The Rebellious Rake (The Notorious Nightingales #4)

CHAPTER TWO

Flora burrowed into her scarf and laughed softly as Alex sang off key beside Mr. Greedy.

In the years she’d been living in Crabbett Close, she’d come to realize it was a street like no other in London. The locals were interfering, kind and odd, and she loved everyone.

Their children had been raised knowing they would find friendship and love, plus food when required, when they stepped outside their front door. Of course, there was also Ramsey.

He was a man who loved deeply and laughed loudly. A man who showed them he loved them every day, even when he was growling at them. Her man and the love of her life that she’d never expected to find.

He’d aged as had she, with grey hair at the temples and a few more lines, but still as handsome as the day she’d met him.

As the carolers moved on to the next house, Alex dropped out of their formation and came to join them.

“What’s under that cloth, Ram?”

“Nothing for you until we reach food tables, Alex,” Ram said, moving the large tray he carried out of reach. “Can you please tell me why the close seems to be set up for a Crabbett Close game?”

“Unsure,” Alex said. “Will you share whatever is in those bottles with me instead, Flora?” Alex looked hopeful. He still laughed the loudest and annoyed everyone the most, and she doubted that would ever change.

“I will not. Now move it, Alex. We are to join the others.” She nodded to the grass where people were gathering.

“I think that is extremely harsh, don’t you, children?” Alex said, bending to kiss the cheeks of all four Hellions.

“Extremely. If I was carrying food, I would have given you some, Uncle Alex,” Henry said.

“That boy knows how to soften people up. We need to keep an eye on him, my love,” Ram said as they walked to the Christmas party.

Several fires blazed for warmth and in the center of the grassed area were huge tables piled with food and drink stood. Children ran toward them and took the Hellion’s back to the games they were playing.

“You are not going to believe it,” Ellen said, looking pink cheeked and beautiful with outrage. “The games have been called.”

“I thought we’d discussed this, and that was not to happen on Christmas Day,” Ramsey protested.

Ellen made a pffting sound. “As if the Crabbett Close locals care a jot about that. They discuss, agree, and then do the opposite.”

Ellen, like her brothers, looked unchanged from the woman Flora had met many years ago. It was vexing, Flora thought, looking at the woman’s unwrinkled skin.

“Apparently they got around the protests by saying it would be a different kind of Crabbett Close games,” Ellen said.

“Merry Christmas, Ellen,” Ram said, leaning in to kiss her cheek.

“Oh yes, Merry Christmas to you both.”

They received hugs and kisses from everyone, along with wishes for plenty of Christmas blessings. Ram put the tray on the table, and Flora added the bottles she’d brought.

“So what’s the deal with the games being called?” Ram asked as he stomped his feet to keep them warm.

“I have no idea, but as Mr. Greedy has finished caroling, I’m sure he is about to tell us,” Leo said, looking around them.

“Merry Christmas everyone!” Mr. Greedy boomed several minutes later. “It’s time to start the games.”

“I thought we weren’t having any on Christmas Day!” Alex yelled.

“We have done things differently this year,” Mr. Greedy replied.

“Oh goody,” Gray muttered.

“Can we eat first?” Alex yelled. Everyone ignored him.

The children shrieked with excitement as they were allocated to adults so they could take part.

Everyone then moved in directions they’d been told, and Flora found herself with Lilly and Henry at the first table, awaiting Ram.

“I’m sure I just felt a snowflake on my nose,” Harriet said. “What sane person willingly stands outside in frigid conditions when their houses are just a few feet away?”

“Ah,” Flora said. “I see where you’re going wrong. Not a one of us is sane.”

“Place the blindfold on the first player!” Mr. Greedy called.

“But what are we doing?” Mungo’s thick Scottish accent reached the entire street.

“A child will guide you to the tables, and then instruct you on what to do,” Mr. Greedy replied. “Those not competing will look after younger children.”

“I doubt anyone lucky enough to be tucked up warm inside their houses eating a hearty meal would believe we are doing this on Christmas morning,” Cyn grumbled from beside Ellen.

“But imagine if we did not have all these people in our lives,” Ivy said.

Flora looked at the scene before them. It was magical. A huge Christmas tree stood in the park, erected and decorated by the locals. People were laughing, some singing. There was color and happiness everywhere.

“Of course you are right,” Cyn said. “But it tis early, and I did not get enough sleep last night.”

“Go!” Mr. Greedy yelled.

They looked to the men stumbling their way, blindfolded, toward them.

“This will not end well,” Flora said, noting that Samantha and Henry were the ones guiding their father.

“They’ve also just taken a nip of the Alvin’s treacle flavored gin,” Ivy added.

“It’s the mutton fat that sticks in your throat,” Miss Alvin said from behind them.

Flora was sure she had to be at least one hundred years old, but no one had the courage to ask her age. She stood with a stooped posture, her shoulders rounded, bundled up in so many clothes that only her nose and eyes were showing. “Now when they reach us, you’ll direct them to pull on the pants and scarf. Then there’s a wee puzzle to solve,” Miss Alvin added.

“No drinking or eating?” Harriet asked?

Mr. Alvin pulled back a cover and there were jars of pickled whelks and sugar biscuits.

“What’s in that?” Flora pointed at a bottle with glasses around it.

“It’s a special Christmas drink Mr. Greedy made.”

“Which means it will probably have you pickled in a matter of minutes,” Ellen whispered.

A shout had them all looking to the contestants who were about to descend on them. Leo had walked into the back of Ramsey and both were attempting to stay upright. Mungo was going in the wrong direction entirely.

“Let the fun begin,” Cyn muttered.