Chapter 3
Christmas Eve
That evening, dis-spite Lord Emsworth's and Galahad's attempts at making conversation, the entire household had fallen into a melancholy hush. And now, Galahad's well-known story of the Prawns seemed less and less comedic. Only Clarence laughed at them now.
Aunt Connie raised herself from where she had been slouching, barely touching her comestibles. She gave Galahad an unkind glare, "I shall be going to my room, all those who wish to know." She announced. She swept up the stairs angrily, and made her way down the hall as brusquely as she could. Without thinking, she barged through Freddie's door. "Frederick, I wish to speak to you."
Freddie barely raised his head from where he had buried it into the pillows, happily dreaming of Miss Niagara Donaldson, McAllister's niece. He gave his aunt a look that would have curdled milk, and swiped back the flip of hair that had fallen into his eyes. "Alright, aunt C, what dost her highness wish of her humble slave." He bowed his head, more in jest than in seriousness.
She glared daggers at him, and held out a bowl of clear, warm liquid. "The cook sent this. I suppose it is one of her broths."
Freddie shook his head, and balanced the bowl on his leg, lapping up the liquid in the spoon. He made a face. "Ugh, not enough spices for me." He laid the bowl resolutely down on the side table, and looked at his pales features in the mirror. "You know, I could really do with a bit of a pick-me up this Christmas, what do you say to a steady engagement, Aunt C?"
Aunt Connie stared at him, her lips parted in surprise. She raised a disapproving eyebrow, and cringed. "What un-modest penny-less girl have you sheltered beneath your wings this time?" She crossed her arms.
Freddie goggled like a fish. He opened and closed his mouth a couple times, before biting his lower lip. "I'm afraid, I need to keep that one under my chapeau." He gave a queer smile, and leaned back easily, trying to hide the look of pain that coursed through him.
Aunt Connie paused, lifted the left-over bowl of broth to her lips, and drank deeply. A smile played on her lips.
"It doesn't matter." She replied, still smiling. A look of excitement crossed over her face. "I have two Christmas presents for you that should keep you out of trouble for quite a spell."
Freddie colored. His eyes brightened at the mystery. What could his aunt possibly give him that would keep him out of the Pink Pussy? She made it sound, dashed important, and it almost sounded like a responsibility. "What sort of presents? And what sort of responsibilities are imminent with these presents?"
She gave him a knowing glance, but didn't reply until there was a substantial pause. "Now that is one thing that I need to keep under my chapeau."
Freddie grimaced angrily. "Oh, come on Aunt C. Just one hint? Please, a teeny one! The Guv-ner would approve, I'm sure." He pleaded, drawing his face into a pleading-puppy look.
Aunt Connie shook her head. "No, Frederick. You might as well know, as if you didn't know already that you have to wait for Christmas morning to open your presents. I have always wondered how Clarence could ever stand to give you a Christmas Eve gift. But now I'm putting my foot down, and I don't care what you think." She said resolutely. She pursed her lips into a thin line, hiding her amusement.