Page 15 of Pads, Purses, and Plum Pudding (A Paddy’s Peelers Mystery #2)

Christmas Eve 1821

Dottie carried the plum pudding to the dining room and set it in the center of the table. Mr. and Mrs. Clatterly sat across from her and Violet, with Sampson at the head of the table.

“Sam, would you light the plum pudding?” she asked him.

His heart was full. He had a beautiful wife, a babe on the way, a thriving practice, and his dream of a hospital for unmarried mothers was coming to fruition. He was truly blessed. He only wished his parents were here to see the “family” he had surrounding him.

Sam smiled as Dottie poured the brandy around the pudding. He went to the mantel and retrieved the tinder box. After lighting the stick, he handed it to Violet.

“I believe Violet should do the honors this year.”

The lass had come so far. When given the choice, Violet had chosen to stay with the couple above the public house but remained a daily presence in Dottie and Sam’s life. She was thriving with the Clatterlys, spent afternoons with Dottie for her lessons, and even spoke occasionally.

It had taken a few months, but the girl had finally warmed up to Sam. He had tried all his usual tricks—a multitude of smiles with his deepest dimples, trips to St. James’s and Farrance’s—and nothing had worked. Until he’d introduced her to the O’Briens and Aonarach. Violet had fallen in love with the giant hound and decided Sam was trustworthy after that. The bedraggled little waif would grow into a lovely young woman. And the Clatterlys beamed whenever they looked upon their daughter. Sampson knew how rare happy endings were outside of fairy tales. And he couldn’t take credit for this one. It was all due to his beautiful, intelligent, caring wife.

Violet grinned and jumped from her chair, stopping to give Sam a kiss on his cheek. Carefully, she took the burning stick from his hand and held it to the pudding. They all clapped as the flame caught and lit up the dessert. Dottie and Mrs. Clatterly blinked back tears. Mr. Clatterly rubbed at his eyes.

“Happy Christmas,” she whispered, and they all cheered.

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