His Housekeeper's Christmas Wish. Louise Allen

of him, her face a picture of concern.

      ‘Why? What for?’

      ‘I’m sorry that you are estranged from your family and that I raised the subject. It must be so difficult.’

      ‘Don’t be sorry.’ He shrugged. ‘Certainly it isn’t difficult. I just ignore them, they ignore me. They say you choose your friends but not your family, but you can choose how much you see of any of them.’ Had home ever really felt like a good place to be? It must have done once, before his father had decided that he was so utterly unsuitable to be his heir, such a disappointment to him.

      ‘But what if something happens to them?’

      ‘It won’t.’ He took her by the shoulders, turned her around and walked her to her chamber door. ‘My father’s like an ox.’ Certainly has the sensitivity of one. ‘Now freshen up, then we’ll eat and be on our way.’