Page 15 of An Earl's Christmas Seduction

“They couldn’t get through, I suppose. We were supposed to have a quartet,” he replied.

Constance ignored Amelia, slipping her arm into Nicholas’ in an overly familiar manner. Earlier, Amelia had heard her talking loudly about the fact she had been invited personally by the earl and hoped to spend the new year at Ashworth House in his company. Amelia did not know if there was a romance between them, though it seemed as though Constance took Nicholas’ attentions for granted.

“Oh, that’s not good enough. We can’t have a party like this without music,” she exclaimed, shaking her head and tutting.

Nicholas looked embarrassed.

“It can hardly be helped,” Amelia said.

Constance looked at her disdainfully.

“Do you play, Amelia?” she asked.

Amelia nodded. She played the pianoforte with some skill, and the flute, too.

“A little, yes,” she replied.

Constance ignored her, pulling at Nicholas’ arm, and pointing towards Mrs. Bennett.

“Ask Mrs. Bennett to play. She leads the choir at her local church, and plays the organ, too. We need some entertainment, Nicholas. It’s all so dull,” she said.

Amelia did not think it dull at all. She was enjoying the company. It seemed Nicholas had no choice but to agree to Constance’s demands, and Mrs. Bennett was soon pressed into leading a chorus.

“Oh very well, yes. I can play some carols for us. Will some of you sing? The viscount, perhaps?” Mrs. Bennett said.

The Viscount, Lord O’Neil, had been introduced to Amelia earlier in the evening. He was a lively character, and she had taken an immediate liking to him. Now, he stepped forward, clearing his throat, and taking a drink of mulled wine.

“Play somethin’ we all know, Mrs. Bennett,” he said, stepping up onto a footstool as the lawyer’s wife began the tune.

Itwasone they all recognized, and the assembly now began to sing with gusto. It was a little out of tune, perhaps, but in good spirits. Helped, in no small part, by the mulled wine and eggnog.

“While shepherds watched

Their flocks by night

All seated on the ground

The angel of the Lord came down

And glory shone around

And glory shone around

“Fear not,” said he,

For mighty dread

Hath seized their troubled minds

Glad tidings of great joy I bring

To you and all mankind,

To you and all mankind.”

It carried on for the full six verses, and when Mrs. Bennett had concluded, a round of applause rose from around the room. Amelia glanced at the earl, his arm still linked with that of Constance, who had a smug look on her face.

“Another one, Mrs. Bennett. Tis’ lively company now, let’s have another carol,” the viscount called out. Mrs. Bennett obliged, playingGod Rest Ye Merry Gentlemenwith only a few missed keys.