"I'm all right," she said. There was more she wanted to say on the subject, but she decided that it was better left for another time. In minutes they had reached the station and Richard parked in good view of the arriving train.

"We've got a few minutes," he said, looking at his watch. "Why don't you open this?" He produced a box from inside his coat and handed it to Olivia, who stared at it for a moment. Then she eagerly tore into wrapping and saw that the oblong box bore the name of Tiffany. She took a deep breath and opened it to reveal a Sterling silver charm bracelet that held fifty small silver hearts. Olivia smiled as she leaned over to kiss Richard.

"It's beautiful!" Richard drew the bracelet from the box to fasten it around her offered wrist.

"The minute I saw it I thought of you," he said softly before he kissed her hand. Then he leaned over and kissed her again, only to be interrupted moments later by a persistent tapping at the glass. Olivia blushed deeply as Richard rolled down the window.

"What do you want?" he snarled.

"Far be it from me to impede the course of true love," Charles laughed, "But it's bloody cold out here." Richard sighed and unlocked the back door.

"I'm so glad you decided to come back," Olivia cried with a hasty embrace for Charles. "I can't imagine a better Christmas gift for Jane than the sight of you." Richard seconded her statement, and shortly thereafter, Charles was reunited with Jane at Fitzwilliam House.

After a pleasant meal, Lily and Caroline left Lily's husband to watch television while they repaired to the kitchen to chat. Caroline assisted Lily in putting things into the dishwasher merely out of courtesy rather than any sincere desire to be of use.

"So tell me," Lily said with barely suppressed curiosity. "Who was this 'tart' that insulted you and what did she do?" Caroline pounced on the opening.

"Her name is Olivia Crenshaw. She's some insignificant little thing that William found amusing for a minute or two. Now that he's had his fill of her, he's pawned her off on his cousin, Richard." Lily paused at the refrigerator door and frowned.

"Why does that name sound familiar?" Caroline wasn't listening, however.

"Anyway, she was staying at William's house--."

"I thought he was involved with Lizzy...oh, what is her last name?"

"Bennet, Lizzy Bennet. Yes," Caroline said distastefully. "She's his current flavor of the month."

"She's more than that. They've been together for several months now and if his behavior at the Christmas party was any indication, it's quite serious." Caroline bristled as she halfheartedly wiped a dish and placed it in the dishwasher.

"Yes...well, that doesn't prevent William from sampling the rest of the flavors on the list. I wonder that he has the nerve to have them in the same house together!" Caroline feigned shock.

"Yes, some nerve! And with you there as well," Lily added, reflecting upon Caroline's oft-told lie that she was William's ex.

"Well, a man like William doesn't get to where he is without having a lot of nerve."

"Speaking of nerve...wait a minute," Lily put down the food container in her hand and momentarily left the kitchen. "I brought this home the other day," she said when she returned with a black portfolio. "Is Olivia Crenshaw a willowy, short-haired girl with big brown eyes, and plenty of attitude?" Caroline was taken aback by the thought that Lily might actually know Olivia. She nodded weakly.

"I thought so. Then it must be the same one who William has just made the creative director on the Cook's Companion project." Caroline nearly dropped a plate.

"She's working for William?"

"Officially, she starts next month." Caroline plopped into a chair. No wonder Olivia was so cozy with the Darcys! Lily claimed the chair beside Caroline.

"So what did Olivia do?" Caroline hesitated, not sure if she could say what she'd originally meant to. She had already implied that Olivia and William had had an affair and she thought twice about adding fuel to the lie she had just related.

The family and guests of Hugh and Kathleen Fitzwilliam assembled in the living room to open presents. Olivia excused herself from her place between Richard and Bess to use the lavatory. When she returned, she saw Matt in the hall a few feet ahead of her. Instinctively, Olivia began to turn away, but Matt called out to her.

"Livy?" Olivia took a deep breath and turned around.

"Matt, I don't think..."

"I just wanted to apologize for my behavior the other night," he said. "I was a complete jerk." Olivia wanted to agree with him, but he was speaking sincerely and she suspected that Bess, if not his father, had put him up to the task of squaring things with her.

"I think we both said some things we probably shouldn't have," Olivia said as she saw Richard come out into the hall some distance behind Matt. She silently prayed that he didn't approach. But Richard merely stood his ground, eyeing the two warily. "I should get back," Olivia said quickly.

"But--."

"Really, Matt, I'll accept your apology if it makes you feel better, but to tell you the truth I'd just as soon we all forget the whole thing ever happened."

"Especially since you're joining the family," Matt said somewhat wistfully. Olivia, who was in the process of walking past him, turned back to look him in the eye. The change in their positions enabled Matt to see that Richard was watching him closely. Matt swallowed and looked down at Olivia.

"It's true, isn't it? You two are engaged." It wasn't a question and Olivia didn't dissemble.

"We haven't gone public yet, so I'd appreciate it if you didn't mention it to anyone." Matt nodded and Olivia patted him on the arm before she joined Richard at the end of the hall.

"What was that all about?" he asked as he watched Matt disappear down the hall.

"He apologized." That's all Olivia would say about it. She returned to her spot beside Bess and Richard followed.

"Is that her portfolio?" Caroline asked, as she stalled for time to think. Lily slid the portfolio across the kitchen table.

"Yes. William introduced her to the staff last week, gave her a big build up. I'd never heard of her before and couldn't figure out where she'd come from. But if you say she was one of William's playthings..." Caroline's eyes shot up. "That would explain a few things, then. When I questioned Olivia's credentials William all but jumped down my throat. He doesn't usually get so defensive about his personnel decisions." Lily smiled to herself. Caroline could practically see the wheels turning in her head and regretted ever bringing up the name of Olivia Crenshaw.

Continued In Next Section