A Christmas Romance by Betty Neels Page B

in her hat. She said, ‘You’re a bit late to come calling; I’m off home.’
    The professor said in his calm way, ‘I’d like to see Miss Theodosia.’
    ‘So would I. She’s not here, only that archdeacon and his wife wanting hot water and I don’t know what—a fire in their bedroom, too. You’d best come in and speak to Miss Chapman.’
    She opened the door into the drawing room. ‘Here’s a visitor for you, Miss Chapman, and I’ll be off.’
    Great-Aunt Jessica had risen from her chair. ‘Professor, this is unexpected. May I introduce Archdeacon Worth and Mrs Worth, spending Christmas with us …?’
    The professor’s manners were beautiful even when he was holding back impatience. He said all the right things and then, ‘I came to see Theodosia …’
    It was Aunt Mary who answered him.
    ‘These old family friends of ours are spending Christmas with us. Having just returned from South America, they had no plans for themselves. We were delighted tobe able to offer them hospitality over the festive season.’
    ‘Theodosia?’ He sounded placid.
    ‘I wrote to her,’ said Aunt Mary. ‘A young gel with friends of her own age—I knew that she would understand and have no difficulty in spending Christmas with one or other of them.’
    ‘I see. May I ask when she knew of this arrangement?’
    ‘She would have had a letter—let me see, when did I post it? She must have had it some time today, certainly. We shall, of course, be delighted to see her—when something can be arranged.’
    He said pleasantly, ‘Yes, we must certainly do that once we are married. May I wish you all a happy Christmas.’ He wasn’t smiling. ‘I’ll see myself out.’
    He had driven fast to Finchingfield, and now he drove back to London even faster. He was filled with a cold rage that anyone would dare to treat his Theodosia with such unkindness! He would make it up to her for the rest of herlife; she should have everything she had ever wanted—clothes, jewels, and holidays in the sun … He laughed suddenly, knowing in his heart that all she would want would be a home and children and love. And he could give her those, too.
    The house was quiet as Theodosia climbed the stairs from the bathroom on the floor below. All five occupants of the other bed-sitters had gone home or to friends for Christmas. Only Mrs Towzer was in her flat, entertaining friends for the evening. She could hear faint sounds of merriment as she unlocked her door.
    The room looked welcoming and cheerful; the holly and the Christmas cards covered the almost bare walls and the Christmas tree, viewed from a distance, almost looked real. The cat food, wrapped in coloured paper, and the box of chocolates were arranged on each side of it and she had put the apples in a dish on the table.
    ‘Quite festive,’ said Theodosia to Gustavus, who was washing himself in front of the gas fire. ‘Now I shall have a cup of cocoa and you shall have some milk, and we’ll go to bed.’
    She had the saucepan in her hand when there was a knock on the door. She remembered then that Mrs Towzer had invited her to her party if she wasn’t going away for Christmas. She had refused, saying that she would be away, but Mrs Towzer must have seen her coming in with the shopping and come to renew her invitation.
    How kind, thought Theodosia, and opened the door. The professor, closely followed by George and Max, walked in.
    ‘Always enquire who it is before opening your door, Theodosia,’ he observed. ‘I might have been some thug in a Balaclava helmet.’
    She stared up at his quiet face. And even like that, she thought, I would still love him … Since he had walked past her into the room there was nothing for it but to shut the door.
    ‘I was just going to bed …’ She watched asthe two dogs sat down side by side before the fire, taking no notice of Gustavus.
    ‘All in good time.’ He was leaning against the table, smiling at her.
    ‘How did you know I was here?’ She was