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"May I kiss my stepdaughter goodbye?" Tony

asked. "Goodbye, Leigh. See you soon." His long arms held me and even through the leather they felt strong and muscular. He kissed me on the cheek, but very close to the corner of my mouth. Momma seemed impressed with how long he held me and how soft and lovingly he kissed me. Then she threaded her arm through his and they were off. Curtis opened the big doors for them and then shut the doors behind

them. He nodded at me and walked away.

I heard the voices of some servants and staff

echo from the ballroom as they carried things back to

the kitchen. Doors were closed and suddenly a great

hush fell over the enormous entryway. I looked

around. It was as if all the spirits of Tattertons past

were sucked back into their portraits and eternal

places. The new silence became deafening. I gazed

out a front window and saw that the Christmas lights

were turned on. The grounds, the hedges and trees

were ablaze with reds and greens and blues. It was as

though a rainbow had shattered and bits of it had

rained down all over Farthinggale.

Mrs. Hastings came down and told me Troy

was fast asleep. She went off to join the other

members of the staff, who were, I gathered, now

having a celebration of their own and feasting on

leftovers in the kitchen.

I went to the music room where Tony had had

the ten-foot Christmas tree placed and decorated. Its

light had been turned on and it looked lovely with its

glass angel shining brightly on top. Gifts were

scattered and piled around it. There was a fire going in

the marble fireplace. The room looked all set, readymade for a family.

But where was this family and who had done

all this? It was almost as if the house had a life of its

own, each of its rooms coming to life in its own way

when its time came. Was everything set on some