Compromised for Christmas (The Jennings Family #1)

35. Fitz

35

Fitz

“F itzwilliam Jennings!” A loud, boisterous voice rang through the entry. “Georgiana Jennings!”

Fitz smirked. Only his sister’s yell would reach him all the way in his study from the front entry.

Georgiana popped out of the armchair where she had settled with a book after they’d concluded breaking their fast not too long before. “Felicity is here!” She flew out the door, blonde plait and pale-blue skirts whipping behind her.

Fitz chuckled and followed his excited wife. He reached the entry to find a beaming Felicity holding Georgiana’s hands and speaking animatedly, waving Georgiana’s hands in her grasp while she talked. Fitz shook his head, biting back a smile. His wife was grinning at his sister, and he stood back admiring the sight, her pale skin flushing with excitement, green eyes bright and sparkling.

She turned to him and bounced on her toes. “Felicity said we are going to St. James’s Park!”

“She did, did she?” He cocked a brow at his sister and crossed his arms over his chest.

“Yes, you are. It snowed last night.” Her amber eyes turned devious.

He knew that look, and he knew what a fresh snow meant.

“Felix is waiting for us in the carriage. Lord Wessex and Lady Camoys are meeting us there. It will be perfect, three on three.” She grinned. “Women versus men, I think?”

Georgiana glanced between the two of them, brow puckering. “What do you mean? Are we taking part in some sort of competition?”

One could say that. Competition. War.

Felicity inclined her head, letting Fitz do the honors.

“We are having a snowball fight.”

His wife’s mouth formed a small moue, and she clapped fervently. “I’ve never had a snowball fight before. I’ve always wanted to.”

“Well, you are in for a treat,” Felicity said. “The Jennings have the best snowball fights.”

Fitz snorted. Best. Dangerous. Same thing. But he had no qualms that his wife would take to this like she did everything else with his family.

“Flick, why don’t you take Gigi up to her room and help her prepare for the outing? We’ll reconvene back here and head to the park.”

Felicity nodded, a soldier ready for battle. Which was exactly what this snowball fight would be. This was one activity Fitz excelled at. No need to worry over conversing—the whole aim was to hit targets that were far away . No need to worry about stumbling or tripping—if one didn’t fall during a snowball fight, they weren’t doing it right. No worry about blushing—the cold would already have everyone rosy-cheeked. No need to worry about sweating—everyone would be sweating by the end of this battle.

Felicity went to pass him, and he discreetly reached out to halt her. “Lord Wessex will be joining us?” he asked in a low voice, quirking a brow.

She nodded, stiffening.

“Will you be well with him there? Given…”

She huffed out a breath. “It was far from the first time, and it won’t be the last time, Fitzy.” She leaned into him and rested her head on his shoulder for a heartbeat. “But thank you, brother.”

She pushed off and hurried to catch up with Georgiana, who was already halfway up the stairs. Felicity turned and looked back at him, one foot on the steps. “I figure this is the perfect opportunity to hurl as many balls full of ice at his head as I can.” She smirked. “Feel free to join me.”

She went to turn back but paused. She arched a brow. “Gigi, aye?” She winked and scurried after his wife.

His cheeks warmed, but he laughed and trailed after them, heading for his chambers. Perhaps he’d accidentally push his sister’s cad of a fiancé face-first into the snow. His hands were tied in helping Felicity extricate herself from the marriage. But he could at least do that.